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Want to hear some pretty staggering stats? 

• Posting content with images can result in 650 percent more engagement than posts that only have text. Think about that: – 650 percent!
  
  
• Posts that include videos typically attract three times more links than the wordy-text-only versions. 
  
  
• Consumers are 85 percent more likely to purchase something after watching a product video. 

So if you're the type who believes visual content doesn't matter, or that it's not worth the money you'll invest in creating it, I urge you to read on, because if you're not taking advantage of all that visual content has to offer you (and your brand), you're missing out on a huge opportunity. In fact, according to HubSpot, infographics are shared three times more often than any other form of content. 

On that note, let's check out the top five infographics we saw in June. 

Inbound marketing is many things...but the one thing it's not? Simple. It's complex, multifaceted and, when done right, effective.

If you've wanted to implement inbound strategy but feel overwhelmed with where to start, here's a list of 26 (some of them are very simple) easy-to-do ways you can use inbound marketing to transform your reach and strengthen everything there is when it comes to your brand identity. Read on for our list of the best ways you can use inbound marketing to surge ahead of your competition. 

1. Develop Buyers Personas – This is, in a nutshell, the single most important aspect of inbound marketing. Buyer Personas are fictional representations of who your target demographic is. Once you have researched the age range, gender, specific problem they have, where they go for info (Facebook? LinkedIn? Pinterest? Google search?) you can then create and deliver content they would find useful. 
2. Define, then address, pain points – You'll start this process with your persona development, and you'll use it in everything you do. You don't want content that's just fluffy and shows "yay, you can create content!" You want content that's useful. So what's the main reason your audience needs you? Great! Now show them how you can help!
3. Personalize content – This is where your Buyers Personas become worth the time you invested in the process of getting them done. You know who your product or service is good for, and you know where those people are...now make sure your content is exactly what they need...and put it exactly where they go.
4. Use forms – Using smart forms on your site accomplishes two things. One, you gain valuable data and information about your customers. And two, you make it as easy as possible on them. Smart forms dynamically adapt to your user, displaying data and updating per their experience. Have they been there before? Filled out a form before? Capture more info and a better picture of who your customer is through the use of smart forms. 
   

If you're into inbound marketing even just a little bit, you should know the name Tom Fishburne. Founder and CEO of Marketoonist, which parodies the world of marketing in the form of comics, Tom delights with his creative take on various marketing ideologies and subtopics.

But of my many favorite Fishburne-isms, it's something he says in a recent CustomerThink interview that rings truest of all for me:

"The best marketing doesn't feel like marketing"

I couldn't agree more. In a world of research-at-our-fingertips and Google-searches-galore, consumers are savvier than ever. In-authenticity reeks, and brands that aren't true to their mission (or those who haven't taken the time to explore what their mission actually is) are going to have an increasingly harder time finding marketing that works.

Worse? Those same savvy consumers are also unforgiving. Making the wrong move with your inbound strategy could just mean the death of your brand. Don't get me wrong, we all make honest mistakes, and the brands who make them (and get caught), if they're smart, will own up and charge forward. But the brands who think they can scheme their way into the hearts and wallets of their consumers are in for a rude awakening. 

Marketing, inbound marketing, is about taking the time to:

• Understand your audience
• Think about how you can help them
• Figure out what problem you'll solve
• Create content that speaks to them
• Publish on a dependable schedule 

The wealth of knowledge available to internet users is nothing short of dumbfounding. You can literally, for better or worse, learn how to do anything online. It really is amazing.

But even with the plethora of information out there, finding valid and thorough content that’s actually useful and has purpose often seems overwhelming. I find I have my handful of “go-tos” who don’t let me down. Time after time, I trust I can search my good ol' standbys.

Say I have a question about content marketing – HubSpot has always got my back.

If I wonder “what time should I promote my blog across social channels?”…Social Media Examiner to the rescue.

Wonder what Google’s up to these days, or what all that hype about “Mobile-First” really means? Hey, Search Engine Land! 'Sup, Moz?!    

My point? Unless you have your own trusted go-tos, it can be a long, lonely trail of uncertainty. And in the abundant dark abyss of the web, we don’t always have the time to seek out our answer (let alone TRUST what we find).

You could spend hours looking at page after page of search results, and not really be sure about the advice you’re getting. It can be frustrating.

At Flair, we pride ourselves on the content we put out there – you know that if it has the Flair stamp of approval, you can trust it.

Our marketing library is chock full of resources intended to help you become better.

• Better at digital marketing
• Better at social media
• Better at designing (or redesigning) your website
• Better at SEO
• Better at lead gen
• Better at analyzing your metrics to see what’s working (and what’s not!)

Content marketing is a commitment, not a campaign. 

How totally (and for some, dauntingly) true is this?! So often (too often, really), we get the same push back when it comes to content marketing.

“We tried. It didn’t work.”

My response, every. single. time. I hear this?

“OK…I understand. I really do. Would you mind sharing a bit more about how or what you tried? What did you do?”

And, it never fails. I get the same answer, time after time.

"We blogged for [insert any length of time…a month, a quarter, a year] and nothing happened."

And there it is. I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it a thousand more times – content marketing is NOT a set it and forget it project. It’s a commitment. A dedicated, consistent, concerted commitment to so much more than just writing and posting a blog. To successfully create and implement a content marketing strategy (that WORKS), you must be willing to do it all.

Have you been staying on top of the latest trends and news in the world of content marketing lately? Summer is a busy time, we know. The team here at Flair Interactive has gathered the top five content marketing news updates for this week, so read on to get your fill of industry news. 

1. How do you set smart SEO goals for your team/agency/project? - Whiteboard Friday (Moz)

When it comes time to make SEO goals for your company, project or otherwise, are you gung-ho to get right in there and start crafting your actual SEO goals right off the bat? If that's the case, you're doing it wrong, according to Rand Fishkin on this Whiteboard Friday from Moz. He recommends a different approach that he explains in this blog. 

Infographics are an engaging, easy way to spread your wealth of knowledge and cement your place as a thought leader in your industry. They're bright, visual, eye-catching...everything you've been looking for when it comes to a fresh way to share content. Frankly, we love them. Check out our faves from the month of May 2018. 

1. Six Important Points About the State of B2B Content Marketing [Infographic] (MarketingProfs)
   Most B2B companies are finally on board in terms of knowing they need to use content marketing as a strategic, warranted part of their marketing efforts, but many still aren’t quite sure what works best in the world of content. This infographic breaks it down plain and simple – everything from the roles different content formats play, to the impact on lead generation, to planning for success - if you’re a B2B with questions, this infographic’s got you covered.
   
   

2. How to Enhance Your Content by Building Infographics with These 12 Tools (QuickSprout)
   Love the idea of infographics, but aren’t sure where to start? Feel like the cat’s got your design tongue? With any one of these 12 tools, you'll run out of excuses on why you aren’t creating infographics faster than you can say…well…infographic. A dozen cool (and even some free) easy-to-use tools that will let you say “adios, designer” and start making award-worthy graphics any time the inspiration strikes. 

They say it takes a village. And nowhere does that apply more than when it comes to your content. Anyone who has managed their own digital presence will agree…just doing it at all is no small feat. Doing it well takes grit and diligence.

So whether you have a dedicated marketing team, or if you’re fighting the good fight alone, most of us can agree that any help is welcome help.

Luckily, in today’s digital age, help is out there and readily available. So don’t reinvent the wheel…take advantage of what’s there for you.

What's that? You say you don’t have time to weed through the hundreds of pages of sites claiming to make your content the best it can be?

Don’t you worry…we’ve got you covered.

Check out our current list of top five resources we can’t blog without.

There's no denying that in today's digital age, brand marketing and content go hand in hand. After all, content is king...

But remember, content can include all of the following:

• pages on your website
• blog posts
• social media posts
• premium downloadables
• apps
• games
• videos
• much, much more

Check out these not-to-be-missed marketing events in June. 

What? SearchLove: Boston

When? June 7-8, 2018

Where? Boston, MA

Focused on current data/research for analytics, content, search, site optimization and more, SearchLove Boston is two full and inspiring days with leaders in the industry.

What? SMX Advanced

When? June 11-13, 2018

Where? Seattle, WA

An exclusive gathering just for experienced search marketers, SMX Advanced is chock-full of fast-paced, informative sessions that will up your search marketing game.