Are you just getting started with a content marketing strategy for your business? Not sure which types of content you should create for your website?

Boston Digital share the types of content that sell in this infographic.

They break things down into the following stages of the buyer journey:

  • Awareness
  • Interest
  • Consideration
  • Decision

Check out the infographic for more.

Content Marketing for Beginners: 41 Types of Content That Sell [Infographic]

 

In today’s digital age, content marketing has become an integral part of any successful business strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, understanding the various types of content that can help you reach and engage your target audience is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 41 types of content that sell and provide you with insights on how to effectively leverage them in your content marketing efforts.

Why Content Marketing Matters

Before we dive into the various types of content, let’s briefly discuss why content marketing is so important. Content marketing is a strategic approach to creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. It can help you achieve several key objectives:

  1. Build Brand Awareness: By consistently producing high-quality content, you can increase your brand’s visibility and establish yourself as an industry authority.
  2. Generate Leads: Content marketing can drive traffic to your website and capture leads through forms, subscriptions, or downloads.
  3. Nurture Customer Relationships: Engaging content helps you build trust and rapport with your audience, increasing customer loyalty and retention.
  4. Drive Conversions: Well-crafted content can influence purchase decisions, ultimately leading to increased sales and revenue.

Now, let’s explore the 41 types of content that can help you achieve these objectives:

Blog Posts

  1. How-To Guides: Share step-by-step instructions to help your audience solve a problem or achieve a goal.
  2. Listicles: Create lists of valuable tips, resources, or product recommendations related to your niche.
  3. Case Studies: Showcase success stories or examples of how your product or service has benefited customers.
  4. Product Reviews: Provide honest and detailed reviews of products or services related to your industry.
  5. Interviews: Conduct interviews with industry experts, influencers, or satisfied customers to provide valuable insights.
  6. News Updates: Share industry news, trends, and updates to keep your audience informed.
  7. Guest Posts: Collaborate with guest writers to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to your blog.

Visual Content

  1. Infographics: Create visually appealing graphics to convey complex information in a simple, digestible format.
  2. Videos: Produce engaging video content, such as tutorials, product demos, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business.
  3. Memes: Share humorous and relatable memes that resonate with your target audience.
  4. Slideshows: Compile informative slideshows or presentations to educate your audience.
  5. Interactive Content: Develop interactive quizzes, polls, or calculators to engage and entertain your visitors.

Social Media Content

  1. Facebook Posts: Share updates, promotions, and engaging content with your Facebook audience.
  2. Instagram Posts: Showcase visually appealing images and stories to captivate your Instagram followers.
  3. Twitter Tweets: Share news, insights, and quick tips with your Twitter followers.
  4. LinkedIn Articles: Publish thought leadership articles and updates on your LinkedIn profile.
  5. Pinterest Pins: Create visually inspiring pins to drive traffic and engagement on Pinterest.
  6. TikTok Videos: Explore short-form video content to reach a younger, more interactive audience.

Email Marketing

  1. Newsletters: Send regular newsletters packed with valuable content, product updates, and offers to your subscribers.
  2. Drip Campaigns: Create automated email sequences to nurture leads and guide them through the sales funnel.
  3. Product Announcements: Notify your subscribers about new products, features, or services.
  4. Customer Stories: Share success stories and testimonials from satisfied customers.
  5. Educational Series: Offer a series of educational emails on a specific topic relevant to your audience.

Ebooks and Whitepapers

  1. Ebooks: Write in-depth ebooks on topics that showcase your expertise and provide value to your audience.
  2. Whitepapers: Publish research-backed whitepapers that address industry challenges and offer solutions.
  3. Resource Guides: Create comprehensive resource guides with curated lists of tools, tips, and references.

Podcasts

  1. Podcast Episodes: Start a podcast series where you discuss industry trends, interview experts, and share insights.
  2. Audio Interviews: Conduct audio interviews with industry leaders or customers to provide valuable content.

Webinars and Live Streams

  1. Webinars: Host live webinars to educate your audience, answer questions, and generate leads.
  2. Live Q&A Sessions: Interact with your audience in real-time through live streaming sessions on platforms like Facebook Live or YouTube Live.

User-Generated Content

  1. Customer Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews and share their experiences on your website or social media.
  2. User-Generated Photos: Showcase images of customers using your products or services.
  3. Contests and Challenges: Organize contests or challenges that encourage users to create and share content related to your brand.

Interactive Content

  1. Quizzes: Create quizzes that engage and educate your audience while providing personalized results.
  2. Polls and Surveys: Gather valuable insights by conducting polls and surveys on social media or your website.
  3. Calculators: Develop interactive calculators that help users make informed decisions.

Visual Stories

  1. Instagram Stories: Use ephemeral content to provide a glimpse into your daily activities or promotions.
  2. Snapchat Stories: Share short, engaging stories with your Snapchat audience.

Visual Guides

  1. Flowcharts: Create flowcharts or diagrams to simplify complex processes or concepts.
  2. Mind Maps: Visualize ideas, concepts, or strategies with mind maps.

Content Roundups

  1. Best-of Roundups: Curate a list of the best resources, tools, or products in your industry.

Now that we’ve explored these 41 types of content, it’s important to remember that the effectiveness of your content marketing efforts doesn’t solely depend on the type of content you create. The quality, relevance, and consistency of your content are equally crucial.

Tips for Effective Content Marketing

  1. Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points.
  2. Set Clear Goals: Define specific objectives for each piece of content, whether it’s driving traffic, generating leads, or increasing sales.
  3. Consistency is Key: Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and informed.
  4. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on creating high-quality content that provides real value to your audience.
  5. Optimize for SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords and optimize your content for search engines to improve discoverability.
  6. Promote Across Channels: Share your content on various platforms to reach a wider audience.
  7. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and feedback to build stronger relationships with your followers.
  8. Measure and Analyze: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your content and make data-driven improvements.
  9. Adapt and Evolve: Stay updated with industry trends and adapt your content strategy accordingly.

In conclusion, content marketing is a dynamic and versatile approach that can yield significant results for businesses of all sizes. By understanding these 41 types of content and implementing effective content marketing strategies, you can connect with your audience, build brand loyalty, and drive business growth. Remember that the key to success lies not only in the content you create but also in how well you understand and engage with your audience.

Mark Walker-Ford

Director, Red Website Design