With content marketing costing 62% less than outbound marketing and generating more than three times as many leads, you must find a way to share your expertise through the content you create.
As you know, there are THOUSANDS of great tools that can help you with content marketing. Having written over 1500 pieces of content, I have done my research and spent time and money testing out so many tools.
Regardless of your industry or skill level, the following 21 tools will help you share your expertise through content marketing in 2017, broken down into 8 categories.
Preparation
1. MindMeister
Mindmapping is one of the most successful ways to brainstorm ideas, and get everything down in a practical way. Use MindMeister’s basic free version to visually display all of your ideas.
2. BuzzSumo
To keep up-to-date with trending topics, and what is going on in your industry, check out BuzzSumo to give you the content marketing upperhand for 2017.
3. Feedly
Feedly is one of my favourite, and most-used tools on this extensive tool list. Feedly helps you research, and find content then save it in one central place.
4. Think Digital First Content Calendar
It wasn’t until I was at one of my Social Media Workshops, with a group of great entrepreneurs that I really understood the need for a content calendar.
One of the biggest questions I am asked as a business growth expert is around blogging, and how to create the perfect content for my audience. You can download my free content calendar here to help you plan your content.
Scheduling Content
5. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is my preferred content scheduling platform, and it is completely free of charge for up to three different social networks. Hootsuite integrates with Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
6. Buffer
If scheduling content at a specific time of day isn’t important to you, and you care more about posting WHEN your audience are most likely to engage with you, then buffer is the tool for you.
Audience Insights
7. Simply Measured Analysis Tool
Simply Measured has a free analytics tool that integrates with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ as well as Google Analytics. If understanding your social media audience is important to your business, then this tool will be great for you.
8. Facebook Audience Insights
Facebook audience insights tends to get overlooked by most businesses when measuring the success of content with their audience because they turn to other tools for answers. Facebook have this free, comprehensive insights tool so make sure you utilise this.
9. Google Analytics
Google Analytics is one of the best analytical tools that is not being used to it’s fullest potential by a lot of it’s users. Google have a great guide on using their demographic & interest tool which you can take a look at here.
Promoting Your Content
10. LinkedIn Pulse
Every blog I write, gets shared across all of my social media, as well as on LinkedIn Pulse. It is one of the best ways to promote your content, and engage with your audience.
11. Slideshare
If you deliver a lot of presentations like I do, you need to find somewhere to store these online that you can use for lead generation purposes. Slideshare is a great, free tool that will help you do this.
12. Openr
Openr allows you to connect with your target audience by sharing relevant content. Openr gives you the tools to share unique content through a pop-up window with a message and call-to-action.
Writing
The below tools are a mixture of tools that can help you write, and tools that you can use to find someone to write your content for you.
13. Outsourcely
If you are a start-up looking for someone to write content for you, take a look at Outsourcely. This tool will help you find great individuals that you can hire directly, and avoid paying any commission fees. Post your job for free, and connect with people from over 180 countries to help you create the perfect content.
14. Freelancer
For something more professional than Fiverr, take a look at Freelancer. You can find professional copywriters for a reasonable price to write content for you.
15. Readability Test Tool
This is a must-use tool for every piece of written content you share. Test its readability to make sure your content is giving your audience exactly what they are looking for.
16. Portent’s Content Idea Generator
If you find it hard to come up with a blog title, use this free tool to give you the inspiration you need for your next blog.
Photography
17. Canva
Canva has to be my favourite photo-editing and creating tool. There are two versions available; free, and paid but as a starting point, use the free version and it’s great features to create professional looking images.
18. PicMonkey
I have been using PicMonkey for a long time. It is a great photo editing tool. If you want to touch up an already existing image, or add text, Picmonkey is the tool for you.
19. PeoplePerHour
If creating images is something you struggle with, take a look at PeoplePerHour to get your visuals created at a small cost.
Videography
20. YouTube
Yes, YouTube is a video platform, but did you know that YouTube also have their own editing tool? Upload your video to YouTube, add text, transitions, images and more completely free of charge. This is a great option if you just want to do simple edits on your video.
21. Animoto
If you want to create a slideshow video of images, Animoto is a great tool to use. You can add music to the background, and create a video that looks extremely professional.
I hope the above 21 tools will help you share your expertise through content marketing. If you could choose just 5 content marketing tools, what would you choose and why?