Having relevant content is important nowadays as people tend to spend more time online. Most users of the internet have access to streams of information which makes it tedious for content creators to get their audience’s attention. Depending on the business, content such as blogs, videos, and social media posts should be crafted in a way that gets and keeps the users attention.

 

Let’s explore the types of content that perform best, discuss strategies for creating content that connects with your audience, and highlight some best practices.

Types of Content That Perform Best

When considering which types of content will resonate most with your audience, it’s important to align content with both platform-specific and general trends.

1. Blogs

Why It Works: Blogging is one of the strongest ways to communicate with an audience. According to HubSpot, companies with a blog have 55% higher website traffic and 67% more leads than those companies without a blog. Blogs also give you opportunities to write thorough, informative copy that positions you as a thinker.

Best Practices: Use your blog for high-quality, authoritative long-form copy that uses meaningful keywords. End with links.

2. Videos

Why It Works: Video consumption has taken a boom in recent years. About 86% of businesses utilize video as a marketing tool and video content boosts engagement on social media platforms. Video is interactive, can easily be shared, and there is an opportunity to show off your product or service.

Best Practices: Keep your videos concise, engaging, and well-edited. Educational videos, behind-the-scenes content, and product demonstrations tend to perform well.

3. Social Media Posts

Why It Works: Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn provide the perfect space for real-time interaction and updates. With over 3.8 billion social media users globally, businesses cannot ignore these platforms as marketing tools. According to Statista, Instagram alone boasts over 1 billion monthly active users.

Best Practices: Create shareable, visually appealing content that’s optimized for the platform. Use trending hashtags and encourage interaction with your followers.

How to Create Content That Resonates

The real challenge in content creation isn’t just deciding on the type, but ensuring that the content resonates with your audience and stands out in a crowded market. Here’s how you can develop content that strikes a chord with your target audience:

1. Know Your Audience

To create content that resonates, you need to understand who your audience is. Use tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or Twitter Analytics to gather data on your audience’s behavior, interests, and demographics.

Key Points:

  • Use surveys, polls, or social media listening tools to gather feedback.
  • Tailor content to meet the needs and preferences of specific audience segments.

 

2. Focus on Value

Your content should always deliver value. Whether you are informing, educating, or entertaining, your audience should walk away having learned something new or feeling more connected to your brand.

Key Points:

  • Solve problems your audience faces.
  • Use storytelling to make your content more relatable and engaging.

 

3. Use Compelling Headlines

According to many studies, 80% of readers never make it past the headline. The headline is your first (and often only) chance to capture attention, so make it count.

Key Points:

  • Keep headlines concise, clear, and benefit-driven.
  • Use numbers, questions, or powerful adjectives to entice readers to click.

 

4. Incorporate Strong Visuals

Visual content significantly increases engagement. A study by HubSpot found that articles with images receive 94% more views than those without.

Best Practices:

  • Use high-quality images, infographics, and video to complement your written content.
  • Ensure your visuals are aligned with your brand’s identity.

 

5. Consistency is Key

Consistency in messaging and posting frequency helps build trust and familiarity with your audience. Regular content publishing also helps maintain engagement and improves SEO.

Key Points:

  • Stick to a content calendar to maintain consistency.
  • Regularly repurpose old content to reach a broader audience.

Measuring Success: How to Know If Your Content is Working

To understand if your content is engaging, you need to measure its performance. Here are the key metrics to track:

1. Engagement Rates

Engagement metrics like likes, shares, comments, and click-through rates (CTR) indicate how well your audience is interacting with your content. A high engagement rate suggests your content resonates with the target audience.

2. Traffic and Conversions

Track your website traffic from blog posts, videos, or social media platforms. Use Google Analytics to assess how much traffic is generated and which content types are driving conversions (i.e., sales or sign-ups).

3. Lead Generation

Content that resonates with your audience should also lead to increased lead generation. Consider using gated content or calls to action to convert readers into leads.

Conclusion

Creating engaging content is more than just publishing posts regularly. It’s about producing material that speaks directly to your audience, offering them something of value, and encouraging interaction. By understanding your audience, focusing on value, and using the right tools, your content can foster lasting relationships with customers, driving both engagement and conversions.