Millions of people use the internet to search for solutions, answers, and advice of some sort every hour of every day - in other words, the web has become the primary source for information. For business owners, this trend and technological advancement has enabled another avenue to connect with consumers - information online.

Small business owners can start connecting with customers almost immediately as long as they have an internet connection. You don’t need a website of your own, you don’t need a blog, social media presence, or anything of the like - merely an internet connection … and even if you don’t, your library will suffice just fine.

Remember, Content is King!

To get started, consider the following three steps to creating valuable content for the consumer:

1. Research

First off, you need to get an idea of what information people are looking for online. Consider visiting social bookmarking sites, such as Digg, Reddit, and StumbleUpon to get an idea of what people are reading. Next, use your search engine to find what others might be interested in - consider using  phrases that your customer might use, such as plumbing tips, how to find a contractor, landscaping ideas. This will give you an idea of what’s published online, what people are reading, and what you should model your own content after.

2. Creating Content

Once you have a few ideas for articles or tutorials in mind, use a few sample articles online to model your own after. Consumers tend to levitate toward articles that include easy-to-read styles, including the how-to …, top 10 ways to …, and Easy ways to … articles. For example, consider the title of this article - did it compel you to learn more? What worked about it?

If you’re more of a speaker than a writer, consider putting together a pod-cast or video that you could submit to any of the video hosting sites, such as YouTube. Videos are the hottest thing on the web right now so if you can manage to create a few that help your potential customers with information they seek, you’ll start seeing aboost in traffic to your site (if you have one) and a boost in sales. The video doesn’t have to be high in production value - in other words, it doesn’t need a fancy intro, spectacular music, and exceptional title work - just you in front of the camera talking about your trade and helping customers by providing the information they seek. Again, videos can be made of tips, tutorials, or other material - just so long as they help your customer.

3. Publishing or Submitting Your Content

The last step in the process is to publish or submit your content for publication. A few ways to do this is to either start a website or blog of your own or create a profile with one of the many article directories (such as this one). You can easily create a free blog using WordPress or blogger, which allows you to post as many articles as you’d like - the more you publish, the better the chance you’ll connect with your customers and help them in some way.

Creating helpful content is is one of the most effective alternatives to expensive advertising campaigns a business owner can explore - consider these three steps your guide to reaching more customers, increasing your brand exposure, and attracting more business.

Further reading: 6 Ways to Position Your Business as a Valuable Resource