Me too!
Confession time...I did this myself some in the past. Buying PLR content and using it "as-is" just to get a blog post up. Copying the content of others in my companies who were doing well in an effort to be like them. Not only did that not work...it's also stealing! Posting the same social media posts as others in my industry that were receiving lots of engagement in an effort to boost my engagement. Over the course of time, I learned that was not good enough and I have since raised my standards. The results have been undeniably positive.
Today, many affiliate marketing programs and MLM companies or teams actually provide their reps with SWIPE copy...copy they've created for use by their reps to market their business or product. Yes, you absolutely should use it. No you absolutely should NOT use it 'as-is."
Here are some tips on how to make your brand shine online...even in a crowded niche.
1. Target your ideal clients: When you market to everyone, you market to no one. You already know that. But also, most of the reps in your company or players in your niche are probably marketing too broadly. If you can narrow your market and target your ideal clients, you are already one step ahead of most other marketers. For example, I am a social media marketing coach. But I target entrepreneurs in my own age bracket specifically. We did not grow up on social media and it can be a bit daunting!
2. Emphasize your brand identity: The company I am currently part of has particular product that we all love. And so it is not unusual that we all promote it hard! To the point that now, when a new team member starts promoting, she gets encouraged to post what has become known as "the spoon post." Now there is nothing wrong with this post. It's technically a very effective post. The only problem is everyone is using the exact same post!
If your company has images or verbiage that you like, great! Use them! But tweak them to make them your own. Showcase your brand and your voice. It's still easier than coming up with something completely original and you will stand out because you are different.
3. Repurpose content: Did someone on your team post an awesome image quote? Share the quote on a different image or just post the quote without an image. Did your company just post some amazing content on their blog? Record a video highlighting the key points of the blog post. Or ask the author of the blog post to record an interview with you. Break the blog post up into smaller social media posts.
You can do the same with training you take or courses you purchase. Take that knowledge you have gained, put it in your own words and create a blog post. Break that blog post into social media posts. Record a video of you reviewing the highlights of what you learned. While most others in your course may not even implement what they learned, you will not only implement (because why wouldn't you!), you will use that information to create original, standout content!
4. PLR content works: If you use it correctly. Which means you have to do some revision to make it fit with your brand. Most legitimate PLR providers limit the number of copies they sell. But if even if only 500 copies of a particular article are sold, that's 500 people potentially posting the exact same content. By making some minor revisions, you can still reap the benefit of using PLR content without looking like a copycat.
Yes, you can use the replicated website and cookie-cutter posts and still make money. But if you want to really rise above all the marketing noise out there today, you have to set yourself apart. Then follow through and make those connections. Build those relationships.
Look like the Rockstar you are!
