UPCOMING: The 4 B2B Demand Gen Levers Workshop
Aug. 4, 2023

Content Marketing That Works

Why aren't your customers choosing you?

 

Unraveling the magic of marketing starts with understanding human behavior.

 

Each decision we make is a revealing dance of emotions, experiences, and influences. ​ ​ In this week's episode, Purna Virji, Principle Consultant at Linkedin and author of the new book High-Impact Content Marketing, shared her thoughts on engaging your audience through content.

 

With the proper understanding, marketers can choreograph this dance, turning potential customers into brand loyalists.

 

Here are a few insights I gained from our discussion: ​

  • What I learned in this episode was that many of the things that make content marketing work have been discovered for hundreds of years. It's about getting back to the basics of human behavior and adult learning. ​ ​
  • AI kind of sucks right now for many content marketing tasks but this is the worst it will ever be. Start investing in it now and down the road the payoff could be big. ​ ​
  • The Power of Surprise: We all know surprise and delight. But you can also have delight and disgust. Make sure you are doing the latter and not the former!
Transcript

Mastering the Art of Content Marketing in the B2B Space: A Beginner's Guide 🚀

 

As technology advances and consumer behaviors evolve, B2B buyers have taken charge of their purchasing journeys, conducting extensive research long before engaging with any sales team. The significance of compelling and relevant content cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in guiding potential customers along their path.

 

By delving into the fundamental principles of content creation, distribution, and measurement, aspiring marketers will gain invaluable insights into crafting content that resonates with prospects, nurtures leads, and ultimately drives conversions. As we unravel the intricacies of content marketing, we equip you with the tools needed to propel your B2B endeavors to new heights in the ever-competitive digital landscape. 🚀

 

Content Marketing – Setting the Scene 📚

Imagine this scenario: You've created a new product with promising time-saving features galore. You're shouting from the rooftops about how much time it will save the potential user, but guess what? Your target audience is focused on something other than time. Their primary concerns revolve around the cost and credibility of your product. No matter how much time your product saves, they will only see the value in budgeting for your offering if it addresses their key concerns.

 

So, what should you do? The answer lies in understanding your audience and their needs. As platforms evolve and formats change, the fundamental aspects of how people learn and make decisions remain the same. By exploring these consistencies in human behavior, you can tailor your content to resonate with your audience, ultimately guiding them down the buyer's journey.

 

B2B vs. B2C – The Emotional Vs. Logical Dichotomy 🧠💔

Now, let's delve a bit deeper. B2B decision-making often leans towards logic and problem-solving, while B2C decisions are frequently emotionally driven. Therefore, if you're targeting leaders in a B2B scenario, your content should emphasize team success and improved performance. For individual contributors, focus on enhancing their role efficiency.

 

It's crucial to understand your customer for effective content marketing. Instead of creating direct sales content, explore your customers' needs and wants at each buyer journey stage. Tailoring your content to suit their level of awareness can significantly enhance their engagement and lead them further down the sales funnel.

 

Remember, a loyal customer appreciates a surprise sale or a special offer when it's time for a product reorder. Small gestures like these can significantly enhance customer loyalty and overall satisfaction with your brand.

 

The Power of AI – Future Forward 🤖

AI's potential is rapidly transforming the content marketing landscape. As we navigate this technological era, it has emerged as a key player in defining and guiding content strategies. Introducing AI-powered tools such as chatbots and voice assistants has revolutionized how we engage with our audience. These tools enable us to conceptualize and create content encompassing diverse perspectives, making it more appealing to different buyer motivations.

 

Not only does AI allow for a more inclusive approach to content creation, but it also ensures that the content remains relevant and engaging over time. By leveraging its power, we can create dynamic content that resonates with a broad audience. This results in a more tailored and impactful buyer journey, giving a competitive edge to businesses that can effectively harness this potential. AI is not just the future – it is the present, powering the way forward in content marketing.

 

Content Marketing Books – Never Stop Learning 📖

Always remember the power of learning from seasoned marketers regarding content marketing. "High Impact Content Marketing" by Purna Virji has become a go-to resource for marketers seeking valuable insights. By delving into these books, you gain the knowledge and skills needed to create content beyond shallow, quantity-focused approaches, instead focusing on high-quality content that adds value to your brand.

 

A crucial success strategy is collaborating closely with your sales teams. By engaging with them, you gain valuable insights into customer behaviors and preferences, which supercharges your content strategy. With these fresh perspectives and data-driven insights, your content becomes highly effective, resonating deeply with your target audience and driving meaningful results for your brand. In the dynamic world of content marketing, continuous learning and collaboration are essential for staying ahead of the competition.

 

The Future of Content Marketing – Exciting Times Ahead ⏭️

The future of content marketing is thrilling, offering numerous opportunities for marketers who embrace innovation and adaptability. Like the unpredictable dot com era, it presents exciting challenges. Marketers should explore advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to succeed in this dynamic landscape. By using AI, they can personalize content delivery and engage their audience more effectively.

 

Understanding audience preferences is essential, and even unconventional platforms like 'Grandmom on YouTube' can offer untapped potential to reach potential customers. Success in content marketing relies on meeting customers where they are and delivering valuable and relevant content that fulfills their needs.

 

As content marketing evolves, those who adapt and embrace the changing landscape will be well-positioned to capitalize on its immense possibilities, propelling their brands to new heights of success. The future of content marketing is brimming with options for those ready to seize the moment.

 

A Balanced Approach Wins the Day ⚖️

Striking a balance between understanding customer motivations and overcoming objections is essential for successful content marketing. Sometimes, it's about inducing pleasure; at other times, it's about helping them avoid pain. By prioritizing your customers' needs, you can create impactful content that leads them smoothly through their buyer journey, from awareness to purchase.

 

Taylor Wells Profile Photo

Taylor Wells

Founder & Host @ GTM.news

Taylor has lived and breathed B2B marketing & go-to-market strategies for over 10 years at boot-scrapped & growth stage businesses. He thrives on building amazing customers experiences through what he calls the Selfless Advantage. This approach is an unconditional approach to marketing that helps people & positions your business as the obvious choice. He is the Founder & CEO of Potential Opportunity.

Purna Virji Profile Photo

Purna Virji

Author of High-Impact Content Marketing

Purna Virji is the author of High-Impact Content Marketing and Principal Content Solutions Consultant at LinkedIn. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she previously led global learning and thought leadership programs for Microsoft and is also an award-winning former journalist. A regular top-rated international keynote speaker, she has been featured in publications including The Drum, TNW, Marketing Land and Adweek. She has been recognized as an Adweek Young Influential, the Search Personality of the Year by the US Search Awards and the most influential PPC Expert in the world by PPC Hero. Virji is also an Honoured Listee on the Marquis Who's Who 2023 list.