Creating evergreen content is key to long-term success year-over-year. Evergreen content is high-quality, timeless content that maintains its relevance over time. It’s not tied to any one event that will decrease in popularity. In this post, we explore ten top ideas for evergreen content, providing step-by-step guides and real-world examples from any industry.
1) Comprehensive Guides
A comprehensive guide is an in-depth exploration of a relevant topic or aspect of an industry. It should provide practical tips, expert insights, and actionable information for your audience.
In the digital marketing industry, Moz has created a comprehensive guide titled “The Beginner’s Guide to SEO.” The guide covers everything from how search engines work to keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building. The guide is continuously updated to ensure its relevance, making it an excellent example of evergreen content.
How to create a Comprehensive Guide:
- Choose a niche or essential topic in your industry. (Pro Tip: Use a free keyword research tool to help).
- Research the subject thoroughly by accessing industry reports, articles, and expert opinions.
- Break the content into subtopics or chapters to make it easily digestible.
- Provide practical tips and actionable advice for each subtopic.
- Structure your guide logically and include helpful images, charts, or infographics.
2) Case Studies
Case studies highlight the success of a business or individual within an industry, showcasing specific strategies, products, or services.
In the customer service industry, a case study by Zendesk highlighted how the global shoe brand, Allbirds, utilized customer support software to create an exceptional customer experience. The case study outlines the company’s commitment to providing personalized support, their seamless implementation of Zendesk’s platform, and the benefits experienced in terms of high customer satisfaction ratings and efficient problem resolution.
How to create an evergreen Case Study:
- Identify the subject: Choose a specific project, client, or situation that you want to showcase as a success story with significant outcomes.
- Research and gather data: Collect all relevant facts, figures, and metrics around the case study subject. Interview key stakeholders for their perspectives and insights.
- Set the stage: Start with a brief introduction to the context, problem, or challenge faced by the subject to set the scene for your readers.
- Present the solution: Describe the product, service, or approach implemented to resolve the situation. Focus on the unique aspects and features that made it effective.
- Showcase results: Highlight the tangible outcomes achieved, using quantifiable metrics, graphics, or charts to demonstrate the impact your solution had on the subject.
- Share testimonials: Include quotes or testimonials from stakeholders to reinforce the effectiveness of your solution and provide social proof of its success.
- Draw insights and lessons: Reflect upon the case study to determine broader takeaways that can be applied to similar situations or industries.
- End with a call-to-action: Encourage readers to engage with you further, whether it be contacting you for more information, downloading a detailed report, or sharing the case study with others.
3) Listicles
Listicles are articles that present information in a list format, curating valuable content for readers.
In the web development industry, a listicle on Smashing Magazine titled “50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills” compiles a list of valuable resources for aspiring web content writers. By offering a one-stop collection of handy tools and articles, the listicle serves as evergreen content.
How to create an evergreen Listicle:
- Choose a catchy topic: Pick a highly engaging and relevant subject to grab the attention of your audience. Get ideas by using this free keyword research tool.
- Determine list length: Select a specific number that best suits your content. Usually, odd numbers (like 7, 11, or 15) work better as they create a sense of curiosity.
- Organize ideas: Break down the main topic into smaller points or steps that logically flow together and provide valuable information.
- Create catchy headlines: Write engaging headlines for each point or step on your list, incorporating numbers and loaded words that draw attention.
- Develop concise content: Provide key information or examples to support each point, keeping your paragraphs focused and digestible.
- Use images or multimedia: Support your content with relevant images, videos, gifs, or infographics to visually enhance the post and maintain reader interest.
4) Industry Roundups
Industry roundups help readers stay informed by compiling recent or significant news in their industry.
Morning Brew is an excellent example of a news roundup that aims to keep its readers informed and educated by compiling the most recent and significant news in their industry. With its daily newsletter format, Morning Brew provides a comprehensive summary of the essential news items, announcements, and trends from various sectors such as business, finance, technology, and politics. This inventive and efficient way of delivering news enables busy professionals and avid readers to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in their industries without getting overwhelmed or spending hours sifting through multiple sources.
Morning Brew expertise lies in its editorial team’s meticulous selection, curation, and presentation of top stories from a wide range of professional fields. They focus on choosing stories that are relevant and informative to their target audience, making sure that their readers receive information that can help improve their understanding or decision-making processes within their respective industries. By presenting complex stories in a digestible and engaging manner, the Morning Brew makes it easy for readers to absorb key insights and stay informed about what matters most. This innovative news roundup service is an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to maintain a competitive edge and a comprehensive understanding of the fast-paced world in which they operate.
How to create an evergreen Industry Roundup:
- Choose a specific timeframe for your roundup: Weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.
- Research recent news: Use Google News, RSS feeds, industry-specific websites, and social media platforms to collect recent and significant stories related to your chosen industry.
- Select the top stories: Pick the most interesting or relevant news items, preferably between 5 to 10, that would be valuable and engaging for your target audience. If your website has a similar article, don’t forget to add it into the mix.
- Write a brief summary: For each selected story, write a concise summary or analysis, focusing on the main points and implications for your industry.
- Include sources and headlines: Provide the original source, headline, and a hyperlink for each story in your blog post, allowing readers to explore the topic further if they wish.
- Organize content logically: Arrange your chosen stories in a logical order, such as by importance, topic, or chronologically. This will make it easier for readers to digest the content.
- Add your insights: Share your thoughts, opinions, and perspectives on the news items you’ve included. This shows your expertise and helps establish credibility with your readers.
5) How-to Tutorials
Much like the steps provided in this article, how-to tutorials offer step-by-step instructions for various processes or tasks related to your industry, providing actionable insights for your audience.
In the photography industry, “How to Edit Photos in Lightroom” by the Space.com team is an evergreen tutorial providing detailed instructions on editing photos using Adobe Lightroom software. The tutorial maintains its relevance by continuously being updated with new tips and features. (source: https://www.space.com/how-to-edit-photos-in-lightroom)
Creating evergreen How-to Tutorials:
- Break down your process into clear, concise steps for your readers.
- Use clear language and short sentences for easy comprehension.
- Incorporate visual aids such as images, GIFs, or videos to help convey the steps.
- Offer tips and best practices along the way to provide added value.
6) Video Content
Video content is an engaging platform to explain concepts or showcase industry insights.
In the software development industry, the YouTube channel “Programming with Mosh” offers evergreen video content covering various programming concepts and languages. Through engaging and accessible tutorials, these videos remain valuable to viewers for years to come.
How to create evergreen Video Content:
- Write a script or plan your content, ensuring clarity and organization.
- Record your video, using appropriate lighting, audio equipment, and editing tools.
- Optimize your video’s title, description, and tags for SEO.
- Share and promote your video on relevant platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok or blog posts.
7) Expert Interviews
A remarkable real-world example of a website publishing an expert interview is the podcast StartUp Podcast, produced by Gimlet Media. They featured an episode titled “How to Fire People” in which podcast host Alex Blumberg interviewed Patty McCord, renowned HR expert and former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix. In the interview, McCord discusses her unorthodox approach to human resources, how she aided in building the Netflix culture, and reveals valuable insights for rethinking HR practices in a modern context.
The expert interview on the StartUp Podcast serves as an excellent resource for listeners interested in understanding unconventional HR practices and the lessons they can learn from them. By offering insights from a leading industry expert, the podcast appeals to entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and business leaders seeking guidance on navigating modern HR challenges. As evergreen content, the interview continues to maintain its relevance—it contains universal principles and wisdom that stand the test of time despite the evolving job market and workplace dynamics. As a result, the podcast episode will remain a valuable resource for future audiences exploring unique and efficient HR practices.
How to create evergreen Expert Interviews:
- Choose a catchy title highlighting what people would want to learn from your interviewee.
- Identify prominent and respected figures in your industry.
- Reach out and request an interview, highlighting the benefits for both parties. They will get to build their personal brand and be featured on your site next to other experts.
- Prepare a list of thoughtful, relevant questions for the interviewee. Focus on their area of expertise and set them up for questions that they will be excited to answer.
- Conduct the interview in a professional manner, using proper audio/video equipment.
- Edit and package the interview content into a presentable format (written, audio, or video).
8) Data-Driven Insights
Data-driven insights involve analyzing industry data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities.
In a recent blog post on Shopify’s commerce trends page, data-driven insights offer valuable information about the future of ecommerce and social commerce. By analyzing data from various sources, such as DataReportal, eMarketer, and Statista, Shopify provides critical trends and projections to help businesses make informed decisions about their online marketing and sales strategies.
The blog post highlights the steady growth of online shopping, expanding influence of social media on commerce, and the rise of new digital advancements in social media platforms. For example, the data reveals that ecommerce growth in 2023 is projected to be 5% higher than before the pandemic, that global social commerce sales are expected to reach $2.9 trillion by 2026, and that metaverse market revenue is projected to grow to $678.8 billion by 2030. These data-driven insights serve as evergreen content that not only demonstrates the current state of the market but also helps guide businesses in planning for future success in an ever-evolving ecommerce landscape.
How to create evergreen Data-Driven Insights:
- Gather data from reputable sources, such as industry reports, surveys, Statista or internal metrics.
- Analyze the data, drawing conclusions about trends, patterns, and correlations.
- Present your findings in a clear, concise manner. Add Infographics, graphs or interactive visuals.
- Offer actionable insights based on your analysis, helping readers make informed decisions.
Benefits of Evergreen Content
Evergreen content offers numerous benefits that can elevate a company’s marketing strategy, bolster its online presence, and drive consistent results over time. By creating content that remains relevant and engaging, businesses can enjoy improved search rankings, prolonged audience engagement, and cost-effective marketing outcomes.
The eight ideas presented above serve as an excellent foundation upon which to generate fresh evergreen concepts and ensure that a company’s content pipeline remains consistently rich and valuable. As trends shift and consumer preferences evolve, it becomes increasingly imperative for organizations to invest in developing evergreen material that can withstand the test of time and continue to drive traffic.
By continuously exploring new ideas and innovating in this sphere, businesses can establish themselves as thought leaders and dependable sources of information, thereby fostering lasting relationships with their audiences and propelling their success in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.