If you are "content"
with great content,
Please reconsider
So you won't repent!
Now is the time
to get discontent.
Never settle for less than
OUTSTANDING content!
I am not sure how you feel about my mini-poetry style! We can discuss that later
According to wikipedia, copywriting is...
Copywriting is writing copy for the purpose of advertising or marketing. The copy is meant to persuade someone to buy a product, or influence their beliefsCopy can also appear in social media content including blog posts, tweets, and social-networking site posts.
Wikipedia defines content marketing as...
Content marketing is any marketing that involves the creation and sharing of media and publishing content in order to acquire and retain customers. This information can be presented in a variety of formats, including news, video, white papers, e-books, infographics, case studies, how-to guides, question and answer articles, photos, etc.
Based on these definitions, we can safely say that content marketing and copywriting are deeply intertwined.
It goes without saying that the content marketing playground is fiercely competitive. If you aspire to position yourself ahead of the pack, "great" is not enough!
First Things First! Let's Define Great Content (Copy)
In a nutshell, great content must fulfill the 3 Es of content marketing (aka copywriting): Educate, Entertain and Engage.
The 3Es cover all the basics like using compelling titles, offering well-organized and easy-to-read content, doing your SEO homework, showcasing your brand message, highlighting your unique value proposition and so forth.
To sum it all up in one sentence, Great content and/or copy meets audience expectations.
So far so good! Now that you decided to rebel against "Great" and upgrade to "Outstanding", you need to...
Promise And Over-Deliver!
If you want to skyrocket your readership, get in the habit of giving your readers more than they expected. They will love you for it! Just make sure that your pleasant surprise is still relevant to their needs and aspirations.
For example, if your article title is "7 tips to", surprise your readers by adding another 8th tip, making sure that your bonus tip is really great.
You could have titled your post as "8 tips to". But I am in favor of the first title because it makes over- delivering super easy! When your readers are prepared to learn 7 tips and you exceed their expectations by adding something great to the mix, they will get hooked on your content.
Alternatively, you may include videos or presentations that provide quality information and so forth.
The key is to keep over-delivering in mind and get creatively consistent about it. On top of that, strive to become the ultimate Aha! expert.
Become A Restless Bee!
In a previous article 3 Ways Content Curation Can Boost Content Creation, I advised that, as you curate content, think of ways it can inspire your own content.
Let's delve deeper into that thought. When you say: "Wow I love this eBook!", get curious about what "waawed" you about it in the first place. In fact, it may be worth your while to reread the entire thing with the intention of discovering it's wow factor.
Become very analytical and a keen observant of what makes other people's content outstanding and think of creative ways to follow their tracks. (I would advise that you take notes of the content you like and what exactly you liked about it so you don't lose sight of the "good stuff".)
I firmly believe that an outstanding content marketer should become a restless bee that tastes all the flowers in the garden and finally produces his/her wholesome honey.
At the end of the day, your authentic voice will still shine through. Its your own honey after all!
Ready For Massive Conversions?
Which of the tips and insights presented here resonated with you the most and how are you planning to put them into action? How about my mini-poetry style? Did I make a strong case here?
Please make my day and share your thoughts in the comments. To your success!
Image courtesy of FrameAngel at FreeDigitalPhotos.net