Say 'A No No' to These Outdated Content Marketing Tactics
Some people think that old stuff looks cool, and it does when it comes to vintage books or buildings! But if you decide to use outdated marketing tactics, your product won't give you a high-five and call you a romantic.
It may sound harsh, but in marketing, there is no nostalgia: what is old should be left in the past. Successful content marketing strategy can’t be an old chap!
Alright, people, it’s makeover time. We're about to separate the wheat from the chaff and dive into the cringe-worthy content marketing examples that should've stayed in your grandma's scrapbook. Let’s toss out the old and dust off the new!
Reality Check: Your Content Marketing Might Be Stuck in a Rut!
When the world is drowning in content, it often feels like we're on autopilot, blindly following the trends. Is endless news feed really a marketing success twin? Nuh.
We tend to skip the 360-degree view and dive headfirst into the rabbit hole, embracing anything that's ever been labeled as "useful” or, what’s even worse, “hype.” That often leads to obsolete content marketing. And it can make current and potential customers disappear. Alas!
But let's hit the brakes for a second. What if we stop for a moment and actually think about what blog content makes our target audience tick?
Instead of chasing every shiny object on social media, how about we focus on what truly resonates with our existing customers and delivers meaningful results?
Let's explore the options!
#1 Old-School Keyword Stuffing
Source: Giphy
Back in the day, stuffing keywords into content was like dropping extra sprinkles on ice cream: the more, the better. Believe it or not, it was close to the content marketing definition!
This led to poor-quality content that often made little sense to readers and, let’s face it, forced copywriters to question their life choices. Who's happy, after all?
Example: “Our Parisian restaurant is the best dining place in Paris. If you're looking for a restaurant in Paris, choose our restaurant in Paris.”
Replacement: Quality content marketing.
Hmmm… sure, vinyl is cool, but you don't want websites to sound like a broken record, endlessly repeating the same track. That is not what your loyal customers would buy.
That is not what should be on your list of top content marketing strategies these days. And this is not what can bring you more leads. Turn it off!
“Quality over quantity” mindset is more valued these days. Focus on creating content that feeds your audience’s curiosity (like how-to articles). Utilize long-tail keywords like a sprinkle of salt – just right, integrating them naturally.
It all comes down to this: stop writing for search engines and turn to your audience to raise brand awareness (mic drop). Content creation is supposed to be mindful and people-oriented. And it isn’t even us saying; it’s Google and its EEAT policy.
#2 “OMG! Click Me NOW!” Headlines
Source: Giphy
Everybody loves a tease, but is it a circus area where content marketing tactics thrive? Only if a circus show is among your marketing goals (which never happens). Or unless you want to make a circus out of a customer journey (just don’t!).
Creating sensationalist headlines to lure clicks without delivering meaningful content became a sad trend, kinda like those old-timey, over-hyped tabloid covers or Yellow Pages.
Press releases crafted this way will certainly look less serious (even if you call industry experts!).
Remember, once a brain registers something as trash (sorry, not sorry), it won't spend any energy on noticing it again. Want to play with clickbait? You might as well be broadcasting elevator music – just as forgettable.
Example: "You Won't Believe What Happens Next! Click to Find Out!"
Replacement: Informative headlines
Craft headlines that say it like it is, providing readers with a real-deal preview of what's inside. Believe it or not, it will make your existing content creation process easier.
Don’t make your blog post sound foolish (it won’t excite Google search). Be upfront and honest. When readers know the scoop, they are more likely to stick around for the main course.
#3 “Surprise! Not What You Wanted” Pop-Ups
Source: Giphy
A few generations of blockers help us fight stupid web page pop-ups that look like screamers (technically). Honestly, how many times did you actually click on them? The value they provide is…well, is there any?
Example: BAM! A wild pop-up appears upon visiting a website, blocking your view and ruining your online vibe.
Replace it with: Call-to-action, lead generation e-books
Leave out the shock factor. Create well-placed CTAs within your social media posts to capture leads without an ambush. If you are using paid media, all you need is value and the ability to evoke real interest.
Besides, you can get bonus points by crafting small and handy e-books packed with tips and tricks. That’s online content marketing at its best! Try to inspire your readers, not send them hunting for the exit.
#4 “Hey, You... and You... and You…” Generic Email Bombs
Source: Tenor
You didn’t like those door-to-door salesmen from the old movies, did you? Well, today, we have email blasts pushing the same pitch into every inbox and selling snow shovels in Hawaii and surfboards in Alaska. It always feels kinda off, right?
Example: Sending the same generic "We thought you'd love this!" email to every Tom, Dick, and Harriet, regardless of their interests or behaviors.
Replacement: Tailored email campaigns and personalized scripts.
Personalization is among the best content marketing techniques these days. Segment your email list based on subscriber preferences, behaviors, and demographics.
Craft personalized letters in your email marketing software that cater to each group's unique taste.
Thus, you’ll get more organic search traffic. Chat with your website visitors rather than with a faceless crowd, and treat them like rock stars. Make their customer journey interactive.
#5 Ghosting Social Media
Source: Tenor
Ever go to a party, shout a fun joke, and then hide in the bathroom? No? Then why do it on social media platforms?
Posting content and then failing to acknowledge or respond to the engagement it generates is an all-too-familiar sight in the digital landscape. This is soooo old! By the way – it has never been on Google Trends!
Example: Posting a killer meme on Instagram but never responding to dozens of “LOLs” and “Tell me more!” from followers.
Replacement: Interact with your audience!
Your audience isn’t talking to a logo; they want YOU. Your content is the bridge between you and your social media followers.
Respond to comments, start conversations, and be the life of the social media party: these are the reasons for digital marketing, after all!
Remember, it's called "social" media for a reason. In today's world, a like, a share, or a quick reply can be the digital hug your followers need.
Your potential customers can always remain in the status of “potential” unless you make a contact. After all, a successful marketing strategy is impossible without proper brand talk.
#6 Posting Content Just Because You Have to
Source: Tenor
Ah, the industry trends! High-quality content somehow became less vital than…just posting. Do you remember those unexpected quizzes in school where you scribbled anything just to end the struggle?
Such content is like popcorn: fun to munch but leaves you hungry, which often results in quantity over quality (which is not supposed to be your content marketing mission statement!).
Remember, a successful content marketing campaign is about the right content, not just a lot of content. You can create content smartly. Examples?
Well, sometimes, even user-generated content (wise move, huh) could be better than the 10th blog post in a week.
Example: That brand flooding your feed with daily posts that leave you like, "Why should I care?"
Replacement: A strategic, well-planned approach.
Shift gears and try one of the 360-degree content marketing methods for all of your relevant content marketing channels: blog content, video marketing, or inbound marketing methods.
Choose anything you can include in your digital marketing strategy. Instead of bombarding subscribers with posts mindlessly, create relevant content that resonates with your target audience.
Choose gourmet meals over fast food.
Build articles to fill souls, not slots.
We have a few more tropes, but the point is: Would you rather be the brand remembered for that one epic post or the one annoyingly crowding up the feed?
P.S. Search engine optimization becomes smarter: it needs high-quality content to rank web pages higher. So, it is a dead end: you need better content to improve brand awareness and website traffic.
#7 Turn a Blind Eye to Analytics in the Digital Age
Source: Tenor
Imagine setting sail with no compass. Sounds adventurous? Yeah, but not smart. Not if you are a digital marketer. Putting analytics aside is like shooting in the dark, hoping to hit a target: it’s a losing game you don’t want to play.
The best content marketing techniques may seem like magic you can’t repeat. But in fact, you can check the analytics and – bam! – know how it works.
Example: Your blog is booming, but you have no idea why as you fail to track its traffic, conversion rates, or social media engagement metrics.
Solution: Embrace your inner data nerd.
You've got a lot of data trackers these days; don't turn away from them. The data won't bite. Use analytics tools to monitor and analyze the performance of your content marketing efforts (and paid ads): track, measure, optimize, rinse, and repeat.
Besides, how else would you know what is going on in the awareness stage or consideration stage and how the whole buyer’s journey went?
Web pages alone will not say anything to you. Social media marketing without analytics is really just pretty pictures. Because if you aren’t keeping score, how will you celebrate the wins or learn from the failures?
Effective Content Marketing Strategy: Your Go-To Checklist
So, is your current content marketing strategy as exciting as watching a boring sitcom? No worries.
Let's toss those tired tactics onto the "marketing graveyard" bonfire and craft a content strategy that works:
✅ Clickbait is for cowards. Don't lure people with misleading headlines. Be upfront and transparent, offer genuine value, and watch your audience come crawling back for more (willingly, we promise).
✅ One-size-fits-all is a one-way ticket. Tailor your content to your specific target audience. What are their pain points, passions, and weird cat video obsessions? Speak their language, not marketing jargon.
✅ Video content is king. Content creation without visuals was cool in the 80s. Well, it seems like a long time ago, huh? Don't get us wrong, blog articles still have a place. But shake things up with engaging video content. Tutorials, interviews, even hilarious bloopers – show, don't just tell!
✅ Three horsemen of apocalypse content marketing: track, analyze, adapt. Use analytics to understand what's working and what's flopping. Be willing to experiment, iterate, and continuously improve your content.
✅ Think outside the blogosphere. Online marketing is more than blog posts. Podcasts, interactive quizzes, live streams, and even choose-your-own-adventure stories can captivate your audience in unexpected ways.
✅ Get personal. Share your brand story, your successes, and your failures (well, the funny ones, at least). Vulnerability builds trust and connection.
✅ Have fun! And let your customers have fun as well. Marketing shouldn't feel like a chore. If you're enjoying the process, your audience will too. So crack a joke, tell a story, and let your passion shine through.
Conclusion
Just arrived from 2005 in your DeLorean, Doc? Advice for digital marketers: ditch those prehistoric practices and freshen your strategies up with these content marketing alternatives, then watch your audience stick around like bees to honey. Bottoms up to smarter marketing!
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