Looking to fill up your content calendar? Publishing blog posts all the time will quickly grow boring (and time-consuming). For a truly effective brand-building content strategy, you need to mix things up.
To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of 83 types of content and explanations of how you can use each one. For ease, I’ve categorized the content into different formats so that you can mix and match to create a content plan that will work for your brand. Scroll through and get ready for some fresh ideas.
Written Content
This is content you can write and publish to your website or social media pages. Research keywords in order to work on your organic SEO in the process while informing your audience and building authority.
1. Lists
With this exact blog post following the list format, I had to mention this type of content first. Lists are hugely popular, whether you are listing out ideas, tools, and resources or counting down in a “Top 10” style post.
- Example: Take this BuzzFeed article as an example
- Where To Post: Lists are best used for blog posts
2. Roundups
Roundup-style posts are excellent if you don’t have a lot of time to create brand new content. Instead, roundup posts compile a list of great content (either from your own website or someone else’s) to inspire further reading.
- Example: Check out this Expert Roundup example from NicheHacks
- Where To Post: Roundups are another great idea for your blog
3. Question-and-Answer Posts
Whether you’re answering questions readers have sent you, questions customers often have, or giving answers about things you want your audience to be educated on, Q&A posts are a great format for effortless and highly valuable content. There are also many opportunities to incorporate long-tail keywords.
- Example: Check out this example published on LinkedIn
- Where To Post: Post short Q&As to your Facebook page and try giving a long answer to a single question (or answers to multiple questions) as a post on your blog
4. Comparison Content
Comparison content is hugely popular (and helpful) and it comes in many forms. Think “Alternatives to SkillShare” or “SkillShare vs. Udemy”. Such content compares one solution to another, helping the reader determine the best choice for their situation. Be sure to get specific with the pros and cons of each option.
- Example: Here’s an example from a recent post on this blog: Freelancer Writers vs. Content Agencies
- Where To Post: Comparison content is most valuable in the form of a longer blog post or article
5. Product, Tool, and Book Reviews
While they take more research, a high-quality review can prove extremely helpful to your readers. Just about everyone could find something to review for their audience. For instance, as a writer serving small businesses, I could write a review of Buffer’s content publishing tools.
- Example: This example from Business.com takes an in-depth look at a single solution, just as a review should
- Where To Post: Reviews should be in-depth, making a blog post or article the ideal format
6. Compiled Facts and Statistics
A surefire way to offer value to your audience and position your brand as a go-to source for robust information is to compile facts and statistics about a relevant topic (or your industry as a whole). This will take time as you need to properly source and credit your reference materials, but the outcome will be quality content for your site.
- Example: Check out this shorter post from Entrepreneur or this longer year-in-review style post from G2
- Where To Post: Summarize facts into an infographic for visual content then share some quick facts as social media posts while linking back to a longer compilation piece on your blog
7. Testimonials
If you have kind words from happy customers to share, testimonials are an excellent form of content, although they’re deserving of their own dedicated space. While you could share testimonials on social media, also consider creating a dedicated page on your site (or a third-party profile on a site like TrustPilot) to collect and display all of your customers’ testimonials.
- Example: Check out this small business example
- Where To Post: Written testimonials deserve their own page on your site, but you can share individual testimonials on social media (especially as lead-ins for case studies)
8. Case Studies
Case studies are like in-depth testimonials for your brand that help showcase your users’ experiences and the benefits they have received by using your products or services. This is a great organic marketing tool that builds authenticity. Obviously, you’ll need to interact with one of your clients and document their story with statistics, photos, and other elements.
- Example: Check out this example from SalesForce that uses quotes to help tell the client’s story in their own words
- Where To Post: Case studies can be taken in interview form (like in a podcast and/or video that you can share) and then turned into a post for your blog
9. Interviews
Interviewing a client will produce a meaningful case study, but you aren’t limited to your customer base. Interviews are the perfect basis for creating podcast, video, or blog content, all you need to do is find someone your audience would be interested in hearing from. An industry influencer or niche expert would be a good place to start.
- Example: Styla interviewed digital marketing expert Neil Patel in this post, asking questions their audience was anxious to get answered
- Where To Post: Interviews can be recorded in the form of a podcast or video and then transcribed into a blog post for your site
10. Personal Stories
Authenticity continues to grow more and more important in building a brand, which is why sharing your personal story is a great move next time you’re in need of blog content. People want to know about the person behind the brand, so tell them about how your business started or what brought you into your niche. Get personal in order to build a connection with your audience.
- Example: The founders of Lululemon tell their story on their site and get way more in-depth with this piece published on Business Insider
- Where To Post: Your story may find its way to your “About” page, but can also be turned into a post for your blog or even an awareness-building piece published on third-party sites
11. Successes and Failures
Aside from telling your personal story that fueled your business venture, another form of content that sprouts from the same space of authenticity has to do with your successes and failures along the way. Think about the lessons you have learned and how they can help your audience or demonstrate your dedication.
- Example: Check out this post titled, “9 Things I’ve Learned from Running My Own Business” by Melyssa Griffin
- Where To Post: Successes and failures can receive dedicated posts on your blog (even as part of their own content series) and make their way into your videos, podcast, and Q&A posts
12. Opinions and Rants
While most businesses seek to avoid controversy, there are certain instances where it could be beneficial to your brand. Aside from commenting on current events, there are more tactful ways to stir up engagement, like talking about what you dislike about a general topic that no one is too emotionally invested in (check out the example below).
- Example: Network World published an opinion post titled, “The 5 Things I Hate About CRM Systems” and it grabs attention without upsetting their audience
- Where To Post: Opinions and rants can be used in many creative ways to help express your knowledge and passion about a subject, so consider a blog post where you can really dig in to the topic
13. Behind-The-Scenes Content
Going back to the need for authenticity, Behind-The-Scenes (BTS) content is a great way to give your audience a glimpse into how your business works, giving you a natural way to show-off your commitment to quality and attention to detail. Behind-The-Scenes content focused on the quality of your work environment also helps with employer branding.
- Example: Check out this post from Adobe’s blog on a new executive’s first 60 days at the company
- Where To Post: BTS content can be published in many forms, whether it’s photos and videos on social media or a blog post on your site
14. How-To and Step-by-Step Content
How-to content remains a favorite for every type of business. It’s valuable to your readers, it allows you to demonstrate knowledge, and it’s super easy to find relevant keywords to incorporate into the content for your organic SEO efforts. When writing, think about all the extra pro tips and advice you can include to stand out from competitors’ pieces.
- Example: Here’s a how-to piece that incorporates illustrations, photos, and videos for an in-depth guide that ranks on the first page for the term “how to knit”
- Where To Post: Complement your how-to blog post with video tutorials and illustrations that you can share elsewhere
15. “Why” Content
People always want to know why things are how they are, which explains the popularity of “why” content. There are definitely some “why” content ideas you can come up with for your niche. For instance, a designer could publish a piece about “Why We Still Use Wood To Make Furniture” or “Why Fast Fashion Is Out”.
- Example: Check out this compelling piece on why Americans use social media, which uses statistics to backup claims
- Where To Post: “Why” posts allow you to really explore a topic, so they’re best suited for your blog
16. Ultimate Guides
As far as SEO goes, it’s been found that the ideal content length is around 2,500 words. Surely, not everything you writre about will warrant a post so long, but occasionally publishing an” Ultimate Guide” or other long-form content can definitely boost your site’s ranking. When looking for ideas, analyze the most searched “how to” keywords in your niche.
- Example: Here’s an “Ultimate Guide” example to publishing an eBook on Kindle
- Where To Post: Ultimate Guides can go on your blog like all your other posts or you can put them behind a content locker, requiring the reader’s email address in exchange for access
17. Worksheets and Checklists
Want to add even more value to a how-to piece or ultimate guide? Create worksheets and checklists that your readers can download to accomplish a goal. Brand and watermark them to spread awareness about your site and upload the files to PDF sharing sites and content libraries.
- Example: Fitness instructor Cassey Ho has an entire collection of fitness planner printables to accompany her online workout videos
- Where To Post: Put the files on your website and share them on social media before uploading to other relevant websites that offer free downloads
18. Templates
Templates fall in the same category as worksheets and checklists in that they offer a piece of downloadable, interactive content for your readers. However, templates can be used again and again and usually work fine as standalone pieces.
- Example: Check out the Content Brief Template I shared recently
- Where To Post: Templates can be published on your site and shared far and wide across the internet
19. White Papers
White Papers are a type of guide generally used to explain highly technical topics. They’re often used by cryptocurrencies to help people understand the concept behind the system, but they can also be helpful for other topics related to technology and the internet.
- Example: This example explains the impact of SaaS for businesses
- Where To Post: White Papers are generally available as a download, so you may write a short blog post to introduce one
20. eBooks
As a writer, I can attest to the fact that more and more businesses are using eBooks as a way to educate consumers, build a list, and spread awareness. eBooks are excellent “lead magnets,” meaning you can offer access to an eBook in exchange for a person’s email address.
- Example: Check out this example from Convince and Convert (scroll to see the opt-in box)
- Where To Post: eBooks can be used as a lead magnet on your site or you can publish to KDP and other platforms
21. Company and Industry News
While not “evergreen,” publishing company and industry news is a great tactic for many businesses and even a necessity in some industries. As an example of how it can play into your content strategy, I regularly produce content for a truck rental company that caters to small fleets. When pertinent industry news comes out (like recent laws surrounding the gig economy), the client is quick to jump on the story to keep their audience informed.
- Example: Check out this example on the solar mandate, which affects the site’s audience of home builders
- Where To Post: You can share headlines to spark conversation on social media and write posts for your own blog if you have something to say about the topic
22. Company Goals and Causes
“Cause marketing” is considered extremely effective as consumers become more focused on making a positive impact with every dollar they spend. As such, writing posts about your company’s long-term business goals, your values, and your corporate causes can help build a connection with your audience and set you apart.
- Example: Big brands often publish social responsibility reports while smaller businesses can write articles about specific community work
- Where To Post: Post on your own site, share on social media, and attempt to get press coverage for your community work
23. Business Information
Transparency goes hand-in-hand with authenticity, which is why many businesses are being more open about their financials and other information that some companies still aren’t willing to share.
- Example: Buffer’s “Open” Blog is all about transparent information sharing
- Where To Post: Some info could be recapped in the form of an infographic for sharing across the internet, but you can also summarize in a blog post
24. Guest Posts
Giving industry experts the opportunity to guest post on your blog is an excellent way to add valuable content while engaging your reader base. The experts who write the post will get added exposure while bringing their own audience over to your website. You can even exchange posts for increased effectiveness, meaning you can write a post to publish on their blog around the same time.
- Example: Here’s an article on the benefits of guest posting straight from a guest blogger
- Where To Post: If you write a guest post, opt to get it published on a relevant industry blog
25. Microsites
There are many creative use cases for “microsites,” which are standalone websites you can build for product launches, causes, and other projects your business wants to bring attention to. It takes time (and money) to create a compelling microsite, but it’s definitely worth considering working one into your overall content and marketing strategy.
- Example: AT&T used a microsite to push their “It Can Wait” campaign against texting while driving
- Where To Post: Microsites are standalone websites that will need their own content and marketing plan
26. Comments
Genuine, handwritten comments on another author’s blog are still a great way to spread awareness for your brand. The key is to avoid spamming your link or being overly promotional.
- Example: Scroll through any popular blog and you’re sure to spot comments from readers mentioning their own sites and projects
- Where To Post: Only comment on relevant, high-quality posts that you actually read and have something to say about
27. Forum Posts
Answering Quora questions is a well-known strategy for building authority as a business, but (as with comments) you don’t want to come across as overly promotional. You should also branch outside of Quora and find relevant industry forums where you can answer people’s questions to express your knowledge.
- Example: Check out the top answers to this Quora question
- Where To Post: Answer relevant questions on Q&A websites and forums with high traffic
28. Wikis
Platform and software stand to benefit most from active wikis that act as a hub for user guides and documentation. However, any business can create a wiki dedicated to the history of the company itself. The great thing is, you only have to maintain a wiki because the content is generated by users.
- Example: Check out the wiki for Salesforce that documents the company’s founding
- Where To Post: Wikis are maintained on third-party websites, with the most popular being Wikipedia
Interactive Content
This is content you can create for the purpose of encouraging interaction and engagement across your audience.
29. Polls
Looking to spark engagement while collecting valuable feedback from your users? Polls are a great type of content to use and they work especially well on social media platforms.
- Example: This article explains why polls are beneficial and gives some instructions
- Where To Post: Polls can work on your blog, but are ideal for social media
30. Surveys
If you’re looking to gather more in-depth feedback and opinions from your audience, opt for a survey. Consumers love to know that you value their opinions, so you’re bound to see engagement. It’s up to you whether you make your survey invitation-only and send it to a select group of people or if you put it online for everyone to fill out.
- Example: Check out this example survey from SurveyMonkey
- Where To Post: Surveys can be shared via your email list, on social media, or on your website
31. Quizzes
Quizzes are a fun type of content that you can publish alongside a how-to piece or just on their own to test your audience’s knowledge of a particular subject. This is a great tool for building consumer awareness.
- Example: This example from the AKC tests your knowledge on what dogs can eat
- Where To Post: Quizzes can be posted on your website and even shared on third-party quiz sites
32. Contests
Whether you’re giving away a product or assigning a fun title, contests are a great way to engage your audience while spreading brand awareness across social media.
- Example: This article lists out different types of contests you can run along with examples of each
- Where To Post: Contests are generally posted on social media
33. Challenges
A challenge is a great way to get your audience talking. Fitness influencers run these all the time and are a great source of inspiration, encouraging their audiences to share photos of their daily progress with hashtags.
- Example: Hashtags like #StretchRevolution and #SummerSculpt got Cassey Ho’s audience talking
- Where To Post: Challenges can run on any social media platform that uses hashtags
34. Live Chats
Inviting your audience to a live chat is a great way to answer questions and spark interaction amongst your community. You can host a live chat on Google Hangouts or even by using a chat tool on your blog. The chat features of webinar tools may also work for your purposes.
- Example: HubSpot has excellent instructions on hosting a Facebook Chat
- Where To Post: Good questions from a live chat can be re-shared on social media or further answered in a blog post
35. Twitter and Hashtag Conversations
If a good portion of your audience is active on Twitter, why not startup a hashtag conversation? These are a great part of a hashtag marketing strategy and, like live chats elsewhere, give you the chance to answer great questions from your audience.
- Example: CrazyEgg explains how to run a “TweetChat” in this post
- Where To Post: Like live chats, good questions can be repurposed into evergreen content
36. “Ask Me Anything” Threads
“Ask Me Anything” (AMA) threads are becoming more and more common thanks to Reddit. Anyone can start an AMA thread under the dedicated subreddit at any time, but celebrities and business owners are known for scheduling AMAs both on and off of Reddit.
- Example: Check out this example from a young co-founder
- Where To Post: AMAs are popular on Reddit, but you can run one elsewhere
37. Live Streams
Live streams are rapidly growing in popularity thanks to platforms like Twitch and YouTube’s own live streaming service. You can host regularly scheduled live streams to interview, answer questions, or go behind-the-scenes of your business. Alternatively, you can host one-off live streams for contests, events, and other happenings.
- Example: Here are 5 examples of effective live streaming by brands
- Where To Post: Some live streams can be recorded and published as evergreen video content
38. Webinars
While most webinars end with a sales pitch, you can use them as a purely educational tool as well. For example, you may use a webinar to share a tutorial your audience would be interested in or teach about a specific feature of your software.
- Example: This article from Go To Meeting shares examples of great webinars
- Where To Post: Webinars can be recorded and replayed as-is or edited into shorter videos
39. Virtual Events
Virtual events can bring huge levels of engagement since your audience doesn’t have to be in a specific geographical location. Some virtual events have physical counterparts, but many are entirely online.
- Example: CouchCon was a live virtual conference and networking event
- Where To Post: Virtual events can generate all sorts of content and ideas for you to repurpose
40. Event Replays
Many virtual events and webinars can be “replayed,” either using special software that replays the live chat and other interactions alongside the recorded video, or just in the form of a video or audio recording. Replays are a great type of content if the original event offered value people may want to review or share.
- Example: These tips show how you can repurpose live content
- Where To Post: Replays can be shared across networks and mentioned in blog posts where relevant
Audio/Visual Content
Video is considered the most engaging form of content on the web, but it’s far from the only type of visual content you can incorporate into your content strategy. Try a mix of all of these elements.
41. Infographics
Just about everyone has seen an infographic somewhere on the internet. After all, they are a fun way to showcase data or other information in a format that is quickly processed by the human brain.
- Example: Check out this infographic from Blogging.org
- Where To Post: Infographics can be shared on social media and accompany your blog posts
42. Listicle Summaries
Listicle summaries are similar to infographics, but they’re used to summarize the items in a long list post. They’re the perfect thing to put at the top of a list or use them on social media to announce your list post.
- Example: Check out this visual summary of this post
- Where To Post: Share across social media
43. Slide Presentations
While some blogs have opted to use slideshows as a primary format for delivering their content, slide presentations remain a great type of standalone content for just about any business. Great alternative (or accompaniment) to producing videos.
- Example: Check out this slide presentation on CRMs
- Where To Post: Slide presentations are typically published on third-party sites (like SlideShare) and then shared across platforms
44. Screenshots
If you have written an eBook, creating an audio book to accompany it is an excellent idea. You can market it as a way for your audience to maximize their productivity during their commute or other times of day.
- Example: This post talks about what makes a great audio book
- Where To Post: Use to add visual interest to blog posts
45. Animated GIFs
Animated GIFs can give you relatable content to share on social media and you can also incorporate them into some blog posts or newsletters. You can even make your own to use. The key is to make sure the usage aligns with your brand image.
- Example: Contently summarizes a number of brands that use GIFs creatively
- Where To Post: GIFs can be shared on social media and incorporated into your blog posts and newsletters
46. Diagrams and Data Visuals
If you’re publishing content filled with statistics, having a more visual way to display it will prove more digestible and sharable for your audience. Pie charts, graphs, and other data visuals are just the beginning. You can make all sorts of beautiful charts with tools like Visme.
- Example: Here’s a breakdown of all the ways you can visualize data
- Where To Post: Include within your blog posts and share across platforms
47. Handwritten Notes and Brainstorms
Handwritten notes and brainstorms can add character to your content and works especially well for personal brands. They can also be incorporated into your “personal story” content that seeks to express authenticity. Bloggers with a small budget may also opt to share scans of handwritten notes to save on graphic design.
- Example: Check out this example from Impact Interview
- Where To Post: Work them into your content for visual interest
48. Illustrations
While you could certainly share your own illustrations (which is especially popular for blogs in the design industry), any business can utilize professional illustrations as an alternative to photographs and videos. Illustrations can come in all sorts of different styles, so the key is finding one that fits your brand.
- Example: Notice how WikiHow articles always use a consistent style of illustrations
- Where To Post: Illustrations can be incorporated into your blog posts and often shared on their own
49. Comics and Cartoons
Use comics and cartoons (either hand drawn or computer-generated) to demonstrate steps, tell stories, or be humorous in a way that relates to your audience. This is a creative and highly-sharable type of content to utilize for your brand.
- Example: SkyWord dives into how brands can use comics creatively
- Where To Post: Incorporate into your blog posts and share on social media
50. Photo Galleries
A photo gallery can share photos of your products and past projects, but they can be used as far more than traditional portfolios. For instance, you could use a photo gallery to showcase your company’s culture.
- Example: Olympus maintains a gallery of awesome user photos taken with Olympus cameras
- Where To Post: Maintain a gallery on your website and showcase great photos on social media
51. Demonstrations
Whether you’re demonstrating a product you sell or walking people through a technique they can utilize, demonstrations are best captured in video form and can be shared across platforms.
- Example: Check out this example from Dyson
- Where To Post: Publish your demonstration online and share across platforms
52. Podcasts
Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular as people look to make their daily commutes and downtime more productive. Your podcast can be published in video and audio form for additional publishing options and they also provide excellent networking opportunities when it comes to interviewing other experts in your field.
- Example: Check out this piece from HubSpot’s blog
- Where To Post: Publish your podcast across listening platforms and share everywhere
53. Audio Books
If you have already published an eBook, making an audio book could be a smart move. Market it to your audience as a means of maximizing their productivity. You can record it yourself or hire a professional.
- Example: This post discusses what makes a great audiobook
- Where To Post: Audio books can be published alongside your eBook and marketed on their own
54. Vlogs
Vlogs are a great way to offer authentic, impactful content for your audience to enjoy. You could vlog about behind-the-scenes happenings at your company and use it to spread awareness about events, launches, and other things your business is involved in.
- Example: This video talks about how you can use vlogs as a business
- Where To Post: Post on YouTube and other video networks, then share on social media and use on your site
55. Videos
Vlogs are personal, casual, and fairly easy to create thanks to the minimal production requirements. Videos, on the other hand, can be as involved or minimal as you want them to be. Some brands produce professional, studio-quality videos while others keep things simple. Figure out what works for your brand (and budget).
- Example: The channel for SEMrush produces a number of videos in various formats
- Where To Post: Post on YouTube and other video networks, then share on social media and use on your site
56. Courses
With the growing popularity of platforms like Udemy and SkillShare, courses are an excellent way to inform your audience while building authority. Every business could come up with an idea for a course.
- Example: Check out how Alex Center (founder of CENTER) taught his SkillShare class
- Where To Post: You can host on your own site or publish on a third-party platform
57. Certification Programs
If your business is poised as an industry expert, you can take things a step further and offer a certification program instead of a course. Certification programs are much more involved as students will need lessons, quizzes, tests, and even projects to earn their certificate.
- Example: Personal trainer Cassey Ho recently started offering a Pop Pilates Certification
- Where To Post: You’ll probably need a dedicated site or subdomain to market your course
Marketing and Paid Content
You may be targeting a specific audience (like your email list) or paying to get in front of new leads on a platform like Facebook. In any case, these content ideas can definitely be worked into your overall brand building strategy.
58. Sponsorships
Whether you’re sponsoring an event in your community, sponsoring a YouTube video from a popular creator, or finding another way to get your business in front of a relevant audience, sponsorships can prove extremely valuable for your brand.
- Example: Here’s how Coca-Cola has successfully used sponsorships in the United Kingdom
- Where To Post: You can start by sponsoring events and influencers
59. Guest Posts
Letting people guest post on your own blog is a grand idea, but what about writing some guest posts for other people’s sites? Guest posting is a fantastic marketing strategy that could be free (or even make you money) if you do it right.
- Example: QuickSprout explains how to use guest posting in this article
- Where To Post: Guest posts should go up on relevant websites in your industry
60. Native Advertising
Native ads look to blend into the look and feel of organic content on a website. A good example is sponsored social media posts, but native ads can also come in the form of sponsored blog posts. If you target your ads correctly, you can see great engagement from native advertising.
- Example: Check out this paid blog post example from Adobe
- Where To Post: Native advertisements can go up on websites or social media platforms
61. Influencer Collaborations
Most every niche has at least a few “influencers” with an engaged audience that would be excited to learn about your business. Collaborating with those influencers can prove to be a smart marketing move.
- Example: Here are multiple examples of brands collaborating with influencers
- Where To Post: Many collaborations happen on Instagram, but you can also go to YouTube and other social platforms
62. Content Syndication and Republishing
You’re putting in all that work to publish great blog posts, so why not get them out in front of a larger audience? Many blogs will syndicate or re-publish your content if you ask them, helping you build awareness.
- Example: Here are four ways to use syndication
- Where To Post: You can get your content syndicated on many websites (and do it yourself on Medium)
63. Ambassador Programs
Every company strives to have brand advocates, and creating a dedicated brand ambassador program is a surefire way to reach that point. By incentivizing loyal customers, you can spread awareness while building connections with your fanbase.
- Example: Here’s a list of five top brand ambassador programs
- Where To Post: Brand ambassador programs can take on many forms and will ideally stretch across your site and social media platforms
64. Emails
Most brands aim to build an email list because it gives them the chance to send information directly to members of their audience. If you have a list, regularly emailing subscribers to keep the list active is a must-do.
- Example: HubSpot has compiled 19 examples of great email marketing
- Where To Post: Some email content could be repurposed, but you’re best off deliberately writing content with your list in mind and keeping it exclusive to subscribers
65. Newsletters
While your emails can contain all sorts of content, typically something related to new product launches or sales announcements, a newsletter seeks to be a source of information for your subscribers. That means newsletter subscribers don’t want you to sell to them all the time (or ever), they want to hear news, updates, and read articles that interest them.
- Example: NextDraft is an excellent example of a newsletter people care to read as it compiles the day’s most fascinating news stories
- Where To Post: Like emails, newsletters are generally exclusive to subscribers although compiling information for one may give you new content ideas for your blog or elsewhere
66. Texts
Wither fewer and fewer people opening emails these days, more businesses are shifting over to texts. After all, everyone always has their phone nearby, so it can prove extremely effective for quick messages and reminders.
- Example: Forbes lists 9 ways you can use texts as a business
- Where To Post: Texts should be exclusive reminders and messages for subscribers
67. Push Notifications
With the right setup, you’ll be able to have visitors subscribe to push notifications on their devices so that you can quickly announce new blog posts, sales, and other pertinent info to your most loyal followers.
- Example: Here are 7 brands using push notifications effectively
- Where To Post: Push notifications can reach your users on multiple devices, depending on how they subscribe
More Content Types
Looking for even more content ideas? These types can also be worked into your strategy.
68. Content Libraries
A content library can be a very valuable thing to place on your website. You can use it to collect all of the worksheets, checklists, templates, and other downloadables you have offered to readers over the years.
- Example: Check out this example from Vendasta
- Where To Post: Put the content library on your website and mention it regularly in blog posts
69. Curated Content Hubs
Looking to save time creating content yourself? That’s where syndicating other people’s content comes in. With a curated content hub, you can find content from the internet that you think your audience would benefit from and compile it in one place.
- Example: Think With Google is a great example
- Where To Post: Your curated content hub should live on your website
70. Pitches
Want more exposure? Write some pitches so that you can get content and mentions in popular publications in your industry. Writing a pitch takes practice (or you can hire a pro), but the result could be a post on Forbes with your name on it.
- Example: Jeff Bullas breaks down the how-to for a successful pitch to Forbes, Huffington Post, and others
- Where To Post: Your pitches will need to be sent directly to journalists and editors
71. Public Service Announcements
Countless businesses have caught on to how PSAs can be used to build brand awareness while educating consumers. Own an HVAC company? Spread a PSA about preparing a home for winter. Meanwhile, businesses in the healthcare field can spread PSAs about signs of a stroke or allergy prevention.
- Example: Check out how a local dentist used news networks to spread awareness
- Where To Post: Get coverage on the radio and local news channels
72. Awards
If you want to gain prominence, awarding your customers, partners, suppliers, and others in your industry can help get people talking about your brand. Many industry leaders have taken to this trend and it works because those who receive the awards will certainly share with their own network.
- Example: The HubSpot Impact Awards a great example
- Where To Post: Announce on both your website and social media for nominees and award winners to share
73. Web Applications and Tools
While developing web applications and tools will take time and investment, doing so can prove extremely beneficial to your audience and help you boost your engagement rates. If you know of a tool that your audience would find useful, consider creating it for them.
- Example: CoSchedule recognized the need for a headline analyzer, so they made one
- Where To Post: Post the tool on your website and share everywhere to drive traffic
74. Mobile Applications
Many brands now have an application version of their website due to the increasing amount of mobile traffic across the internet. However, you can also develop a mobile application dedicated to a specific tool or one that bring together your social media channels (like your YouTube videos), courses, posts, and other content into one place.
- Example: Here’s a look at how businesses benefit from mobile applications
- Where To Post: Your mobile application should be published across devices and advertised on your site
75. PR Packages
If you sell a product, PR packages should be something you’re familiar with. Just a few years ago, you could send just about any product to a video creator or influencer and they’d be so excited to receive something for free that they’d definitely make a video about it. These days, it’s getting a lot more competitive. If you know of influencers that match your target audience, consider creating a stunning PR package to send to them.
- Example: Check out this PR package unboxing for inspiration
- Where To Post: PR boxes should go straight to interested influencers with the hopes that they’ll unbox on camera or mention your brand on social media
Offline Content Types
Even if you’re a digital-first brand, offline content is still worth pursuing (if not entirely necessary) as part of your content strategy.
76. Conferences
Although conferences are generally ignored by businesses in the B2C space, you could still use them to help build your brand. Sponsor or speak at a conference to find new partners and networking opportunities while spreading awareness about your company.
- Example: TechCrunch Disrupt is one conference targeted at startups
- Where To Post: You can blog or vlog about your conference experience and mention your attendance on social media
77. Workshops
If you can think up a course idea, you can most certainly think up a workshop idea, too! Workshops are a great way to get involved with your local community and show-off your knowledge first-hand.
- Example: Check out this workshop on holiday fashion
- Where To Post: You can blog or vlog about your workshop experience and advertise it across social media
78. Meetups
Small businesses and individuals can have especially great success when it comes to hosting meetups in their area. If you have a physical location, you can even host the meetup on-site where you can treat it as a simple community get-together or a productive activity-based class or group. Alternatively, you can host a meetup for your fellow industry partners and professionals.
- Example: Here’s how to use meetups for networking
- Where To Post: Mention your meetup on social media and consider advertising on a site like Meetup.com
79. Fliers and Posters
Whether you’re handing out fliers or hanging up posters, both of these tactics can still prove extremely effective for spreading awareness, especially if you are advertising a specific event. Community bulletin boards exist for this exact purpose, so give it a try.
- Example: Here’s how businesses can use fliers
- Where To Post: Post fliers on community boards and consider passing them out or leaving stacks at local businesses
80. Brochures
Many businesses today still use brochures as an easy and direct way to educate consumers about their products and services or relevant information they should know. You can leave brochures at the front desk, put them in your customer’s bags, or pass them out yourself.
- Example: Here’s how to get the most out of your brochures
- Where To Post: Hand out at your location and consider a stack at local businesses
81. Newsletters
Printed newsletters are not dead! In fact, many businesses continue to have success by mailing newsletters or writing a column in a local paper. This is a great way to reach certain audience demographics in a cost-effective manner.
- Example: Get your own column if you don’t have your own mailing list
- Where To Post: Compile a mailing list to send to yourself or get a column in an existing paper
82. Magazine Articles
Getting an article (or just an interview) published in a popular magazine can do wonders for building authority for your brand. However, even a smaller, regional publication can help with your brand building strategy.
- Example: Here’s what you need to do to get published in a magazine
- Where To Post: You’ll need to pitch (either online, in person, or through the mail) to the publications you’re interested in and then share your article once it’s published
83. Billboard Advertisements
Billboards are by no means going out, although many businesses ignore this marketing opportunity. While they can require a hefty investment, the right billboards can give you regular exposure to new leads you may not have reached otherwise.
- Example: Check out this unconventional example from YouTubers Rhett and Link.
- Where To Post: You must find billboards that will be seen by people who fit your demographics