Content Marketing for Financial Services
As a financial services provider, you know how challenging it can be to attract new clients and establish your online authority.
In today’s world, consumers are bombarded with marketing messages on a daily basis.
It’s not enough to just “have a website.” That website needs to be put to work. You need to fill it with relevant, targeted, high-value content.
I’ve seen countless financial services businesses struggle in the digital advertising department for years – especially with content marketing.
You need to know:
- What to say and how to say it
- How to optimize content for search engines and readers
- Where to publish content
- When to update old material
You need a content marketing specialist.
By producing high-quality content that provides value to your target audience, you’ll be able to reel in clients and boost your online standing like never before.
In this blog post, I’ll explain why content marketing is essential for financial services businesses, the benefits it can provide, and how SEO Butler’s content marketing services can help you achieve your goals.
Want to take your financial service business’s online presence to the next level? Keep reading!
What is Content Marketing for Financial Services?
In a nutshell, content marketing is a powerful way to attract leads to your business by creating and publishing written and visual content online.
But it’s not enough to simply publish content and hope for the best.
Successful content marketing requires purposeful tailoring of your pages, videos and posts to your target audience, so they can discover you naturally, through something known as inbound marketing.
Consequently, interruptive outbound marketing strategies just don’t cut it anymore. That’s why it’s important to reach your audience in a more natural and engaging way, with content that resonates and feels tailored to their specific interests and needs.
If you’re providing valuable information and insights for free, you can build trust with your audience, boost conversions, and ultimately increase loyalty.
Who doesn’t love free bits of actually useful information that answers the most common search questions?
Your readers do – they’re waiting to discover you.
Through content marketing, you have the opportunity to show your audience how your products and services can solve their challenges. Helpful guides, product and service demos, and other types of content let you provide solutions to your audience’s pain points and establish your business as a go-to resource in your industry.
Common Content Marketing Strategies
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO, or on-site SEO, is the process of optimizing different parts of your webpages to rank higher on search engines and attract more traffic from search results.
This includes updating your page’s content, title tags, internal links, and more – psst… this is what we can do for you!
Search engines analyze on-page SEO signals and keywords to determine whether a page matches a user’s search intent. If the page is useful to the user, Google will display it higher in search results.
Now, you might be wondering: what’s the difference between on-page SEO and off-page SEO?
Well, on-page SEO is all about optimizing things within a webpage to improve its SERP performance. In contrast, off-page SEO involves optimizing things outside your site to boost your rankings.
For instance, backlinks are an important off-page SEO factor, along with social media and PR. We’ll get into the specifics below.
Both on-page and off-page SEO are crucial for a solid SEO strategy. Knowing how to use these techniques to complement each other is an integral part of a great content marketing service.
Why is on-page SEO so important?
Search engines use keywords and other on-page SEO elements to determine whether a page matches a user’s search intent. If a page is relevant and useful, Google will recommend it to the user.
When ranking pages, Google takes into account various signals related to on-page SEO – keywords, structure, internal and external links, and topical relevance are all examined.
Prioritizing this as a part of your content marketing strategy means that you’ll be rewarded with far more site traffic.
Even though the Google algorithm is always changing, Google’s goal is always to prioritize the user experience. That’s why they recommend focusing on “people-first content.”
In other words, creating valuable content that matches user intent is more important than ever.
Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO is all about optimizing things outside your webpage to improve your rankings in search results, and includes factors like backlinks, social media, and PR. Unlike on-page SEO, which focuses on things within your site, off-page SEO is all about building up your site’s reputation and authority across the web.
Backlinks
Backlinks are perhaps the most important off-page SEO factor. These are links from other websites that point back to your site, and these backlinks can be built via guest posting, competitor link building, and organically.
The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more authoritative your site looks to search engines like Google. This can do wonders for helping improve your rankings and driving more traffic to your site.
Moreover, when your content is shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, it can help improve your visibility and attract more traffic to your site. This is why it’s important to have an active social media presence and to promote your content on these platforms – more on this below.
Citations
Local citations are another effective strategy for building your website’s authority off-page.
Simply put, a citation is a mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number on a third-party website, such as a local business directory or industry-specific site.
When these citations include a link back to your website, it can boost your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your site. You’d be astounded to find out how much people value review platforms – they’re often the first contact a client has with your business.
To sum, whether it be through offering resources online, guest posting, or local citations, effective content marketing strategies can be instrumental in attracting and engaging audiences – targeted or not targeted.
PR
Finally, PR can also be a powerful off-page SEO tool. When your business is mentioned in news articles, press releases, or other media outlets, it can help boost your credibility and authority.
This leads to more backlinks, more social media shares, and ultimately, higher rankings in search results.
While on-page SEO feels like the most controllable element in your site’s ranking factors, off-page SEO is an essential part of any good SEO and content marketing strategy. You might write the perfect article for a subject, but if Google doesn’t consider your website trustworthy or authoritative, it still won’t rank.
By focusing on building up your site’s reputation and authority across the web, you can improve your rankings and attract more traffic to your site.
Social Media Marketing
In today’s digital age, businesses can’t afford to overlook the power of social media. This is where social media marketing (also referred to as SMM) comes into play.
Social media marketing involves using social media platforms to promote your brand and achieve your marketing goals.
However, it’s not as simple as just creating an account and posting content whenever you feel like it.
To succeed in SMM, you need a well-thought-out strategy that constantly evolves and has measurable goals. This means that it’s crucial to keep your social media accounts up-to-date and optimized to reflect your brand and resonate with your desired audience.
It’s also important to create engaging content that includes pictures, videos, stories, and live videos that capture the attention of your followers and potential customers. Moreover, responding to comments, shares, and likes, and monitoring your online reputation is crucial to building trust and credibility with your audience.
Building a community around your brand is another key aspect of social media marketing. This involves following and engaging with your followers, customers, and influencers, as it helps to create a loyal and engaged community that advocates for your brand and supports your marketing efforts.
Lastly, social media marketing also involves paid social media advertising. This allows you to target your ideal audience with your business ads, which can be a powerful way to increase your brand’s visibility and reach.
Combine these three, and you’ll pull in clientele like never before…
Combining quality on-page SEO, off-page SEO, and social media marketing strategies can do wonders for your engagement levels.
By optimizing your website, creating quality backlinks, and leveraging social media platforms, you can establish yourself as an authority figure in your niche, both in the eyes of potential clients and search engines.
This, in turn, will undoubtedly help generate more leads for your business, ultimately leading to increased sales and revenue. Your financial service or business must stay ahead of the curve, as you can implement these three strategies with stunning results.
How Content Marketing Can Benefit Your Business
Establish Authority & Expertise
By providing educational content that addresses your audience’s financial concerns and questions, you can establish yourself as an authority and expert in your field.
This not only helps build trust with potential clients, but also positions you as a thought leader in your industry.
For instance, you could craft blog posts that explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. You could produce content that provides tips for managing money or making smart investment decisions – whatever your clients are searching for, that’s what you need to be talking about.
By offering this type of valuable information, you can demonstrate your expertise and show that you truly understand your clients’ needs.
Furthermore, providing educational content can also help differentiate you from other financial service providers who may not prioritize this type of content.
By consistently pumping out high-quality content that is tailored to your audience’s needs, you can establish yourself as a go-to resource for all things related to personal finance, investing, or asset management.
Okay, so it’s just a matter of creating good content? Think again…
Content marketing doesn’t start and end with producing great content, however – it also needs to be promoted effectively. Social signals help your posts gain traction by acquiring likes, shares, comments, and responses.
These an important part of content promotion, as they signal to search engines and social media algorithms that your content is valuable and relevant to your target audience.
In other words, when people are talking about your business on social media, this only adds to their online presence and establishes your financial services as industry leaders – there is no better form of marketing than word-of-mouth.
Ultimately, establishing your authority and expertise through content marketing can lead to more referrals, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth.
When potential clients see that you are knowledgeable and trustworthy, they are more likely to choose you over your competitors. It’s a no-brainer!
Attract & Engage Your Target Audience
Tailoring your content to your audience’s specific needs and interests is an easy way to attract and engage potential clients who are actively seeking information about financial services.
For example, if your business happens to specialize in retirement planning, content that addresses common concerns and questions that people have about retirement is incredibly valuable.
Informative posts on subjects such as how to save enough money to retire comfortably or how to create a sustainable retirement income stream are a natural prelude to encouraging clients to schedule a consultation with your team.
In today’s fast-paced world, people don’t have time to waste. That’s why it’s more important than ever to prioritize your customers’ time and make it as easy as possible for them to access the information they need about your financial services.
Offering online resources can help you reach a wider audience beyond your local area, as people from anywhere in the world can access your content with just a few clicks. This can be especially important for financial services businesses that have specialized expertise or unique offerings that may not be available in every geographic area.
What if I’m struggling to show customers that my website is authoritative and trustworthy?
Gaining the respect and recognition of customers is an uphill battle that requires a great deal of effort, honesty, and transparency.
The big players in your industry already have a monopoly on Google’s SERPs because they’re seen as authoritative. Clients tend to buy from providers they know and trust.
It’s human nature to be skeptical of businesses or financial providers you’ve never even heard of, and gaining the confidence of brand-new customers is the hardest challenge faced by businesses of all industries in 2023.
But it’s far from impossible.
Building website authority and increasing traffic are long-term goals. There is no quick fix. Companies often balk at long-term marketing strategies because they represent a significant investment and short-term gains may be at a premium.
The thing is… you NEED to perform well on Google’s SERPs to stay relevant.
Content marketing for financial services is non-negotiable. It’s the only way to establish yourself as a trusted, authoritative voice in your industry and earn recognition from Google.
Standing Out From the Competition
With so many financial service providers vying for attention online, it can be hard to stand out. But by creating unique and informative content, you can differentiate your brand and establish a competitive advantage.
Content marketing allows you to showcase your brand’s personality and values, which can help you connect with potential clients on a deeper level.
By creating content that speaks directly to your target audience’s pain points and interests, you can capture their attention and position yourself as a go-to resource in your industry.
Content marketing can help you differentiate yourself from competitors by highlighting what makes your financial service unique. By sharing case studies, success stories, and other examples of your work, you can demonstrate your expertise and showcase your value proposition in a way that resonates with your target audience.
Moreover, as the financial industry continues to evolve, content marketing can help you stay ahead of the curve by demonstrating thought leadership and sharing insights on emerging trends and issues. This can help position you as a forward-thinking and innovative financial service provider, which can be a major differentiator in a crowded marketplace.
Fostering Brand Loyalty & Relationships
Content marketing is not just about attracting new clients. It’s also about retaining existing ones.
Provide ongoing content that adds value to your clients’ lives, and you can build strong relationships and foster a sense of loyalty. This can lead to more repeat business, glowing reviews, and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
For financial service businesses, this is particularly important. Clients often have financial needs and challenges that require ongoing support and guidance. By providing regular content that addresses these challenges, you can position yourself as a trusted advisor and build a deeper connection with your clients.
It’s as simple as, for instance, creating a blog series that explores common financial challenges and solutions. By providing valuable information and insights, you can help your clients feel more confident and informed about their financial decisions, which can lead to a stronger and more loyal relationship.
Ultimately, content marketing is about more than just promoting your products and services – it’s about building a community around your brand and providing ongoing value to your clients.
What’s the Value in Content Marketing for Financial Services?
As a financial services company, you may have noticed that the landscape has changed in recent years – especially if you’ve been in business for a while.
Thanks to the rise of the internet, customers now have access to a wealth of free information online, which means they are less willing to pay for financial advice than they used to be.
This can make it extremely challenging to attract new clients and grow your business. Stagnation and mediocre true business growth as very real possibilities in such uncertain times in the financial sector.
By providing free information that is relevant and valuable to your target audience, you can build trust and establish your expertise. Informative content can finish up with a CTA to schedule a consultation – your customers will be much more likely to turn to you for professional advice when you’ve already shown that you’re an expert in your field.
This can also help position your business as a go-to resource for financial advice and services, ultimately driving more traffic to your website, and increasing conversions and revenue. Positioning your brand is the name of the game in 2023.
Another valuable facet of excellent content marketing is the ability to cover emerging stories and topics in your sector.
For example, if there’s a major event in the banking sector, such as a bank collapse or merger (e.g. the Silicon Valley Bank collapse) your customers may be looking for information and insights to help them navigate the changing landscape.
People search heavily for current events. You can be the first to answer their questions.
If you provide this information in a timely and accessible way, you can position your business as a knowledge base and leader in the industry, helping to attract new clients and retain existing ones.
There’s no way I have time to do all this, though…
Of course, producing high-quality content takes time and expertise, which is where our experienced team of content marketers at SEOButler can help you.
We can work with you to create a content strategy that aligns with your business goals and speaks to your target audience. Whether you need blog posts, guides, sales pages, or other material, we can help you create high-quality SEO content that resonates with your audience and drives results for your business.
Reach Out to SEOButler to Learn More
At SEOButler, we understand the unique challenges facing financial service businesses in today’s digital landscape.
That’s why we offer a range of content marketing services designed to help you establish your online authority, attract and engage your target audience, and drive more business. From blog posts and buyer’s guides to guest posting and citations, we can help you create a tailored content marketing strategy that delivers results.