Do you have a content marketing in place? Are you struggling to gain any traction on the search engine results page, no matter how many “best practices” you put into action? If so, you might be making one of these content marketing mistakes. Despite what you may be led to believe, content marketing is far from easy, even for the most experienced content marketer. Are you guilty of these SEO content mistakes?

You have no clue who your audience is

We hear you, “Of course I know who my audience is.” But do you really? Understanding your audience is so much more than knowing they have an interest in your product or service. It’s understanding why they have an interest in you and how they are looking for you. For example:

• Keywords: Keywords are important, especially when it comes to SEM and SEO. If you have a niche audience, how do searchers find you? Do they search for the exact term or do they use a broad search hoping to cast a broader umbrella? Don’t underestimate the value of investing in keyword research.
• Tone: You don’t want to talk so technical that your customer doesn’t understand what you are saying. But you also don’t want to water down your content. Know your buyer persona.

You’re not providing any value

People like content that gives them that “aha moment.” If a searcher can come away from your website feeling they learned something, they’re more likely to bookmark your page, follow you on social media, or better yet, reach out to you. So how do you provide value while avoiding content marketing mistakes?

• Don’t be afraid to share valuable insight: When we have a good idea, we’re often afraid to share it. Your success comes out of the strategy you use to execute your ideas. Not the ideas themselves.
• Provide a product: Do you have an ebook? Do you offer a course? Why not? Searchers come back when they feel like they are getting something. Plus, these offers are a great way to get potential customers on your email list and generate leads.

You set it and forget it

Great — you did your keyword research, you created an awesome blog post, and you even created an ebook. Your blog is confirmed to be SEO content. The work’s not done yet. You need to check for content marketing mistakes. You must update your posts, promote your content, and engage with your customers. The more you engage and update, the more likely you are to rank high on the SERP and create shareable content. Speaking of shareable, share your own content. It’s important to have an omnichannel presence. Yes, this includes how video helps your brand find its voice.

You’re giving away the goods for free

You don’t have to charge for something, but it’s okay to ask for something in return. Create a link so your searchers can share your post. Ask your customers to engage and provide feedback. And most importantly — don’t forget to include a call to action. Tell your customers what you want. Also, be sure to run through the aforementioned bullet points and check for content marketing mistakes. At SocialSEO, we make sure your contenting is adhering to these models for National SEO Services and Local SEO. If terms like “keyword research,” “buyer persona,” and “lead generation,” have you feeling overwhelmed, don’t stress. Checking your SEO content and checking for content marketing mistakes is a lot of work. That’s what we’re here for. At SocialSEO, SEO content marketing is who we are and what we do. Don’t be a victim of common content marketing mistakes, let us help. To learn more and schedule a free quote, contact SocialSEO today.   About the author: Greg is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Business Administration. He is a pioneer to the search engine optimization industry with over 20 years experience in digital marketing. Greg enjoys camping, ATVing, traveling and coaching football. Greg also has a passion for photography, with an emphasis on shooting landscapes, tornadoes, grizzly bears and northern lights. Greg is happily married and has 2 awesome boys.