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You’ve made the decision to begin content marketing efforts—tweets have been tweeted, Facebook posts have been scheduled, and you even have a few blog posts under your belt. Whether you’re focusing on B2B or B2C marketing, content is a great way to tell a compelling story to fuel your brand. But how do you go from beginner to industry thought maverick?

Here’s how to gain traction with your content marketing efforts, and truly present yourself online as an authority in your industry:

  1. Write About What You Know
    It seems so obvious, right? But you’d be surprised with how many marketers overlook this one simple ingredient to content marketing mastery. With all the content competition out there today, there is no room for fluffy writing and unchecked facts. More than likely, you have knowledge about a certain niche in you industry—so write about it!Sharing your true knowledge is step one to becoming an authority that people can turn to. Not only will you be more confident in your writing, you will also come across as an authentic and trustworthy source.
  2. Write for Your Ideal Customer
    You wouldn’t expect someone to listen to your five-minute spiel before addressing them first, right? No! The same goes for the way you communicate online. Make sure that the moment a person sees your message they know that it is made specifically with them in mind. How? Solve their daily dilemmas, speak in their language, and deliver your message in a format they like.When it comes to content marketing, you really have to put your ego aside and remember that it’s not for you…it’s for your reader. Find out what they like—write more of that.
  3. Be Consistent
    Great relationships are built on trust. For readers to feel truly connected with your ideas and brand, you must deliver consistently. This means being extremely organized and planning your content strategy ahead of time.With so many social media channel options out there, consistency can be a challenge. I would recommend scheduling your social content a week in advance to save yourself a major headache. Sites like Hootsuite and Sprout Social can be a huge help. As for blogging, be sure to have a detailed editorial calendar in place to stay on top of your game.
  4. Find Guest Blogging Opportunities
    True idea leaders share their wealth of knowledge. By keeping all your ideas tied up in your own personal channels, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with other online communities. Guest blogging is a great way to gain connections, establish your unique position, and build your identity online. Make sure it’s a site you feel is reputable and compliments your brand.
  5. Engage with Readers
    Your job doesn’t end when you hit “publish.” Oh no. That’s when the real work starts. Your mission is to be your reader’s go to for any and all questions, comments, or concerns regarding your product or service. No one likes a one-way conversation! Be the brand that is not only authoritative, but also likable. Don’t underestimate the power of simply reaching out and responding.

How are your establishing yourself as an industry authority with your content? As always, I’d love to hear from you!