Content Marketing Lessons for Small Business

The TopRank Online Marketing blog has 17 lessons about content marketing for small businesses.

1. "Whether you’re a big or small business, content is content." - Regardless your company's size, the same rules apply.
2. "If you’re not creating content on the web, you don’t exist." - Consumers expect to be able to find everything they need to answer their questions online.
3. "(Content) Silver bullets don’t exist." - Be wary of anyone selling a solution that sounds too good to be true.
4. "Embrace that you’re a publisher." - Plan your content in advance with an editorial calendar.
5. "Get your house in order." - A website and social media presence is a necessity.
6. "What’s your story?" - A company is more than just what it sells.
7. "No one has enough time or money." - Content is essential to grow your business. Make time for content creation.
8. " 'Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.' - Abraham Lincoln." - Know why you're creating content and have a strategy.
9. "Play to your strengths." - Figure out what you really enjoy in relation to content creation, and focus on that. You're more likely to do something you enjoy.
10. "What is unique about you?" - Look at your employees for interesting and unique characteristics about your company.
11. "Think visually." - Visual images and video are an effective way to tell your company's story.
12. "Things you can write about: People, Places, Passions." - Start looking for content by talking to your employees and customers.
13. "Develop an editorial calendar." - Plan your content in advance.
14. "Keep an eye on what others are doing." - Look at competitors and related sources of information.
15. "Think long term." - Get better every day and focus on the long run.
16. "Always be consuming." - Consuming content can lead to great insights and learning.
17. "Never stop listening." - Use Google Alerts and regularly search Twitter for customer interactions.

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