Other posts in this series: How to Get Started with Content Marketing, Part One and Part Two How to Find Your Groove as a Content Marketer, Part Two The Evolution of a Content Master, Part One and Part Two
As you get more comfortable building your business online, you find yourself with more to say, a bigger audience that’s listening and the confidence to talk to them. In other words, you’re a full-fledged Content Marketer, publishing 2-5 articles or blog posts every month (not there yet? maybe you’re a Content Starter).
Prerequisites for Content Marketers
Here are the things I suggest you have in place as you transition from content starter to content marketer (please note that some of these are affiliate links):
- A business coach, mentor and/or mastermind group
- A website that is targeted to a clearly defined niche
- A basic pink spoon that is also targeted
- Social network accounts and profiles
- A blog
- An established practice of publishing consistently once per month
- An editorial calendar for your expanded publishing schedule of 2-5 pieces per month
- A style guide and/or style sheet for your recurring writing questions
- An editor or proofreader
- At least three hours per week to spend on content marketing tasks and social networking
Building your communities
You’re clear about what you do in your business and who you do it for. That focus is increasing your visibility, attracting prospective clients and making it easier for colleagues to refer you.
You’ll want to be spending more time consciously cultivating that network of colleagues via social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.
Personalizing and packaging your content
You’re likely offering more structured group and individual coaching programs now, based on the model that revealed itself through your successful experiences with clients. And as your services become more specific, so does your writing.
You’re naturally infusing more creativity and personality into your writing. On the one hand you have more feedback from your bigger audience, and on the other hand, you’re claiming your own style of writing, trusting that your ideal clients will resonate with it.
At this point you’re building up enough targeted content that you can begin packaging it together to create new pink spoons or other products for your marketing funnel.
Aside from content marketing tools like articles, blog posts and products, you’ll need additional written content for your coaching programs and marketing activities. This content may include coaching exercises, scripts for your videos or handouts for your teleclasses.
Hint: Remember that for visual learners (like me), audio isn’t enough. In order to make the deepest connection with each learner, offer your material in a variety of formats, including written (here are 3 Ways to Enhance Your Live or Recorded Audio Offerings).
In Part Two, we’ll look at how you’ll be advancing your writing skills at this point in the Content Marketing Model, and how your network can support your efforts.