If anyone knew the magic formula to predict when you will see your content marketing results, I’m confident the Internet would know about it.

But, you probably don’t want this article to start without exact prediction so let’s say 6 to 9 months until you see content marketing results. Now, let’s be more honest and say ‘it depends’, because sometimes it is the only true answer.

Being realistic with content marketing expectations is important both for your business and your sanity, otherwise you will lose focus and never get to where you are going. Again, it’s a patience game.
Now that we are done with philosophy part, let’s focus on facts.

Here are essential things that your content needs to have for you to be able to market it the right way:

Quality, relevance and type of content. Creating a well written, easy to read post can have a great impact. Being relevant is always important so if you are writing about content marketing, you need to follow the newest surveys and research so that your audience gets all the important information.

Why Content is the Most Important Thing on Your Website

Amount of content you create. Quality content takes time to make, but don’t take too long. Writing more that 16 posts per month can result in better SEO results that writing 4 posts or less on your page. Basically, don’t be to productive or too lazy.

THE ULTIMATE LIST OF MARKETING STATISTICS 

Distribution of content. Content marketing is… well, content marketing. You have to market what you write in order to see results. Spread your net over social media accounts to get the best results.

How to Build a Perfect Content Distribution Strategy

During the first six months, you should see results like:

• Increased traffic
• An increase in the number of backlinks
• Higher rates of social sharing
• A spike in PR mentions

And over time, you will see other benefits such as:

• Sustained traffic increases
• Higher search rankings
• Increased and sustained lead volume
• More conversions

While content marketing results can be very hard to predict, do your part to make it easier.

Since you are the one setting goals, make sure that they are realistic. Expecting to have a million visitors to your website is not one of them. On the other hand, it can be a long term goal. The time that you spend marketing your content and the money you spend doing it is also under your complete control. Keep the ship tight!

Don’t trouble yourself with aspects of business you cannot control – marketplace, economy and the moves your competition makes. It will drive your focus away from what you are doing and bring bags of stress with it.

Quality and value that you deliver to your customers will result in growing audience over time if you work using a smart strategy. Know that what works for some companies may not work for yours, so be your own man while consulting and following some general rules (the more quality content you create, the more people will want to learn, read and share it).

Follow your results carefully and don’t be afraid to shake things up if you are not happy with what you see. If your traffic is going down for few months, change the strategy.

Content marketing results may not come fast, but once they do, all the trouble will be worth it.

What is your opinion on this?