In the world of content marketing, where trends and memes change faster than your grandma’s Facebook status, creating content that remains relevant over time is like striking gold.
You’re not just chasing the latest social media challenge or hot take; you’re building a library of resources that people will keep coming back to, year after year.
This type of content is called “evergreen content.” Just like a sturdy evergreen tree that stays green and fresh through all seasons, evergreen content continues to drive traffic, leads, and engagement long after it’s published. Sounds amazing, right? But how do you actually create this magical, long-lasting content?
Let’s dissect it.
What is Evergreen Content?
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of creating evergreen content, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Evergreen content is content that remains useful, informative, and relevant for an extended period. It doesn’t go out of style or become outdated, and people can find value in it long after its initial publish date.
Think of it as “your regular black shirt” of content marketing: it always works, no matter the occasion. Some examples of evergreen content include:
How-to Guides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Product Reviews
Case Studies
Ultimate Guides or Beginner’s Guides
On the other hand, non-evergreen content is time-sensitive or trendy. Think about news articles, opinion pieces on current events, or social media challenges. Sure, they’re fun while they last, but they burn out quickly, leaving you with content that may not have long-term value.
Why is Evergreen Content So Valuable?
Before we get into how to create it, let’s explore why evergreen content is the MVP of your content strategy:
It Drives Consistent Traffic: Evergreen content continues to attract visitors over time. Whether someone discovers it a day after it’s published or five years later, it still holds value. And who doesn’t love a consistent stream of traffic to their site?
It’s SEO Gold: Search engines love evergreen content. Why? Because people are always searching for timeless topics like “how to bake a cake” or “best productivity hacks.” By creating content around these types of searches, you improve your chances of ranking higher in search results, giving you long-term SEO benefits.
It’s Easy to Update: One of the best things about evergreen content is that you can refresh it with minimal effort. A quick update to reflect recent developments or trends keeps your content fresh and relevant.
It’s a Time-Saver: Unlike time-sensitive content, which needs to be created and promoted constantly, evergreen content is like a long-term investment. Once it’s up, it can work for you for months, if not years, without needing constant attention.
The Secret Sauce: How To Create Evergreen Content
Now that we know why evergreen content is a powerhouse, let’s get into the good stuff: how to create it. Follow these tips to ensure your content remains useful and relevant, no matter what happens in the fast-paced world around you.
The first rule of creating evergreen content? Pick topics that never go out of style. Think about questions people will always have, regardless of the year or latest trend. Some ideas include:
“How to” Content: Whether it’s “How to Change a Flat Tire” or “How to Create a Budget,” people will always need straightforward, step-by-step guides.
Tips and Tricks: Share your best insider knowledge on something timeless, like “Tips for Boosting Productivity” or “Ways to Save Money on Groceries.”
Resource Lists: Everyone loves a good list! Whether it’s “Top 10 Free Marketing Tools” or “The Best Books on Personal Finance,” resource lists are content gold.
To find these topics, start by thinking about the core problems your audience faces, and ask yourself whether these problems will still be relevant five years from now. If the answer is yes, you’ve found your evergreen goldmine.
Evergreen content is most valuable when it’s actionable. People want to walk away from your content knowing exactly what to do next. Whether it’s a step-by-step tutorial or a set of best practices, make sure you’re offering advice that can be immediately applied.
For example, instead of writing a vague article about “The Importance of Sleep,” create a post called “10 Proven Tips for Better Sleep Tonight.” It’s practical, useful, and something people can act on right away. Plus, they’re more likely to bookmark it or return to it later for guidance.
While it’s tempting to get fancy and show off all your deep knowledge, evergreen content often performs best when it’s aimed at beginners.
Why? Because beginners are constantly entering your niche or industry, looking for foundational information.
Think of it this way: a person who’s new to fitness will always be searching for “how to start working out” far more often than a seasoned athlete looking for “advanced kettlebell techniques.” Create content that answers basic but essential questions, and you’ll have a steady flow of readers who find value in your posts for years to come.
Buzzwords and trendy language can make your content sound cool today, but they can quickly make it feel outdated tomorrow.
If your article is peppered with terms like “YOLO,” “lit,” or “on fleek,” you might cringe when you look back at it in a few years.
Similarly, using industry jargon can alienate a portion of your audience, especially beginners.
Instead, aim for clear, simple, and timeless language. Write in a way that anyone, no matter their background, can understand.
By avoiding trends and overly complex vocabulary, you ensure your content remains accessible to a broad audience for years to come.
Evergreen content needs to be credible and trustworthy. While personal stories and opinions can add colour, people turn to evergreen articles to find reliable, fact-based information. Make sure you’re backing up your claims with solid data and research from reputable sources.
This not only makes your content more valuable but also builds trust with your audience.
Remember to update your stats periodically. If your article contains facts or figures, set a reminder to check back and refresh them to ensure your content remains accurate. Even a quick update can extend the life of your post, making it relevant for even longer.
Visual content can enhance the readability and engagement of your evergreen content, but be careful with your choices. Avoid using memes, pop culture references, or images that might become outdated. Instead, opt for clean, timeless graphics such as charts, infographics, or illustrations that help explain your points.
For example, a diagram explaining the steps of a process or a chart comparing different options will likely stay relevant, whereas a meme referencing the latest viral sensation will lose its punch once that trend fades.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is essential for getting your evergreen content in front of the right audience. Research keywords that have a steady search volume over time, not just what’s trending right now. Tools like Google Trends or keyword research platforms can help you identify terms that have long-term relevance.
However, avoid stuffing your content with too many keywords, as this can make it difficult to read and may even get you penalized by search engines. Instead, focus on creating valuable, well-organized content that answers the reader’s query. If your content is genuinely helpful, search engines will reward it.
Even though evergreen content is designed to last, it’s not set in stone. Refreshing and updating your content is key to keeping it relevant. Every few months (or at least once a year), revisit your evergreen articles to see if they need any adjustments.
Maybe a new study has come out, or there’s a better way to explain a concept.
The beauty of evergreen content is that small tweaks can give it a whole new lease on life. If search engines see that
Creating content that remains relevant over time is one of the smartest strategies you can adopt for your digital marketing efforts. Not only does evergreen content bring consistent traffic, but it also helps you build authority, improve your SEO, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
Remember, trends may come and go, but evergreen content is the gift that keeps on giving.
So next time you’re brainstorming blog topics, consider going evergreen, and watch as your content continues to thrive, season after season.
So, we think now is the good time to go forth and plant the seeds of evergreen content!
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