
Over the past couple of years Google has implemented a number of algorithm changes (Panda and Penguin) that have helped blur the lines between search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing. And that’s a good thing! When I first started optimizing websites back in the day it was more science and less art; link building and keyword density ratios made for a rather scientific approach to constructing and optimizing sites for search. This has all changed and frankly we have Google to thank!
As I scour the Interwebs seeking new clients I often find myself at company blogs. Some are fantastic! Others, however, leave me scratching my head. I consider good blogging to be the gateway into a company’s social media footprint; the foundation of the social media conversation they are looking to engage in. And yet, their blog is built without any of the tools required for a two way conversation or general stickiness.
We’re constantly speaking to clients, prospects and friends about the power of social media and blogging. What kind of power and what ROI expectations usually become part of the conversation. I certainly understand the need to justify marketing spend; my marketing roots are in direct response, where measurement and ROI reign supreme. That said I think that too much focus is spent on ROI when it comes to social media marketing and blogging.
You have a blog, and while that’s a great start you need to start getting people to read it. Preferably the right people – prospects, customers, partners, industry colleagues, etc. While it can take time to generate a solid following, don’t give up. I see too many companies with blogs that started strong, yet the last post was five months ago. Had they kept up their momentum… well I guess they’ll never know.
We’ve said it before and we might as well say it again… the importance of content marketing continues to grow. Companies are taking notice however. According to the Content Marketing Institute survey, 54 percent of B2B responders plan on increasing or increasing significantly their content marketing budgets over the course of 2013. This same survey also found that 64 percent of the marketers said that producing content that engages is their number one challenge.

@ontopicsolution Thanks for the mention!
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@sportxchangewa Thanks for the mention!
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@relentlesssport Thanks for the mention!
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