With the upcoming changes to Facebook’s news feed, businesses need to rely on content marketing more than ever. If you have heard the term, but not familiar with what “content marketing” is, allow me to enlighten you.

What is Content?

Content is simply text, audio or video which is on a website or social media platform. You can create content or you can share content other people create.

In the context of social media marketing, you will want to create about 1/3 of the content you share. You do this because you want to YOUR expertise to be shared with people who are not in your social network. The goal is to get your product or service in front of potential customers that don’t know you.

What Type of Content Should You Create?

Whatever you’re most comfortable with. Some people are comfortable doing video. Some prefer the written word. Others are great with podcasts and other forms of audio media. No matter WHAT type of content you create, The Golden Rule is to make something that solves a problem, alleviates a pain point or answers a question for the person reading it. If you’re making content to generate sales leads, you want that content to address an issue they are having. You want it to bring them so much value that they are compelled to share it with someone else.

How to Streamline Your Social Media Marketing

There are several tools you can use to save time sourcing content, sharing content and tracking how that content performs. I am also including a list of resources that will help you create content people WANT to share.

Speaking of sharing, if you found this article useful, would you please share it with another business owner or blogger who would benefit as well?

How to go viral & what headlines work:
https://www.slideshare.net/Upworthy/how-to-make-that-one-thing-go-viral-just-kidding

How to make an editorial calendar and downloadable templates: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/business-blog-editorial-calendar-templates

Installing WordPress and Starting a Blog with GoDaddy :
https://www.godaddy.com/garage/how-to-start-a-blog/

Setting up a Blog using SquareSpace:
http://theeverygirl.com/build-blog-squarespace/

Email Newsletter providers:
Convert Kit (best for bloggers)
Aweber
MailChimp

Online Courses that can teach you beyond the basics:
Fizzle.co (Fantastic place to start. These guys teach it all. And they’re entertaining.)
Youpreneur.com (Advanced techniques to grow your online business.)
ElloryWells.com (Coaching that can take you to the next level)
Lynda.com has classes on everything

Where to find content to share:
Quu
Feedly
Google Alerts
Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and other social platforms
Stencil (easily creates images with text)

Affordable software that will help post to social media:
Hootsuite