Companies invest billions in content marketing to raise brand awareness and engage customers. In a 2017 survey, nearly 90% of successful B2B marketers reported being extremely or very committed to this practice. About 75% of respondents said they create and deliver content consistently.

As a small or medium-sized business, you know that every penny matters. Perhaps you're tired of spending money on pay-per-click ads. One way to reduce advertising costs is to increase organic traffic to your company's website or blog.

Organic traffic refers to visitors who find a website through unpaid search results. For example, if you google "vegan protein powder," you'll get results that include paid ads and organic listings. Visitors who click on any of the organic results in search engines will count as organic traffic.

A well-thought-out content marketing strategy can help you rank higher in search results and get organic traffic. This means you'll end up spending less on advertising and reach a wider audience.

Interested to find out more? Use these tips to create a content marketing plan that drives organic traffic!

What Is Organic SEO and Why It Matters?

First things first, make sure you know a thing or two about organic traffic and why it matters. There are many strategies you may use to drive website traffic, from pay-per-click (PPC) to social media marketing. Some are free, while others require ongoing investment.

Organic search engine optimization (SEO) encompasses different strategies designed to increase organic traffic. Simply put, this practice aims to improve a website's rankings in organic search results through link building, content creation, and so on.

Compared to paid advertising, organic SEO takes longer to work but may provide greater value. Consumers who find your website or blog via organic search results are more likely to convert. They have a specific intent and expect your website to fulfill their needs.

A major advantage of organic SEO is that it generates longer-lasting results. With PPC advertising, your traffic might drop as soon as you stop paying for ads. Organic SEO, on the other hand, can drive traffic to your website for months or years.

Moreover, users trust websites that rank organically in the top positions on Google and other search engines. As a result, they're more likely to take action, whether you want them to buy a product or download an eBook.

Note that Google favors websites with consistent organic traffic. Additionally, you'll get a higher return on investment with organic SEO than you'd get with paid advertising. Other potential benefits include:

• Improved user experience
• Increased consumer trust
• Higher conversion rates
• More sales and revenue
• Greater visibility online
• Increased brand awareness

Getting organic traffic involves using SEO best practices. This can enhance users' experience, leading to more sales. A website that offers quality content, for example, is more likely to engage and retain visitors than one looking like a sales pitch.

Content Marketing Hacks to Boost Organic Traffic

A solid content marketing strategy can boost organic traffic, build trust, and generate leads. It's also one of the best ways to strengthen your brand and remain competitive. Getting started is the hardest part.

Should you write blog posts, white papers, or eBooks? What about social media copy and newsletters? It all comes down to your marketing goals.

Try to draft a content marketing plan that aligns with your objectives. Think about the keywords you want to rank for, define your target consumers, and find out more about their needs and pain points. Next, focus on creating content that is relevant to your audience and provides value.

Not sure where to start? Check out these content marketing hacks to get more traffic and sales!

Gauge Customers' Interest

Start by getting to know your audience better. Conduct online surveys and polls to determine what type of content they are interested in.

For example, you could ask your email subscribers about any challenges they're facing and then create content that addresses their pain points.

If, say, your prospects are struggling to make savings, you could share some tips on how to cut costs and budget more effectively.

Another option is to write about your products or services and how they can help users reduce their expenses. Or you can write about your latest promotions and sales events.

Forums, social media groups, and online platforms like Quora and Reddit are excellent resources. Look for groups of potential customers and engage in conversations. Create content around their questions and then publish it on your website to drive organic traffic.

Optimize for Long-Tail Keywords

Keyword research is an integral part of organic SEO. However, you can't use just any keywords.

Let's say you want to buy a new pair of sneakers. You go online and type "sneakers" into your favorite search engine. The first two pages will feature popular brands like Adidas, Nike, Asos, and so on.

If you search for "sneaker stores in New York City" or "men's sneakers on sale," you'll get a wider range of results featuring local and international brands. That's because long-tail keywords, like "men's sneakers on sale," are more specific and less competitive than short-tail keywords, such as "sneakers."

As a small business owner, you want to optimize your content for long-tail keywords. They have higher conversation rates and allow you to better target your ideal customers.

Use Google Keyword Planner and other free or paid tools to identify keywords with high search volume and low competition.

Research Your Competition

Next, scope out your competition to see what topics they cover and identify their most popular posts.

Try to create content that covers the same topics or similar topics from a different angle. Add new information along with quality images, infographics, videos, and other visual elements.

Use a mix of short- and long-form content to target different customer segments. A short post, for instance, could cover a trending topic. Write longer posts to provide in-depth information on evergreen topics.

Leverage Content Marketing for SEO Success

Now that you know more about content marketing, you might be thinking that you lack the time needed to make it work. That's where content writing services come in handy.

Consider working with a freelance writer rather than hiring an in-house team. This way, you’ll cut costs and gain access to a global talent pool.

So, what are you waiting for? Fill out our online form to find a skilled writer who understands your business and its needs.

It's no secret that having a strong online presence is essential when it comes to maximizing your company's chances of success. But, this involves more than simply having a stellar website and social media.

Having high-quality content will not only help you drive traffic to your pages but also provide your audience with useful information that can establish you as an authority in your industry. When looking to outsource this role, though, not every entrepreneur knows how to go about it.

Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know about how to find the best content writers.

1. Their Skill Level


As you may expect, one of the most important characteristics to look for is a high level of skill when it comes to copywriting. This means that they should be able to present error-free content that also matches the tone of voice you're looking for.

Fortunately, it's easy to separate an unskilled writer from someone who's clearly been working in their profession for years. This will easily allow you to weed out unprofessional writers who may end up being more of a liability than an asset.

2. Their Expertise Regarding Your Product/Service


Interestingly, being a good writer isn't enough on its own— they'll also need to have a strong understanding of the product or service that your company offers.

This means that they'll also need to be knowledgable of the nuances associated with your industry, the key features they should focus on, etc.

Otherwise, you run the risk of improperly representing what your business is able to provide to its audience.

3. Enthusiastic vs Disinterested


So, they're a skilled writer who has plenty of experience in writing about relevant products and services. But, are they able to do so in an interesting and engaging way?

However professional their writing may be, dry content isn't likely to get you any of the results you're after. In some cases, it can even be offputting toward potential customers since your brand may sound unsure of itself.

Additionally, someone who's not enthusiastic about writing for your company is unlikely to learn all that they can about what you have to offer. The end result is lackluster content.


You'll need to take the same approach a hiring manager would in a conventional business setting when looking for your content writers.

4. Their Turnaround Time

While it's imperative that you hire someone who can provide great content for your company's website, you won't be able to reap the benefits if they aren't able to meet the deadlines that you set for them.

While the average turnaround time will depend on the length and depth of the project, you should only hire a writer who's able to accommodate your needs. So, be sure to inquire about this when deciding who to work with.

5. Their Rate

Your budget will ultimately decide how much you're willing to spend on hiring a content writer. But, this doesn't mean that you should ignore what they charge simply because it falls within the range you can allocate toward their services.

A writer who charges on the lower end of the spectrum often does so due to their lack of skill. So, it's not unlikely that you'll get subpar results if you intentionally seek a writer with cheaper rates than normal.

In general, you'll find that most experienced copywriters charge between $50 and $100/hour. But, keep in mind that some only work on a per-project basis.

6. Do You Resonate With Them?


Establishing a seamless level of communication with your writer is crucial to getting the results you're after. Since it's not typical for their first draft to be the product that you accept, you'll often find yourself asking them to edit/rework certain sections of their writing.

This makes it important to work with someone who's accessible, open to feedback, and who communicates thoroughly on their own. It also helps if they have a personality that meshes well with yours, as it will make the communication far more natural.

7. Their Portfolio of Past Work

No matter what your content writer may promise, they need to be able to prove it before you take them seriously. Fortunately, this is easily accomplished by viewing a portfolio for their past work. 


You should be looking for two attributes here:

1. Project quality
2. Project volume



To elaborate on the second point, a writer who's able to showcase only a small number of projects may not have the overall level of experience that you're looking for.

A writer who has a large number of projects also has a greater chance of having familiarity with your product or service.

8. Their Past Reviews

Any professional writers showcase not only the clients they've worked for in the past but also what these clients have had to say about them.

If choosing the ideal writer is imperative for your project, it may be worth reaching out to these individuals and inquiring whether or not they were fully satisfied with the writer's work.

If you choose to go this route, it's also important for you to ask if they would hire the same writer in the future. This will help you get a thorough understanding of the work you can expect from them.

Finding the Best Content Writers Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn't have to be.

With the above information about what to look for in the best content writers, in mind, you'll be well on your way toward choosing a professional who will help grow your company.

Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.