Content marketing can help you to build your online reputation with both your customers and your prospects.  To be successful with content marketing you do need to commit to publish good quality content on a regular basis but if you do this you will build lasting online relationships and enjoy a strong online brand reputation.

It is well known in business that people will always prefer to deal with the people that they know and trust. You can achieve the same results with your online content marketing campaigns using popular online tools such as:

• social networks
• blogging
• email marketing
• video marketing
• your website

Good content marketing campaigns have a single objective – to build trust and confidence in you, your business and your brand.

Social Media

The popular social media (Web 2.0) channels and tools can be used successfully to build your online reputation. By using social networks such as Facebook and  LinkedIn, you can interact and network with your existing customers and your prospective customers. You can also use social media to drive targeted traffic to your website, your blog or other online portals you may have.

In addition to the ‘mainstream’ social networking websites there are also many specialist social networks, some of which may be appropriate to your niche or sector. These specialist social channels provide you with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise to your peers – which can only enhance your online reputation.

Blog marketing

Blog marketing is one of the best ways to reach and engage with targeted readers at  a conversational level on a regular basis. Each day you decide which sub-set of your target audience you want to target with your blog post.  The content of your blog should be written to provide knowledge or help solve a problem for your readers. Encourage your blog readers to respond and leave comments about your post. Good blogging includes both engaging with your audience directly on your blog and also starting a blogging discussion.

Your blog can help you develop a strong online reputation and also help forge strong bonds with your existing and future customers.

As I have said previously on many occasions all businesses wanting to enjoy online success should have a blog.

Email Marketing

You can use email marketing campaigns to communicate and stay in touch with those customers and contacts that have given you permission contact them via email.

There are now many email spamming laws in place, which makes it essential for you to ensure that all your email recipients gave you explicit or implied permission to send them emails.  If you have a newsletters page or white papers section in your website where visitors can subscribe via email, it should be OK to email them with other valuable content or information – but always give them the option to ‘unsubscribe’ as this is more likely to create a positive user experience and make your audience feel that they are in control.

Relationship Website

Design your blog and website with your target audience in mind. This involves understanding exactly who your target market is and what their buying and communication preferences are.  The aim is to provide visitors to your website and blog with a friendly and warm user experience. If appropriate, you can show your hospitality by offering your visitors free information, tools, downloads, white papers or e-books.

We usually recommend the inclusion of a FAQ (frequently asked questions) section within your website as this provides your visitors with an easy way to quickly find the answers to their questions. Use your website to encourage a two-way dialogue by making it easy for your website visitors to email, message or call you for immediate answers if they cannot find what they want on the website.

Content marketing is a great way for you to build your online reputation and also a good way in which you can be seen to be different / better than the competition.

If you would like to learn more about content marketing or building an online reputation please leave a comment below or visit WSIIMS – WSI Digital marketing Services in Surrey, Sussex, Kent & the South East of England.