One of the reasons you create content, other than for search engines, is to satisfy your audience. In fact, all content should be created with the idea that it should be valuable to the audience that you are targeting. If it does not provide value of some sort, then it should not even be created or published. The days of content for content’s sake are over. The content needs to be something your audience wants and needs, not just something for the search engines.
* Is the Content Targeted? – The first thing you want to be sure of, is that you know who you are creating the content for. It might helps to create an audience persona, who wants to read this particular article, or watch the video you are creating. That way you can address them directly in a way that makes them want to come back for more of your content.
* Does the Content Have a Reason for Being? – What reason do you have for creating this particular piece of content? Did someone ask a question? Do you want to teach them something? Are you trying to get them to buy something, or download something, or sign up for something?
* Can Anyone Find Your Content? – Did you put in the right headers, the right title, and the correct information within the content, to help people find it? It will help you if you use a plugin like Yoast SEO to help with this process.
* Is the Content Easily Consumed? – Remember that where you put the content will determine how it is laid out. People read differently online, than they do offline. People read in an F-pattern online; down, then left to right, rather than just left to right like with printed items. Also, if you are making a video, the sound, lighting, and quality should be first class.
* Can the Targeted People Understand Your Content? – Did you write it in such a way that they will understand it, using words that they resonate with? That is why knowing the audience you are creating the content for, is so important.
* Did You Include a Call to Action (CTA)? – Every piece of content published online should have a CTA, or else it will not have the intended purpose you hoped for. Even on your blog, every single post should tell your audience what to do next.
* Is It Easy to Share the Content with Others? – Ensure that people can link to your content easily, and ask them to share it. The more your content is shared, the more people will be exposed to it. Since “birds of a feather” flock together, when your target audience shares your content, it can be very powerful.
* Is the Content Accurate? – This is an important part of content creation, because you want people to develop trust in you. This is especially important if you outsource content. Always have someone responsible for fact checking to ensure that you are posting accurate information.
* Do You Make Your Content Multi-Purpose? – Everyone has a different learning style, and people consume content in different ways. For instance, after posting to your blog, make an effort to also post your articles on various article sites, with a link back to your site. You will get additional exposure that way. Use the same content from your blog, and compile it into a short report, that you can offer as a free gift to new subscribers, building your email list.
Content is a very important part of your marketing efforts. But, it is also part of providing real value to your audience. If the content you create does not solve a problem, answer a question, or lead your audience to a solution to their problems, it will not be of much value to you or them.
