If you’re coming across some frustrating content marketing hurdles when trying to generate more leads and business, know this: you’re not alone. 

Almost every business owner will face at least one (but usually more) of these common challenges. 

Let’s run through what they are – and how to solve them. 

What are the challenges in content marketing?

As content marketing spans across a wide array of digital marketing media, including social media platforms, your website and its SEO, paid ads, and more, it’s no wonder that there are so many common content marketing hurdles. 

Even though each business owner will have their own challenges that are relevant to their specific situation, there are some that apply to almost anyone. No matter what your business does, don’t feel embarrassed if you fall short of these… 

The 9 big content conundrums: 

1. Defining your audience 

One of the most fundamental elements to successful content marketing is knowing your audience. But even though you may think you know who you’re selling to, many business owners still get this wrong… 

And that’s because you’re often developing your business offer or you’re marketing to a growing and changing customer. If you have more than one product or service and relating audience, it’s even harder to nail this completely. 

When this is the case, try to focus on your most dominant audience for your main products or services instead of trying to appeal at everybody all at once. You could even focus on one at a time, rotating your marketing efforts in a cyclical motion. 

If this resonates with you, read here to know more about why you need an ideal customer persona to create good social media content. 

2. Having a clear content strategy 

Too many people post on social media, write blog posts, and create other content marketing media without first having an agenda. It can feel like an overwhelming task, but lack of a content strategy means you’re likely to fall at all the other content marketing hurdles along the way, too. 

You need to create a content plan that builds in your goals and relates to your audience. Each post should have its own call to action (CTA) and purpose. Which offering does it relate to and what are you trying to achieve? 

If you have no content plan, then you are more than likely posting in a scattergun style, and this is no fun to do or to follow and see.

3.  Creating compelling content

So, you’ve been posting and creating content… but no one seems to be engaging or replying to you? 

It takes time to learn what works with your audience online, and when you add in the never-ending social media updates and algorithm changes, it’s no wonder creating compelling content is another huge content marketing challenge. 

Especially if you’re not talented in copywriting or design, and you’re learning as you go.

But that’s ok – here are some resources for you to learn how to create compelling content.

• FREE online course – social media content made easy. 
• Tips for attention-grabbing content on social media

Alternatively, if you need a professional to come in and work with your team to create an engaging content plan and show them how to keep it going, I run content workshops, which can be a great starting point to get all your staff fired up and learn the ropes. You can read more about this service here.

4. Generating ideas

If you’ve struggled with the common content issue of creating compelling posts and media, it might be because you’re feeling stuck with ideas and don’t know how to talk about your business in different ways. Remember, what’s boring or obvious to you is often interesting to your audience, as it’s a sneak peek behind closed doors. 

To get some much-needed inspiration, you can buy our digital marketing & social media content ideas notebook on Amazon for £5.99, to view click here.