Zombies and Marketing: Don’t be Brain Dead
It’s no secret that good content, when used wisely and consistently, can help connect a business to its customers on a monthly, weekly, and sometimes even daily basis. This content is typically delivered through a variety of sources all at once, such as a blog, Facebook post, and Twitter message. The problem is that many businesses provide content that is unexciting, to say the least. Some might even call it stale or, as you may have guessed …brain-dead.
How do you prevent your own content from becoming brain-dead? Well, it may be as easy as paying attention to our little brain-dead friend … the zombie.
What We Can Learn from the Zombie Phenomenon
Ever since George Romero directed the classic Night of the Living Dead, zombies have been part of the movie lexicon. But what was once a bit of a niche market, to say the least, has absolutely exploded into a seemingly unstoppable force. So what happened? Easy — movie producers, novelists, comic book writers, screenwriters, and other creative types began listening to their customers. They noticed that the trend had been building for a while. It was a steady progression at first, but when the popularity of those lovable, staggering, flesh-eating creatures took off, the entertainment world was ready. It was this connection to their customers, realizing the type of content they desired, that has helped build an entire industry.
How to Avoid Brain-Dead Content
As we stated above, the zombie phenomenon occurred, in large part, because creative people listened to the desires of their customers and gave them exactly what they were asking for, when they asked for it. How can your business do this? By going out and listening to what your customers, both existing and potential, have to say. The content that you put out is often based on what people are saying at any given time. You can find subjects to write about by searching through social network sites ranging from Twitter and Facebook to Instagram and Pinterest. Find out what excites them, check the trends, and follow their discussions. Another helpful technique is to check review sites like Yelp and review forums to find out what is being said about your company or the type of product or service that your company provides. Then use the information you discover to create compelling content, whether it’s a relatable story, discussion of an improvement on a product, or a how-to guide for something those customers seem to need.
Don’t Come Across as the Writing Dead
Just as important as what you’re saying is how you’re saying it. The content that you provide should be clear and well-written, whether you’re writing for consumers or business persons. If your content is full of spelling or grammar errors, or the structure comes across as perhaps it was written by a real-life zombie, you may come across as unprofessional and be unable to get your message across. This is true whether you decide to write in a casual, relaxed tone or a more professional one. Keep in mind, though, that social media, including most blogs, definitely lean toward the lax side of things. It’s important that you get your message across, but if your content comes across as too stuffy, it’s just as bad as being too stale. You can remedy this by hiring a marketing company that employs a quality writer, one that understands your needs and has the know-how and experience to understand what makes good content.
We’re not saying that your content will be as popular as the zombie craze going on right now, but as long as what’s being presented by your company isn’t brain-dead, you’re in good shape. Do your research. Adapt your content to match your customers’ needs. Present it in a professional way. Follow these steps and you’ll have a leg up on the competition.
