Tag: Blogs

What is Content Marketing and Why Does It Matter?

A close-up shot of a laptop and a person's hands typing on the keyboard, used to describe content marketing.

At Open Communications, we don’t just churn out words and hope they stick. We create the right content, for the right audience, in the right places, and we make sure it does the heavy lifting for your brand.

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what “content marketing” means, why businesses invest in it, and what it could do for you, here’s our straight-talking approach.

 

What is content marketing?

Think of content marketing as the long game in your communications strategy.

It’s not about shouting “buy now” at anyone who will listen. It’s about building a genuine, lasting relationship with your audience so that when they need what you offer, you’re the first name they think of.

It involves creating and sharing press releases, videos, social posts, podcasts and other materials that:

  • Build trust in your brand.
  • Show your expertise.
  • Keep your audience engaged.

The overarching goal? To encourage action – whether that’s making a purchase, sending an enquiry or simply seeing you as a go-to source for insight and information.

The key thing to remember is this: it’s not about filling space online. It’s to make your audience want to hear from you, while also keeping them coming back for more.

 

Why does this matter?

Today’s audiences are savvy. They can spot a hard sell from a mile away, and most will scroll right past it. Content marketing works because it focuses on value first and sales second.

That value might come in the form of a blog that answers a question they’ve been Googling, a social post that makes them nod in agreement, or a video that explains something complex in a few simple steps. Sometimes it’s a podcast that offers a fresh perspective from someone they respect.

By consistently sharing helpful, relevant and more importantly, engaging content, you’re doing more than just selling. You’re building credibility, showing you understand your audience’s world, and proving that you have the expertise to help them. Over time, this positions you as a trusted source – and trust is the foundation of every successful customer relationship.

 

What does it include?

When we work with clients on content marketing, we don’t just start typing. Every piece of content has a clear role in a wider plan.

That means considering elements such as:

  • Keywords – so your content gets seen by the right people at the right time.
  • Messaging – keeping your key points clear, consistent and memorable.
  • Tone of voice – so your brand personality comes through across every channel.
  • Call to action (CTA) – guiding your audience on what to do next without being pushy.
  • Positioning statements – making it clear where you sit in the market and what sets you apart.
  • Talent – sharing insight and experiences from the team through thought leadership articles and comment pieces.
  • Evidence of expertise – case studies, statistics, and examples that strengthen your authority.
  • Third-party contributions – trusted voices that boost your credibility even further.

It’s a joined-up process. Whether we’re writing thought leadership articles, case studies, or social campaigns, every piece of content reinforces your brand and moves your audience one step closer to you.

 

Why we offer it

The reason is simple: it works.

A strong content marketing strategy delivers value in a way that a one-off sales pitch can’t. It builds relationships, it gives people reasons to trust you, and it helps them remember your name.

We also know that not every business has the time or headspace to keep content fresh, relevant and effective. That’s where we come in. We work as an extension of your team, getting under the skin of your brand, so every piece feels genuine and on point.

As an agency that specialises in PR, social media and multi-media content, we make sure your message doesn’t live in isolation. Instead, it’s part of an approach, a complementary set of tactics that promotes your business, giving you consistency and impact across every channel.

 

Why not just write it yourself?

After all, anyone can put pen to paper.

But… producing effective content is about more than just writing well. It’s about knowing what will resonate with your audience, structuring it so it’s easy to read or watch, and optimising it for search without losing its human touch.

It’s also about maintaining consistency across multiple channels and formats, making sure your tone, messaging and quality don’t slip. And crucially, it’s about tracking what’s working and adjusting your plan accordingly – something that doesn’t happen overnight and takes time and a strategic eye.

When you work with professionals, you’re not just outsourcing the writing. You’re bringing in the experience, perspective and know-how to make your content work harder, and freeing yourself up to focus on running your business.

 

Our approach at Open Comms

Let’s be honest – content marketing can sometimes feel like a lot of noise.

That’s where we come in.

We cut through the jargon and focus on creating content that actually makes a difference for you and your business. For some clients, that’s blog posts that keep them front of mind. For others, it’s social media content that sparks conversation, thought leadership that positions them as experts or multimedia pieces that stop the scroll.

We don’t do “one size fits all”. Every client is different, so every strategy is tailored. But what is the same is that we get to know your business inside and out – your challenges, your goals and your audiences – so we can create content that genuinely connects.

 

The bottom line

Content marketing isn’t about filling space or ticking boxes. It’s about making meaningful connections, showing off your expertise and building trust over time.

Done well, it can:

  • Attract new customers.
  • Strengthen relationships with existing ones.
  • Position you as a leader in your field.
  • Support your wider marketing and PR activity.
  • Secure sales.

What’s more, PR and marketing will deliver results you can actually measure, helping your business grow over the long term.

 

Let’s talk content

If you’re curious about how content marketing could work for your business, we’d love to chat. We’ll put the kettle on (biscuits are on us!) and talk through how we can help you connect with your audience, share your story and deliver results.

At Open Comms, we don’t do air kissing, but we do offer straight talking, creative thinking and a content marketing strategy that works as hard as you do.

Get in touch with us today.

Considering a career in PR

Tileyard North where Open Comms is based in Wakefield

In July, Charlotte Woods came to Open Comms for work experience. Although she didn’t have long at the agency, she took the time to write a blog about her thoughts on a career in PR. Find out more about her experience and what she thought of agency life below. 

Where do I see myself in 20 years? One thing that has always fascinated me is consumer behaviour and how brands become successful. As I grew up, I learned to understand that the key to this success is all about how a brand is marketed, and how a relationship is developed between these companies and their buyers.

This is where PR comes in: an ever-developing industry that allows for creative freedom and encourages the use of imagination in a strategic way to increase audience reach.

As an A-level student, I currently study English literature, Psychology and Media studies – all of which I find to be very stimulating and ingrained with a sense of individuality. These subjects allow me to consider the nature of existence across three different sectors, across different time periods and across different cultures.

Public Relations combines elements of Psychology: delving into how people (especially buyers) think, perceive and process information; English literature, in that creativity and the ability to critical think are valued attributes in PR, with words being a key form of expression; and Media, as studying the contemporary social climate in terms of social media and digital convergence is more prominent now in the PR sector than ever before.

The skills I have gained from my studies thus far have not only set me up well for a career in marketing but have attracted me to the industry.

Behind the scenes

Following a short placement the Open Communications, a PR agency in Wakefield, I had the chance to put some of the theory I had learned into practice.

From my experience, I have come to understand the calibre of skill that is required to be successful within such a competitive, fast-paced position.

The variety of clients across a broad range of industries is something new to me and the versatility of the companies that are marketed by Open Comms ensures that no two working days are the same, with plenty to be busy with.

The diverse nature of the world of marketing ensures that there is always an opportunity for continuous learning, whether this is being exposed to new tools, trends or platforms, such as TikTok.

I do, however, love to learn new things and thrive when doing so, so this felt like a good fit for me.

Building a high level of necessary, relevant skills associated with marketing is very much a product of the environment. The results achieved by the team at Open Comms showcases the benefits of such a relaxed, friendly work environment, which is also an ideal space for creative freedom and general wellbeing.

Communication, being a crucial part of a job within PR, is something that is very effectively done at Open Comms. During my short time here, I have witnessed the productive use of different tactics to deliver a desired outcome.

It is through my experience here that I have come to appreciate the creative talent and flare that this role requires, and it is from the struggle I faced when trying to complete a plan for a client’s social media accounts that I fully understand the key skills involved within this sector – most notably the creativity aspect.

Exploring my options

As I consider the future, contemplating different University options and potential courses (although I am leaning very much towards English Literature), I must consider the final goal and desired outcome, both in terms of career aspirations and general life goals.

I can very much see myself working in an environment such as this one provided at Open Comms, although I cannot be certain that the industry will look the same in five or ten years’ time.

This is both an advantage and disadvantage of working within the PR sector: It allows for flexibility that cannot be found in many other roles, and this means that you never feel stuck doing the same thing each day. Conversely, with the rapid growth and introduction of AI, a degree of uncertainty surrounds the future of PR and how the roles will adapt to this new concept.

So, where do I see myself in 20 years? Hopefully with a degree, a house, a family all on the back of a successful career whether this be in public relations or not. If I do choose this career path, I will embrace the teamwork, creativity and flexibility, and if I do not, I will certainly carry forward with me the knowledge and skills I have learned, both from my studies and from my experience at Open Comms.