ContentThe Different Types of Content You Should Be Creating If You Want To Drive Traffic
Ryan Chin
/Aug 9, 2021
It's been said that content is king.
And for good reason.
Quality content is what attracts traffic and keeps visitors returning to websites.
Poor quality discourages people from viewing any of your content in the future, and it may also lead them to believe that you have low-quality products/services to match.
Let's take a look at the different types of content to see which one best suits you. You may find that some are easier for you to do, or receive a better response from your visitors.
Blog Articles
Blogging is a great way to get traffic to your website if done correctly. There are a number of ways to create blog articles that will be able to drive traffic and keep readers on your site for longer.
The first thing you should do when writing a blog article is start with what you know best: the subject or niche you're an expert in. You'll be able to write more confidently and your readers will connect with you better when they see that you're knowledgeable about the topic. You can then go into detail on topics and share how-tos, reviews, advice, or personal stories related to it.
Use images and videos in your blog posts to make the content more engaging.
When creating articles, you'll want to make sure you follow good search engine optimization (SEO) practices to boost your rankings in Google:
Target a specific keyword
Include the keyword in your title and in the article (at least in the first paragraph)
Make your title an H1 headline, and section titles H2 headlines
Write a meta description that would entice clicks from people that see your article in search results
eBooks
eBooks are a great way for content creators to drive traffic to their blog, website, or social media account.
They can be used to get your site visibility, educate your audience, and provide them with more information on a given topic.
eBooks typically contain more in-depth info than a blog article. In fact, sometimes they combine a series of related blog articles and reword them in a single eBook.
The following tips can help you drive traffic with eBooks:
Research your eBook topic thoroughly and write for an audience that is interested in the subject matter.
Pick a writing style that fits the type of content you're developing (technical writing, humourous writing, etc.).
Include an easy-to-remember URL address in the book, so it will be easier for readers to find what they are looking for on your website after reading your book.
Consider different formats, such as PDF and Mobipocket, since people may use different software to read your eBook.
Create an attractive cover that makes it look professional.
eBooks are a great way to go more in-depth on a subject than an article.
There are a few different ways to distribute eBooks:
Allow customers to download them for free from your website
Allow customers to download them in exchange for providing an email (usually for following up with them as a lead), or subscribing to an email list
Sell them through Amazon or on your website
If you're looking to capture their email or get them to subscribe to a list, you may want to create a landing page that is geared towards pointing the features and highlights of the eBook.
Leadpages and Unbounce are popular software choices for creating landing pages. They offer templates that have been tested for conversion rates.
White Papers
Similar to eBooks, white papers are written text that are longer than articles.
A white paper is a type of document that contains in-depth, detailed information about a topic. It's meant to educate the reader about a complex topic or one with a lot of details.
White papers can demonstrate that you're an expert on a subject while getting them excited about the solution that you offer.
It can build trust and convince the reader that you understand their problem and can help them.
Here are some differences between white papers and eBooks:
White papers are well-researched, authoritative essays
White papers are more academic and less "salesy"
eBooks are usually more aesthetically pleasing (graphics, images, fonts, colors)
Videos
Videos typically are more engaging than written content.
That means videos are 55x more likely to attract an audience than text!
Not only that, but videos offer you additional ways to interest people:
you can earn trust by allowing people to hear you speak and see your body language
videos can be entertaining which can make them feel good about you and your brand
you can add music and sounds that help dictate how people feel
you have the ability to show things instead of just write about them - some people learn better through reading, while others do better seeing things
Videos are usually more engaging than text
Videos and written content don't need to be mutually exclusive.
For example, videos can be a great way to supplement articles. You may be able to write about the majority of a topic, but for certain aspects - especially showing how to do something - video may be the most effective method of communication.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to offer something of value to people who enjoy listening to content. They also offer you the chance to create an intimate connection with your listeners.
For a lot of people, who don't enjoy writing, podcasts offer them a great way to produce content without doing something they dread.
In addition, podcasts allow for different types of formats, some of which can be more casual than other types of content:
you can record a conversation on a subject with others
you can do an interview with someone who is an expert in something you aren't
you can answer questions that your audience has submitted, or common ones they may have
Infographics
Infographics are images that are used as a data visualization for an audience. They are graphics that use complex information to convey a message in an easy-to-understand way.
Infographics are a great way to visualize complex data with minimal text.
They're also typically fun and colorful - a great way to make what may be boring facts or stats more memorable.
The infographics usually consist of two-dimensional images which then present ideas and concepts with the use of graphs, charts, diagrams, or other illustrations. Infographics can be found in many places such as videos, blogs, and social media sites.
If you do an infographic, don't forget to add your brand to the bottom like louisem.com here
They're used throughout the internet for everything from marketing to education.
While the different types of content may feel overwhelming, one thing to consider is that people often rehash the same content in these different formats.
That may seem redundant, but many times people prefer one format over the other. Some prefer to watch YouTube. Some like reading. Some like listening to podcasts while they work or commute.
Ready to dive in?Post your project idea for free.
Post video projects and receive proposals for free. Get started on your masterpiece now!
