6 CRITICAL Content Types That New Founders MUST Know!
If you're a new founder trying to reach new leads, customers, or your target community, figuring out the best way to do that can feel overwhelming. With so many content options available, how do you know what to focus on? And what if there are opportunities you're not even aware of yet?
In this article, we're breaking down six key types of content that every modern founder should be aware of. The goal is to choose at least one of these to focus on (but not all at once—don’t overwhelm yourself!) and learn how to master it.
Understanding these content strategies is a crucial part of developing your marketing plan, so keep these in mind as you grow your startup!
1. Social Media
Let’s start with the most obvious choice—social media.
Why Social Media Matters:
Social media is a powerful tool for reaching new audiences, providing real value, and increasing brand awareness. Nearly everyone is on social media in some form, making it an accessible platform for businesses.
How to Use It Effectively:
Social media can be great for selling directly to customers, but it’s also a valuable tool for increasing your visibility. By creating engaging content that resonates with your audience, you can build trust and foster a more personal connection with your brand. Use it to show off your personality, interact with users, and build a community around your brand.
Key Takeaway:
We recommend having a presence on at least one social media platform where your target audience is most active. Focus on mastering that platform before expanding to others. If your audience is primarily younger, you might find that focusing on just one platform is more effective than trying to spread yourself too thin.
2. Blogs
Since you’re reading this on a blog, let’s talk about why blogging is a great content strategy.
Why Blogging Matters:
Blogging helps you share valuable information that builds trust with your audience. It increases traffic to your website and can help with conversions, such as capturing email sign-ups or making direct sales.
SEO Benefits:
Blogging is also a crucial component of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which affects how likely your content is to appear on search engines like Google. By creating high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions, you can drive more organic traffic to your site.
Key Takeaway:
If you’re interested in blogging, take some time to learn about SEO and create a content strategy that aligns with your goals. There are many free courses available on platforms like Udemy to help you get started.
3. Videos
Videos deserve their own category because they can be such a powerful content type.
Why Video Content Matters:
Videos are highly engaging and easy to consume, making them a welcome change from the abundance of text content online. Studies have shown that videos get significantly higher engagement rates on social media than images or text alone.
Building a Personal Connection:
Videos allow you to communicate more clearly and establish a personal connection with your audience, which is especially valuable if you’re building a personal brand. Think of all the successful businesses started by YouTube creators who built trust and a loyal following through video content.
Key Takeaway:
If you’re considering video, think about where it fits into your overall strategy. Platforms like YouTube or TikTok could be great options, depending on your target audience.
4. Audio Content (Podcasts)
Podcasts can be an excellent option for founders who prefer speaking to writing or being on camera.
Why Podcasts Matter:
Podcasts are great for reaching specific audiences, such as commuters or those who prefer audio content. They’re ideal for long-form discussions and for establishing yourself as an expert in your niche.
Plan Before You Start:
However, don’t jump into podcasting without a plan. Many podcasts fail because they are poorly executed or lack consistent updates. Make sure you understand what’s required to produce high-quality audio content and have a plan for maintaining your podcast over time.
Key Takeaway:
If you enjoy speaking and have valuable insights to share, a podcast could be a fantastic way to build your brand and connect with your audience.
5. Events
Why Events Matter:
Events—whether online or offline—are powerful tools for building trust and establishing your expertise. They provide an opportunity to engage with your audience in real-time, creating a sense of involvement and fostering relationships.
Use Events to Your Advantage:
Hosting events can also help you connect your audience with one another, increasing their loyalty to your brand. They are an excellent way to promote your brand as a leader in your field, and they can be repurposed into other content types, such as videos or written summaries.
Key Takeaway:
Consider hosting events to build your circle of influence and create content that can be repurposed across multiple channels.
6. A Mailing List
Why Email Marketing Matters:
Email content isn’t just a vehicle for promoting other content—it’s a powerful form of content in its own right. If your audience would appreciate receiving valuable content directly in their inbox, emails can be an excellent way to engage them.
Create Valuable Content:
Think of ways to provide value through your emails, such as a 5-day email sequence that teaches a new concept or offers exclusive insights. The key is to avoid overly aggressive selling; focus on building trust and providing value.
Key Takeaway:
Use emails strategically to build a direct relationship with your audience, providing them with content they find valuable. Combining email with other content types, like video, can significantly increase engagement and conversions.
Conclusion
Choose one or several of these content types to focus on as you build your brand and connect with your target audience. The key is not to overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much at once. Instead, focus on mastering a few areas that will have the greatest impact on your audience.
Remember: Quality Over Quantity — Make sure the content you produce is high quality and genuinely useful.
One final piece of advice: great pieces of content are resources. If you make something that's useful and of good quality, that someone can use as a resource of some kind, then you're probably on track!
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About Seven
Hey friends! I’m Seven - I write about challenges and opportunities affecting leaders across business. I release a weekly newsletter and a podcast, helping folks understand the leadership journeys and challenges out there, so we can better understand our purpose, place, and potential. The goal: to learn about what it means to be a leader, to support leaders, to find leaders, and to discover the leader within.
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