5 Levels To Transform Your Content Marketing

Content marketing is a strategic approach to creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience and to drive profitable customer action. It can be an effective way to attract and engage customers and to build a brand's reputation and authority in its industry. In this article, we will explore the five levels of transformation that you can apply to your content marketing efforts to take them to the next level. 

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Level 1: Simple listicles

A listicle is a type of article or blog post presented as a numbered or bullet-pointed list. Lists are generally used to give information in a concise and easy-to-digest format. They cover topics such as "10 Tips for a Better Night's Sleep," "The 15 Best Beaches in the World," and "The 20 Most Influential People in the World."

Here are a few things to consider; 

• These articles or posts consist mainly of lists, often with brief explanations or descriptions for each item.
• They may cover topics that quickly present original ideas in an easy-to-digest format.

Examples of listicles

Here are a few more examples of listicles to inspire you:

• HubSpot's "6 Secrets to Achieving Work-Life Balance, According to HubSpot Marketing Managers",
• Buzzfeed's "23 Amazing Moments From The Harry Potter Movies That Aren't In The Books"
• Tasty's "10 Genius Ways To Cook Pasta That Work (And Taste Amazing)"
• Nomadic Matt's "5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight Online",
• Huffington Post's "10 Literary Quotes That Perfectly Capture Parenthood"
• AdWeek's "The 25 Best Ads of 2019"
• Website Builder Expert's "How To Design a Website in 8 Simple Steps"

Now that we've explored some examples let's dive into advanced listicles and how you can create your listicle.

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Level 2: Advanced listicles

These are more in-depth or detailed than simple listicles. They may cover a specific topic or provide more information or resources for readers. Advanced listicles may also include other media, such as images or videos. Examples of advanced listicles include "A Comprehensive Guide to Meal Planning," "The 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World," and "60 Ways to Improve Your Life."

Here are a few things to consider; 

• These are similar to simple listicles but may be more extended and in-depth, with more detailed explanations and examples.
• They may also cover more complex or specialised topics and require some prior knowledge or understanding to appreciate fully.
• Examples of advanced listicles might include "20 Advanced Photoshop Techniques for Professional Designers," "15 Ways to Optimize Your Website for SEO," or "10 Tips for Training for a Marathon."

Here are some steps you can follow to create a listicle of your own:

1. Choose a topic: The first step in creating a listicle is to choose a topic you know will interest your target audience. Consider your target audience's interests and needs, and select a topic that resonates and engages with your audience.
2. Organise your content: Once you have chosen your topic, start organising your content into a logical and easy-to-follow structure. Consider using headings and subheadings to help break up the content and make it easy to read.
3. Write an introduction: The introduction of your listicle should provide context and set the stage for the rest of the article. It should introduce the topic and give readers an overview of what they can expect to learn from the article.
4. Create your list: The main body of your listicle should be the numbered or bullet-pointed list of items. Each item should be concise and to the point and provide readers with valuable information or insights.
5. Add images and other media: Consider including photos, videos, or other media to help illustrate your points and make your listicle more engaging. Use websites like unsplash.com or pexels.com to get royalty-free images. You can use tools like motionarray.com to help you create amazing video content.
6. Write a conclusion: Your listicle's conclusion should summarise the article's main points and takeaways. It should also provide additional resources or information readers may find helpful.
7. Edit and proofread: Before publishing your listicle, edit and proofread it carefully to ensure that it is well-written and free of errors.

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Level 3: Guides & Deep dives

Guides and deep dives are types of content designed to explore a specific topic thoroughly. Content marketing often uses them to demonstrate expertise and establish thought leadership in a particular area.

A guide is a comprehensive resource that covers all the essential information on a particular topic. It is usually structured in a logical and easy-to-follow manner, with clear headings and subheadings to help readers navigate the content. Guides are often quite long and may include images, videos, and other media to help illustrate the points being made. Some examples of guides in content marketing include "The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing," "A Beginner's Guide to SEO," and "The Comprehensive Guide to Planning a Successful Event."

A deep dive, on the other hand, is a highly detailed and focused exploration of a specific aspect of a topic. Deep dives are typically longer than guides and go into much greater depth on a particular part of a subject. They are often used to provide in-depth analysis or to delve into a specific topic in greater detail. Some examples of deep dive content in content marketing include "A Deep Dive Into the World of Artificial Intelligence," "The History and Future of Virtual Reality: A Deep Dive," and "A Deep Dive Into the World of Cryptocurrencies."

Some key points to consider; 

• Guides are detailed, step-by-step instructions for completing a task or achieving a goal. They may include illustrations, diagrams, or other visual aids to help readers understand the information.
• Deep dives are articles or posts that go into great depth on a particular topic, often covering a wide range of related subtopics. They may be more analytical or academic and require more time and effort to read and understand.
• Examples of guides might include "How to Replace a Flat Tire," "The Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning," or "A Beginner's Guide to Meditation." Examples of deep dives might include "The History and Evolution of the Internet," "The Science of Sleep: What We Know and What We Don't," or "Exploring the Psychology of Motivation."

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Level 4: Experiments & Surveys

Experiments and surveys are two types of content used in content marketing to engage and inform readers.

Experiments involve conducting a test or investigation to see what happens under certain conditions. In content marketing, experiments can be used to explore a specific topic or phenomenon and provide insight and information to readers. They can be conducted in various ways, such as through A/B testing, field experiments, or laboratory experiments. Some examples of experiments in content marketing include "An Experiment in Time Management: How to Double Your Productivity," "The Great Social Media Experiment: What Happens When You Unplug for a Week?" and "The Ultimate Email Marketing Experiment: What Works and What Doesn't?"

Surveys involve collecting data from a sample group through questionnaires or interviews to gather insights and inform decision-making. In content marketing, surveys can gather data on a particular topic or issue and present the results to readers in a clear and easy-to-understand format. Surveys are conducted in various ways, such as through online polls, telephone interviews, or in-person focus groups. Some examples of surveys in content marketing include "UpCity Survey Results: Digital Marketing And Social Media Insights," "Consumer Behaviour Survey: Insights into the Modern Shopper," and "What 800 executives envision for the post-pandemic workforce."

• Experiments involve testing a hypothesis or theory through controlled observations and measurements. They may include collecting data, analysing results, and drawing conclusions based on the findings.
• Surveys are research methods that involve collecting data from a sample of individuals, typically through questionnaires or interviews. Surveys can gather information about people's attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, or experiences.
• Examples of experiments might include "Investigating the Effects of Social Media on Mental Health," "Testing the Efficacy of Different Study Techniques," or "Exploring the Impact of Exercise on Cognitive Function." Examples of surveys might include "A Survey of Consumers' Attitudes Toward Sustainable Fashion," "An Analysis of Employee Engagement in the Workplace," or "A Study of Travel Habits and Preferences."

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Level 5: Research studies & Original ideas

Research and original ideas are two types of content used in content marketing to demonstrate expertise and thought leadership.

Research studies involve thoroughly investigating a specific topic or issue using a systematic and scientific approach. Research studies can be conducted in various ways, such as through literature reviews, experiments, or observational studies. In content marketing, research studies can provide a detailed and in-depth exploration of a particular topic and present new insights or findings to readers. Some examples of research studies in content marketing include "The Impact of Social Media on Brand Perception: A Study," "The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance: A Review of the Literature," and "Consumer Attitudes Toward Sustainability: An Observational Study."

On the other hand, original ideas are innovative and creative concepts generated by the writer or content creator. In content marketing, original ideas can present new perspectives or approaches to a particular topic, spark discussion, and engage readers. Some examples of original ideas in content marketing include "The Future of Work: 10 Bold Predictions for the Next Decade," "The Case for a Four-Day Workweek," and "Why You Should Consider Microdosing for Increased Productivity."

• Research studies are structured investigations designed to advance knowledge or understanding in a particular field. They often involve a large sample size, rigorous data collection and analysis methods, and a thorough review of relevant literature.
• Original ideas refer to new, innovative concepts or approaches that have not been previously explored or considered.
• Examples of research studies might include "A Randomised Controlled Trial of a New Depression Treatment," "A Longitudinal Study of the Development of Language Skills in Children," or "An Analysis of the Relationship Between Income Inequality and Health Outcomes." Examples of original ideas might include "A Proposed Framework for Understanding the Role of Emotions in Decision-Making," "A Novel Approach to Solving the Climate Change Crisis," or "A New Perspective on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence."

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In Conclusion, Here is a summary of the five levels of content marketing:

1. Simple listicles are essential articles or blog posts presented as numbered or bullet-pointed lists. They cover a wide range of topics and are easy to read and share.
2. Advanced listicles are more in-depth or detailed listicles that provide additional information or resources for readers. They may include other media, such as images or videos.
3. Guides and deep dives: Guides are comprehensive resources that cover all the essential information on a particular topic. Deep dives are highly detailed and focused explorations of a specific aspect of an issue. Both guides and deep dives provide thorough and detailed coverage of a subject.
4. Experiments and surveys involve conducting a test or investigation to explore a specific topic or phenomenon. Surveys include collecting data from a sample group through questionnaires or interviews to gather insights. Both experiments and surveys can be used to engage and inform readers.
5. Research studies and original ideas involve conducting a systematic and scientific investigation into a specific topic or issue. Original ideas are innovative and creative concepts generated by the writer or content creator. We can use research studies and original ideas to demonstrate expertise and thought leadership.

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At FlowConverts, we understand that excellent content marketing aims to attract and retain customers by consistently creating and curating valuable, relevant, and consistent content. This content can take many forms, including blog posts, articles, social media posts, videos, ebooks, etc. The ultimate aim of content marketing is to establish trust and credibility with target audiences and to drive profitable customer action. Great content marketing can help businesses to attract new customers, build brand awareness, generate leads, and increase sales and revenue.

If you need help with your content marketing, just book your free strategy call here and let's talk to see how we can help you create great content for your business.