Writing great content takes a lot of effort. It’s not something that can be done on the fly. That’s why having a plan before creating your content is crucial. The best way to create great content is to build your content around specific pillars.
These topics or themes you can focus on will help you create valuable, engaging content for your audience. When you know what your pillars are, it becomes easier to develop ideas for blog posts, social media updates, and other types of content. And when you have a solid foundation, your audience will appreciate the effort you put into creating great content.
What are Content Pillars?
| Content Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. How-to | Step-by-step guides teaching readers how to do something. |
| 2. Listicle | Lists of items with accompanying photos or videos. |
| 3. Personal Story | First-person accounts of events or experiences. |
| 4. Evergreen | Content that is always relevant, regardless of time. |
| 5. Newsjacking | Content that capitalizes on current events or trends. |
| 6. Seasonal | Content relevant only for a certain time of year. |
| 7.Inspirational | Content that lifts and inspires people. |
| 8. Educational | Content designed to teach something new or improve skills. |
| 9. Informational | Content sharing news and updates promptly. |
| 10. Cultural | Content reflecting company values and culture. |
Content pillars are the foundation of your content strategy. They are the topics you want to be known for, the areas of expertise you want to be known for, and the ideas and concepts you want to be known for. Your pillars should be closely aligned with your business goals and reflect your target audience’s needs and interests.
When developing your pillar content, think about what you want to achieve and who you want to reach. Once you clearly understand your goals, you can begin to develop topics and ideas that will support those goals.
The goal of your content to provide a structure for your content strategy and to help you focus your efforts on creating high-quality, relevant content that will resonate with your audience.
3 Types of Content Pillars
There are three popular pillars when creating content: the how-to, the listicle, and the personal story. The how-to is a step-by-step guide that teaches readers how to do something.
A listicle is a list of items, usually accompanied by a photo or video. A personal story is a first-person account of an event or experience. Each type of pillar has its strengths and weaknesses.
The how-to is typically the most comprehensive and objective, but it can be dry and difficult to read. The listicle is usually more concise and easier to consume, but it can lack depth and context.
The personal story is often the most engaging, but it can be subjective and unreliable. Ultimately, the best pillar type depends on the topic and the audience.
Evergreen, Newsjacking, and Seasonal Pillars
Consider these 3 pillar types in your marketing: the evergreen pillar, the newsjacking pillar, and the seasonal pillar. The evergreen pillar is a piece of content that is always relevant, regardless of time or season. For example, an article on making a perfect scrambled egg would be considered an evergreen pillar.
The newsjacking pillar is content that capitalizes on current events or trends. For example, an article on the best ways to stay safe during a pandemic would be considered a newsjacking pillar. Lastly, the seasonal pillar is a piece of content that is only relevant for a certain time of year.
For example, an article on making the perfect Thanksgiving turkey would be considered a seasonal pillar. By understanding the different types of pillars, you can better plan and create content that will engage your audience and achieve your business goals.
How to Develop Pillars
A content pillar is a comprehensive guide that explores a complex topic in great detail. It is usually several thousand words long and contains a wealth of information on the chosen subject.
Developing a content pillar can be daunting, but a few simple steps can make the process easier. First, choose a topic that you are passionate about and have a good understanding of. Then, research your topic thoroughly and organize your thoughts into a logical structure.
Next, write your pillar from start to finish, being sure to proofread and edit your work along the way. Finally, publish your post on your website or blog and promote it through social media and other channels. By following these steps, you can create a high-quality content pillar that will help you attract an audience and build authority in your field.
Why Develop Content Pillars?
Long-form pillar pages are the foundation of a content strategy. By developing different types of content pillars, you can ensure that all your content is consistent, targeted, and valuable to your audience. Pillar content is not about writing more blog posts or pumping out more articles.
It’s about understanding your audience’s wants and needs and then delivering helpful and engaging content. When done correctly, pillar content can be a powerful tool for driving traffic, building trust, and establishing your brand as a thought leader in your industry.
If you’re looking to take your content strategy to the next level, developing pillars is a great place to start.
How to Come Up With Ideas for Content Pillars
“Pillar pages broadly cover a particular topic, and cluster content should address a specific keyword related to that topic in-depth” – Hubspot
Brainstorm topics: The first step is to consider the most relevant and interesting topics to your target audience. What questions are they likely to have about your industry or product? What information would be most helpful to them?
Once you have a list of potential topics, try to narrow it down to a few key themes or topic clusters. These could be broad topics that you plan to cover in-depth or specific subtopics that fit under a larger umbrella.
Once you have your key themes, you can start brainstorming ideas for individual pieces of content. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, try thinking about different formats that could be used to cover each topic.
For example, if one of your pillars is “How to start a business,” you could write a blog post, create an infographic, or record a podcast episode. By brainstorming topics and considering different formats, you can ensure that your pillars are informative and engaging.
Find a unique angle or perspective on popular topics: If you want your pillar pages to stand out, find a unique angle or perspective on popular topics. Don’t just regurgitate the same old information that everyone else is already talking about. Look at things in a new way, and you’ll find new ways to engage your audience.
Sometimes, it’s as easy as identifying a target audience for your pillar post. Instead of creating a list of the best auto-dialers, create a comprehensive guide to the best autodialers for real estate agents.
Look for trends and news stories that could be ideas for pillars: There is always something happening in the world that could be turned into pillar content for your website or blog. Whether it’s a new product trend or a news story that’s captivating the nation, there is always an opportunity to produce fresh, relevant content that your audience will love.
The key is to be on the lookout for these trends and stories and have a knack for identifying which would make great pillars for your site. Once you’ve found a few potential candidates, do some further research and consider how you could turn each one into pillar content.
- What would be the main points of each article?
- What additional information could you include to make it even more comprehensive?
Keep your audience’s needs and interests in mind, and you’ll be sure to produce pages that are sure to engage and educate them.
Plan out a content calendar that outlines your pillar topics for the next few months or year: Once you have a solid understanding of your audience and goals, it can be tough to decide what to write about next. That’s where a content calendar comes in. A content calendar is a tool that helps you plan your writing in advance.
The writing stays on track, and you’re consistently addressing the needs of your audience. Plus, having a content calendar can help to ease the pressure of the blank page by giving you a roadmap to follow. So if you’re feeling stuck, try to sit down and map out your content calendar today. It might just give you the jumpstart to get your writing flowing again.
Experiment with different types of content, including videos, infographics, and podcasts: Content is everywhere. The articles you read online, the videos you watch on YouTube, and the podcasts you listen to on your morning commute. And while there’s no shortage of content out there, not all of it is created equal.
That’s why it’s important to experiment with different types of content to find what works best for you. Videos, for instance, are a great way to connect with an audience. They’re visual, engaging, and easy to consume. And while they may require more time and effort to produce than other types of content, they can be well worth the effort.
On the other hand, infographics are a great way to communicate complex information in a concise and visually appealing way. And podcasts are perfect for those who prefer to consume content on the go. So, whatever your preference, there’s sure to be a content format that’s right for you.
Example Content Pillars
A content pillar is a broad and popular topic for creating a large content body. For example, if you run a blog about fashion, your pillars might be “style,” “trends,” and “outfit ideas.” A Pillar Page is a comprehensive resource on a particular topic covering all the essential information your audience needs to know.
For example, a Pillar Page on “How to start a fashion blog” might include sections on finding your niche, building an audience, and generating income. A good Pillar Page is thorough, informative, and valuable to its readers. It should also be regularly updated to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of your audience.
If you are a real estate agent, you might create a content pillar around “The home-buying process.” This could include topics such as “mortgages,” “inspections,” and “closing.”
A dog groomer could create a pillar on “Dog breeds.” This could include sections on popular breeds, grooming tips, and breed-specific information.
As you can see, a content pillar can be anything that you feel would be helpful to your audience. The key is to choose broad topics to allow for a lot of content but specific enough to be of value to your readers.
A dentist might create a how-to guide for flossing teeth, and a lawyer might make a guide to understanding the basics of estate planning.
The possibilities are endless. So think about what your audience needs to know, and then start writing those Pillar Pages!
The 4 Pillars of Social Media Content
Four pillars for your social media strategy are essential: inspirational content, educational content, informational content, and cultural content.
Inspirational content is all about lifting people and helping them to see the best in themselves.
For example:
“You are never too old to set new goals or dream a new dream.”
“The sky is the limit. So shoot for the stars!”
“Believe in yourself, and you can achieve anything.”
This type of content is designed to inspire people and help them see the possibilities in their lives.
Educational content is designed to teach people something new or help them develop a skill. For example:
“How to tie a tie”
“The history of the Fourth of July”
“How to make a perfect scrambled egg.”
This type of content is designed to help people learn something new or improve their skills.
Informational content is all about sharing news and updates promptly. For example:
“Breaking news: XYZ company is shutting down.”
” XYZ product is recalled due to safety concerns.”
” New study shows that ABC can help improve your health.”
Cultural content is all about sharing your company’s values and culture with your audience. For example:
“At XYZ company, we believe in putting our customers first.”
“Our team is like a family, and we work together to get the job done.”
“We take pride in our work and always look for ways to improve.”
These pillars play a vital role in making social media a valuable tool for networking, self-expression, and personal growth. When used thoughtfully, social media can be a powerful force for good.
5 Valuable Tips for Writing Great Pillar Content
Now that you know more about this powerful type of content creation, it’s time to start writing your own.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Keep it organized: A Pillar Page should be easy to navigate and well-organized. Use headings and subheadings to break up your text, and make sure to include links to other related content on your site.
2. Make it comprehensive: A Pillar Page should be a comprehensive resource on its topic. Include all the essential information your audience needs to know. Cite sources, link to reports or case studies, and include images, infographics, or videos to break up the text and make your page more visually appealing.
3. Keep it updated: A Pillar Page should be regularly updated to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of your audience. Add new information as it becomes available, and remove outdated information.
4. Promote it: Once you’ve created a Pillar Page, promote it! Share it on social media, link to it from other pages on your site, and include it in your email newsletters.
5. Get feedback: Ask your audience for feedback on your Pillar Pages. What do they like? What could be improved? What other topics would they want to see covered? Use this feedback to improve your content and make sure you’re meeting the needs of your audience.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to writing great Pillar Pages that will help your audience learn more about your business and what you offer. So get started today, and see the difference that great content can make!
How Many Content Pillars Should You Have?
The number of pillars you have will depend on the size and scope of your business. A small business might only need a few Pillar Pages, while a larger business might need dozens. The key is to start with a few and then add more as needed.
How Long Should Pillar Content Be?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Pillar content can be as long or short as it needs to cover its topic thoroughly. However, in general, a Pillar Page should be at least 2,000 words in order to rank well in search engines and provide value to your audience.
What are the Four Content Pillars?
The four pillars of social media are inspirational, educational, informational, and cultural content. Each of these pillars plays a vital role in making social media a valuable tool for networking, self-expression, and personal growth.
What are Content Pillars for Instagram
These are the ideas, topics, or categories that make up the core of your content strategy. For businesses, these are usually based on their products, services, or brand identity. However, they can also be inspired by customer needs or trends in the industry.
What are 5 Content Pillars?
When it comes to content marketing, there are five key pillars that you need to focus on: audience, topic, format, voice, and distribution. Start by thinking about your audience and what kind of information they are looking for. Next, choose a topic that is relevant and useful to them. Then, decide on the best format for presenting the information (e.g. blog post, infographic, video). Next, consider what tone of voice will be most effective in communicating with your audience. Finally, make sure you have a solid plan for distributing your content so that it reaches your target audience. By following these simple steps, you can create content that is both engaging and effective.
