Blog Resources

Transform Your Small Business with the Power of Content Marketing

by | Mar 23, 2023 | Business, Marketing


Welcome to EVERNET Consulting’s guide on how to start content marketing for your small business. As a small business owner, you understand the importance of building a strong brand and reaching new customers. Content marketing is an effective way to achieve both of these goals.

At EVERNET Consulting, we specialize in helping small businesses develop and implement successful digital marketing strategies. We understand the unique challenges that small businesses face and have the expertise to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing.

In this guide, we will show you how to start content marketing for your small business. It is vital for small businesses to establish a strong brand and attract new customers, and content marketing is a powerful tool to achieve both.

In this guide, we will cover the following topics:

  1. What is content marketing and why is it important for small businesses?
  2. How to develop a content marketing strategy that works for your business.
  3. How to create and distribute high-quality content that resonates with your target audience.
  4. How to measure the success of your content marketing efforts.
  5. Best practices for scaling your content marketing efforts for growth.

1: What is Content Marketing and Why is it Important for Small Businesses?

Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific target audience. The goal of content marketing is to drive profitable customer action by building trust and credibility with your audience.

There are several reasons why content marketing is important for small businesses:

  • Builds trust and credibility: By providing valuable and relevant information to your target audience, you can build trust and credibility with them. This can lead to repeat customers and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
  • Helps with SEO: High-quality content can help improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for potential customers to find your business online.
  • Increases brand awareness: Consistently creating and distributing high-quality content can help increase brand awareness and make your business more visible to potential customers.
  • Cost-effective: Content marketing is a cost-effective way to reach new customers and build brand awareness. Unlike traditional forms of advertising, content marketing allows small businesses to reach a large audience without breaking the bank.

In addition to the points above, content marketing also allows small businesses to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. By providing valuable insight and information, small businesses can position themselves as experts in their field and gain the trust of potential customers. Content marketing can also lead to increased website traffic and lead generation, which can be a valuable source of new business.

Moreover, by engaging with your target audience through content marketing, you can gain valuable insights into their needs and preferences. This can inform your product or service offerings, and help you to better serve your customers. Ultimately, content marketing is a powerful tool that allows small businesses to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive profitable customer action.

2: How to Develop a Content Marketing Strategy that Works for Your Business

Developing a content marketing strategy for your small business is essential to achieving your marketing goals. A well-designed strategy will help you identify your target audience, create relevant content, and distribute that content effectively.

Here are the steps to developing a content marketing strategy that works for your business:

  1. Define your target audience: The first step in developing a content marketing strategy is to identify your target audience. This will help you create content that resonates with them and effectively reach them.
  2. Set your content marketing goals: Next, you need to set specific goals for your content marketing efforts. These could include increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating leads.
  3. Conduct a content audit: Look at the content you currently have and evaluate its effectiveness. Identify what is working and what is not, and use this information to inform your future content creation.
  4. Create a content calendar: Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience and goals, you can start planning your content calendar. A content calendar will help you organize and schedule your content creation and distribution efforts.
  5. Continuously evaluate and adjust: As with any marketing strategy, it’s important to continuously evaluate your content marketing efforts and make adjustments as needed. Use data and analytics to measure the success of your content and make changes to improve your results.

3: How to Create and Distribute High-Quality Content that Resonates with Your Target Audience

Creating high-quality content is essential to the success of your content marketing efforts. The key is to create content that resonates with your target audience and provides value to them. Here are some tips on how to create and distribute effective content:

  1. Use a variety of content formats: Experiment with different types of content, such as blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media updates. This will keep your content fresh and engaging for your audience.
  2. Optimize for search engines: Optimize your content for search engines by including keywords and meta tags. This will make it easier for potential customers to find your content and ultimately your business.
  3. Engage with your audience: Encourage engagement with your audience by asking questions, hosting polls, and responding to comments. This will help build a community around your brand and increase engagement with your content.
  4. Use visuals: Use high-quality images and videos to make your content more engaging and shareable. Visuals are more likely to be shared on social media and can help increase the reach of your content.
  5. Distribute your content: Once you have created high-quality content, it’s important to distribute it effectively. Share your content on your own website, social media channels, and other relevant platforms to reach your target audience.

4: How to Measure the Success of Your Content Marketing Efforts

Measuring the success of your content marketing efforts is essential to understanding what is working and what is not. By using data and analytics, you can track the performance of your content and make adjustments to improve your results.

Here are some metrics you can use to measure the success of your content marketing efforts:

  1. Website traffic: Track the number of visitors to your website, as well as time spent on your site and the bounce rate.
  2. Engagement: Track the number of likes, shares, and comments on your content.
  3. Lead generation: Track the number of leads generated from your content, as well as the conversion rate.
  4. ROI: Track the return on investment (ROI) of your content marketing efforts by comparing revenue generated to the cost of creating and distributing your content.
  5. Use analytics tools: Utilize analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to track and evaluate the performance of your content marketing efforts.

Measuring the success of your content marketing efforts is crucial to understanding what is effective and what needs improvement. By using data and analytics, you can track the performance of your content and make adjustments to better your results. Some key metrics to consider include website traffic, engagement, lead generation, and ROI, which can be tracked using tools such as Google Analytics.

Is your website doing its part in helping with the marketing of your brand? How do you know if your website is effective at producing the business results you’ve set for your company? Take EVERNET’s Website Audit Checklist to Determine Your Website’s Effectiveness Today!

5: Best Practices for Scaling Your Content Marketing Efforts for Growth

As your small business grows, it’s important to scale your content marketing efforts to keep up with the demand. Here are some best practices for scaling your content marketing efforts:

  1. Automate processes: Automate repetitive tasks such as social media updates, email campaigns, and content distribution to save time and resources.
  2. Outsource: Consider outsourcing content creation and distribution to experts who can help you scale your efforts without sacrificing quality.
  3. Focus on evergreen content: Create content that will remain relevant for a long period of time. This will help you generate traffic and leads even after the content is published.
  4. Use Influencers: Collaborate with influencers in your industry to reach a larger audience and increase brand awareness.
  5. Repurpose content: Repurpose your existing content in new and different ways to grow its reach and impact.

As your small business expands, it’s important to scale your content marketing efforts to match the demand. The steps above are some best practices that can help you scale your content marketing efforts successfully.

Content marketing is an effective way for small businesses to reach new customers and build brand awareness. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can develop a content marketing strategy that works for your business, create and distribute high-quality content, measure the success of your efforts, and scale your efforts for growth.

 


 

Marketing Materials

At EVERNET, we are experts in providing a broad range of marketing materials to our clients. Our offerings include brochures, flyers, business cards, posters, product catalogs, websites, social media content, press releases, presentations, and email newsletters.

SEMRush Premium Location

SEMRush Premium is a comprehensive suite of tools that helps businesses improve their online visibility and performance. It includes features for keyword research, competitive analysis, website auditing, and more. SEMRush Premium is used by businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.

 

SEMRush Basic Location

SEMRush Basic Location is a feature that allows you to manage your business listings in over 70 local directories.

Email*: Newsletter

Email*: Newsletter" refers to a task or item on a schedule or to-do list that involves writing and sending an email newsletter to a group of subscribers. A newsletter is a regular communication sent by a company, organization, or individual to provide updates, share information, and engage with the recipient base.

Email*: Product & Services Promo

Email*: Product & Services Promo" refers to a task or item on a schedule or to-do list that involves writing and sending an email to promote specific products or services offered by a company or organization. This email aims to attract recipients' attention, highlight the features and benefits of the products or services, and encourage them to purchase or engage with the offerings.

Email* Company Post (Holidays, Quick News Items)

Email*: Company Post (Holidays, Quick News Items)" refers to a task or item on a schedule or to-do list that involves writing and sending an email on behalf of a company or organization. This email aims to share company-related updates, news items, or holiday greetings with the intended recipients, such as employees, clients, or subscribers.

 

 

Email*: Blog/Press Release (est 1.25 hrs)

Email*: Blog/Press Release" refers to a task or item on a schedule or to-do list that involves writing and sending an email related to a blog or press release. It typically entails reaching out to individuals or organizations to announce the publication of a new blog post or a press release and seeking their support, coverage, or collaboration.

Social Text Post 

A social text post is a written message or update shared on social media platforms or online communities. It is a way for individuals to express their thoughts, opinions, share information, ask questions, or engage in conversations with others within their social network or online community.

Project Discounted Hourly Rates

All new accounts pay a $500 dollar onboarding fee to start and an additional $125 per resource.

Managed Website Support

EVERNET’s team of experts offers comprehensive website support services to ensure your website's smooth and efficient running. Our support includes technical and administrative assistance, such as website security updates, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Branding Style Guide

A branding style guide, also known as a brand guidelines document or brand manual, is a comprehensive document that outlines the visual and stylistic guidelines for consistently representing a brand's identity across various mediums and applications. It is a reference tool for designers, marketers, and anyone involved in creating or using brand materials to ensure the brand is accurately and consistently presented.

Branding Stylescape

A branding stylescape, also known as a brand mood board or visual identity board, represents a brand's aesthetic and visual direction. It is a collage or composition of various design elements, including color palettes, typography, imagery, patterns, textures, and other visual cues that capture the essence and personality of a brand.

Deliver Logo Pack

The deliverable logo pack is a comprehensive resource for clients or stakeholders to effectively use and apply the logo in different contexts and across various platforms. It empowers them with the necessary files and guidelines to maintain consistency, protect the integrity of the brand identity, and ensure the logo's proper representation.

Logo Mockups

Logo mockups are a valuable tool in the design process, allowing designers and clients to assess the logo's effectiveness in real-world applications. They help bridge the gap between a conceptual logo design and its practical implementation, enabling informed discussions and decision-making.

Vectorize Logo

When a logo is vectorized, the original design or raster logo is converted into a vector format. This conversion process involves tracing the original logo using vector software or redrawing it using vector tools. The result is a logo that can be scaled to any size without pixelation, making it suitable for various applications, such as print materials, signage, websites, or promotional products.

Revisions

Logo design revisions are crucial to the design process, allowing our clients to provide input and shape the outcome. Through effective collaboration and iterations, our designers strive to create a logo that reflects your brand's identity and values and satisfies the client's expectations.

Logo Sketches

EVERNET will work with our clients on a hand-drawn or digital drawing that represents an initial exploration of ideas for a logo design. It is a rough and simplified representation of the logo concept and serves as a starting point for further development. Designers typically create logo sketches during the ideation phase of the design process.

Logo Concept

At EVERNET, we collaborate with our clients to bring their logo ideas and design direction to life. Our team uses a creative and strategic approach to develop logo concepts that represent the brand or organization visually. These concepts are crucial in the logo development process before the final design is selected.

Introductory Meeting

An introductory meeting for a branding project with EVERNET is a gathering or discussion that marks the initial stages of collaboration between a client and our agency. Its purpose is to establish a foundation for the project, allowing both parties to exchange information, align expectations, and explore the goals and objectives of the branding initiative.

Page Localization per page

Page localization per page refers to adapting or customizing individual web pages to suit a specific target audience's language, culture, and preferences. Instead of translating an entire website, page localization focuses on specific pages or sections relevant to a particular market or region. It involves modifying a webpage's content, design, and functionality to cater to the particular needs and expectations of the target audience.

Multivariant Testing

Multivariate testing, also known as multivariable testing, is a technique used in marketing and web development to simultaneously test multiple variations of elements or factors on a webpage or within a marketing campaign. It allows businesses to evaluate the combined impact of various variables and their interactions, providing insights into which combination produces the best results.

A/B Testing

A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method used in marketing and web development to compare two or more variations of a webpage or element to determine which one performs better in achieving a specific goal. It involves dividing the audience into separate groups and showing each group a different version of the webpage or element to measure and analyze their response and behavior.

Sales Funnel/Lead Gen Pages

Sales funnel/lead gen pages are designed to capture leads and guide potential customers through sales. They are vital to online marketing and sales strategies, aiming to convert visitors into qualified leads and eventually into paying customers.

Revisions/Adjustments

Revisions or adjustments to a webpage refer to the modifications or changes made to a web page's content, design, or functionality. These revisions are typically done to improve the overall user experience, address issues, or update the webpage to reflect new information or requirements.

 

Web Page Translator

A webpage translator is a tool or feature that enables web content translation from one language to another. It allows users to view a webpage in their preferred language, even if the original content was written differently. Webpage translators are designed to make websites more accessible and user-friendly for a global audience.

Web Page Chat Bot

A webpage chatbot, also known as a web chatbot, is a type of conversational agent or virtual assistant designed to interact with users through a website. It is typically integrated into a webpage or application to provide real-time assistance, answer questions, and engage in conversations with visitors.

Web form creation refers to the process of designing and building interactive forms that are embedded in websites. Web forms are digital forms that allow users to input and submit information through various fields and elements.

Template Contact Form 

A template contact form refers to a pre-designed and pre-built form layout that can be used as a starting point or foundation for creating a contact form on a website. It provides a structured framework with the necessary fields and design elements commonly found in contact forms.

Privacy Policy Page

Termageddon privacy policies generator and management tool that helps website owners comply with various privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The tool provides customizable templates for privacy policies, terms of service agreements, disclaimers, and other legal documents that businesses may need for their websites.

Analytics & Search Engine Connection 

Analytics and search engine connection refer to integrating web analytics tools and search engines, typically Google Analytics and search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo. This connection allows businesses to gather valuable data and insights about their website's performance, user behavior, and search engine visibility.

Client Portal Integration

Client portal integration refers to incorporating a client portal into a business's existing systems or website, allowing secure and streamlined communication, collaboration, and access to resources between the company and its clients.

Competitive Keyword Research $/KW

Competitive keyword research is identifying and analyzing the keywords that competitors target in their digital marketing strategies. It involves researching and understanding the keywords your competitors are ranking for in search engine results pages (SERPs) and using that information to inform your keyword targeting strategy.

Google Reviews Carousel

The Google Review Carousel is a feature in Google search results that displays reviews for a specific business or entity.

Blog Integration

Blog integration refers to seamlessly incorporating a blog into a website or other digital platform. It involves integrating the blog functionality, design, and content management system (CMS) with the existing website infrastructure, allowing for a unified and cohesive user experience.

CRM Integration

CRM integration refers to connecting a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system with other software applications or platforms to enable seamless data sharing, automation, and enhanced functionality. Integrating the CRM system with various tools, such as marketing automation software, email marketing platforms, e-commerce platforms, help desk systems, and more.

Copywriting/SEO

In web design, copywriting and SEO work hand in hand to create a visually appealing, engaging website optimized for search engines. Copywriters collaborate with SEO specialists to conduct keyword research and strategically integrate relevant keywords into the website's content, headings, and meta tags. They create persuasive copy that captures the target audience's attention and aligns with SEO best practices.

Custom Designed Page/Section

A custom-designed page/section is a uniquely tailored layout or structure created to meet specific design requirements and align with a brand's visual identity or individual preferences. Unlike a basic designed page/section, which often relies on pre-existing templates or standard layouts, a custom-designed page/section offers higher creativity, originality, and personalization.

Basic Designed Page/ Section

A basic designed page/section refers to a simple and straightforward layout or structure that serves as a foundation for content creation. It typically includes essential elements and a minimalistic design approach, focusing on clarity and ease of use. Primary designed pages/sections are commonly used in various contexts, such as web development, document creation, and graphic design.

Template Page/Section

A template page/section refers to a pre-designed layout or structure as a starting point for creating consistent and cohesive content within a larger document or website.

vCMO - Marketing Business Review 

A vCMO can be a valuable resource for businesses that lack in-house marketing expertise or need additional strategic guidance. Developing and implementing effective marketing strategies that drive business growth can be easy with a dedicated marketing team or chief marketing officer.

Advertising Management

With EVERNET's advertising management services, we take the burden off your shoulders by handling your advertising needs across various platforms. From social media and web advertising to print and billboard campaigns, we've got you covered. Our experienced team of professionals ensures that each venue receives dedicated attention, with an estimated time of 1 hour per venue.

Email*: Newsletter

Our team understands the importance of keeping your subscribers updated and entertained with valuable content. From industry insights and trends to company news and exclusive offers, our newsletters are designed to captivate readers and foster a sense of connection.

Email*: Product & Services Promo

When it comes to promoting your products and services, EVERNET excels in crafting compelling email campaigns. Our team specializes in creating attention-grabbing and persuasive email content that effectively showcases your offerings. Whether you're launching a new product, announcing a service upgrade, or running a promotional campaign, our tailored emails will captivate your audience and drive conversions.

Email* Company Post

With EVERNET's expertise in email marketing, we offer tailored company posts that are perfect for holiday promotions or sharing quick news items. Our team crafts engaging and personalized emails, ensuring your message resonates with your audience during festive seasons or when you have important updates to share.

Email*: Blog/Press Release

At EVERNET, our team of experienced copywriters excels at crafting specialized blog posts and press releases that cater to your business needs, delivering captivating content on any topic you desire.

Social Image/Graphic/Non-Produced Video Post

EVERNET creates captivating and tailored social image/graphic/non-produced video posts for its clients, ensuring that the visual content aligns with the unique requirements and characteristics of the social media platform on which they market their business.

Social Text Post 

EVERNET leverages its expertise to curate and distribute compelling social text posts on behalf of its clients, tailoring the content to suit the specific social media platform they utilize for marketing their business.

WP Rocket

WP Rocket is a premium caching plugin for WordPress websites designed to improve the website’s speed and performance by reducing the page loading time, minimizing HTTP requests, and optimizing code.

Workstation Backup

Backup and disaster recovery are two separate but connected concepts that organizations should always consider together. Backing up data is storing a copy of a business’s data in a cloud or physical environment, such as an external hard drive. 

 

General Copywriting/ Blog Press Release/ Content Page

EVERNET specializes in creating content that resonates with your target audience and drives engagement, whether you’re looking for blog posts, press releases, social media text, or email marketing.

Zoho Social Brand Management

Social media management tool helps businesses and agencies manage their social media presence more efficiently.

SEMRush Listing & Reputation management

SEMrush is a popular digital marketing tool that provides insights and analytics for SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, and more. It helps businesses optimize their online presence, improve search rankings, and increase website traffic.

Termageddon

Termageddon privacy policies generator and management tool that helps website owners comply with various privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

SiteGround Website Hosting

EVERNET can assist your business by selecting the best web hosting platform based on your company’s specific needs and budget. Our experienced team can help migrate your site to a new hosting platform, configure the hosting environment, and provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the site is always running smoothly.

Managed Advertising Support

At EVERNET, we understand the importance of advertising your brand, services, or products to the right audience. That is why our industry professionals are here to help you optimize your advertising campaigns to achieve your advertising goals and increase your ROI.

Managed CRM Support

EVERNET is a third-party implementation partner; we work with trusted software customer relationship management (CRM) vendors to provide software and technology solution services to help your business grow. We provide expertise, support, and resources to help your company deploy and maintain third-party solutions.

Managed Social Media Support

With EVERNET Social Media Support, we provide a comprehensive suite of services tailored to your business needs. From developing a custom social media strategy to community management, advertising, and analytics tracking, we offer a personalized approach that ensures your success on social media.

Managed Listing and Reputation Support

EVERNET offers comprehensive managed listing and reputation support services to help businesses establish and maintain a positive online presence.

Hosted Phone Service (VoIP)

A VoIP phone service eliminates the need for expensive hardware, lowering the setup fee more than traditional phone systems. VoIP won’t cost as much as you think for everything from virtual numbers to video conferencing.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 suite is a family of productivity software, collaboration, and cloud-based services designed to make teamwork effortless. It includes Microsoft Outlook for email, OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Teams, and cloud applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Corporate Password Manager

Password Management is a service that utilizes software that stores and manages online credentials. This allows individuals and businesses to save and manage their passwords from one safe space.  

Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO)

A vCIO, or virtual Chief Information Officer, is a professional who provides technical leadership and strategic guidance to an organization on a part-time or contract basis.

IT Maintenance

IT maintenance refers to ensuring that an organization’s information technology (IT) systems and infrastructure are operating smoothly and efficiently. This involves performing routine tasks such as installing software updates and patches, monitoring system performance and security, and repairing or replacing hardware.

Email Advanced Threat Protection

Email Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) is a security solution designed to protect email systems from advanced threats such as phishing, malware, and zero-day attacks.

Security Awareness Training

Security awareness training educates employees on how to protect the organization’s computer systems. Its goal is to help prevent cyber attacks from impacting a company’s database and day-to-day operations. 

Patch Management

Patch Management is a service that involves identifying, acquiring, testing, and installing patches or code changes to the software. 

Antivirus (EDR)

Antivirus is software used to prevent, scan, detect, and delete viruses from a computer. Antivirus software typically runs automatically in the background and provides real-time protection against virus attacks.

Device Health & Security Monitoring

24/7 Device Health Monitoring is a service that allows our IT team to keep a finger on the pulse of your IT Solutions, keeping your network running without interruption.  

Vendor Management

Vendor Management Service is a service EVERNET offers that helps clients manage their vendors. We do this by creating a unique email address for every client on EVERNET’s mail server, and we point this email address to our Client Portal.

Managed IT Support

With expertise in everything from Microsoft 365 to hosted phone services, backup and disaster recovery, 24/7 device health and security monitoring, and everything in between, EVERNET will manage all aspects of your IT systems. Keep your focus on confidently running your business, knowing EVERNET has your IT Solutions covered.