Table of Contents
In current age, the term “content” and “strategy” are loosely thrown around together while the writer behind them have little understanding of the two. Not only most of the content guides end up misguiding the readers, but also they provide no valuable core information whatsoever. Content types or levels are not tactics, but rather a category, which can divide the types and help one MAKE a content strategy.
In order to understand the basics of a strategy, one needs to understand the subjects properly. In this case, the content types and levels. In order to achieve an elevated content strategy, it is imperative to look at the aspects from above. In other words, get a bird eye view of the affairs surrounding the content. Zooming out on little intricacies can help you get a grasp of the bigger picture. However, without further ado, let us jump right into these types and levels of content.
Core
Core content is the type where you write text that serves your brand and your industry well. For example, the products you offer fall in the fitness category; so, the content you write must be in relation with lifestyle or fitness. Without the existence of a core content, a brand cannot survive. At least not in the current digital market where content marketing is widely considered the primary form of advertisement.
Therefore, the description of core content is relative and can be anything or can be adapted into any elements. This is why it is so important to keep this aspect in mind because it can help you create a viable strategy. For example, if you were going to make a website, run a blog and social media, then these three would be your core content facilitators. Therefore, you will need to make three types of core content: for website, for blog and for Facebook or any social media in this case.
Vertical
Vertical is the primary form of categorizing or the type of content in a bigger picture. For example, on Google maps, you find restaurants, ATMs, and even the nearest car-repair shop. They exist there because of their vertical content strategy. A vertical content category hosts a plethora of sub- categories, which recognize the brand or industry’s needs under a large umbrella. For example, create a page for Wikipedia and check the different type of disambiguation for the same keywords.
This Umbrella is what we call vertical content that then expands into a myriad of different content falling within the same industry covering many topics. Marketers often mention it as channels, like TV channels. Because they divide categories into many different sub-categories. One example would be, if you have a fitness blog, then your blog would have sub categories of exercises, diet plans as well as stretching or recovery related topics.
Franchise
Franchise content deals with media that is released on a recurring basis. Serving a particular theme or target, provided by a particular content curator. These come in all shapes and sizes, including monthly columns, newsletters or monthly releases provided by the bigger names like Marvel.
In regards with content strategy, franchises focus on expounding on the current customer base by providing them additional and compelling content. What this benefits is the fact that it can cultivate customer loyalty, as well as draw in new audiences.
Hub
A systematized centre of different type of content, which then forms it into a collective nature, is what we know as hub content. This type of content can be controllable guide, how-Tos, or blogs. By definition, even social media channels can be considered content hubs as they expound into mini sub-channels. However, what differentiates hub from vertical? Well, simple fact that vertical can comprise of multiple hub content categories. One of the most common implementation of Hub content in the digital marketing would be content resources for different types of businesses.
Conclusion
These are some of the most common content identification methods, types or levels, or call it what you will. Nevertheless, this is how many industry professionals categorize and separate different type of content and make strategy for each. Not only can this help you gain a wider sense of the market, but also help you make a viable and long-lasting marketing strategy.
