9 underrated content strategies outperforming SEO trends

I have a secret to share with you. I’ve been using some of the most underrated content strategies out there to outperform my SEO results.

I’ve been working as a digital marketer for over a decade, and I’ve seen some pretty wild SEO trends come and go. But I’ve also seen some of the most tried-and-true content strategies stand the test of time.

1. Create a content experience to remember.

The main goal of your content should be to get people to your website. After that, it’s up to your content to keep them there.

You can do this by creating a content experience that is memorable and engaging. This can be done in a few different ways, but the most important thing is to make sure that your content is easy to navigate and that it looks good.

You can also use interactive content, like quizzes or surveys, to make your content more engaging. This approach is similar to how employee engagement survey tools encourage interaction and responses,  but here, you’re using it to keep website visitors engaged.

The more time people spend on your website, the better it is for your SEO. That’s why creating a content experience that people will remember is so important.

2. Make your content visually appealing.

If you want to increase the chances of your content being consumed and shared, make it visually appealing. Visual content is even more critical if you offer experiential services, such as facilitating large team-building events, that need to capture the energy and engagement your services deliver. 

Use a variety of images, videos, infographics and other visual elements to break up the text and keep your readers engaged. You can use AI image prompts to create stunning, realistic and themed images; and AI video tools to assist with video creation.

You can also use visual elements to help tell your story and get your point across in a way that words alone can’t.

3. Have a personality.

Your content is an extension of your brand. Your brand has a personality, and your content should, too.

If you want to stand out in a crowded space, you need to have a distinct voice that sets you apart from your competitors.

This can be a little tricky to do, especially if you have a large team of content creators. But it’s not impossible.

The key is to establish clear brand guidelines and tone of voice that everyone on your team can follow. This will help ensure that your content is always consistent and on brand.

You should also encourage your content creators to let their own personalities shine through in their work. After all, that’s what will make your content unique.

If you want to take it a step further, you can even use an AI writer that understands your brand and create a persona. This can help you better understand your audience and create content that resonates with them.

4. Make your content scannable.

You may have noticed that this blog is broken up into sections. That’s because I know you’re busy and may not have time to read the entire thing in one sitting.

When you break up your content into smaller sections, you make it easier for your readers to consume. If you have a long-form blog, you can use headers to break up your content. If you’re creating a video, be sure to include time stamps.

5. Use data to back up your points.

If you’re going to make a point in your content, you need to back it up with data. This means you need to have a source for your information.

Data is critical to proving to your reader that what you’re saying is true. It also helps to build trust with your audience.

If you’re making a point about a specific industry, you can use data from a study or report to back it up. If you’re making a point about a specific company, you can use data from their annual report.

Using data to back up your points is one of the best ways to build trust with your audience. It shows that you’re not just making things up, and that you’re providing valuable information.

6. Write long-form content.

Long-form content is any piece of content that is 2,000 words or more. This is where you can really show off your expertise and authority on a subject.

The longer a piece of content is, the more time your audience will spend on your website, which will help your SEO. Long-form content allows you to dive deep into a topic and answer any question your audience may have.

You can also repurpose this content into other formats like a webinar or an eBook. Long-form content is a great way to build a relationship with your audience and show them that you are an expert in your field.

7. Create content for every stage of the buying process.

The traditional marketing funnel is broken down into three stages: top of the funnel (TOFU), middle of the funnel (MOFU), and bottom of the funnel (BOFU).

The goal of TOFU content is to attract new leads and introduce them to your brand. MOFU content should educate leads and help them determine if your solution is the right one for them. BOFU content should help leads make a purchasing decision.

The goal of BOFU content is to convert leads into customers. Most content marketers focus on creating TOFU content because it’s the easiest to create and it drives the most traffic.

BOFU content also works exceptionally well when paired with referral incentives. If your customers already trust your solution, giving them a simple way to refer others — using platforms like ReferralCandy — turns educational BOFU content into a revenue engine.

You can even enhance this strategy further by choosing the right tools; for example, this guide on the best Shopify referral apps breaks down high-converting options that help turn loyal customers into consistent promoters.

However, if your content strategy only focuses on TOFU content, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to drive sales and grow your business.

In fact, one of the best ways to grow your business with content is to create content for every stage of the buying process.

By creating content for every stage of the buying process, you can attract new leads, educate them, and help them make a purchasing decision. This is particularly useful if you’re growing a two-sided marketplace, where both buyers and sellers need tailored content at different decision stages. This will help you grow your business and increase your sales.

8. Create content that answers questions.

The world of SEO is a lot different now than it was 10 years ago. In the past, it was all about finding the right keywords and using them as much as possible. But, now, the best way to approach SEO is to create content that answers questions.

When you create content that answers questions, you’re more likely to rank higher on search engine results pages because you’re providing value to your audience. Plus, you can use tools like Answer the Public to find out what questions people are asking in your niche.

9. Make your content easy to share.

In 2025, it’s not enough to just publish and share your content on your social media platforms. You need to make it easy for your readers to share your content.

This means you should have share buttons on your blog posts and articles. You can also use a tool like Click to Tweet to create tweetable quotes within your content.

The easier you make it for your readers to share your content, the more likely it is that they will. And when they do, you’ll get more eyes on your content, which can help you get more traffic and more leads.

Conclusion

Remember, it’s not enough to just create content. You need to put in the effort to make it great. If you want to outperform your competitors, you need to take your content strategy to the next level.