When do you know your website needs more content?
- When you’re unhappy with the amount of traffic you’re getting. More (good) content = more traffic. With every piece of content you produce, you’re creating a little “mini-you” that will go out and market your business.
- When your customers are asking you the same questions over and over. If you’re getting the same question from your customers, write your “final” answer to that question. It will save you a lot of time and headaches.
- When you need material to help you follow up with your prospects. Sending relevant, helpful content is a fantastic way to add value to your follow-ups. Better yet, create something that answers an individual’s specific question. They won’t forget that.
- When you identify a keyword you’d like to rank for. Content and SEO go hand in hand. Finding the right keyword is a potential treasure trove of new traffic. As soon as I find a keyword that would send relevant traffic to my website, I’m writing.
- When you feel like thinking more deeply about a certain topic. Forget customers and marketing for a second. Write content when you simply feel like exploring a topic in more depth. Writing is thinking. And it’s one of the best ways to hone your craft — especially if you’re a knowledge worker.
What is the best way to learn content marketing as a beginner level?
Content marketing is just writing — and sharing your writing with the intent to market your business.
Let’s say you want to start publishing long-form content that helps position you as an authority in your industry. You want to publish at least three 1500-word articles per month.
Start by writing 250 words a day.
This small writing habit is perfect for beginners.
After 5 days of writing, you’ll have 1500 words.
In 3 weeks, you’ll have 4500 words.
That gives you a week to edit and prepare your content for publication on your website.
You can only learn so much about content marketing by reading books, watching videos, and taking courses.
The best way to learn content marketing is to write — and write consistently.
And there’s nothing better you can do for your marketing.
Should everyone have a website?
Yes.
I think everyone should have a personal website — even if they don’t know what to put on it.
At the very least, you’ll…
- Own your domain name (your own digital “real estate”)
- Learn important tech skills to set it up (IT, copywriting, design, etc)
- Give anyone who’s interested in you a quick summary of what you’re working on
If you want, you can keep your personal website SUPER simple.
Take a look at the personal website of Sahil Lavingia, CEO of Gumroad:
And then, when you’re ready, you can change it however you’d like.
There’s nothing like owning a personal website and being able to do whatever you want with it.
No social media channel can compare.
What are the best ideas or niches to start an online business?
The one that you’re most interested in.
Interest and passion create consistency. And consistency drives results.
That said, there are some general rules of thumb when you’re validating an idea or niche.
Ask yourself…
- Do people actually want this?
- Are people willing to pay for this?
- Does the niche have the budget to actually pay for this?
- Does this solve a problem? How pressing is the problem?
- Do I have the experience to help people get the result they’re looking for?
If you can answer “Yes” to all of these questions — and you’re interested in the idea or niche — then there’s your green light.
Go.
You can never be 100% certain about your idea or niche. The only way you’ll discover if it works is by trying — and taking consistent action.
It’s better to choose the wrong idea or niche and change course than to endlessly ponder about which one you should try.