Author: Shannon Smith

A little while ago, we shared some tips with you on how to get better results with your content, but there’s always one thing that makes that process cumbersome.

Yeah…CREATING the content.

One of the easiest ways to get content done quickly is with PLR or private label rights content. You purchase a license to use content that you can edit, brand and monetize as you wish.

It’s a cost-effective solution because it’s much cheaper than hiring a writer as multiple buyers are able to use the PLR content. It’s also fast because it’s READY to publish…you don’t have to hire a writer and wait for them to complete your project.

If you’re familiar with PLR, you know what a great time and money saver it can be. But there is one little trick…finding good quality content.

As you may know, Alice has been in the business for over 10 years. She knows a lot about the industry and how to find the most reliable PLR providers.

She’s even put together a free guide to help you recognize quality PLR and it even includes some in-depth recommendations for some of the PLR providers out there.

Click here to download the free guide (PDF)

Grab it and make getting results from your content marketing so much easier.

This is Part 1 of a 5-part series on creating content that gets RESULTS for you.
Missed a post? You can catch up here:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Let’s keep this going, so you’ll be an expert content marketer in no time. If you missed yesterday’s first tip, it’s right here. Yesterday’s mistake was an important one, so be sure to catch up on that first.

Mistake #2: Thinking Content is All Blog Posts, Email and Social Media

A lot of people get trapped into thinking content is just article-type content that they share in a blog post, to their email list or even on social media. But if you’re trying to help people solve problems and connect them to products, you’ve got to think outside the box.Some of the most popular content (and the content that creates the most goodwill with your audience) is stuff they can download. Whether it’s a report or some kind of tool they can use.

Some of the most popular content (and the content that creates the most goodwill with your audience) is stuff they can download. Whether it’s a report or some kind of tool they can use.

Here are a few ideas for different types of content, including the above mentioned ones.

•   Articles: For your website, to submit to online directories, print publications and more.

•   Blog Posts: For your own blog and for submission to other blogs.

•   Workbooks: So your readers can apply what they’ve learned. They might be given away for free or be part of a product for sale.

•   PDF Reports & White Papers: Longer “articles” on a specific topic that can be used as an ethical bribe to build your list, as a gift for your customers or for distribution by other websites and affiliates.

•   Ebooks: For free or for sale, ebooks can be very valuable for your readers.

•   Checklists: Make it easy for your readers to complete a process by giving them a handy checklist.

•   Transcripts: Got video or audio?  Have it transcribed, so the content is easy to reference and can be consumed by readers who can’t watch video or listen to audio.

•   Case Studies: Share success stories and experiences of your willing customers and clients.

•   Quick Tips: Who says you have to write long articles? Share a daily tip that your readers would find valuable.

•   Inspirational Quotes: People love quotes. Find relevant ones for your market.

•   Autoresponder Messages: These prescheduled emails make it easy to deliver great content to your new and current subscribers.

•   Reminders to Do Tasks: Reminders can be set up through an autoresponder where your reader is reminded to take action or move forward on a project.

•   Email Broadcasts: Send out a promotion or share some great information to your whole list.

•   Product Reviews: Your readers will appreciate in-depth and honest reviews of products.

•   Product Comparisons: When your readers might need to make a choice between products, make it easy for them to compare features and benefits.

•   Interviews: Audio, video or written – interviews are relatively easy to put together.

•   FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Answers: Ask your readers to submit questions and pay attention to what they ask via email, on your blog, etc. Create a FAQ with the answers they need.

•   Questions for your Readers: Turn the tables and let your readers create the content. Ask them questions that will get them thinking and self-reflecting.

•   Flowcharts: For your visual learners, a flow chart illustrating a process might come in very handy.

•   Instructions: If there’s one thing that’s lacking online, it is detailed instructions for people to use products and services. Give your readers an extra hand by giving them handy instructions.

•   Content Summaries: Summarize long pieces for your readers, saving them plenty of time in the process.

•   Fill-in-the-Blanks: Give your readers a chance to apply what they’ve learned and self-reflect by giving them a fill-in-the-blanks sheet.

•   Resource Lists: Everybody loves good resources. Share yours freely.

•   Tip Lists: No need for formal articles all of the time – just give them an easy-reference tips list.

•   Spreadsheets: Help your readers keep inventory, do calculations and stay organized.

•   Glossaries: Keep a glossary of jargon and terms for your readers.

•   Patterns: Think craft patterns, sewing patterns, etc.

•   Editorials: Include commentary on guest articles, in your newsletter, etc.

•   Audio & Podcasts: Record and publish…it’s as simple as that. Audios with just yourself or as an interview work well.

•   Webinars: Interactive content that is a perfect educational and selling platform.

•   Live Action Video: Take video of yourself or with someone else.

•   Screen Capture Video: Show a slide show on your computer, demonstrate software or how to use a website.

•   Coloring Sheets: Sometimes just for kids – but you might have useful ones for adults too.

•   Quizzes: Quiz their knowledge, personal suitability and more.

•   Questionnaires: Get their feedback or make an opportunity for your readers to self-reflect on their answers.

•   Photographs: Easy peasy content. Take a picture and share it.

•   Illustrations: Whether it’s hand-drawn or computer generated, you can show statistics, share an idea and more.

Just a few ideas to get you going.

What to Do in the Meantime: Get Your Free Content Marketing Templates

Need more help with your content marketing? We’ve got a great package of free content marketing templates that includes:

• A content marketing planner
• 7 content creation templates
• 13 byline templates with calls-to-action

Click here to grab the free package everything …no strings attached!

Stay Up to Date with Elite Writer’s Lab

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Over the next few days, we thought we’d highlight some key things you should know about publishing online content…and the mistakes you should avoid.

Mistake #1: Only Using Content as a Traffic Generator

Most people know that content is a great traffic generator. You make a blog post, publish a report and bam…people to come visit your website.

A lot of people also know that you can grow your mailing list through content. You create some content and you offer them a downloadable report, template, spreadsheet or something that helps them solve a problem. Your visitor opt-ins to get the content and you get a new subscriber. Easy peasy.

But here’s what a lot of people don’t realize…

Content is an amazing selling tool. So if you ever think free content creation isn’t worthwhile and you’re saving all your best stuff for your products or books, think again.

Content is conversation. By creating free content, you engage your audience in a conversation. Sometimes it’s a real two-way conversation through comments, but sometimes more of a figurative conversation where you’re delivering the help your audience is telling you they need. This builds trust and if you want to sell stuff, you have to have trust.

Content is education. Making the right product decision requires good information. Let us explain…

A consumer needs to understand what their problem is before they even know they need a product. As a content creator, it’s your job to help your reader figure that out. So for example, if you publish weight loss content, you can help people figure out their issues around weight.

Are they emotional eaters? Do they have issues with portion-sizes? Or do they choose the wrong foods?

Next, it’s your job to connect them to a solution to that problem.

Let’s say you have a product about emotional overeating, you can provide them with tips to start battling the issue, but then recommend your coaching program to give them individualized help. All the while, you’re giving them the courage to fight this problem and showing them they can’t allow it to linger any longer.

This is powerful stuff. When you can educate and sell at the same time, you’ve got yourself a license to make money all day, every day.

You might notice that we use a lot of content when we sell products and we get emails thanking us for doing so. Yep, they actually thank us for our information AND for introducing them to the right products.

That’s because we want our customers to be as educated as possible before they buy, so they know they’re making the right choice and can’t wait to get started. We also do it for those who won’t buy this time around, so they feel they’re getting a lot of value from the content and might even refer their friend to buy our products.

It’s a win-win all around.

So keep that in mind as you create content. Don’t worry about coming up with a ton of topics and trying to pump out blog post after blog post. Instead, consider the products you want to sell and how can you educate your audience into making the right buying decision?

That’s all for now…we’ll be back tomorrow with another mistake you’ll want to steer clear of.

What to Do Next: Take Your Content Marketing to the Next Level with 40% Off Our “Content Management for Traffic and Monetization” Templates.

Make it easier to make your content work for you with our Content Management for Traffic and Monetization Templates Package that includes

• Insider’s Strategy Guide with our best content marketing strategies.
• Daily, Weekly and Monthly Content Planner to keep you fully organized and on track.
• Master Content List to ensure you are maximizing all the content you publish.
• Master Affiliate Promotions List to help monetize your content.
• Master Products/Services Promotions List to help monetize your content,
• 50 Things to Blog or Post About so you never run out of ideas.

Click here to content management template package.

And, of course, use our special coupon code to get 40% off. Coupon code: EWLBLOG

You can use these templates for your own webinars are select developer or resell rights to use the templates for your clients or to sell them. The choice is yours!

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