Okay, so I’d imagine that the Ss in mind today are Santa, and Sleighs. But, let’s just get these out there… it’s the next letter from my A to Z of Content Marketing Ideas.

This is a list that I put together to help anyone who finds themselves staring at a blank sheet of paper, charged with creating a scintillating piece of marketing content, and in want of inspiration. It’s a simple list of topics, talking points, and angles to hang your own ideas on.

I’m sharing a letter each (working) day in December. There are over 140 ideas. So, if you used one per week from January… you’d have enough to take you almost through to this time in 2016!

Content marketing ideas beginning with S

Saints’ days

Links to Religion, of course, and may not be appropriate to all. But theming activities around days like Valentine’s, St David, St George, St Andrew, St Patrick, etc. can provide the starting point for some great materials.

Scenarios

It you struggle to get named case studies signed off, scenarios can work well. Find ways of demonstrating the likely outcomes of using your products or services. Animated story style pieces can work well for this.

Science

It’s all around us people. The news coverage of the hadron collider certainly shows an appetite for science-based stories. Are there any live experiments you could show? Do you test things as part of your new product development? Can you demonstrate it? You can also mark anniversaries of scientific discoveries, using them as a starting point for discussion about the impact on your industry.

Seasons

Whether it’s a new range, a photo competition or a timely offer, the shifting seasons will almost always give you a reason to get the word out in some way or another. Spring cleaning, for example, works well as a metaphor for all sorts of businesses.

Skills

Building on Guides and How-tos, sharing tips on improving skills always goes down well. Demonstrating your skills can also be great. Is there a way that you can show the process you take to deliver your product or service? For knowledge businesses a ‘day in the life’ can work well. For manufacturers and craft businesses, videos of your stuff being made are great.

Sport

Being mindful of the various trademarks and restrictions around the names of heavily sponsored sporting events, you can make some mileage in commenting on sporting events. Whether its the sport itself, related facts and figures, impact on local economy, how great it is for team-building, dealing with staff truancy… there’s usually an angle to be found.

Standards

Are there industry standards that apply in your business? Or, can you help people meet a certain required standard. A quick guide on what the standard is, how you reach it, how not to breach it, etc. can be really useful.

Statistics

News outlets love stats. And people are always looking for a bit of logic they can point to to back up their (often) emotional decision-making. Can you track and report on trends in your market? Could you issue some sort of annual benchmark against certain criteria?

Stereotypes

There’s a debate to be had as to whether stereotypes are useful shorthand or harmful generalisations. Whichever your viewpoint, stereotypes are instantly recognisable and can be a starting point for discussion. Are there any in your industry that you could challenge or verify?

Stories

Story-telling is a key skill in creating compelling content. Whether it’s your own business journey, an amusing anecdote, a real case study for a made-up scenario to illustrate a point, doing so in a story style appeals to people on a more emotional level. Have a think about your company – what are your stories? How did you come up with products? Have you turned things around? How did you find your first client?

Success

Without being smug or big headed, the occasional celebration of success can be appropriate. Perhaps you’ve won a new client, or secured some great press coverage. Linking to the news item, or issuing a public thank you to people who helped make it happen can work well.

Surveys

See Research. A rich vein for great content.

So, that’s it from me until after Boxing Day. I hope you all have a wonderful few days. See you on the other side…

© Bryony Thomas – The Watertight Marketer.