Ask any seasoned digital marketer, and they will tell you that sometimes, content marketing may feel like an uphill battle. Constantly trying to come up with new innovative content marketing ideas can often be challenging, and sometimes, you might even think that you are just going through the motions, using the same ideas and pumping out the same content repeatedly.
We’ve all been there. Truth be told, it can often be difficult to come up with new content marketing ideas, especially if you don’t look for some outside inspiration. To help you with that, our latest blog article aims to bring you a handful of creative content marketing innovations that can help you create an effective content marketing strategy that will keep your audiences engaged with your brand.
Marketing Made Simple: Embracing Innovations in Content Marketing The Right Way
Before we start, let’s first try to define what content marketing really means. This aspect of digital marketing focuses on producing and distributing valuable and insightful content consistently to generate leads and retain your audience. Naturally, the end goal is to drive profitable action from customers through a strategic approach.
Content marketing usually involves using eBooks, blog posts, how-to guides, social media posts, infographics, images, and more.
A smart content marketing strategy will always focus on creating engaging and insightful content that’s able to attract the brand’s target audience, engage them, and nurture a relationship with them. Still, in order for this to work, marketers need to deeply understand the needs and tastes of their target audiences and give them the type of content they are looking for.
Innovative Content Marketing Ideas: Expert Tips
So, now that we’ve established how content marketing works, here’s a comprehensive content marketing innovation list from a team of expert digital marketers. These innovative ideas will help you create a cohesive content strategy that will enable you to produce and distribute valuable content appreciated and cherished by your audience.
Trends Are Trends For a Reason
While not all trends are instant innovations in content marketing, they are truly something that offers instant remedies for your pains. They aren’t time-consuming, and in some cases, all you have to do to introduce a twist to your content marketing is to use the latest trending tech.
For instance, podcasting is a great example of this. Podcasts have become more and more popular over the years, and the medium offers a great way to create a stronger connection with your audience, even on a personal level. What you need is a good microphone, quality ideas, and a good editing program.
Regarding topics, the field is more or less open for experiments. Depending on your industry and brand, you might opt for a more formal podcast format with high-profile industry experts. Or, if it fits your brand, you may also experiment with a more relaxed format that, apart from value, also allows your audiences to have some fun while listening to your podcast.
Behind The Scenes
The BTS approach isn’t exactly a content marketing innovation, as it has been around for a while now. Still, it’s capable of creating a more meaningful relationship between your brand and audience.
Your followers can get a sneak peek into your company, how it operates, who your employees are, and how they prepare your services or products. This shows the human side of your company, creating a stronger bond with your audience.
Statistic data seems to back these claims, as around 90% of US consumers have stated that they prefer to do business with brands that use some type of marketing personalization.
As such, consider simple things, such as giving a factory or office tour. Introduce your employees, talk about their interests, their best traits, and so on. You may also offer a sneak peek at any new products or services.
The key here is to be authentic and genuine. Keep things honest and simple, without exaggerating anything.
Explore New Customer Service Channels
If you want to work on your social presence, start with creating positive interactions between your brand and your customers on social media. How? Try implementing your customer service model on your social channels – address every question and concern quickly. Respond to everyone and always be helpful and respectful.
Even better – consider opening a separate account for customer support without creating a mess on your main account. Your customer service channel can easily address specific issues regarding orders, customer accounts, and more.
1. Use 101 Guides
Comprehensive guides can help you strengthen your bond with current customers as well as help you attract new ones. It can also help you create an excellent brand identity and establish your company as a go-to expert in your field.
“101” means that you will cover all the essentials on specific topics. For instance, if you are an agency that does branding, you can create a guide under the topic: “Brand Identity 101: Everything You Need to Know.”
Don’t forget these content marketing innovations aim to make the learning process more straightforward for your target audience. That said, concentrate on more straightforward language and take your time to explain all the terminology. Make the structure of the guide easily scannable and digestible, even for beginners.
Also, consider enriching your guides with different technological solutions. You can always use infographics, charts, and other visual aids. You may also want to add video tutorials for your guides if you want to take your innovative content marketing ideas to the next level.
2. Be The Go-To Learning Source
If you want to go all in on content marketing innovation using your expert knowledge, then, apart from 101 guides, divide a segment of your content marketing strategy and devote it to customer education.
For instance, if you run an online whole-food grocery store, you can publish various helpful articles on how to eat healthy while saving money or how to make healthier diet choices without sacrificing the foods your customers love. Use Instagram or TikTok reels to create innovative recipes or showcase how your followers can turn their favorite comfort foods into healthier alternatives.
The best part is that you can also use knowledge as a great content marketing innovator in other areas. For instance, if you run an insurance company, you can leverage your expert knowledge to help people learn how to become smarter homeowners and how to take better care of their cars or other insured items. On that note, you may also cover essential topics about insurance and may opt for even more problem-specific topics if you see it fit.
You can also take things one step further. For instance, if your answer isn’t clear for your customers, or if they still have questions, make sure that they can contact you with ease on every blog article page or through your website and/or social channels.
3. Embrace Technology
Virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way we interact with brands online, and they even change how we interact with the rest of the world offline.
All these innovative technologies are changing our world, and all of them can help brands breathe new life into their content marketing.
For instance, virtual reality (VR) can be a powerful tool to innovate a brand’s content marketing by offering unique and immersive experiences that engage and captivate audiences. Here are several ways in which VR can be leveraged to enhance content marketing:
Immersive Storytelling:
VR allows brands to tell their story in a more immersive and interactive manner. It can transport users to different worlds or scenarios related to the brand, creating a deeper emotional connection.
Product Demonstrations:
Brands can use VR to demonstrate their products in a virtual environment. This is particularly useful for showcasing complex or large items that are difficult to transport or exhibit in real life.
Virtual Showrooms:
Create virtual showrooms or stores where users can explore and interact with products as if they were physically present. This is especially relevant for industries like real estate, interior design, or fashion.
360-Degree Tours:
Offer virtual tours of physical locations, facilities, or venues, allowing potential customers to explore and get a feel for the space without physically visiting it. This is valuable for hotels, event venues, and tourism.
Interactive Training and Education:
Brands can use VR to provide interactive training sessions or educational experiences related to their products or industry. This helps establish authority and trust.
However, it’s important to note that VR should be used strategically, keeping the target audience in mind. Not all brands or industries may benefit equally from VR, and the cost and technical requirements of VR content production should also be considered. When implemented effectively, VR can be a game-changer in content marketing, offering unique and memorable experiences that set a brand apart from competitors.
4. Offer Exclusive Content
While not among the most innovative content ideas, you can always add a new layer to your content strategy if you opt to share exclusive pieces of content with your email list.
Creating a list and sharing your exclusive content with this group regularly helps you stay in touch with your audience while also creating a sense of community, as they will feel valued, more appreciated, and even privileged.
That said, you shouldn’t hesitate to give your list early service or product access and offer them exclusive content, discounts, specials, and more. The exclusivity of the content and offers will make them feel a part of a cherished community that has a more personal relationship with your brand.
Always Staying One Step Ahead
The constant quest for fresh, innovative ideas can be a daunting challenge, often leaving you feeling like you’re stuck in a repetitive cycle. Incorporating these innovative content strategies can rejuvenate your content marketing efforts, driving increased engagement and brand loyalty.
In the dynamic world of digital marketing, staying ahead requires a commitment to creativity and innovation. So, as you embark on this journey to elevate your content marketing game, remember that inspiration often lies just beyond your comfort zone, waiting to captivate your audience and set your brand on a path to continued success.
