The 10 Best Content Types to Create Today

If you’re wondering which types of content will perform best in the modern world, you’re not alone. Determining the best types of content to publish can help you build your brand and gain the attention you deserve online.

10 Types of Content All Publishers Should Invest in

Whether you’re a small business owner or an enterprise-level company looking to take the next step, these 10 types of content are critical for your business.

1. List Posts

List posts are the be-all-and-end-all of online content today. In addition to being engaging, they’re useful for your readers and are easy to skim in our on-the-go and fast-paced world. Buzzfeed, which publishes list posts often, is proof that lists are one of the most effective and appealing content types. Lists are highly adaptable and can be made to fit virtually any industry or company.

2. How-To Posts

How-to posts are similar to list posts because they offer data-driven information that can help audiences learn new things. For best results, choose an in-demand topic and break it down thoroughly. The more information you can offer, the better. Use images to illustrate throughout.

3. SEO Content

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical component of virtually all online material. It’s especially critical for any post you want to see go viral, or enjoy a wide reach.

Here’s why: SEO gives your content the tools it needs to rank prominently online, and to earn a wide, exciting reach with your customers. Utilizing tactics like keyword research, meta title optimization, and image inclusion, SEO content can make your material easier to find and more accessible for your readers.

4. Case Studies

Case studies are unique in that they provide information your readers can’t get anywhere else. Because case studies relay experiences your clients had with your brand, they’re of value to companies that are considering doing business with you.

A critical force of social proof, case studies lay out the benefits of your brand in your customers’ words. If you want to publish a case study, hire a professional case study writer to help you nail the formatting and outline.

5. Interviews

Interviews, like case studies, are a unique form of content. This is especially true assuming you write the questions and perform the interview. For best results, look for an interview subject that is known to your audience and offers some unique perspectives on a topic of interest to them.

After a few introductory interviews, you’ll be able to move up to better-known influencers in your industry.

6. Product Reviews

Product reviews are helpful for your clients because they provide an avenue for discovery. When you vouch for a product, they feel safer trying it themselves. To keep your product descriptions useful rather than salesy, focus only on products that are relevant to your audience and your readers.

Also, remember to be as detailed as possible, really digging in and telling your audience exactly how the product in question helped you solve your problems or address your concerns.

7. Opinions 

Opinions are a valuable form of contrarian content that can go a long way toward helping you establish your brand. Controversy is an exciting concept for readers, and mastering it can help your material go viral. Note that controversy doesn’t mean being rude or demeaning, and that you can share your opinion without putting others down. Just remember to be as informed and complete as possible in the content you publish.

Taking a stance on pop culture and trending events is also a smart way to get noticed.

8. Stories

Storytelling is also a popular writing tactic. In addition to making your material more exciting for readers, it’s also a smart way to differentiate your material from everything else out there on the Web. Take storytelling one step further by telling personal stories in your content.

The reason for this is twofold:

1. Your readers like hearing about the founder or minds behind your company. When you’re relatable to them, your company feels more human.
2. Telling your personal story can be a lesson from which people can learn from your mistakes and triumphs and apply them to their own lives.

9. Predictions

At the end of every year, predication posts crop up like wildflowers. And for good reason: people want to be prepared, and prediction posts can help.

To keep your article exciting, ensure you’re making predictions that are relevant to your industry and your customers. When you do this correctly, your article can help you become a thought leader in your industry and create a name for yourself as an authority.

10. ‘What not to do’ Posts

‘What not to do’ posts tap into your reader’s aversion to loss. As always, keep the topic relevant to your users and ensure your points are drawn from personal experience or industry research. When you do these posts correctly, they can help your readers solve challenges and become better businesspeople.

Modern Content to Grow Your Business

Blog posts, videos, infographics, memes, white papers, and case studies – oh my! There’s virtually no end to the types of content you could publish today. If you’re like most marketers, though, you don’t have time to create all of them. Luckily, you can still make a pretty large impact by focusing on the above 10 article types. In addition to labeling you as a thought leader in your industry, publishing the above forms of content can also help you earn a larger audience.

Julia McCoy is a bestselling author of So You Think You Can Write, podcaster and an expert content marketer. She’s also the founder and CEO of Express Writers, a leading online content creation agency, with more than 60 content writers and strategists. Julia leads her team to serve hundreds of worldwide businesses with the highest-quality content for their online presence. Follow Julia’s blog.

The post The 10 Best Content Types to Create Today appeared first on SiteProNews.