Social media Vs content marketing - the difference and how to get started

Social media and content marketing are often mentioned in the same breath, but exactly what are they and what is the difference between them?

Simply put, social media marketing is the use of social networking channels to allow users to create and share content to engage audiences and build communities around dedicated information and shared interests. Social channels are an essential tool for most businesses to connect with their audiences - it’s where your customers are active day-to-day.

Content marketing however, is the creation and sharing of specific material such as videos, blogs, webinars, articles, images, infographics, white papers, guides, surveys, facts, social media posts and much more. It does not directly promote a business’s brands, services or products but is intended to ultimately create value, interest, engagement and alignment with a brand, product or service.

Sales led messages don’t work

Audiences are smart and distrust or just ignore social media content that is purely sales led in its messaging and outlook. In fact, overtly sales led social content and messaging can often have the opposite effect driving people away from your brand rather than engaging with it.

Build relationships by being helpful

Sharing knowledge that is genuinely helpful by showing audiences how to do something useful, by being insightful or even provocative you can stimulate conversation and discussion and build engagement, alignment and trust. Very simply new, interesting, useful or entertaining content will draw audiences in and can engage them more effectively with your offer than sales led messaging will on social media.

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