Is Your Content Marketing Strategy in a Rut?

Can you tell the difference between a rut and a groove in your content marketing program?

I recently heard a very powerful statement from a business owner of a $60 million company. There is very little difference between a rut and a groove. He was specifically speaking about pushing sales teams outside of their day to day routines to really make an impact. Since I live and breathe marketing, I immediately drew connections to how I conduct strategies and tactics and started thinking about how startup and expansion stage companies act.

In many cases, content marketing is all about thinking outside of the traditional marketing or advertising box and truly engaging with your customers through your content development efforts. So what is the difference between a rut and a groove? If you are in a rut, it may be easy to fall into the trap of doing what is needed just to get by. You do what you have to and you are still reaching and trying to pull yourself out. If you are in a groove, you are making an impact and working towards achieving your content marketing goals.

Ask yourself (or your team) these 5 questions to see if your content marketing is in a rut or a groove.

1. Have you spoken to your customers or prospects and listened to their feedback regarding your content development efforts? If not, you are in a rut.
2. Have you set clear, SMART goals against that which you are executing? If not, you are in a rut.
3. Do you execute the same things every week, hoping to see the dial move towards your goals? If yes, you are in a rut.
4.  Are you only talking or writing about your company, product, or services? If yes, you are in a rut.
5. Are you asking others for input on your efforts or other creative ideas? If not, you are in a rut.

So are you in a rut or a groove?