Long-form content is like the heavy artillery of content marketing – it helps you build authority, connect with your audience, and boost conversion rates.
Most small businesses start out with smaller (and easier to produce) forms of content to begin their marketing journey. But while short social media posts scratch the surface, long-form content dives deep into topics, giving your audience valuable insights and forging a stronger connection.
Whether you’re a content creator or a business owner, you need to know about the different types of long-form content, so you can craft killer marketing strategies.
In this article, we’ll dive into three excellent types of long-form content – blog posts, videos, and podcasts (with some quick tips) . By the end, you’ll learn how each can supercharge your marketing strategy!
What Does Long-Form Content Mean (Exactly)?
In lay terms, any content exceeding 1000 words is considered “long,” excluding social media posts and anything less than a thousand words. It’s long-form writing at its finest!
Benefits of long-form content
Long-form content goes beyond just length. It’s about depth and the opportunity for interactive engagement it offers. Long-form articles allow for more information to be shared, encouraging in-depth exploration and enabling content creators to provide extensive insights and stimulate meaningful discussions.
Videos and podcasts, as other forms of long-form content, provide a different medium for this deep engagement. Unlike short-form content, long-form formats can delve into nuances, answer complex questions, and offer an enriched learning experience for the audience. For example, while you can share a lot of information in a 2-minute TikTok video, imagine what a 30-minute YouTube video on a specific topic can provide.
This kind of depth is important because it helps people trust the content more and feel like it’s credible. It also makes them more likely to share and engage with it, which can lead to more conversions for the creator.
Let’s examine the three most popular types of long-form content commonly used by creators, as well as their nuances.
What are Blog Posts?
Blog posts have been a big part of content marketing for a long time. Hey, you’re reading one now!
They’re articles on websites (usually after entering a specific query) and are generally about 1,000 to 2,000 words long (though Google now says 3,000 words or more work well too).
These posts inform readers about a topic and share insights, tips, and expertise. Most small businesses have a blog hosted on their website to educate and promote their products or services.
Benefits of Blog Posts
SEO Advantages:
- Your business can become virtually invisible online without SEO (search engine optimization). Using long-form content with well-placed keywords like “content marketing” can help draw in Google users and improve your search engine rankings. This approach boosts visibility and lets you connect with a new audience to promote your brand. SEO is also super helpful for evergreen content as well.
Authority Building:
- Publishing high-quality, informative blog posts consistently helps establish your brand as an authority in your industry. Readers will rely on you for reliable information, thereby building trust and credibility. Furthermore, blog posts also help establish authority with Google.
Audience Engagement:
- Once someone finds your site, you naturally want them to stick around as much as possible. Blog posts enable in-depth exploration of important topics for your audience. Compelling content retains visitors on your website for longer periods, decreasing bounce rates and enhancing the potential for conversions.
Best Practices for Blog Posts
Keyword Research:
- Find the right keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs. You’ll want to sprinkle these keywords naturally throughout your post to boost your SEO.
Compelling Headlines:
- The headline is usually the first thing a potential website visitor sees in search engine results. Try creating attention-grabbing headlines that entice readers to click.
Structured Format:
- Of course, we don’t want anyone to get bored while reading! Split your long form content into sections with clear headings and subheadings. Use bullet points, numbered lists, and images to make the content easily understandable (and retain short attention spans).
Call to Action (CTA):
- Make sure to conclude your blog articles with a compelling call to action (CTA) that motivates readers to take the next step. This could be signing up for a newsletter, downloading a guide, or contacting your business.
What is Video Content?
Video content is all about longer videos that show you how to do stuff, demonstrate products, give you behind-the-scenes interviews, and more.
Depending on the amount of material to cover, these videos can be anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour long.
Benefits of Video Content
High Engagement:
- Videos are incredibly engaging and can quickly capture the viewer’s attention. The exciting combination of visuals and audio makes it easier to convey complex information effectively.
Increased Reach:
- Video content is easily shareable across multiple platforms. It can reach a broader, more inclusive audience, including those who prefer visual content over text.
SEO Boost:
- When you host videos on platforms like YouTube, the second-largest search engine, you can attract more visitors to your website. Using relevant keywords in your video descriptions can boost visibility because Google checks out those descriptions and tags!
Best Practices for Video Content
Clear Purpose:
- Before you begin, figure out what you want your video to do. Are you trying to teach, entertain, or advertise? Make your content suit that goal.
Quality Production:
- Invest in quality equipment or professional services for high video and audio standards. Poor production can drive away viewers, regardless of a given topic or form of valuable content.
Engaging Thumbnails and Titles:
- Using attention-grabbing thumbnails and captivating titles is a great way to entice viewers. Your thumbnails should provide a glimpse of the video’s content and pique interest.
Transcripts and Captions:
- Don’t forget to add transcripts and captions to your videos to help people with hearing impairments. It’s also good for SEO because search engines can read the text.
What are Podcasts?
Podcasts are like online audio shows that you can subscribe to. They’re all about specific topics, like interviews, discussions, and storytelling.
Some episodes are short, around 20 minutes, but they can also be pretty long, even a few hours if you’re Joe Rogan and you’re really into the topic!
Benefits of Podcasts
Convenience:
- You can listen to podcasts while you’re driving, cleaning, or even working out, making it more likely that you’ll tune in regularly. Podcasts are awesome for people who want to connect with their followers while creating high-quality content to promote their products and services.
Building a Loyal Audience:
- Podcasts are fantastic because they make a real connection with the target audience. The chatty tone and consistent schedule keep people hooked and returning for more.
Thought Leadership:
- Running a podcast makes you a go-to expert in your field. By sharing your own insights and chatting with industry pros, you’ll boost your rep and grow your connections.
Best Practices for Podcasts
Consistent Schedule:
- Release episodes on a consistent schedule, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency helps build anticipation and a loyal listener base.
Engaging Content:
- Make sure to plan your podcast episodes carefully. Mixing it up with solo episodes, guest interviews, and roundtable discussions are a few of the best ways to keep the content varied and engaging.
Professional Sound Quality:
- Consider getting top-notch microphones and editing software to ensure your sound comes across clearly and professionally without any annoying background noise.
Show Notes and Transcripts:
- Provide detailed show notes and transcripts for each episode. This enhances SEO and provides value to listeners who prefer reading over listening.
Conclusion
Long-form content is a powerful asset in content marketing. You can leverage blog posts, videos, and podcasts to engage your audience, build authority, and drive meaningful interactions with your brand.
At the end of the day, whether you’re a content creator or a business owner, the right long-form content strategy can elevate your marketing efforts and help you achieve your goals.
Remember, creating long-form content is not just about producing lengthy pieces; it’s about finding that sweet spot of engagement and opportunity, providing value, and solving your audience’s problems. By implementing these best practices for each type of long-form content, you will have a higher chance of effectively reaching and engaging your target audience, building brand awareness, and driving conversions.
Need help with the content creation process? Sunrise Virtual Assistant Services is here to help! We offer a variety of content marketing services, including content marketing strategy development, content creation, and audience engagement.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can enhance your long-form content game. Let’s work together to create valuable and engaging content that resonates with your audience, and your marketing goals!
