Content marketing has become an essential part of all great marketing strategies – and one trend that has emerged is the growing popularity of long-form content.
Long-form content is content that is typically longer than 1200 words and can include comprehensive guides, in-depth articles, and research papers. While some businesses may be hesitant to invest in longer content, there are several benefits to doing so:
Higher Search Rankings
One of the primary benefits of long-form content is that it can help boost your website's search rankings. According to a study by Backlinko, the average first-page result on Google contains 1447 words. This suggests that longer content is more likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). In fact, another study by serpIQ found that content with more than 2,000 words typically ranks higher in search results. · The Backlinko study mentioned earlier found that longer content was more likely to be shared on social media and generate backlinks, which are important for SEO.
Increased Engagement
Long-form content can also help increase engagement with your audience. According to a study by the Content Marketing Institute, 56 per cent of marketers said that longer content (1,200+ words) drives more engagement. This is likely because long-form content provides more value to the reader, and is typically more informative and comprehensive.
Improved Conversion Rates
In addition to higher search rankings and increased engagement, long-form content can also help improve conversion rates. According to a study by Curata, long-form blog posts generate NINE times more leads than short-form blog posts. This is likely because longer content provides far more opportunities to include calls-to-action and engage the reader in a deeper, meaningful way.
Increased Social Shares
Long-form content is also more likely to be shared on social media. According to a study by BuzzSumo, long-form content gets shared more than short-form content on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. This is likely because longer content is more informative and provides more greater value to the reader, making it more shareable on social sites.
Improved Brand Awareness
Finally, long-form content can help improve brand awareness. By providing comprehensive, informative content to your audience, you establish your brand as an authority in your industry. According to a study by the Nielsen Norman Group, users associate long-form content with higher levels of expertise, authority, and trust. This means that by creating long-form content, you can help improve the reputation of your brand or business, and establish a stronger relationship with your target audience.
Statistics on Long-Form Content
If you're still not convinced of the benefits of long-form content, consider these statistics:
* A study by Orbit Media found that the average blog post is now 1,269 words, up from 808 words in 2014.
* According to a study by BuzzSumo, articles with a word count of 3,000-10,000 words get the most social shares.
Long-form content is a powerful tool for improving your marketing strategy. By investing in longer content, you can improve your search rankings (SEO), increase engagement, improve conversion rates, and establish your brand as an authority in your industry.
Are you ready to start creating high-quality long-form content for your business? Contact us on (02) 9825 9600.
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