Getting to know the pros and cons of the seven most common types of content can enable you to create the content marketing strategy that is most effective in reaching your target demographic. Following is an overview of what to expect from a blog post, article, white paper, case study, eBook, video content and visual content.

Blog Posts

The Pros

Blog posts are fairly easy to create and share, give people an incentive to keep visiting your site and can boost your standing in Google for particular keywords or key phrases.

The Cons

It takes time and a lot of hard work to keep up with your business blog once you start one. A blog that is not regularly updated looks unprofessional.

Articles

The Pros

Every single business needs static articles. These include a Home page, About Us page, FAQ page and pages outlining products and/or services offered. Static articles can boost a company's SEO if the right keywords are used.

The Cons

Static content may appeal to first time website visitors but they don't offer an incentive for people to keep coming back to your website. What is more, this type of content can become outdated and may need to be revised on occasion so that it remains relevant.

White Paper

The Pros

White papers are great for attracting first time readers to your website. They are often used as an incentive to get people to sign up to your website, providing you with valuable information about potential customers. White papers can set you apart as a thought leader in your field and enable you to earn a high rank for targeted keywords.

The Cons

It takes time and a lot of hard work to write a good white paper. Furthermore, white papers are static content that don't offer an incentive for ongoing visits. They may even become outdates as new technologies, products and/or services change your industry and/or business.

Case Study

The Pros

A detailed, well written case study is sure to attract the attention of potential customers and business partners. This type of content can also attract the attention of thought leaders in your industry, leading to new, golden opportunities to reach your target demographic. Case studies also tend to do well on social media, garnering plenty of likes and shares from various social networks.

The Cons

It takes a long time and a lot of work to write a winning case study. These studies can also become outdated as time goes by.

EBook

The Pros

EBooks are a great tool to reach mobile users. They can be used as an incentive to sign up for business emails or as a freebie in exchange for a review or buying a particular product. A well written eBook can also be posted on sites such as Apple, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, enabling you to reach many potential customers and setting yourself up as a thought leader in your field.

The Cons

Writing an eBook that is worth reading is something that will take time, planning and forethought. Simply slapping content together will do your company more harm than good. You may also need professional help to create an attractive cover and properly format the eBook so that it can be easily read on a wide variety of devices.

Video Content

The Pros

Video content can be posted on YouTube, enabling you to reach a wide audience with ease. When properly optimized, such content can boost your standing in Google's search engine. It is also attractive to customers of all ages and walks of life and can be easily shared on social media channels.

The Cons

You can't rely on video content alone. You will need actual text on your page as well to boost your standing in Google and cover important topics in an in-depth manner.

Visual Content  

The Pros

Visual content such as charts, illustrations, infographics and photographs is attractive, easy to share and easy for people to remember. It can also be optimized to include keywords you want to earn a high rank for.

The Cons

Visual content is not as easy to fully optimize as text content. Furthermore, you will likely need to work with a designer to create original images that will attract the attention of search engines and customers alike.

What Types of Content are Right for You?

As you can see, there is no one type of content that is always better than another. Diverse types of content are important if you want to reach your audience both now and in the future. That is why Brandgy offers various content marketing packages with different types of content to meet the needs of any type of business. Get in touch with us to find out how we can provide you with the winning content you need either on a one-time or ongoing basis.