Content marketing, SEO, SEM and SMM – do those terms intimidate you? Find out more about these terms and how these techniques can help you.

Quick Links:

• TIP: How to utilize the content marketing SEO, SEM and SMM trifecta as a digital marketer [Infographic Download]
• Episode Overview – Content Marketing: SEO vs SEM vs SMM
• Personal Note from Jenn Neal on Content Marketing & SEO
• Episode audio [Podcast on Spotify]
• Blog Post – Content Marketing – SEO vs SEM vs SMM – A Digital Marketing Trifects
• Related Posts

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TIP: How to utilize the content marketing SEO, SEM, and SMM trifecta as a digital marketer

What’s In This Episode

What comes to your mind when I say the words content marketing? SEO? SEM? SMM? As digital marketers, we often think that certain marketing strategies are not meant for us. But i’m here to debunk the myth that these terms are not for digital marketers!  Find out more about what these terms mean and how you can pair them together for the ultimate content marketing trifecta!

 Content Marketing SEO, SEM, SMM – what are all of these terrifying acronyms and how do you use them to best promote your business online? I’m sharing super simple definitions along with easy to remember examples we’re using that will help you create an outstanding marketing strategy guaranteed to yield results.

-Jenn Neal

Content Marketing SEO vs SEM vs SMM – A Digital Marketing Trifecta

What do you think of when you hear the words content marketing, SEO, SEM, and SMM? For me, reading those words and acronyms makes it feel like they’re swirling around my head like a cartoon. What exactly do these terms and acronyms mean? Unless you’re a bit nerdy, like me, you might have a good idea of what they mean, but not which one is best for your business and why. Well, here I am to save the day! We’re talking about all things content marketing, SEO, SEM, and SMM. So buckle up, buttercup! We’re diving in! 

Defining the Terms 

If you’re a digital marketer like me, you may think that some of these terms have nothing to do with you. (Cue in “SEO is only for bloggers!” commentary.) But let me tell you… all of these terms are things you should be paying attention to! But first, let’s clarify what they mean.  

First off, we have content marketing. This sounds like a term that is pretty straightforward, right? Right. Well, I could give you the definition from the Content Marketing Institute. Still, I’d rather provide you with a much more precise definition. So, content marketing is when you utilize content to entice cold leads and draw them in, eventually turning them into warm leads and then paying customers.

Second, we have SEO. Bring on the search engine optimization! Search engine optimization is the term used when you’re setting up your content to gain organic, free traffic through search engines like Google or Pinterest (or any search engine you can think of!). Next up SEM, or in actual words, search engine marketing. SEM is just like SEO, but it utilizes free and paid marketing to get your content in front of the eyes of the right people. And lastly, SMM or social media marketing – marketing using social platforms to target your audience.         

Thankfully, we’ve gotten those pesky definitions out of the way! So, how can any of this help your business?

The Best Marketing Strategy

Don’t be afraid to admit that you probably skipped to this section once you saw the acronym SEO. Because what in the world would any of the other stuff have to do with you and your business? Umm, how about absolutely EVERYTHING?  

Believe it or not, content marketing, SEO, SEM, and SMM, when paired together, can help to amplify your business in some unique ways! So, you’re already creating content and using it to market. Content marketing, check! And, you’re paying for Facebook ads, and sending your content out all over Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, you name it. Right? (SMM, check!) Well, creating content and showing up on social media isn’t enough. You’re not utilizing a colossal contender that will help you up your game – SEO. And, unlike most digital marketers may suggest, SEO is NOT just for bloggers! In fact, this is one of the most essential terms for everyone to know!

Utilizing Content Marketing and SEO

Did someone say FREE MARKETING? You got it! SEO as part of your equation will help you generate free traffic to your content! (And I don’t know about you, but I love free things! Especially when it will, in turn, help me generate more revenue!) In order to optimize your content, you’ll need to know what your audience is looking for. This is where keyword research comes in. THIS is SEO! Being strategic and knowing the right words will help you show up in search results when your audience is looking for information! It’s honestly not that difficult.  

So, you’ll want to do some research here. Find words you want to target in your content. When researching, you’ll be able to find rankings and see how many people are looking for the term you’re looking at. The key is to find words and phrases that not many people are optimizing their content for. Once you incorporate these keywords into your content, each time your audience searches, you’re on the list of content that appears in their search results! And the fewer people optimize for your keyword, the closer you get to being one of the top pieces of content! In turn, your content will gain more traction.

Reusing Old Content

So, now you know how to optimize your content. What about all of that old content you weren’t optimizing before marketing all over social media and search engines? Well, consider this your lucky day!  

If you’ve seen any of our older episodes of The Content Toolbox, you know that I am the queen of repurposing content! (Has anyone seen my crown? I must have misplaced it!) I am all for reusing old content and making it bright and shiny again. So, to do this and utilize all of these shiny acronyms we’ve talked about today, you’ll take just a few easy steps.

Again, get that good Google juice and do some keyword research around the topic of the content you’ll be repurposing. Once your keyword research is done, pull the old content. Time to wiggle those magic keywords into your text, spruce up your graphics as needed (and sprinkle the keywords in those as well!), and repost them!  

If you want to hone in on your audience, you’ll check the stats on your posts first. See which performed the best, and break the content down into smaller, bite-sized pieces that are easier to consume. Again, you’ll sprinkle those keywords into your content and then repost it!  

The More, the Better

So, we’ve talked quite a bit about SEO and how to incorporate it into your marketing strategy. And I know that you’re itching to learn more about what SEM and SMM can do for your business now! Or how you can further dial them in together to advance your business! Click play up above and watch this exciting episode about content marketing, SEO, SEM, and SMM and how to make them work together for you! (And don’t forget to visit our YouTube channel. There’s a ton more fantastic videos you’ll love!)

I’ll be giving some fantastic examples of utilizing them to make you shine! And, if you want to expand your knowledge further and grow your brain and business, Formula Done has some bright and shiny new goodies for you! Get a better idea of where you’re at and what your next steps should be with our new Leads for Business Opportunity Checker! You won’t regret it!

Related Posts

Content Marketing vs SEO: What Is the Difference?

How SEO And Content Marketing Work Together To Fuel Your Online Success

SEO vs. Content Marketing: Create a Powerhouse Strategy with Both

Content Marketing Tools : Overcoming Your Biggest Business Hurdles

Which of these content marketing tactics are you using (if any), and how effective are they in your business?