Content marketing has developed in leaps and bounds over the past several years. Over 90 percent of businesses have included the strategy as part of their marketing plan, but just how successful are they?

Many people are of the mindset that once the content is created, you can upload it online, you can forget about it and the job is done. It would be awesome if we could just upload content and it automatically ranked on the first page of search engine results, but there are three important steps you need to take to ensure your content marketing strategy will be successful.

1. Search engine optimisation
There is no point having amazing content if no one knows where to find it. If title tags and meta descriptions sound like gobbley gook, then perhaps the best option is to hire a professional who will ensure your website is ranked by search engines.

2. Promoting content
Don't think for one minute that search engines will do all the hard work on getting your content in front of potential clients. There are a variety of ways you can promote your business.

Social media - Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, SnapChat, Google+, Bebo.
Email - Send regular updates direct to customers in boxes with special promotions, discounts or current happenings.
Blogs - Write regular blogs for your own website and guest blogs for industry websites
Podcasts - create informative audio or video podcasts relevant to your industry
3. Distributing your content
Your content is on your website but you need to ask yourself what other ways you can cross promote the same content. For example; let's say you are in the pest control industry and bed bugs is a hot topic of discussion. There are different ways you can distribute your content like a brochure, a enewsletter, a PowerPoint presentation just to name a few.