Please help with some content ideas

[BobAnderson]

I was reading this post http://www.clambr.com/link-building-tools/ about how he had basically outreached to experts in the field and each one had shared this post with their followers.

I am wondering how this could translate to our small business marketing and design blog I am really struggling for content ideas that will work in regards to popularity and link building.

[Hannah_Smith]

Hi Bob,

That sort of idea could work really well for you too. I'd suggest reaching out to experts in your niche and asking them for their Small Business Marketing in 2014 Predictions (it's that time of year, right?).

Resource-style content also seems to work well in the small business space. I've been working with my client Simply Business for a number of years now, creating guides around various topics which have been pretty successful:

• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/guide-to-social-media-success/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/productivity/email-guide/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/google-adwords/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/wordpress-for-small-businesses/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/google-analytics-guide/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/twitter-for-small-businesses/
• http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/microsites/googleplus-for-small-businesses/

You might also find some ideas here: http://moz.com/blog/companies-in-boring-niches-creating-great-content

I hope this helps,

Hannah

[KempRugeLawGroup]

Here's an example of something I think would be fantastic content for a marketing firm. Around a year ago, Walgreens which is a very well known drug store in the US (at least the part I live in), told all its employees to end every interaction with "Thank you and be well." They had to have done that for a variety of marketing related concerns. Discuss those concerns and what you believe their rationale for the change was.

Why is this good content? Everyone around here noticed the change, even if it was subconscious. The moment you pointed it out, people would think themselves "I did notice that actually or yeah, now that you mention it, they do do that." Then, you break down "big corporate strategy" in simple terms for everyone to understand. You come off as an expert, and if you can explain big company marketing, surely you can handle a mom and pop store. Granted, that last part isn't necessarily true, but lots of people follow that line of thinking.

Essentially, I'd just pay attention to changes in marketing that your everyday customers would notice and explain them as best you can.

Also, I think interviewing your clients and/or using them as case studies can be effective, too.

Best,

Ruben

[customerparadigm.com]

Bob -

I'm assuming that your blog promotes the custom design and printing business in the UK?

If that's the case, I'd recommend putting up articles that are potentially interesting to end users, including:

• Perhaps commenting on how direct mail pieces done by a big company (i.e. Orange) were created, and why they have been successful.  For example, it might be the images, calls to action or compelling content.
• Writing about the choices in paper, and how different types of paper can connect differently with a print campaign.
• Focus on a customer's success - how direct printing allowed them to expand and gain new customers, or convert older ones instead.
• Perhaps write about database marketing, and how RFM can work (recency, frequency, monetary value) to determine who to send information out to.

Post a link to the blog so we can take a look...