Top 3 Reasons Why Content Marketing Will Fail You!

Are you currently using content marketing as a business?

So how much success are you producing with your content marketing efforts?

It doesn't matter whether you are blogger or an entrepreneur running an e-commerce site, I'm sure you have no doubts that content marketing is not just a buzzword. it's definite that more and more online marketers are realizing this fact and are giving more attention to providing valuable content on their e-commerce sites and blogs.

For those who are doing it well they are seeing more website traffic, generating more business leads and of course, increasing sales. it doesn't matter the type or size of business involved, content marketing is already working wonders for these ones.

Unfortunately, the result is not the same for others. For every marketer who is succeeding with content marketing, there are 3 others who are failing. And this is because they are missing out some of the essential elements for success.

And so, in this article, I want to quickly present you with a few reasons why content marketing might fail you. In so doing, I hope you’ll be able to understand where you are getting it wrong and then make the necessary changes that will help you succeed with your web content marketing efforts.

Let's get cracking…

Content Marketing Failures!

1. Failing to Make Your First Impression Count!

A popular line goes thus, “The first cut is the deepest cut!”

And that, to a great extent, is actually the biggest reason why content marketing is not working for many businesses.

A business's website or blog is usually the primary medium of communicating with its target audience and the site's content is usually the aspects of the business that is first noticed by visitors.  Unfortunately, many businesses overlook this fact, and instead showcase substandard content on their sites/blogs in the name of content marketing. Many even use recycled content, scrapped from other sites and expect to produce outstanding results.

What a deception!

The truth is, if you want to succeed as a content marketer you must commit to providing accurate, concise and informative content. The quality of your web content is basically the yardstick visitors will use in forming their initial opinions of your business. If your web content is poorly written and presented, it’s definite that you will not be able to hold the visitors attention.  Your site visitors are likely going to exit your website without a second thought.

It doesn't matter how great your website design may be, what will truly help you connect with your site visitors with ease is your well-written and engaging web content. This is what will motivate the visitor to investigate your site further prompting him to learn more about your product/service which may lead to the results you desire.

2. Not Caring About Improving Search Engine Rankings

Beyond helping site visitors to form the right opinions about your business, your website content is important in influencing your search engine rankings. This is critical because the higher your site ranks on the search engines the larger the audience your business will be able to reach.

It's interesting to note that the search engines understand that internet users desire quick and immediate results when they look for information online. To help them fulfill this desire, they have written complicated algorithms which enables them to present the most relevant websites when a user searches for a particular word or phrase.

And this is where your web marketing content becomes important.

Creating web content optimized specifically for certain keywords will help your content to rank high in the search engines. This is important because internet users value the results returned by the search engines and therefore will likely visit your site/blog if it ranks well in the search engines.

So, if you're not optimizing your marketing content for the search engines you might just be sabotaging your own success because this is a good way the content on your website can greatly influence the size of the audience you are able to reach.

Though, not many business persons are experienced in creating content for the search engines it shouldn't hinder you. Hiring a skilled SEO content writer can be of help.

3. You're Ego-Centric Instead Of Customer-Centric

Wikipedia has this to say about egocentrics:

“Egocentrics regard themselves and their own opinions or interests as being the most important or valid. Self-relevant information is seen to be more important in shaping one’s judgements than do thoughts about others and other-relevant information (Windschitl, Rose, Stalkfleet & Smith, 2008). Egocentric people are unable to fully understand or to cope with other people's opinions and the fact that reality can be different from what they are ready to accept.”

Unfortunately, many content marketers are ego-centric. They are self-centered. Instead of focusing on helping the customer with relevant and informative web content, all their communications flows from their selfish aims.

Of course, it's a fact that your business is not a charity organization and that need to sell to make a gain, but if you don't have a strategic plan for selling with your content, you'll simply fail!

One thing that content marketing strategists have come to agree on is the fact that businesses that want to use content marketing successful should think more like publishers. Instead of using every opportunity to sell, you should, like the publisher, provide useful information to your target audience.

Now, a well written web marketing content can actually be customer-focused, persuasive and engaging while at the same time compelling enough to make the site visitor to do what you desire. You don't have to be ‘salesy' with every piece of content. You can actually sell with your content without blatantly advertising your products and services.

There's no doubt that writing this type of marketing content can be quite complicated. But hiring a professional web content writer who is experienced and skilled at writing this type of informative and persuasive content will do the trick.

Conclusion

From all indications, content marketing is still in its infant stage. Getting it right now will definitely help you create an enduring experience with your target audience which will ultimately bring you the much desired success. there is more opportunities for everyone right now and so prepare and get involved in the best way possible. Learn to implement content marketing best practices and if possible, hire professional web content writers since this will give your more traction.

Your turn:  Do you think bloggers should care about content marketing?  What other reasons do you think is responsible for content marketing not working for many businesses? Share your thoughts with us in your comments.

14 Comments
  1. Boy, ain’t this the truth Chadrack. I was shaking my head yes as I read through this. I can definitely see why you wouldn’t have any success if you were to create your content in this way.

    First impressions are so important but consistency with valuable content will get you a very long way.

    The one thing I’ve learned about this industry is that you really have to care about people and if you don’t, I can’t see you building a lasting business. That’s just my take on this.

    Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoy your day!

    ~Adrienne

    • @Adrienne,

      Hmm, you couldn’t have said it better,

      “The one thing I’ve learned about this industry is that you really have to care about people and if you don’t, I can’t see you building a lasting business.”

      Thanks for the comment and this insight.

  2. Hey Chadrack,
    Content marketing is just a form of marketing. Like other marketing genres, without a compelling brand, your efforts may fail or worst – damage your image the more.

    Your readers are more important than a sale. If that does not show through all your communications, then you may just as well be shooting yourself in the foot.(You can fool me once…)

    Making a buck – a quick one – is a short term strategy as far as I am concerned.

    You have my 100% on this one.

    • @Yeremi Akpan,

      Hmm, what good advice here,

      “Your readers are more important than a sale. If that does not show through all your communications, then you may just as well be shooting yourself in the foot.”

      Frankly, it’s unfortunate that many in the name of marketing do all kind of thing to make a sale. They never know that the purpose of marketing is not to make a sale but to create a customer who will ultimately result in a sale.

      Go for the short term and your business will die very quickly!

      Thanks for adding your voice to the conversation!

  3. I think the most important factor is to take care of the the people when you write something for marketing. It’s not that easy to give what the people have been looking for.

    Hiring professional web content writers is one of the best solutions to succeed in this way.

    • @bj,

      Yes, giving the people exactly what they are looking for may be difficult sometimes. But, like you said taking care of the people with your marketing message is neccesary. It means therefore that you just need to know what the people are looking for!

      Can you now see the connection?

      It’s the most important element when marketing with web content and so even if it is difficult you just can’t ignore it. Now, the good thing is that knowing what your customers wants can be easily determined by implementing a few strategic steps.

      In content marketing, this has come to be known as “listening.” And with the increase of online social media “listening” to your customers is becoming really easy if you know what you are doing.

      Thanks for the comment.

  4. Hi chadrack,
    You raise good point but everyone can not settle in that what you said,hing should be realize that when you compensate value bring to others, you will focus on building value. Money will result. Good luck with your work.

    There are no shortcuts to success, and everything surely takes time, patience, and complete dedication.

    Thaks

    • @Bhushan,

      Yes, there is no short cut to success, everything requires time, patience and dedication.

      Truth is everyone don’t have to agree with me. However, it is clear that except you are ready to give value, your efforts will one day end in vain.

  5. Bloggers and non-bloggers alike all need to worry about ‘content marketing’. If you don’t have a site that looks good, reads well, and has the ‘arrows’ Google is looking for when somebody performs a search, then you won’t get any amount of business worth mentioning from the internet.

  6. Hi Chadrack,

    It’s all about good valuable content that peeks the interest of your target market. After reading your post two words came to mind. Educational marketing.

    It all should start with a hit you right between the eyes bulls eye headline to grab attention so your reader will want to read further.

    Your reader should truly get something out of what he or she is reading.

    If they read something they can take with them, they will remember you and the chances of purchasing something are so much better than just right out selling something.

    I really like the saying give and you shall receive.

    Terry Conti

  7. Google wants you to provide good, useful evergreen content that your potential customers actually want. Good for your customers, good for your rankings. Simple.

  8. You raise good point but everyone can not settle in that what you said,hing should be realize that when you compensate value bring to others, you will focus on building value. Money will result. Good luck with your work.

  9. Search engine gives prefference in a quality content,write a unique and informative post.when you are going to write a post,think like a visitors.

  10. All the tips you written above are very useful and informative. Its essential for every bloggers to must read them and implement on its content marketing strategy.

    Leave a Reply to Becca Cancel reply

    Empowering You to Make Money Online
    Logo