Every marketer understands the value of content marketing, yet few want to spend hours each week writing boring blog posts that may or may not get read. Well, the good news is that there are alternatives to the traditional blog post. By expanding your content marketing repertoire, you can publish highly engaging content that’s also fun to create.
Here are a handful of alternatives to the traditional blog entry.
- Podcasts
In 2016, multimedia alternatives to text-based blog posts can be more effective with certain target markets. One option to consider is podcasting. A podcast opens up an entirely new set of options and allows your brand to connect with customers in a totally different way.
While podcasting is effective, it should be noted that it’s not a timesaving endeavor. You’ll actually end up spending more time with podcasts than traditional blog posts. However, the hope is that it’ll be more engaging for your audience.
- Videos
Even more valuable than audio content is video content. That’s why many marketers are turning to video blogs to satisfy their readers’ demands for immersive content. In addition to offering a unique content medium, videos effectively break up the monotony of a traditional blog by providing some visual division between text-based posts. Here’s an awesome example from Shout Me Loud of a blog entry that combines video and text-based elements.
- Cartoons
Visual content is popular right now. If you can find a way to say more with less, then you should definitely seize the opportunity. One unique and memorable strategy is to throw in an occasional cartoon that resonates with your target market. The cartoon could speak to a pertinent pain point, make light of a relevant issue, or highlight something your brand is doing. Check out Milwaukee Lockstar’s blog for an example of how cartoons can be used to offset other forms of content.
- Infographics
One extremely popular blogging medium is the infographic. People love reading and sharing these engaging visual posts, and they’re exponentially more effective than the traditional research-style format at conveying dense data. As a suggestion, though, you’ll need to also create a text write-up of the infographic to ensure you get the SEO benefits.
- Interactive Content
If you’re goal is to create shareworthy content that keeps users engaged on your blog for longer periods of time, then interactive content may be the answer. Interactive content includes things like cost calculators, quizzes, surveys, and games. – i.e. anything that allows the user to manipulate the results. A classic example of interactive content is a BuzzFeed quiz like this one.
- Curated Link Posts
The problem with a basic blog post is that it rarely provides lasting value. And while there is a place for timely “news-like” posts, pursuing evergreen content is a better long-term strategy. One of the best types of evergreen content you can produce is a curated link post.
A curated link post is nothing more than a blog post with a bunch of links to other articles, posts, and tools on the internet. However, the power lies in its resourcefulness for the end user. Since we’re discussing the topic of content marketing, this curated link post about the top content marketing tools is the perfect example.
- Guest Blog Posts
A standard blog post isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but who wants to spend time writing their own posts? After your blog gains some clout, you should find it fairly easy to attract guest blog posts. Sometimes providing a simple byline with a link back to the author is all you have to give in return. This is an extremely effective way to publish quality content without spending a lot of time or money.
It’s Okay to Mix Things Up
For years, corporate blog after corporate blog has followed the standard protocol of posting three-to-five basic blog posts per week. The only problem is that these blog entries are boring and provide little more than some SEO value.
If you truly want to engage your audience and ignite passion around your brand, it’s time to mix things up. Brainstorm a new blogging strategy and see where it takes you.
