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By now you know that content marketing should be a staple in your company’s marketing strategy. One of the questions we hear often when chatting with clients who want to create content is “do you have topic ideas?”

While we can certainly dive in and make meaning out of your website data to determine exactly which topics are going to perform well for your company, let’s take a higher-level approach and look at the types of content you should be creating. You need variety, to provide a full picture of your company, products, and services, and you need to attract users who consume information in different ways.

Here are five types of articles you should be creating.

1. The Beloved Listicle
   Whether you like it or not, listicles are still a “thing.” In a society where we want to consume information quickly and gather facts as fast as we possibly can, laying it out in a list format will create an easy-to-comprehend method for users to get what they need. And did you know that listicles are the most popular blog post format among business blogs, according to Responsive Inbound Marketing, 2019 results?  Regardless of your industry, you can turn information into a solid list.
2. The How-To
   Users want depth and technical knowledge, not just fluff. Providing an in-depth how-to piece, either in written or video format will educate and provide serious value to your customers or potential customers. Someone on the fence about your product or service may be inspired to go forward with a purchase when they see how much supporting information you’re providing or how simple it is to use.
3. The Story
   While you can incorporate storytelling efforts into any of your company’s pieces, an emotion-evoking story will help connect the reader with the value of your company and its offerings. Many people opt for case studies in place of a story, but consider a story a more emotional case study, really identifying the challenge that potential readers have and then some examples of how your company solves them. The more you can craft this in a storytelling format, the better. Telling stories makes content 22 times more memorable (source).
4. Data-Backed/ Research-Based Content
   Users want to believe you, but they’re skeptical. Providing research and supporting stats in the form of an article, research paper, or white paper will help them build trust. White papers actually ranked number one on a list of the top three most effective types of content that B2B marketers use for content marketing purposes (source).
5. The Article That Has Nothing To Do With Your Product
   We really emphasize the need for content that has nothing to do with your products or company. Why? Because you want to reach people who might be interested, as well as build a relationship with your current audience so they stay loyal. By giving your audience additional information about other things they’re interested in, you’re creating a relationship that is based on more than just selling. You’re becoming a go-to knowledge resource, and in doing so, are staying in front of your targets, attracting new customers, and being valuable.

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