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5 Tips For Becoming An Awesome Content Strategist

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As the Internet has matured, a steady avalanche of online "waves" have driven much of the activity and resources web site owners expend.  Initially, the focus was on getting "eyeballs" by using e-mail, web link exchanges and affiliate programs.  Once search engines became more advanced and sophisticated, the attention shifted to search engine optimization using metatags and hiring SEO services which promised search engine nirvana -- your listing showing up on the first search page.

Search engines are now the dominant vehicle through which Web browsers locate their desired news, information and products online.  This latest wave has made the creation of relevant web content one of a web site manager's most important tasks.  With a content writing strategy that is germane to the needs and desires of potential clients, a company's web site will succeed.  Without it, the site will be lost in the cacophony produced by the aggregate of billions of web sites on the Internet.

However, content writing cannot be haphazard or simply an afterthought.  It should be an integral part of your company's overall online marketing plan.  Developing a content writing strategy will ensure that you produce the kind of web traffic, leads and, ultimately, sales that you desire. 

In one of his eye-opening blogs, web strategist Andy Eliason challenges web designers to treat their content strategy as more than just an exercise in filling empty space.  Rather, your content writing strategy should be a well thought out, long-term plan to ensure that your web site is on the cutting edge.

Here are five tips for becoming an awesome content strategist:

1. Your content should be magnetic.  It should be readable and draw the consumer in.  It should be relatively short in length, since Web browsers tend to have short attention spans.  They generally want just the highlights; lengthy dissertations will quickly be abandoned and never read.

2. Your content should be machine ready.  It should include all of the best practices for search engine optimization, including keyword density, metatags, and relevant text.  If you make sure your content is machine ready, you will watch your web site steadily climb the ranks of the search engine listings.  In one of his recent blogs, online marketing expert Lee Odden discusses the effective use of keywords in content marketing.

3. Your content should be meaningful to the lives of the end users.  You should tie your content to current events, current trends and current practices.  It should correspond with the customer's goals and objectives.  You should utilize a combination of verbiage, video, audio and graphics to communicate your message.  Tips for content writing that hits the target market are explained in detail by blogger John Henderson.

4. Your content should motivate the potential customer to act.  You should provide opportunities and information for customers to contact your company, early and often, to show that you are a key to the solution to their problems.  Your content should demonstrate that your company is accessible and responsive.

5. Your content should be movable.  Browsers to your web site should be able to easily share your content with others.  Links to your locations on social media sites; mechanisms for sharing your site and pages from your site with others; opt-in prompts for newsletters and information updates -- these should all be included on your site as part of your content writing strategy.

Developing a content writing strategy should be one of your top priorities when creating or enhancing your web site.  If you master both the art and science of content marketing, your online success is practically guaranteed.