Different Types of Long Form Content

Written by Kate Tueller, Isabelle Power, Shilo Vanderlinden, Felicity Keys, and Emily Klinke

Case Study Description: This article is for creators who are seeking to understand the different types of long-form content and the benefits of using them. It gives a brief glimpse of some of the most popular types of long-form content and how they can be repurposed and utilized in content marketing. Each member of our group focused on one or more different forms of long-form content and assisted in the editing, design, and the writing of this article. We made a video, took pictures, made infographics, and created several social media posts based on the article’s content.

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Long-form content is all around us. No matter what website you are on, there will most likely be some kind of long-form content involved. You may be wondering, what is long-form content, and how do I create it? Long-form content is defined as, “content that offers a lot of information and/or great depth of information on a given topic.” ₁It is content that, once you create it, can be repurposed in other ways. The reason you see it all over the web is because of how effective it is! 

Let’s get into some specific types of long-form content and how to create it. We will cover six different types including: podcasts, YouTube Videos, eBooks, infographics, presentations, and blogs.

Podcasts

There are more people listening to podcasts than ever before. In fact, the amount of American listeners has increased by 120% in just the past four years. To put that into perspective, BuzzSprout claims that “90 million Americans listen to a podcast every month”. 

So, why are podcasts so popular? 

Podcasts provide easy access for entertainment and information. Listeners can tune in while performing a wide variety of tasks; from cleaning the house to working out, people have plenty of time to listen to your content. Not only are listeners able to multitask, but 

podcasts provide them a break from their screen and acts as a unique source of information. 

Megan Kay Miller, a popular host on Ocultor said this regarding podcasts, “I love podcasts because I feel like it’s a perfect way for people to learn with a busy schedule. They’re also personable! You have actual voices talking and joking, so it’s more engaging. I personally enjoy making my podcasts because it’s a great way to talk about

things I love, which I would already be doing anyway, but now I have an excuse! I can share that fun information with other people who are interested and make their days a little brighter.” 

Like Megan said, podcasts are a great way to connect with people. You can tell stories, recount experiences, and share useful information that can make a big impact on someone! If your goal is to have an impact on people, podcasts can be a great tool. 

What are the benefits to creating a podcast? 

Creating a podcast will help you grow loyalty and credibility. Like mentioned before, podcasts can be long; they allow you to tell stories and share a lot of information and people really will listen! Your podcast can leave a large impact. It’s also a great idea to create podcasts because people love seeing your brand on a variety of different social media platforms. Again, they will see that you’re credible. Because there are so many different ways to take your podcast and repurpose it as long-form content, it will be well worth it. Creating a podcast will open up the possibilities for ready to use content.

A great example of a podcast is called, “Office Ladies.” Two actresses from the famous TV show “The Office” break down episodes and give behind the scenes stories via podcast. This particular podcast is extremely successful because of how popular the TV show is. After the show ended, the fans wanted more. This podcast has been extremely admired because it gives new life to familiar episodes and is a perfect medium for this kind of information. Listeners who already know and love these actresses and all the stories behind the TV show, really enjoy listening to them tell stories. That’s why podcasts are so powerful: unlike a couple sentences on Twitter or a single picture on Instagram, a podcast allows you to tell your story. It will be coming straight from you, with your voice and your personality; and that is something that people love: authenticity.

How can I create long-form content from my podcast? 

Repurposing the content you create is so valuable. If you can create one item of content, like a podcast for example, taking it and using it in different ways will save you time, money, and even help you reach more people. There are so many different ways to use your podcast as part of a marketing plan. Taking the audio from your podcast and creating an audiogram is a great way to get people’s attention on visual social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. Posting your transcript from your podcast is another way to help reach people who may not listen to podcasts, or who may want to go back and read over certain parts from your episode. Another idea is to video record as you create your podcast and post that video on social media. Below is a chart that simply displays these ideas on repurposing your podcast.

YouTube

Why is YouTube so popular? 

YouTube is one of most well known forms of long-form content because people of all ages enjoy the videos on this platform. Some people who do a great job of creating long-form content are The Bucket List Family, Pwediepie, and vloggers like Zoe Sugg. Sugg has an impressive 4.8 million followers and stated, “The joy of YouTube is that you can create content about anything you feel passionate about, however silly the subject

matter.” It is also easy to appeal to all content enjoyers on this platform because the options for creation are unlimited. 

The Bucket List Family is a great example of this form of content because they focus on the quality of their content. The videography is eye catching and the subject of their videos are intriguing because most people will not be able to go on the amazing adventures that this family does. Because they focus so much on the quality of their content the viewer is engaged the whole video, no matter the length. 

How do I create a successful YouTube video and channel? 

1. Start with a plan on what you want your brand to be– You will be able to gain more subscribers if you create content for one audience group. 

2. Make sure you make a visually appealing video– camera quality, lighting, and a non-distracting background are key.

3. Act natural as you are filming, do not be stiff, awkward, like a robot, or sound too rehearsed. People want authenticity. 

4. When editing your video, edit out all of your filler words (um, like, so, ect.) and add some royalty free music. 

5. Make sure your caption supports the content you have created. 6. Post it to YouTube! 

In order to demonstrate how simple yet effective creating a YouTube video can be, we created one of our own for demonstration. The following video shows how to make your own celery juice! How to’s can be a great theme for a YouTube video.

How to make long-form content from YouTube: 

Below is a chart showing some ideas on repurposing your YouTube video.

What are the benefits to creating a YouTube video? 

YouTube is a great platform to be able to grow a following and grow your credibility. The more credible you become, the more people will trust your opinion and what you are sharing. You can also put in a plug for your other social media profiles, blogs, or other sites in your video to expand your reach. 

eBooks

eBooks have been around for a while but have only caught on in popularity within the past 10-15 years or so. eBooks were created to make things easier and more convenient for readers. (Here’s a link to the history of eBooks if you’re interested.) 

eBooks give readers the freedom of reading in whatever way works best for them. Although people normally think eBooks are a way to read their favorite book online, they can be so much more. eBooks make things much simpler when it comes to marketing and reaching a tailored audience. If you have a lot of information to give your audience, eBooks can be a good platform to show your credibility on a given topic.

Robin Kastengern, a content marketing blogger says, “The main benefit of an ebook content marketing campaign strategy is establishing your reputation online. You want to be an industry leader and a knowledgeable expert who readers can trust to solve their problems. When you offer an ebook to your readers, they can see that you’ve literally written the book on the subject and this will help establish and solidify your status as an authority in your industry.”

eBooks can be a great way to show your audience your expanded knowledge on a particular subject and can become a reliable place for them to turn to. There are many benefits to creating eBooks as another source of content to catch your audience’s attention.  

What are the benefits to writing and sending out an ebook?

eBooks provide an easy way to access information at any time and can be useful when you are creating content for yourself or your company. Uploading your eBook to your website gives your audience or customers the opportunity to subscribe with their email, opening up the door to give them more of your content. Making reliable information available for your audience, at just the touch of their fingertips, makes it easier for your audience to search keywords and topics. This will increase the likeliness of them coming back for more information as well as looking into using or buying your services.  

Down below we will discuss topic ideas on what to write your eBook about. 

What to write an eBook about:

So, you want to write an eBook to promote you or your company but you’re not sure what to write about? No worries, you’ve come to the right place! We have a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing and to spark some inspiration.

Before you decide on a topic, make sure to consider who your audience is and what would be of interest to them.

5 Simple Topic Ideas to write your eBook about:

1. How to— Writing a “How to” guide on something you are well informed about is a great way to establish your credibility with your audience. Most people tend to enjoy learning how to do new things and being able to do things on their own. Teaching people how to acquire new information or a new skill is always going to strike some sort of interest. Click here for an example. This book by Joanna Penn teaches you how to go about writing a book and how to use different marketing tactics on your audience. 

2. Step by step guide– Creating a step by step guide can be really helpful for people who want to learn a new skill or to become more informed about a topic. When you can break things down in a simple, easy to follow process people can better understand what you’re trying to teach.
3. Things you should know— Creating a list of topics or skills that your audience should be aware of is a great way to show your knowledge on a subject and establish credibility with your audience. People like when they are being helped in a positive and creative way. Click here for an example. This eBook is a great resource for those looking to learn or improve their own content marketing. 

4. History— You can even write up a history about your company or your background. This can be helpful in connecting to your audience on a more personal level. Such a history can show the hardships you or your company have gone through to get to where you are now. Showing a little bit of vulnerability can help others connect to you on a deeper level. 
5. Common misconceptions— Addressing some common believed (untrue) theories or misconceived ideas about your company or a popular topic can be very intuitive. You can state the untrue facts and then share the corrected truths on the matter. This can be helpful to show your audience that you are up to date on current matters and you know how to properly address them. 

For more ideas on what to write your eBooks on click here. And for great information on how to create eBooks, click here. 

3 Ways to Repurpose Your eBook:

1. New Content– Take an idea or concept from your eBook and create new content off of that. You can write a blogpost on just one topic or a YouTube video of a summary about your eBook.
2. Highlights–Take quotes from your eBook and post your thoughts about it on your social media. This is a way to inform your audience about what you stand for and what matters most to you. Make sure and post a url so they can check out your amazing eBook online.
3. Testimonials– Create a podcast talking about your eBook. You can share more of your ideas behind your writing through a podcast. Get people who have read your eBook to share their thoughts about your writing and their experience with what they’ve learned. 

Below is a chart displaying the different ways you can repurpose your eBook content:  

Infographics

Over the past couple of years, infographics have become one of the best marketing tools. They are easy to read, understand and share. It takes very little time to create something of such great importance.

On Forbes’ website, Marc Hardgrove, a member of the Forbes’ council, was quoted to say, “Infographics have a variety of uses, but we find they work best when accompanying a complicated topic. When something has many steps, components or facets to it, an infographic can be a great way to break it down into digestible chunks.” 

3 Types of Infographics

Infographics are a way to present large amounts of text and data in a way that will grab attention and make your content stand out from other competitors. The whole point of an infographic is to make your content visually appealing and interesting. There are three types of infographics that are successful in doing that based on what kind of information you are trying to present:

1. Statistical

This type of infographic is to present data and numbers. It will use bold text to help illustrate the data and numbers in a way that is compelling and easy to understand. 

2. Informational

This infographic is used to help present text-based information. It will use bullet points, numbers, and short text that is easy and quick to read.

3. Process

This type of infographic is used to outline a series of easy-to-follow steps. This infographic will take complex steps or information and label directions clearly to make it easy to follow. For more information on this, click here. 

Tips to Make a Successful Infographic

Once you figure out what type of infographic you are going to create and you have all the information you need, the next step is to create it. Remember that it needs to grab people’s attention and it needs to stand out. 

1. Keep it simple.
2. Keep it focused.
3. Make it easy to read.
4. Attention grabbing headline.

If you really want your infographic to stand out from others, click on this link to continue learning how to do so.

How can I turn my Infographic into long-form content?

To make a podcast, you can record yourself talking about what your infographic is about or what you want people to know the most. Another idea is to transcribe your infographic and write a blog about it. On YouTube, you can record yourself or make an animation about your infographic and go into more detail about each section. To make a presentation, you need to take each section of your infographic and transfer it over to a PowerPoint presentation and give it verbally in front of an audience. With each of these ideas, you can easily turn them into social media posts by taking what you think will benefit your audience and put a short description with it. Here is a visual way of thinking about each of those ideas. 

Presentations

There are so many times in life where you will find yourself in front of a large group of people. No matter if you are giving a speech, seminar, training, or a business presentation, it is important to remember that you are creating a piece of long-form content! Whenever a presentation is being recorded, it can easily be repurposed. A presentation consists of talking in front of a group of people to share, inform, educate, and persuade an idea. 

In the professional world, most companies or businesses invite a presenter to come speak to their employees. The purpose of the invited presenter is to inspire, energize, and teach their audience. One extremely popular presentation example is TED Talks. These are taking the internet by storm. The “Head of Ted” Chris Anderson stated, 

“We all know that humans are wired to listen to stories, and metaphors abound for the narrative structures that work best to engage people. When I think about compelling presentations, I think about taking an audience on a journey. A successful talk is a little miracle—people see the world differently afterward.” 

Top Presentation Styles

It’s not enough to have a topic to present to an audience, you also need to know; who your audience is, what type of topic you’re presenting, and how you want to share that topic. These days you can give a presentation virtually or in person! 

One of the most popular types of presentations are visual presentations. When presenting a topic, you use visual aids to help convey your message more clearly to your audience. In freeform presentations, you rely on strong stories to help paint the picture you are trying to share with your audience. Another kind of presentation is called an instructor presentation. In this style of presentation, you are trying to share a more complex message using metaphors and figures of speech. Lastly, a storytelling presentation focuses on the use of anecdotes, examples, and stories to connect with the audience. For more details on these types of presentations, click here. 

How can I turn my recorded presentation into long-form content?

Repurposing content is an important element of long-form content because it helps you to reinforce all the information and knowledge you have and to add to it. When you repurpose content on different platforms, like shown on the chart below, it helps you gain more understanding of the information you already have. By repurposing content it allows you to have the opportunity to get familiar with diverse forms of content and the various types of platforms. Another benefit of repurposing content is that it allows your content to reach a whole new audience.

Blog Posts

Blogs are one of the most known forms of written communication. Because they are so popular, we’ll briefly cover this section. A blog is usually located on a personal or company website and is a place for someone to post online written content that is open for online feedback. Simon Collins says this about blogs: “A blog that isn’t part of a content marketing strategy will not drive organic traffic and consequently, will be a waste of time. If you’re not providing value, it isn’t content marketing. If your blog isn’t relevant, it isn’t content marketing.” 

This is a really good point. Blogs are only relevant if it is contributing to marketing yourself or your company. If you’re going to use blogs, they need to be well written and contain interesting content for your audience. 

How can I repurpose my blog to use as long-form content?

1. Social Media Post

Take quotes or snippets of your blog and repost them on social media to grab the attention of your audience and drive them to read the full article on your blog.

2. Go More in Depth

On the reverse, you can take a quote or a concept from a shorter piece of content that you have created and can go more into depth on it by writing a blog post. 

3. Longer Content

You can take the content from your blog post and use that to create a podcast about it, if you are passionate enough about the subject. A blog can be a great base to use to create simple content on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter posts. You can also go more in depth by creating an eBook, Podcast, or YouTube video. Below is a chart showing the different ways to repurpose your Blogs:

CopyBlogger, a popular blog site for marketing and content creation, has many great examples of well written blogs. Below is an example of one written about editing content. CopyBlogger is a great example because they have extremely useful information, and they present it really well. They always have intriguing titles, plenty of white space, interesting subtitles, and extremely useful content. For the full post, click here. To see more examples, look here. 

There are so many ways to use long-form content, and to create even more content off of what has already been created! The examples given here are just a few examples of the different types of long-form content that can be used. Long-form content is everywhere, and if made evergreen, will make an impact for years to come.