What is Longform Content?

Longform content refers to comprehensive, in-depth pieces of writing that delve deeply into a single subject.

These pieces often exceed 10,000 words and provide a vast amount of information on the covered topic. At Ladder, we've discovered that longform content overwhelmingly performs well across critical SEO parameters such as views, returning users, sharing, and overall session time because it is not only immediately beneficial to the reader, but also so detailed that people often save it to revisit later.

With roots in traditional journalism and print media, longform content offers a digital space for extensive exploration of a particular topic. As the online landscape moved towards an increased appreciation for high-quality, authoritative content, longform content has found its place. This is a marketing strategy geared towards the "Traffic" goal because it not only attracts readers, but keeps them engaged for an extended period, and encourages return visits by presenting as a valuable resource on its subject matter.

Examples of Longform Content

1. How-To Guides: A detailed guide on "How to optimize your SEO strategy" that delves into the nitty-gritty of SEO techniques and tools.
2. Courses or Tutorials: A comprehensive course or tutorial on a topic like photography, that would be extensive enough to cover all the basics and some advanced techniques.
3. Thought Leadership Pieces: Lengthy, detailed blog posts about industry trends, insights, or predictions.
4. In-depth Product Reviews: Instead of a single product review, why not provide a thorough analysis comparing different brands?
5. Deep-Dive Case Studies: Share stories of how customers overcame their problems using your product/service, or perhaps case studies from your own growth trials and triumphs.

Marketing Tactics Similar to Longform Content

• Content Pillars: These are comprehensive guides that cover a specific topic in-depth. Think of them as a series of related longform blog posts that when combined cover all aspects of a topic.
• White Papers: These are detailed reports, usually based on original research, targeted at a professional or industry audience that seek to solve a particular problem.
• eBooks: While not exactly the same, eBooks are similar in the sense they provide long, extensive content on a specific subject.
• Webinars and Video Tutorials: Although this is video content, it's still considered longform due to the in-depth nature of their content.
• Podcasts: Similar to webinars (but typically audio-only), podcasts may cover a topic at length, often over the span of multiple episodes.

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