Raise your hand if you’re sick of creating content. And while your hand is up in the air, let’s just cut to the chase—a content marketing strategy is not just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. It’s one of the things that should not be skipped no matter how busy you are (sorry, not sorry!). 

The reason is simple. A solid content marketing strategy can work wonders for your brand. It can get your name out there, establish you as the go-to expert in your field, and do some serious heavy lifting for your business. Today, we’re breaking down seven reasons why your small business absolutely needs to jump on the content marketing bandwagon this year.

1. It Gets Your Name Out There

First up, content marketing helps you get your name out there. By consistently putting out valuable content, you're not only introducing your brand to new faces, but you’re also staying on the radar of your existing customers. Whether that means churning out blog posts, releasing helpful resources, or creating fun social media content, a solid content marketing strategy is there to consistently remind people who you are and what your business is all about. If you're not sure exactly how to position yourself as a brand, start with this article about how to build a brand.

2. Build Trust

The second reason your small business needs a content marketing strategy is to build trust. There are a lot of people who do what you do on the internet nowadays. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and content marketing is a fantastic way to build it for your business! When you're sharing content that's actually useful, informative, and engaging, you're positioning yourself as the expert in your field. Over time, this builds credibility and trust with your audience. Then, when it comes time to buy, they’re more likely to pick your products or services over your competition.

3. Improves SEO

Let’s talk search engine optimization (SEO). If you want more organic traffic (read: traffic you don’t have to pay for), content marketing is a key player. Regularly putting out quality content on your blog helps your site climb those search engine rankings, making it easier for new customers to find you. Plus, when you optimize your blog content for specific keywords and topics your audience cares about, you're getting targeted traffic that’s (ideally) looking to make a purchasing decision.

4. Educates Your Audience

Who doesn’t have a list of things we wish our audience knew? Content marketing is your chance to educate your audience about your products, services, and industry. By dishing out valuable info, you're helping potential customers see how you understand their problems, and can solve their problems or meet their needs. This doesn’t just position you as a thought leader and industry expert, but it also helps gently guide potential customers through the sales funnel.

5. You Can Create Long-Form Content You Repurpose

Here's a content marketing pro tip: long-form content is the gift that keeps on giving. For example, spend the time creating a solid blog post, and then you can break it down into social media updates, infographics, a video series and more! This approach squeezes maximum value out of your content and keeps your audience engaged with a steady stream of fresh material. If you are a small business with too much on your plate as is, having one piece of content that you can repurpose might just be (read: is) the breath of fresh air you needed. 

6. A Content Marketing Strategy Gives Evergreen Results 

Ever heard of evergreen content? Nope? Well, it's the stuff you do now that stays fresh and relevant long after you hit publish. By creating evergreen content, which is basically just the content that you’re not putting up on social media, you're setting up long-term value for your audience and your business. Those blog posts or Youtube videos are ready to binge at any time. These pieces can keep pulling in traffic, generating leads, and educating your audience for months, even years! And the best part? A quick update now and then is all it takes to keep them current and relevant.

7. A Great Way to Collaborate (Especially for B2B Industries)

Lastly, content marketing can be a great way to collaborate with other businesses, especially in the B2B space. Teaming up with other businesses (that serve your audience) for guest posts, co-hosted webinars, or even collab posts on Instagram can expand your reach, introduce you to fresh audiences, and strengthen your industry relationships. This has definitely been one of the biggest trends we’ve seen in marketing this year, as the economy softens and competition gets even more fierce, collaborating is one of the main ways small business owners are standing out. 

Before you start - Get Your Marketing Strategy in Gear First

A little advice? Before you dive headfirst into content marketing, make sure you've got a solid marketing strategy first. Your marketing strategy should be your game plan—it'll keep your content efforts on track, in line with your business goals, and target the right audience. Plus, if you need a hand getting your marketing strategy off the ground, check out how Enji can help you create your marketing strategy.

Tools to Help You Improve Your Content Marketing Strategy

Sold on having a content marketing strategy but not sure when you could possibly fit it into your busy schedule? Fortunately, we have a few things to help make your life a little easier. First, Enji has an AI copywriter which will help you pump out quality content quickly (and in your brand voice). Pair that with our social media scheduler and marketing calendar, and we’ve given you everything you need for consistent, cross-platform posting without the headache.

At the end of the day, here's the deal: content marketing isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have for small businesses looking to build a business that lasts. It's how you get noticed, build trust, and create lasting value. By educating your audience, improving your SEO, and opening doors for collaboration, you're setting yourself up to be around for a long time (with raving fans cheering you on too!). Start your free trial on Enji today and let’s make it happen!