I used to think that the hardest part about being a content writer was being asked, “What do you do for a living?” It seemed that people thought there were only two ends to the writing industry. Either you were an esteemed journalist/author or a blogger writing about your feelings.

Fast forward to today, and blogging has a much higher position on the totem pole. In fact, 53% of marketers say that blogging is their top content marketing priority. And, it should be, considering that blogs are one of the most valuable and credible sources of information.

Content marketing will continue to be a strong, cost-effective way to improve brand reputation, increase social traffic and earn higher visibility on Google. Below I share my five favorite tips to help you become an even better content marketer.

1. Do the Proper Keyword Research

Some experts suggest focusing on quality content and not SEO, but they work in tandem. You should always produce content that your audience will find interesting and relevant. Keywords are there to help Google index your pages so they can be shown to the right audiences. Before writing a blog post, have a list of SEO keywords to implement. This way, you can include them where they sound most natural.

2. Do More Content Remarketing

Content remarketing can help you reach your goals. As you publish great content to your website, identify the people who come to your site often. You can do this using WordPress tags. Show these visitors your content to keep them updated on the latest news from your brand. The purpose of content remarketing is to re-engage visitors and bring them back to your site. Also, because these people have already liked and shared your content, they’re more likely to do it again.

3. Answer Critical Questions

When people begin looking for solutions to their problems, they generally start off by typing a question into the search box. Try to answer these questions with relevant, insightful advice. Content clusters work great for this purpose. To understand what types of complex questions your customers have, you’ll have to do some digging. You can read blog comments, social media posts and product reviews, or take a poll and ask your audience directly.

4. Back Up Claims with Research

It’s true that most readers only skim through blog posts, but helpful facts and statistics tend to stand out most. Plus, they add value to your content and prove that you’ve done your research. Always let people know where your facts are coming from. It’s important to give credit where it’s due and also have a source to refer back to if a reader has any questions.

5. Give Your Personal Insight

Content writers sometimes hesitate to speak their minds because they don’t want negative feedback. But, giving your personal insight is what makes your content your own. Some people may disagree, but as long as it’s done respectfully, it’s no big deal. In fact, it can open up healthy discussions that allow you to share more of your expertise, which is how you evolve into an industry leader.

Content marketing is rewarding because you get to learn about so many new things! Follow the tips above to produce content that doesn’t just sound great but is effective, too!