Software program as a service (SaaS) is a rising business. Projections estimate that there will probably be 72,000 SaaS companies world wide by the top of 2024 — and that doesn’t embrace over 100,000 potential additions created by the sudden spike in AI investments within the final yr.
SaaS is a booming enterprise. However it’s additionally a crowded one. For SaaS entrepreneurs, it’s essential to understand the facility that content material can have to assist a tech firm stand out from the gang.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out what SAAS content marketing strategy is and what it takes to market a SaaS services or products successfully.
What Is SaaS Content material Advertising and marketing?
Earlier than we get too far into the main points surrounding SaaS content material advertising and marketing, let’s outline the time period itself. Content marketing, as a basic advertising and marketing software, consists of using numerous sorts of digital advertising and marketing content material to advertise a model.
Within the context of a SaaS firm, content material advertising and marketing is a long-term promotional technique. Usually, this type of content material advertising and marketing consists of prolonged, in-depth content material that promotes a B2B buyer journey. Over time, SaaS content material advertising and marketing helps to draw potential customers, educate them a couple of branded resolution to their downside, after which convert them right into a retained and completely satisfied long-term buyer.
SaaS content material advertising and marketing isn’t a “seat of your pants” type of advertising and marketing exercise. It requires considerate technique, assured implementation, and extended persistence if you wish to see optimistic outcomes and a great ROI.
What Advantages Does SaaS Content material Advertising and marketing Present?
As is the case with most content material advertising and marketing, there are some primary advantages that include growing SaaS content material. For example, when your content material is keyword-rich and hyperlinks to high-quality domains (in addition to your individual), it could actually increase your model consciousness.
Dominating SERPs for particular phrases and ideas can even improve model authority. These naturally result in larger income, typically at a fraction of the price of ongoing PPC (pay-per-click) adverts.
Together with these primary content material creation advantages, SaaS content material features as a crucial useful resource for end-users. As we’ll see additional down after we discover a few of the greatest methods to create this content material kind, SaaS assets are glorious academic instruments.
Additionally they assist with customer support, offering solutions and data to widespread questions. When a buyer is aware of they will make the most of your content material to seek out high quality solutions to their questions, it has the additional advantage of additional growing belief and constructing a stronger long-term connection together with your clients.
How Does SaaS Content material Advertising and marketing Differ From Content material Advertising and marketing for Different Industries?
As we already touched on earlier, SaaS companies and merchandise require a long-term content material advertising and marketing technique. This should deal with a decrease output of upper high quality content material the place each piece gives clear worth for the person.
This protracted strategy is because of the longer dedication that comes with shopping for third-party software program. The very last thing a B2B buyer needs to do is spend a bunch of cash on a SaaS software, put money into studying it, after which determine it doesn’t work for them. They may make every buy thoughtfully, and SaaS entrepreneurs ought to oblige with B2B SaaS content material that facilitates that journey.
One other difference that separates SaaS content material from regular content material advertising and marketing is the truth that, within the overwhelming majority of circumstances, a SaaS enterprise is promoting to companies. The B2B gross sales course of requires extra pink tape and other people concerned in making every resolution.
This will increase the size of the gross sales cycle, which is nice when you get a possible buyer to commit. Nonetheless, getting them to decide on your SaaS resolution within the first place is the large problem — which is the place well-crafted content material may also help.
The inherently complicated nature of a SaaS program additionally complicates issues. You aren’t promoting a pair of footwear. Even one thing like a vitamin complement would possibly require extra buyer schooling, but it surely isn’t sophisticated to interact with the product itself.
In distinction, even user-friendly SaaS enterprise applications can require a steeper studying curve. Additionally they evolve and are continually up to date, which suggests ongoing schooling is commonly required.
When a SaaS firm decides to create content material, it could actually’t be “simply one other content material cluster.” It have to be a selected and intentionally crafted useful resource that bolsters model consciousness and status and builds shopper belief at each step.
Suggestions for Doing SaaS Content material Advertising and marketing Effectively
It’s essential to develop a content material technique for SaaS advertising and marketing. Listed here are just a few tricks to be sure you find yourself with a stable technique.
1. Use the Proper Sorts of Content material and Platforms
A SaaS marketer can use just a few totally different content types. A typical weblog put up is an apparent selection. Nonetheless, you can too go into extra depth with a how-to video, a white paper, and even an e-book. This could possibly be was gated content material to drive electronic mail sign-ups and generate leads. It could possibly additionally operate as a cloud-based person handbook after the purpose of sale.
Social media can also be related, though you need to select the fitting platforms. The easiest way to do that is by finding a balance. Search for a couple of social channel the place your target market congregates. Simply be sure you aren’t spreading your self too skinny.
As soon as once more, use a third-party platform like social media as a cross-promotional software. Create content material distribution synergy by utilizing social posts to drive electronic mail sign-ups, reply questions, and push visitors towards your higher-value, on-site content material.
2. Put money into Excessive-High quality Content material
We mentioned it earlier than, and we’ll say it once more. SaaS content material must be prime quality.
That is simpler mentioned than executed, although. SaaS content material shouldn’t reply simplistic questions. It ought to dig deep into person questions and issues.
For example, use your content material to clarify how your software program works. Educational movies and long-form articles are nice for this. Key phrase analysis could make these simpler to seek out, too. Electronic mail advertising and marketing can maintain clients updated on the most recent software program patches and updates.
With every type of content material writing that you simply use, keep in mind to think about high quality. Why are you creating it? Is it offering worth to your target market?
3. Examine and Distinction
With so many SaaS corporations available in the market, you possibly can depend on competing corporations popping up on a constant foundation. SaaS advertising and marketing content material gives a wonderful alternative to distinguish your self from rivals.
When creating bottom-of-the-funnel content material, specifically, use that late-stage messaging to push your superiority. Emphasize worth propositions. Name out distinctive options and their advantages to the person. You get the thought.
4. Double Up on Buyer Service
Advertising and marketing content material all the time has the potential to double as customer support. It could possibly reply questions and supply self-service choices for current clients.
Nowhere is that this extra relevant than in SaaS content material advertising and marketing. As a high-quality type of content material, SaaS content material typically doubles as an ongoing useful resource.
It’s essential to maintain this in thoughts when creating the content material itself. Strive to not use terminology, dates, or different issues that may make a content material asset really feel dated rapidly. Purpose for evergreen options that may assist your clients for a very long time.
Selling SaaS Content material Appropriately
SaaS content material should present clear worth to B2B shoppers whereas differentiating your model from rivals. If you happen to’re struggling to provide you with a great SaaS content material advertising and marketing technique, you could need to work with a content marketing agency. At Relevance, we focus on utilizing content material as a foundational side of long-term development.
Whether or not you’re working with us or growing content material by yourself, although, be sure that to take action with a plan in place. That can give each piece of SaaS content material the possibility to have an effect as a part of your greater, long-term effort to advertise your digital services.