4 Easy Steps To Become A Better Content Marketer

It's 2020.
You're asked to choose between BLOGGING and
CONTENT MARKETING, What would you choose?
I'm sure it would be a tug of war choosing one out of
the two. Especially down here in Nigeria. Because
most people think both are one and the same thing.
But here's what it is. Defining it loosely, Content
marketing is an advanced form of blogging.
And as a blogger, in 2020, one powerful tool to use in
building a more successful blog would be content
marketing.
Now the question is, are you ready for this shift?
Today’s episode of 7 top skills to become a successful
blogger in 2020, will be focused on how you can use
content marketing to build a successful blog.
Here we go…
So most new bloggers think one can wake up any
day and start blogging about anything and the
audience would just come around.
This is a misconception that needs to be corrected if
you really want to succeed with your blogging.
Now, first things first…
If you’re concerned about blogging and getting huge
success with your blog, you must move from a mere
blogger to a better content marketer… Because,
blogging has evolved.
Now, here’s what it I mean…
Blogging is serious business. And bloggers are now
using blogs to drive their business hence there is a
big shift from what it used to be.
So unlike years back where anyone can come up
with a mediocre news blog that gets rank with some
black hat SEO tricks, today things have changed.
This is why you keep getting questions like, IS
BLOGGING DEAD?
But the truth still remains, Blogging isn’t dead.
Blogging has only evolved so if you’re yet to move
with the trend, blogging could be dead to you.
Ok. Going back to our question...
As a blogger, how can you use content marketing to
build a successful blog?
Why should you care to become a content marketer?
Here’s it…
A Content marketer is responsible for researching,
creating and sharing valuable content in order to yield
a specific outcome.
A blogger on the other hand is responsible for
updating a weblog. He/ she could update it for news
information, personal experiences etc.
So at the end of the day, Blogging is more of the
basic job while Content Marketing is more purposeful
and directed at a more specific outcome.
As a blogger, you’ll have to move from blogging
about anything just for blogging sake, to blogging
about specific things, to a specific audience, and for a
specific outcome…
This is where the concept of Content Marketing
comes in... And also, the business part of blogging.
Moving from a mere Blogger to Content Marketer
starts with a Mindset Shift. Meaning that when you
get to this stage, you’ve moved from a hobby blogger
to a professional, like an entrepreneur.
The implication of this is that you now have a well-
defined goal for your blogging. And every other
blogging activity is done with this goal in mind.
So at the end of the day you don’t just write stuff
you feel like writing on the blog but as a content
marketer, your goals now determines the kind of
posts you update, the length of the post, your posting
consistency and the platforms you’ll share each post.
How to become a Badass content marketer and
take your blog to the next level
So you’ve seen reasons why you should up your
game and become a Content Marketer if you really
want to evolve a very successful blog…
Now, the following are specific steps you should take
to become a better Content Marketer with your Blog:
1. Research your audience. All internet users are
not your target audience.
This is the first thing you should know hence there’s
need to define the kind of people that will most likely
help you achieve your blogging goals then get them
over to your blog.
This will help you ensure you’re creating the right
content to the right audience and also in ensuring
you’re able to create content that clearly connects
your reader’s benefits to their needs.
Alright!
So you can start this research by first understanding
your blogging goals clearly and then asking yourself
questions like:
What problem does my product or services
solve?
Assuming you’re blogging to promote a product or
service, you should be able to understand this clearly
by relating the problem to the solution your product
or services is providing.
Who is my competition?
This could be anyone in your own line of business.
Understanding them clearly gives you an idea about
your audience since they are already following and
reading from this competitor. Especially where the
competitor is well established.
What does my audience stand to benefit from
choosing me above my competitor?
This is where a clear understanding of your unique
selling point will be of great help in positioning your
brand to attract a unique audience.
I’ll discus a lot about unique selling point in a later
part of this series.
Alright…
So when the above has been sorted out, you will
now have a clearer understanding of the following:
Why your content exists
Who’s going to read your stuff
What your competitor is doing currently and how
you can take it to the next level and finally,
Why your audience should choose you over your
competition.
Now this takes us to the next step…
2. Get a blogging Calendar. After you’ve laid out
your purpose and blogging goals, the next thing on
your list is to set out a clear content marketing
calendar in line with the goals you listed.
Your calendar could be yearly, quarterly or monthly.
The goal is to cover everything necessary for your
blogging success within that period.
For instance if you intend to launch a new product or
service within a certain part of the year, this should
be captured within your blogging calendar and
suitable posts proposed for it.
Getting a blogging calendar would make your
blogging a bit easier and more purpose driven.
3. Share on social media. [/b]Generally, not all
social media attracts same audience
demographics. Sometimes even within social
media platforms, there are sub categories with
more specific audiences.
Focus on finding social media and sub groups with
your relevant target audience.
Find out how you can share your post to them in a
way that will drive targeted traffic back to your
blog.
[b]4. Create exceptional value
. Now you could say
the concept of creating exceptional value is almost
over rated. But truth is, to attract a loyal audience,
you must keep creating exceptional value
consistently.
As someone looking at becoming an extremely
successful blogger, there’s even an increasing need to
create a very high value for your audience in a way
that will not only distinguish you in your niche but
keeps you as the go to person in that niche.
Here’s how far we can go today…
Remember, blogging has evolved. To become a
successful blogger you’ll not just be a blogger, you’ll
need to have great content marketing skills that will
help you stand out.
Want to read other part of the free series? Read
below...

https://www.victorwinners.com/7-tips-to-become-a-successful-blogger-in-2020-create-powerful-content/