If you’ve completed the research phase of creating a marketing plan, now it’s time to apply what you learned to create compelling, unique content.

Narrow Down Your Content

What kinds of content do you want to produce? Blogs, Facebook posts, in-depth guides–write down each type of content you plan to produce on an ongoing basis. Each type of content has its own benefits. Blog posts, for instance, help build your credibility and can also be utilized to sell products. Facebook posts, on the other hand, connect you with your audience and can also be used as a channel for sales, though great care should be taken to differentiate yourself from spammers. Once you have your list down, move on to the next step in the content marketing phase.

Brainstorming Content

Now it’s time to brainstorm the content you will write. Different ways exist for brainstorming content, including using software or using a brainstorming notebook. Whatever method you choose, look for inspiration on topics by listening to your audience, even going as far asking them what they’d like to see in a guide or blog. Another excellent method for brainstorming is to read the work of experts in your industry. These methods supply an endless fount of ideas for your content marketing plan.

Organizing The Content

A content calendar is, perhaps, the most time-consuming, albeit the most efficient way to organize your content. Simply put, you utilize your brainstorming sessions and create content in advance. The time frame varies depending on your needs, although most experts write content at least a month advance. You can often find content calendar templates for free online, including for your social media accounts. *Note: when writing for your social media accounts, try to diversify your content for each platform. Although you might want to cover similar topics, avoid duplicate content at all costs, both for the benefit of your audience and for Google rankings. For more real world content calendar tips, read our blog post.

That’s it! Now you should be on your way to producing compelling content and driving traffic to your website and social media accounts. For more information on content marketing, subscribe to our blog, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.