What is Content Creation

Content Creation is the art of creating informative write-ups and videos.  Creating valuable content is a process, and there are some things you must consider. So, before you begin the process, here are a few questions you need to answer:

What is your topic? Do you have a specific area of focus?

What type of content do you want to create? Is it a video, blog, or presentation?

Who is your viewing or reading audience? Are they children, teenagers, adults?

What do you want to communicate to your audience?

Answering these questions will bring a clear direction.  It will also determine your tone, word choices, and the information to have in the content.

Above all, the purpose of content creation is to market stuff on the worldwide web. Content can be in the form of articles, infographics, newsletters, landing pages, and videos.

Here’s a Little History

Let’s take a trek…BACK IN TIME!

Do you remember those magazines? Business owners would use them to let people know who they are and what they do.  Therefore, if you wanted to attract new customers and clients, that was the way to go. 

So, you would share information such as:       

• Vision and Mission 
• Products and services (with pictures)
• Your employees and their positions
• Goals or plans for the year ahead 
• Upcoming activities and events

All these things and more you could find in magazines, flyers, and booklets.   But now, in the age of the Internet, printed material is no longer necessary. For traditional hard-copy magazines, you can subscribe and receive regular newsletters and updates.  They’re not entirely out of circulation, though. Paperbacks and other printed publications are still available at a few local bookstores.

The Internet Age

The internet was introduced in the 1900s, and life as we knew it transformed.  Technology also increased at a rapid pace with the emergence of this digital age.  Because of this innovation, content writing became necessary to populate the world wide web with information.  The online competition had its part to play. And businesses had to transition to keep up with the trends. 

Because of changing demands, search engines such as Bing, Google, and Yahoo came on the scene.  Search engines make it easy to find content on the Internet. They compile information for you based on search specifications.  It then presents the data to you on result pages.

Content Creation in Today’s World

Companies use the Internet to get information out.   Therefore, you can now find information about organizations on their website. The change is better because you can view information on the Internet worldwide.  Also, being on the global market means international exposure and the potential to reach a wider audience. The opportunities are limitless!

How can your audience access content about your business? 

Business owners hire content creators such as writers, graphic artists, and videographers who can:      

• Capture the vision of the company
• Understand what readers want to see 
• Easily convey their message (using the business owners’ voice)
• Create engaging content that captures and keeps the reader’s attention 

And all written information and videos should:

• Meet the needs of a broad audience 
• Attract new clients and keep existing ones
• Increase your market share 
• Build a great reputation 
• Increase the desire of your customers to use your products and services
• Build and increase your conversion rating

Forms of Content Creation

Content comes in different forms. But its focus is to get valuable information to target audiences.  Let’s look at some of them.

Blogs  

Blogs or blog posts are articles that add a welcoming touch to your social media presence.  These articles can focus on any aspect of your business. Or you can also use blogs to inform customers about anything that may capture their interest.  Also, to make these articles more attractive, you can add images. There’s also the option to add a comments area. By this, you can get feedback from clients on various topics.  It’s a great way to get a feel of what your customers are thinking.   

Infographics 

Infographics are visual displays of information.  In these displays, you’ll see a combination of images, charts, tables, and text.  They are perfect for condensing data and capturing the reader’s attention. Also, ensure that you make the information easy to understand.   

Newsletters 

Use newsletters to convey specific information.  You can send updates about your business, various activities, and events. Newsletters can also be an avenue for promoting customer and client recognition. 

Videos

Videos can be live, interactive, and tutorials. There are a vast number of benefits to using videos. Statistics show that revenue for some businesses grew 49% faster.  Also, 79% of customers prefer watching videos to learn about products.

Webinars

You can record or have live Webinars.  They’re a great option to host virtual meetings via specialized programs.  By using webinars, you can also conduct international and local educational sessions.

Presentations

To capture the interest of an audience can be difficult, especially at meetings.  Therefore, using virtual presentations is one of the best ways to do the job. They can be a combination of words, videos, images, and slides. Besides, presentations animate information and make releasing material more efficient and effective.

Where Can You Find Content?

Content continues to change to suit the various markets.

YouTube

On YouTube, you can find Videos or Vlogs, which focuses on many niches.  You’ll find information on hair and skin care, education, family life, and so much more.  There are also how-to videos, diets, exercise routines, news updates, and many movie genres.

Twitter 

Twitter allows its users to share personal messages known as tweets.  On this social network, you can promote your business, articles, and share updates.  Also, there’s the opportunity to build viable relationships; Because you can contribute to discussions and target a vast worldwide audience.

Instagram

On this social media platform, users can upload pictures, videos, and share messages.  Statistics show that a surplus of 500 million people uses this platform daily.  Therefore, the traffic makes Instagram an excellent avenue to market your business.

There are other marketing platforms such as Hypr, Upfluence, and Popular Chips.  Anyone who has something to share can use these avenues.

Choosing the Best Platforms

Before selecting an online marketing platform, there are a few things to consider.

• Create a budget.  Decide on the amount of money you will spend per month or year on marketing and user fees for platforms.
• Find out whether the platform can cater to the needs of your type of business.
• Business size is a primary factor. You’ll want to choose a platform that can support business expansion.
• Customer support.  Without adequate support,  challenges can cause unwanted setbacks for your business. So ensure that the platform you choose offers support 24/7.
• Compatibility.  You might have software that you’re using, so you’ll want to know if your software can work with the new platform.
• Other things to consider
  • What kind of service does this platform offer? 
  • Can employees receive training? 
  • What are customers saying about the platform in their reviews?
  • What is the number of users on the platform?
  • Is this platform credible?  There are lots of scammers online, so it’s essential to ensure that the platform is legit.

Going through this process can be tedious. But it will ensure that you do not have to endure unnecessary pains in the long run.

Creating Content 

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can, there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.“

Sarah Cardwell

For the new, in-between, and veteran creators, style and material are crucial. Therefore, whatever you create must appeal to your audience.  While you may have your preferences, flexibility will pave the way for success.  

Read a lot, focus on a few genres.  Also, try doing crossword puzzles. While they are simple, these activities will help to boost your vocabulary. You’ll also gain exposure to various writing techniques. In addition, you have the option of visiting websites, looking at videos, and reading articles.  And you must do some research because it is essential to know current trends.

4 Tips on Creating Content

Build an outline

Having an outline will help with focus and structure. From the onset, you’ll also have a clear sense of direction.  So, it’s best to determine what you want to include.  Jot down any ideas that come to mind.  

Research

Research is vital when creating content.  It is necessary to gather resources and familiarize yourself with the topic.  Also, you always want to ensure that your information is accurate, depending on the area of focus.

SEO

Statistics show that (75%) of researchers only focus on the first result page of a Google search. So you’ll want to ensure that your content has the potential to reach your target audience.  That means you must know the best approaches in using keywords.

Use Keywords

Keywords are words or phrases that you use throughout your content.  These words and phrases highlight the primary focus of your content.  They are also the determining factor of your ranking on search engines. Google uses word queries to gather the most relevant information and present it on a result page.  So, finding the best keywords to use is vital.

Final Thoughts

Content creation puts you on the cutting edge.  So don’t take it for granted.  Above all, add content to your social media platforms often. Don’t focus only on your website.  You also need to share your information on Facebook, LinkedIn, and through emails.   

Now, I hope you can see the value of content.  To have a good website, quality, and quantity of information that you put out there, are crucial.  Also, regular updates will ensure that you’ll capture and maintain the reader’s interest.   

Most business owners do not have the time to update their social media with content.  Therefore, this is where a Virtual Assistant can help.  

A Virtual Assistant can:

• Manage your digital platform accounts
• Post your ads and other valuable information on social media
• Send out and respond to your emails
• Prepare all your content
• Ensure that your sites are up-to-date
• Address your customer queries
• Manage your marketing campaigns

I hope this information was valuable to you. And you have a greater insight into the value and benefits of content creation.  

If you need help to create engaging content for your courses or digital products, check out our services.

About the Author

Hi, my name is Seigrid Spencer. I spent 20+ years in the administrative field and six years as a secondary school teacher. I now work as a Virtual Assistant – writing content, proofreading and editing, and providing administrative support. It’s always a pleasure to share information that will educate and inspire others to make the best decisions.