Drive more traffic with content marketing

If you’re running an SEO agency in Manchester, UK, you know that driving website traffic is the name of the game. After all, what good is all that optimization work if no one is actually visiting your site? Well, my friend, the secret to boosting those numbers lies in the power of content marketing.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again – businesses that seem to have all the luck when it comes to attracting visitors. Their blog posts get shared like wildfire, their social media pages are buzzing, and they’re swimming in high-quality leads. Meanwhile, you’re over here, spending hours crafting content for your target audience, only to see a measly trickle of traffic in return.

But don’t throw in the towel just yet. With the right content marketing tactics up your sleeve, you can transform your website into a traffic-generating machine. In this article, I’m going to share 16 proven strategies that will have your SEO clients’ jaws dropping (and their website analytics skyrocketing).

Find out what your audience really wants

The first step to driving more traffic with content marketing is to understand what your audience actually cares about. And the best way to do that? Ask them! Reach out to your email subscribers and simply inquire about the number one challenge they’re facing.

For example, if you run a marketing blog, you could ask your subscribers what their biggest struggle is when it comes to marketing their business. Then, use that intel to guide the direction of your content. This way, you’re always serving up the information your audience needs, which will keep them coming back for more.

Optimize for search engines (the right way)

I know, I know – SEO can feel like a total minefield sometimes. But trust me, it’s a non-negotiable if you want your content to actually get in front of your target audience. The key is to ditch the outdated “keyword stuffing” approach and instead focus on performing thorough keyword research with tools like Google Keyword Planner.

Once you’ve identified the keywords your audience is searching for, weave them naturally into your blog posts and other content. And if you’re using WordPress, install the Yoast SEO plugin – it’ll give you all the guidance you need to optimize your content for search engines.

Create evergreen content

If you want your website to be a magnet for consistent, long-term traffic, you need to focus on creating “evergreen” content. In other words, content that remains relevant and valuable over time, without needing constant updates.

When crafting evergreen blog posts, be sure to remove any dates from the text. That way, your readers won’t assume the information is outdated, even if the post is a few years old. And speaking of blog posts, did you know that a killer headline can drive 500% more traffic than a lackluster one? It’s true – so spend some serious time crafting headlines that will stop your audience in their tracks.

Make your content scannable

Let’s face it – most people these days don’t have the patience (or attention span) to read every single word of the content they consume. In fact, studies show that a whopping 81% of online readers only skim the content they view.

To keep those skimming eyes glued to your site, you need to optimize your content for easy readability. That means breaking up your text with subheadings, using bullet points and numbered lists, and keeping your paragraphs nice and concise. Oh, and ditch the stuffy, formal language in favor of a more conversational tone. Trust me, your audience will thank you.

Leverage the power of social sharing

If you want to drive more traffic to your website using social media, you need to make it as easy as possible for your readers to share your content. Install social sharing buttons on your blog posts, and be sure to include the platforms that are most popular with your target audience.

But don’t just stop there – take advantage of tools like Click to Tweet, which allow you to create eye-catching “tweetable” quotes within your blog posts. That way, your readers can share your most compelling insights with a single click. And if you’re short on time for social media management, try a scheduling tool like Hootsuite to streamline your posting.

Get the experts involved

One of the most effective ways to boost traffic to your website is by tapping into the influence of industry experts. Create a roundup-style blog post featuring insights and advice from thought leaders in your niche, and watch the traffic (and credibility) pour in.

Not only will the experts you feature share your post with their own social media followers, but a well-executed expert roundup can also help you build authority and forge valuable connections within your industry. And the best part? Infographics are proven to be shared on social media 3 times more than any other type of content. So if you’re not creating them already, now’s the time to start.

Give something away for free

Everyone loves free stuff, right? So why not leverage that universal truth to drive more traffic to your website? Create a valuable lead magnet, like an eBook, whitepaper, or workbook, and offer it to your audience in exchange for their email address.

Not only will this help you build your email list (a crucial component of any content marketing strategy), but it’ll also bring those new subscribers back to your site whenever you publish a new blog post. And speaking of guest blogging, inviting industry experts to contribute to your site can be a real traffic-booster, too. Just make sure you have clear guidelines in place to ensure the quality of their submissions.

Engage with your audience

When someone takes the time to leave a positive comment on one of your blog posts, that’s a clear sign that they’re engaged with your brand. So don’t just let those comments sit there – respond to them! A well-crafted, personalized reply will show your audience that you value their feedback and want to continue the conversation.

And while you’re at it, ditch the stuffy, formal language and write in a more conversational tone. Humor, analogies, and a touch of personality can go a long way in humanizing your brand and building genuine connections with your readers.

Leverage industry insights

If you really want to position your SEO agency as a go-to source of expertise, why not tap into the knowledge of industry leaders through interviews and guest posts? Not only will this help you create incredibly valuable content for your audience, but the thought leaders you feature will likely want to share the content with their own followers, giving your piece a major visibility boost.

The best part? Building relationships with the sharpest minds in your space can open up all sorts of new opportunities down the line. So don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation – your audience (and your website analytics) will thank you.

Well, there you have it – 16 surefire content marketing tactics to drive more traffic to your SEO agency’s website. But remember, a successful content strategy takes time to execute, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see instant results. Keep at it, and before you know it, your site will be the talk of the town (and your clients will be singing your praises).

So, which of these strategies are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more tips to take your SEO agency to new heights, be sure to check out MCR SEO – they’ve got a wealth of resources to help you dominate the search engine rankings.