When it comes to getting more traffic, leads and sales – content marketing is the low cost and highly effective way to build your small business online.

Research your target audience, build your customer avatars then create and execute a documented content strategy. That’s it in a nutshell.

The benefits of content marketing for your business are many and varied – but all of them will positively impact your bottom line. Let’s have a look at them…

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1. Better Brand Recognition

Content marketing is hands down one of the best strategies to make your brand stand out online. A lot of markets are maturing and becoming saturated, so buyers are naturally more cautious about what they purchase.

By consistently delivering quality content that builds trust and authority with your target audience, you’ll ensure your brand is always at the forefront of their mind.

2. Increased Search Engine Traffic

If you regularly create and promote high quality content based on longtail keyword research using a tool such as KW Finder or Ahrefs, over time you’ll benefit from higher rankings in the major search engines – and in turn be rewarded with higher organic traffic. Sounds simple right? It kind of is – but you need to be persistent and consistent.

3. Enhanced Social Media Reach

If your content satisfies a need or solves a problem, your target audience will definitely share it on the major social media platforms. This means other people you want to reach will also like, share and link to your content over time. If you always focus on creating and sharing high quality content – either yours or someone else’s – then your social media reach should grow quite quickly.

4. More Credibility

Want to look like the expert you actually are? Then let your customers know it, with content that shows how on the ball your business is. A series of blogs showing your knowledge of your product or sector will set you above any competitors who aren’t demonstrating their authority. You’re educating, entertaining and establishing expertise all at once.

5. Increased Conversions

Your website content – and particularly your blog – reaches your customers in the research stage of their buying journey. The chances are, potential customers will find you because they’re searching for a specific answer.

If you know your market, you’ll know why your customers come to you and what they’re looking for – so simply create content that addresses this. If you can satisfactorily answer their questions in your content, they are more likely to convert from researcher into purchaser.

6. Teaches You To Listen

The very act of researching your target audience, customer avatars and conducting competitor and keyword research – helps you connect with your core prospects more deeply so you can answer all their questions.

The feedback you get through this process will help you become better at listening to what y...