From the Sept. 2013 issue.
Content marketing is today’s hot topic. You certainly can’t ignore it (not that you want to)—with countless articles on hand that tout the importance of developing useful, timely content to support a strong marketing program. Gone are the days where straight-up traditional marketing was enough. Today, relying solely on outbound initiatives to gain interest and convert prospects to clients (e.g. telemarketing, sales-oriented direct mailers, etc.) is an ineffective strategy. In contrast, content marketing is an inbound tactic that can help to increase your firm’s online visibility with today’s research-obsessed consumers—while also positioning you and your team as credible advisors.
And in a world where the Internet is THE research tool of choice, content marketing is the ideal tactic to employ.
If you’re still not sure about content marketing, don’t worry. Read on for an easy-to-understand definition of content marketing and sound tips on how to deploy a content-driven strategy for your practice.
Content Marketing – What It Is and Why You Need to Embrace It
Content marketing is not exactly an intuitive descriptor. The main issue is that the word ‘marketing’ on its own can throw accountants into a head spin. Add the word ‘content’ (considering most accountants don’t exactly get jazzed up about writing) and you may hit full-on seizure mode. To truly grasp what content marketing means, it’s best to think of it as a tactic and not an action.
If you read nothing else in this article, understand this: Content marketing is a tactic used to generate traffic by sharing valuable and free content. By developing content that your existing clients and prospects want to read (an important distinction), you can increase interest in your firm, create rapport, and build trust, which ultimately leads to new business. Content marketing provides another benefit as well: the more quality content you publish, the more ‘findable’ you are online—especially if proper attention is given to creating keyword-strong content (keywords are words and phrases that search engines use to index web content). The main goal of content marketing is to engage your audience and drive them back to you (inbound) for more information.
Simply understanding what content marketing means is the first step to mastering this tactic and building a strong marketing program overall. It’s also important to note that content marketing should include both existing clients and prospects. Current clients want to be educated too, and, bonus, this offers another way to strengthen client relationships and ensure they stick around for the long haul.
So, now on to the content itself. There are two points to consider here: 1) the type of content and 2) the channels you use to deliver it.
When considering the type of content to publish, it’s important to understand that your content should be closely related to what you sell. In other words, provide content that educates the reader on your area of expertise. If you specialize in outsourced accounting or CFO services, publish a white paper on the value of outsourcing these services, including cost effectiveness, convenience, and assurance of proper accounting principles. This will allow readers to get to know and trust you enough to do business with you, or in the case of existing clients, to expand their business relationship with you.
Once you have decided the type of content that your clients and prospects will find valuable, it’s time to consider the channels you will use to deliver it to them. In other words, where should you publish your content? The good news is that you have many options. The web has made publishing content easier than ever. Today, you are in control of what is published and where it appears. You can even create your own channels. As such, your content can take many forms—from YouTube how-to videos (e.g., How to Effectively use Online Client Accounting Software) to educational articles published on your website or within a local magazine (e.g. Top Benefits of Outsourcing Payroll for Small Businesses). Other options include writing a regular blog, developing a newsletter that can be sent to clients and prospects, or tweeting and posting useful, timely tips (e.g., reminders for quarterly estimate payments). There are numerous delivery options available to push your content out. Take full advantage of them.
Final, Helpful Thoughts…
The key to good content marketing (and pay close attention to this) is that it should not read, sound, or feel like marketing. The content you develop should always be informative…while very subtly selling your services. Prospects will know who you are because you are the content provider, so no need to get into detail about your firm and your services within the content (save this for an ‘About the Author’ section at the end). Keep in mind the primary objectives of content marketing: build relationships, create rapport, and gain trust through appropriate and consistent knowledge sharing. The essence of effective content marketing is to offer something a viewer or reader wants and needs—information!
In general, the most powerful content focuses on helping clients and prospects, while quietly promoting your services and expertise. This is the type of information that consumers search for online and that will ultimately lead them back to you as a trusted resource. Helpful, wonderful you!
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Kristy Short, Ed.D, is president of rwc360, LLC (rwc360.com)—a firm dedicated to providing marketing and public relations services to the accounting profession. She is also a professor of English and marketing. Reach her at kristy.short@cpapracticeadvisor.com or kristy@rwc360.com.
Gaynor Meilke, MS, is a professional accounts manager at rwc360. She has more than 15 years of public relations and marketing experience, including expertise within the accounting and financial sectors. Reach her at gaynor@rwc360.com.
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Tags: Firm Management, Marketing, Small Business
