Content marketing is challenging, but it’s also the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. What more satisfying way to market professional services than by writing from the heart? When you address the problems your readers experience with your own knowledge, experience and wisdom, you help others AND build credibility authentically.

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I do not believe in new year resolutions. And, I am not really convinced that goal setting, even marketing goals, is always the best thing, either. (Research has proven this.)

But, I do believe in strategy, clarity, planning and focus. Each year I pick a word, One Word to focus on. No matter what I am doing, I think about implementing that word, in every way I can.

For example, a few years ago my “one word” was “Care.” When I think about expressing care for my clients and readers, it shows up in the quality of my work:

• I care if my blog has high quality, relevant content that helps readers
• I care if I stay in touch more frequently with clients and offer to help them out
• I care if I reach out on social sites more often to share good ideas
• I show that I care when I ask more questions and listen better to friends and family

If I really do care, I want to get my marketing message heard by more people. It’s not about selling, it’s about being of service.

Last month Kris and I spent some time interviewing clients. We really wanted to know how we can best be of service. (Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the social media and content marketing channels available, especially in the always shifting future.)

What we learned is that while business continues to improve for our clients, their 6 big content marketing struggles are:

• How to get found
• How to grow readership
• How to start a blog
• How to blog
• How to use social media
• How to send out an electronic newsletter

What about you? Are these the biggest challenges you face with your content marketing?

If we weren’t able to connect with you, and you have other questions about content marketing, writing on the web, or creating an ebook, please let us know. Send us an email: patsi@writingontheweb.com or kris@writingontheweb.com

For the next few months, we’ll spend time focusing on these areas, and make sure that we can offer you good, useful information that can help you get found, get known, and get clients.

Oh, and happy new year, or as they say here in sunny Mexico, Feliz año nuevo!