AFFILIATE MARKETING
11 Stellar Content Marketing Examples to Inspire Your Digital Marketing Strategy
Content marketing gives you the opportunity for optimal keyword placement and provides tons of information that search engines can scan to help you earn higher rankings.
All of this leads to higher visibility, brand awareness, and more traffic to your site.
About 60% of marketers value content as very or extremely important to their business success.
But only 27% of them feel their efforts are very or extremely successful.
That’s because content marketing isn’t easy.
It takes time, research, and focus to create meaningful material that resonates with an audience.
The good news is that content marketing is a huge category, so there are lots of ways to deliver the kind of quality content it takes to drive sales.
Here are 11 outstanding content marketing examples from individuals and organizations who have mastered the art of content marketing.
Follow their example to learn how to develop your own inspirational content that generates leads and earns sales.
Blogs With Impactful Content Marketing Strategies
1. GaryVaynerchuk.com
Gary Vaynerchuk climbed to internet stardom as the zany host of video blog Wine Library TV.
Now, he’s a two-time best-selling author and the co-founder of Vayner Media, a digital marketing agency that caters to some of the world’s biggest brands.
On his website, Vaynerchuk releases an authoritative blog article once every three to four days.
His posts lead with splashy cover images that draw the eye, and the compelling information covers everything from how-to guides to educational introductions for new services and products.
While many of his articles now relate to his marketing business, he still posts articles for his wine lovers.
As a result, he’s got a great mix of content to meet the various needs of his diverse audience.
His videos, podcasts, and useful articles (chock full of backlinks and helpful takeaways) attract prospects, engage readers, and entice them to convert to customers.
2. The Home Depot Blog
The Home Depot blog is a brilliant example of content marketing, and here’s why.
First, everyday people who enjoy and have experience with home improvement projects contribute as guest writers and post-project tips and ideas on the blog.
Not only are they relatable, but they also create content based on first-hand experience, so readers trust them.
In addition to providing useful content, the Home Depot blog posts are full of links to products in their stores that help readers complete the projects covered in the blog.
So they’re not just building a following with their content.
They’re crushing SEO with keywords, links, and a convenient user experience.
By leading readers directly to useful items on their company website, they drive sales and conversions on a daily basis.
3. Hertz Travel Blog
While most people know Hertz as a leading car rental company, the Hertz Travel Blog is an added value for their audience.
From experienced international travelers to the occasional leisure traveler, members of the Hertz blog target audience can find highly useful information to help plan their trips.
While some posts do mention car rental services, the bulk of their content ranges from insider tips for making the most of hotel stays to can’t-miss sight-seeing excursions for the traveler on a time crunch.
Articles and videos dive into immersive storytelling that engage their audience and appeal to their sense of adventure and preparedness.
Hertz makes sure their articles are highly sharable, always featuring large social media link buttons at the top of each post.
This makes it easy for readers to pass the information along to their own contacts, broadening the company’s reach and increasing brand awareness.
4. Cracker Barrel Blog
Cracker Barrel is known for its down-home cooking and old-fashioned mercantile complete with clothes, memorabilia, and retro treats.
Their audience is interested in anything from their food to their holiday décor, so it takes some clever messaging to appeal to their followers.
The Cracker Barrel blog is a simple layout that highlights a variety of articles to reach the needs of everyone they touch.
Their recipe articles feature links to branded food items people can purchase from the store.
Holiday decorating tips include products they sell and direct customers where to buy them.
Not only is their information helpful and useful, but it’s also great for SEO and search engine rankings.
Cracker Barrel’s blog presents lots of opportunities for visitors to convert and generate revenue for the company.
Social Media Content That Converts
5. American Red Cross #DoingMyPart
The American Red Cross developed a tool kit complete with messaging suggestions and image options for their #DoingMyPart social media campaign.
It encouraged people to post photos of themselves on their social media accounts doing things to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus while tagging their posts with the campaign hashtag.
While the organization thought people might post images of themselves washing their hands, wearing face masks, or donating blood, the campaign took on a life of its own.
People on Twitter began posting more creative ways they were helping in the fight against the virus, flooding the network with photos of themselves manning COVID-19 call centers and receiving vaccine injections.
By encouraging their followers to personalize corporate messaging and create user-generated content focused around a timely topic, the Red Cross boosted engagement, awareness, and conversions.
6. Starbucks SipSmileSpring
To promote their new spring line of drinks, Starbucks created an interactive game on their Instagram account called SipSmileSpring.
In the game, users control gameplay by simply smiling at the right time.
Not only is it a fun way for Starbucks to engage its audience but they encourage people to share the post, tag Starbucks and earn the opportunity for their video to be featured on the brand’s page, as well.
This builds brand awareness and engagement in a highly creative way.
Because of the idea’s novelty, the campaign earned over 79,000 views in the first two hours of going live.
7. Levi’s 7 Days 7 Ways
The renowned jeans brand used their Instagram page to create a social challenge called 7 Days 7 Ways.
Promoting sustainability and asking people to reject fast fashion, Levi’s asked people to style their favorite Levi’s jeans with a different look each day for a week.
They felt this would entice people to wear their jeans more frequently between washes and increase the lifespan of the product while helping the environment.
Followers posted pictures of their styles and tagged the company, raising brand awareness and creating a sense of community as they inspired others with fashion recommendations and social awareness.
Visual Content That Motivates Consumers to Buy
8. Pizza Hut
Focusing heavily on imagery in their marketing campaigns, Pizza Hut’s emails and social media posts are filled with tantalizing product photos.
Steaming hot pizza, cheesy toppings, and crispy crusts all appeal to the senses of its audience.
The photos create buzz on social media and earn them sales through mobile ads and email campaigns.
They do a great job of telling a story through the photos they post while generating interest and showing how their product is superior to their competitors’.
9. Kendra Scott
As a leader in women’s jewelry, home décor, beauty, and gifts, the Kendra Scott brand knows the importance of visual impact.
The company features beautiful product shots in its marketing campaigns that grab viewers’ attention and identify features that make the products unique.
Kendra Scott also uses photos to recommend product use, showing consumers how to wear their items to meet the latest trends and create unique looks to show off users’ individuality.
The pictures don’t even need words to convey their message, which is a sign of an effective visual content marketing campaign.
Effective Video Content Marketing Examples
10. Tasty
One frustration consumers have is when words fail to adequately describe a product or process.
Tasty is a network for food lovers where people can find recipes and learn cooking tips and tricks.
Their marketing focuses heavily on the use of well-executed videos of someone actually making a recipe.
Their upbeat, aerial-view videos offer a step-by-step demonstration of combining ingredients and cooking the food, eliminating any question about misinterpreting the recipe instructions.
The videos are extremely popular and offer a forum for people to leave comments and share feedback about the recipe, its ingredients, and the video itself.
More than a simple instructional video, Tasty’s marketing campaign educates and connects a community of like-minded people, making it an invaluable resource that people are happy to share with their own contacts.
11. Sunny Paige
Although they’re a small-town boutique, Sunny Paige uses Facebook live videos in a big way.
Each week, the business hosts a live session from their store to present their current featured items.
Staff members take viewers through the store and model clothing and accessories while explaining the key traits of each item.
Everything is conducted in a very laid-back, conversational way, as though they’re talking to their personal friends.
This builds trust among their prospects and generates interest in their products and their shop.
By including these live videos in their marketing strategy, Sunny Paige is able to address questions about fit, material, and price that build confidence among their viewers and encourage them to commit to a purchase.
Content Marketing Is a Must for Any Marketing Strategy
Whether you use blogs, social media, or videos, content marketing is a must for any digital marketing strategy.
It allows you to connect your audience to your products, positions you as an authority in your field, and helps to boost SEO efforts for better SERPs.
Think outside the box for fun, creative ways to set yourself apart from your competition while serving as a resource for your audience.
Image Credits
All screenshots taken by author, March 2021
AFFILIATE MARKETING
Cut Costs, Not Features with This Microsoft Bundle Deal
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Software subscription fees can quickly add up, and for small-business owners, entrepreneurs, or freelancers, these costs can eat into profits. Businesses spend approximately 29% of their IT budgets on software, according to a 2023 survey by Gartner.
For business professionals who are looking to streamline workflow without paying steep subscription fees, the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle might be the perfect solution. For just $71.94 (regularly $927), this comprehensive four-part bundle offers Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019, Windows 11 Pro, Project 2019, and Visio 2019.
While it’s not the newest version of Microsoft’s software, it can deliver tremendous value for anyone seeking tools to manage their business, boost productivity, and work efficiently. The bundle offers a lifetime license, meaning you’ll get all the functionality you need without the recurring costs associated with subscription services like Microsoft 365.
However, it does come with Windows 11 Pro, which includes the recent AI updates. Windows 11 Pro delivers a modern, intuitive interface with enhanced security features such as biometric login and Smart App Control, making it ideal for professionals who prioritize privacy and usability. It’s also equipped with tools that support multitasking, such as Snap Layouts and Virtual Desktops.
For companies looking to reduce overhead without compromising essential functionality, making a one-time purchase of slightly older software is a smart financial move. This includes Office’s most popular productivity tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Project 2019 is a must-have for anyone who is managing large or small projects. It helps track tasks, timelines, and resources, making it easier to stay on top of deadlines and ensure your team moves in the right direction. Project 2019 gives you the tools to streamline processes and manage tasks efficiently.
Visio 2019 is ideal for creating professional diagrams, flowcharts, and organizational charts. It’s particularly valuable for visualizing complex data or workflows, which is essential for business owners looking to improve operational efficiency.
If you need a productivity boost without eating into savings, take a closer look at this bundle.
Get the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle with Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro for $71.94 (regularly $927).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
AFFILIATE MARKETING
3 Trends That Will Change the Future of Entrepreneurship
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The most recent data from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report reveals a powerful trend for the future of entrepreneurship.
Young adults, aged 18-24, had both the highest entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial intentions in the United States, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2023-2024 United States Report. With similar results in 2022, this is not just a minor shift — it’s a fundamental change that could have lasting impacts on the economy and society.
I serve as the chair of the board for the Global Entrepreneurship Research Association, the entity that oversees GEM, which was founded in 1999 as a joint venture of Babson College and the London Business School. As the GEM U.S. team co-leader and a professor of entrepreneurship at Babson, I see firsthand the impact of the research created by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new GEM report that are changing the landscape for the future.
Related: 21 Success Tips for Young and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1. Young entrepreneurs on the rise
For years, entrepreneurship has been dominated by older, more experienced individuals, but this year’s report shows that the youngest adults are now at the forefront. According to GEM, 24% of 18- to 24-year-olds are engaged in some form of entrepreneurial activity, a higher rate than any other age group. What’s driving these young entrepreneurs is equally remarkable: They aren’t just starting businesses to make money; many are deeply committed to making a positive impact on society and the environment.
These young entrepreneurs make sustainability a key priority. They are more likely than entrepreneurs from older generations to build businesses with sustainability as a core focus — whether that means reducing their environmental footprint or focusing on social causes. This shift toward impact-driven entrepreneurship isn’t just anecdotal. GEM data shows a significant number of young entrepreneurs taking real, measurable steps to create businesses that align with their values. With sustainability as their north star, young entrepreneurs appear to be simultaneously pursuing societal impact as well as profits.
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. While young people are leading the way in starting businesses, they are also discontinuing them at higher rates than their older counterparts. The discontinuation rate for 18- to 24-year-olds is 15%, the highest among all age groups. This is not surprising, given the challenges of inexperience and more limited access to capital. Starting a business is tough, and sustaining one is even more challenging. But despite these hurdles, the enthusiasm and energy that young people bring to entrepreneurship are undeniable, and with the right support, this generation has the potential to drive substantial change.
2. Tech gender gap narrows
One of the most promising findings in the GEM report is the narrowing gender gap in the technology sector. Historically, tech startups have been dominated by men, but 2023 saw a record-low difference in the number of men and women starting tech companies. The gap has narrowed to just 1%, with 8% of women compared with 9% of men launching businesses in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
This is a significant step forward and reflects broader efforts to support more women technology startups. Still, it’s important to recognize that while progress is being made, continued focus on providing equal opportunities is essential to ensuring this trend continues.
3. Optimistic outlook for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs
Another highlight from the report is the optimistic outlook among Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. These groups showed stronger confidence in their entrepreneurial abilities and lower fear of failure compared to their white counterparts. Black respondents, in particular, demonstrated high levels of resilience and self-assurance, which is vital in overcoming barriers faced in starting and sustaining businesses. This optimism is encouraging, but there’s still much work to be done in assuring ecosystems offer equal opportunities for all aspiring entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.
Related: I Wish I Received This Advice as a Young Entrepreneur
A promising future
Reflecting on the key findings of this year’s GEM report, it’s clear that the entrepreneurial landscape is changing in meaningful ways. The rise of young, sustainability-driven entrepreneurs signals a future where business is not only about profit but also about making a difference. These young entrepreneurs are launching businesses at a time when the world is looking for solutions to some of its most pressing challenges — climate change, poverty and economic recovery.
Yet, to fully realize the potential of this next generation, there must be more focus on addressing the challenges they encounter. Young entrepreneurs need access to the right resources — whether it’s funding, education or mentorship — to turn their innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. The narrowing gender gap in tech is encouraging, but we must continue to foster environments that support women and other underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship.
The GEM report paints a picture of an entrepreneurial future driven by purpose, diversity and innovation. But it also reminds us of the work that lies ahead in making entrepreneurship more accessible and sustainable. If we can provide young entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need, we will not only see more businesses being created — we’ll see businesses that are making a lasting, positive impact on the world.
AFFILIATE MARKETING
These Are the Top Side Hustles to Work Less, Make More Money
In the best-case scenario, a side hustle could turn into a multimillion-dollar business that generates a passive income stream — but at the very least, starting a side gig could help pay some bills.
A new survey from personal finance software company Quicken shows that almost half (43%) of Americans with a side hustle, or an extra source of income added to a primary income, make more money and clock in fewer hours overall than those without a side hustle.
The three most popular side hustles pursued by those who work less and make more money were personal assistance (20%), cooking and baking (16%), and caregiving (16%). One in five people with side hustles said they were business owners, too, selling products online or offering services like photography.
The majority of people with side hustles (82%) said starting a side gig helped them financially, and kept them from living paycheck to paycheck. Most with side hustles (57%) had savings equal to at least four months of living expenses.
The survey also found that, for younger side hustlers, a way to an extra income doubles as a path to becoming more employable. 44% of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) choose to start a side hustle in order to obtain skills for long-term careers, much higher than the overall 18% of Americans who started a side hustle with the same motivation.
Quicken conducted the survey online, gathering responses from more than 1,000 Americans.
Additional research on side hustles, released in August by NEXT Insurance, showed that three out of five people bring in less than $1,000 monthly in side income, while 22% make $1,000 to $10,000 a month, and 15% make more than $10,000.
Related: Starting a Side Hustle Should Come With a Warning Label — Here’s What You Need to Know
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