By now you are well aware of the value content marketing strategies have on your business. In order to have a successful online presence, you need to have a well-structured plan that is decisive and executed effectively.

Many companies make mistakes in their content marketing but there are solutions to help you be successful. A recent report by IMN illustrates the way content marketing is changing online. One-third of U.S. Companies are working to develop a formal content marketing strategy. But those that already have established content marketing plans increased from 28 percent in 2012 to 49 percent this year.

So what can you do as a small to medium-sized business? Create and curate content. Blog content. It is so important to stress the importance of a regular blog post. This means you should not only be active with your blogs but incorporate quality content that engages your target audience and offers some insight into your business.

Video. Believe it or not, video is now commonplace. Anyone with a smart phone not only has the ability to shoot video but to watch videos too. A good content marketing plan should include up to three video posts each week. Try to incorporate similar content as your blogs, making you an expert by adding information on your products and services.

Graphics and Photos. This is probably one of the most popular content types as far as social media goes. Infographics and excellent photos lend themselves well to developing followers and are shared and viewed more than others.

Curation. The largest percent of your content marketing strategy should be content curation within social media. Look for relevant and valuable content that will be helpful and interesting to your audience and post it.

So what are some common content marketing mistakes? Lack of Understanding. You cannot implement or even create a good content marketing plan without understanding your intended audience.

Forgetting Value. Instead of looking for that marketing message, plan on giving followers a selfless piece of you and your company. Always provide quality with content.

Consistency. Every day of every week of every month you must be consistent. No matter which channel you are involved in you need to deliver quality content.

Manage. You have someone that manages your day-to-day operations, right? The same can be said for your content marketing plan. You need to have the tools in hand to manage your plan including ways to track, share, and schedule content.

Do you think you are on the right track with your content marketing plan? Your brands change and companies often switch focus so contact us to get you on the right track and establish objectives and obtainable goals.