Marketing, as we know it, some say, is no longer effective, which makes it a bad investment. The truth is marketing is still widely effective and very popular. The success of any marketing plan depends upon the type used and the responsiveness of the target audience. This last sentence highlights two very important areas of successful marketing.

Marketing in the traditional sense, such as TV ads, newspapers, magazines, and radio spots lost their relevance over time, replaced in large part by Internet advertising. The reach of the Internet and the marketing techniques proved a boon to many advertisers. However, over time, typical Internet banner ads eventually lost their effectiveness due to what some call, “banner blindness.” With so many websites using banner ads for advertising caused most people to begin ignoring them altogether. Of course, this troubling trend screamed for an answer.

Website visitors thirst for information and look to certain websites to find answers to their questions or find solutions to problems. After all, the Internet is the world's largest source of information. Smart Internet marketers understand this and instead of boring their readers with useless ads, they write great content that compels their readers to learn more. What's more, savvy marketers learned early on that fresh, relevant content is crucial in keeping their readers coming back. Content marketing is the solution to banner blindness and other ineffective types of Internet advertising.

Content is King

After ads lost their effectiveness, all that was left was the content surrounding the ads. The welcome effect of great content cause readers to remember where they received the information, and over time, trust begins to build as readers now turn to your website for specific information. Once this loyalty takes hold of your readers, your content begins to build your brand. The lasting effect of engaging and relevant content garners repeated visits and encourages wide recognition of your offering. The fact that content is king becomes more apparent as your readers begin to appreciate that your content is always fresh and up-to-date, and more importantly, is targeted directly to them.

Social Media Marketing

As your content marketing strategy matures and develops into an indispensable tool to fuel your marketing success, failing to recognize the immense power of social media marketing could cause your online business success to stagnate. The point is that social media is a vehicle to present and share the content that your business creates. Additionally, your great content is so compelling that your readers want to share it with their friends. Social media is a very active environment and if your content is interesting and shareable, it will find its place among those interested in your product or offering. This eventually leads to better name recognition and loyalty by your readers.