Including your SaaS product in your content [w/ Examples]
A proven-framework to ensure your content markets your product.
Hi all, and welcome back to our monthly newsletter!
In this issue, we want to focus on a topic that our clients and our larger community frequently discuss:
How do you include your SaaS product in your content, specifically within your SEO-focused articles?
First things first:
We can’t emphasize enough that not every article needs to be directly tied or related to your product - after all, not all content marketing is product marketing.
Additionally, when optimizing for SEO, we have to be careful that the inclusion of your product does not change the intent of that content - jeopardizing the ability for it to rank for your target keyword(s).
However, there are strategic ways for aligning product and content that we’d like to share with you below.
Part 1: Use this product-led content wireframe based on features
Here is how the concept works:
Choose a feature of your software product
List out the specific problem(s) it solves for your ICP
Search for keywords that have an intent related to solving that problem
Create content with matching intent
Connect that content in a contextualized way for SEO authority and UX
Have that content lead back to your product or that feature
Almost every software feature for your product will map to an SEO-focused content funnel that ensures your product makes it into that content.👇
***We understand that people rarely move straight from a top-of-funnel piece to your BoFu pieces.
However, exploring the funnel still serves as a framework for building a comprehensive library of content that supports your ICP wherever they are in the buying journey.
Further readings for your product-led questions:
Product-led content: What it is, why you need it, & examples to show you how to build it
Part 2: Types of content that are most conducive to including products
ToFu list articles about specific challenges - Your ICP likely has challenges. After all, why would your software product exist if it wasn’t hypothetically built to solve these problems?
Creating content that addresses challenges and provides solutions for particular verticals and professions lets you mention your product.
It might be as simple as a quick inline CTA to your product or including a video/image embed of your product directly providing the solution.
ToFu/MoFu how-to articles - If you’re interested in removing the guesswork for your ICP, directly showcase the exact steps for solving their problems.
This allows you to showcase your expertise and your generosity while incorporating (either slyly or overtly) exactly where in the mix of those steps your product comes into play. Video and screenshots from your product UI are especially helpful on this type of content.
MoFu list articles about products and alternatives - You’ve seen these types of SEO strategies popularized by companies like G2 and Capterra that create lists for “best x software.”
It might initially feel funny to put yourself on a list, but we wouldn’t recommend it if they didn’t work. The intent behind these articles drives consistent traffic and meaningful conversions.
Pro Tip: Give your competitors props for what they’re good at while controlling the narrative around what your product does best and who it’s for.
BoFu “Vs.” or comparison pages - As your brand grows and to take advantage of more popular brands/products you compete against, build comparison pages.
Discuss all the juicy details from specs and pricing comparisons to pros, cons, and reviews of each product. These are a goldmine for SEO and should help your sales team too.
Part 3: Examples of companies doing this well
1) ToFu list article: Teamwork
Example: https://www.teamwork.com/blog/project-management-challenges/
2) MoFu how-to content w/ product screenshots & video: Ahrefs
Example: https://ahrefs.com/blog/keyword-research/
3) MoFu best and alternative lists: Range
Example: https://www.range.co/blog/hugo-alternatives
4) BoFu "VS" or comparison page w/product specs: Screencastify
Example: https://www.screencastify.com/comparison-pages/loom-vs-screencastify
5) Putting their product/connections in their content: Zapier
Example: https://zapier.com/blog/automation-for-tracking-leads/
Related + New Resources For Your Team
[Read 📖] How to Choose Content Marketing Topics That Will Grow People’s Interest in Your SaaS Company
We’ll walk you through some of the ways our strategists and content marketers think about what and when to choose certain content topics.
Take me to this resource -->
[Read 📖] Creating Bottom of the Funnel (BoFu) Content That Converts
Bottom of the funnel (BoFu) content is integral to helping customers choose your product. Find real-world examples and best practices here.
Take me to this resource -->
[Watch/Listen 👁️👂] Multiple Media Types: Giving Your Audience What They Want
If you've been thinking about experimenting with more multimedia options, check out some of the highlights below and tune in.
Take me to this resource -->
[Watch/Listen 👁️👂] Content Repurposing to Distribute Your Best Content Forever
Explore ways content repurposing benefits a team's marketing efforts, ways to break down blogs/videos, and metrics to evaluate your distribution campaigns.
Take me to this resource -->