What Is Digital Content and 13 Common Types in 2024

Digital content is how we communicate with one another today. Basically, it's anything that's shared online and viewed publicly. Think text, images, videos, and audio on websites, social media, and more stuff like that.

The old-school traditional content was all about newspapers, magazines, and ads that you could physically touch. Digital content is different. It can go anywhere in the world in an instant. For example, instead of a billboard or TV ad, you could have a cool social media post or a helpful blog that anyone around the world can access with just a few clicks.

But that’s not the only key difference. Switching from physical to digital isn't just about where the content goes. It's about how people use it. In the modern era, your audience can react to digital content in real time, share it, and give feedback. Such a level of direct interaction is pure gold for businesses. They can see what their audience likes almost immediately and tailor their content to match.

With power like that, it isn’t hard to see why digital content is such a big deal in today's tech-driven world. It's the backbone of content marketing strategies across a wide variety of popular industries. It’s what drives people to websites and boosts search engine rankings with SEO-optimized articles and keywords.

Not only that, but it also helps businesses grow their brand, show off their products or services, and build trust with potential customers. High-quality digital content can make a brand instantly stand out within a densely crowded market and reach a wider audience. Remember, it’s not just about selling something; it's about offering legitimate value to your audience. 

In short, digital content is a must-have for any business in today's online world. It breaks the limits of old-school media and helps to boost the effectiveness of marketing strategies. It's a key player in the growth and overall success of businesses. As we explore the types and examples of digital content, it's clear that mastering digital content creation and marketing is key for any business looking to the future. So, let’s get into it.

There are many different kinds of digital content out there, with each of them having their own purpose.

Knowing the various types can help creators and marketers make better content that creates a stronger connection to their audience. Let’s break a few of the most common ones down and explain in more detail. 

Interactive digital content is the type of stuff that gets users engaged and involved. Think online quizzes, polls, or infographics that you can click on and directly interact with. The idea is that it makes the overall user experience a little more fun and personal. It's a great option for getting users to stick around a while longer, which means that they’ll be more likely to make a purchase.

Static digital content is the complete opposite, as it doesn't involve user interaction. It includes articles, blog posts, white papers, and reports. However, even without the interactivity, static content is a key part of any content marketing strategy. It's essential for SEO purposes, helps you to show your expertise, and gives valuable info to readers. Static content is a way that you can support your audience during different stages of their journey. 

Text content is a fundamental part of online content. It's all about sharing info, telling stories, and SEO. Blog posts, informative articles, newsletters, and ebooks are just a few prime examples. Good text content is well-researched, engaging, and SEO-friendly. Ultimately, text is a cornerstone of any digital content strategy as it plays a key role in driving traffic and positions a brand as an industry leader.

Visual content includes images, infographics, and illustrations. It appeals to our natural love for visual information. After all, a picture says a thousand words, right? It can particularly be useful for simplifying complex info, grabbing a scroller’s attention, and boosting brand recall. Visual content can help to break up text-heavy content and make info a little easier to view and share on social media.

Multimedia content like videos and podcasts are everywhere these days. Each of these types has become much easier to share with the evolution of technology and offers a ton of benefits. For example, videos are a dynamic way to showcase products, explain important stuff, and tell stories about the brand. Podcasts offer a slightly more personal touch as they connect a brand with listeners through a conversation. Both of these types can significantly boost engagement, reach, and time spent with the brand.

Looking for some great examples of digital content? Let's dive right in. In 2024, we see both free and paid content making waves. Knowing the differences between these options can help you decide which ones are best for your brand. Let's start with the freebies first and discuss the paid options later.

Here are some popular examples of free digital content:

1. Blog Posts: Companies often write blog articles about topics and keywords related to their industry. These articles are often packed with valuable info and are free for anyone to read. Example: a tech company writing a blog post about the latest gadgets.
2. Infographics: These are visual content that can help to make complicated info a little bit easier to understand and more digestible. They're great for sharing on social media as they can enhance brand visibility and audience engagement because they don't cost anything to view.
3. Webinars: Free webinars offer deep insights or training on various topics that matter within the industry. They're a great way for companies to show off their expertise and connect with potential customers in real time.
4. Podcasts: Podcasts are a bit like radio shows, except that you can listen to them whenever you want. They've become a staple in digital content marketing as they’re a great way for brands to share insights, stories, and interviews. My podcast The Matt Gray Show dives into tips and advice for entrepreneurs, aligning with the core mission behind Founder OS.
5. Videos: Videos can be anything from how-tos to customer testimonials. They're a highly engaging and dynamic way to share info, show off products, or tell brand stories. Videos are an easy way to enhance user engagement, brand recognition, and customer retention. My “How I Work 4 Hours a Day (and Make $730,000 a Month)” YouTube video serves as a jumping-off point for high-quality video content that engages an audience.
6. Social Media Posts: Posting on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn can be educational, fun, or give a behind-the-scenes look at a company. They're a great way to build a community and engage with fans. For example, my Instagram post on autopreneur success can quickly reach a wide audience and quickly educate them on an important subject. 
7. Interactive Tools: These are things like calculators, quizzes, or assessments that give personalized results or insights. They can help to make digital content a little more fun and interactive which enhances the audience’s experience. 
8. Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: AR lets users interact with products or environments in a new and exciting way. It allows for a more immersive experience where the user can virtually participate in something. For example, beauty sites like Sephora or Ulta Beauty let users "try on" makeup shades to find the perfect match. 
9. Newsletters: This carefully curated content is delivered straight to your inbox. They keep audiences informed and engaged with the latest insights, updates, or offers from a brand. With my Founder OS newsletter, I share some practical tips and tricks for growth every Saturday based on my own experience.

Now, let's talk about the different types of paid digital content. Here are some common examples:

1. Online Courses: These are specialized courses offered by industry experts. They’re intended to provide detailed knowledge or skills to the audience. These courses provide valuable information for the viewer and income for the creator making it beneficial for everyone involved. 
2. Premium Reports: These are in-depth studies or research documents. They're often gated content, meaning that users will have to pay to access them. They provide valuable insights for businesses or individuals based on current trends and data.
3. Subscription-Based Content: Some platforms offer premium content to subscribers. This could be exclusive articles, video series, or podcasts. This model provides a steady stream of high-quality content for the audience and regular income for the creators.
4. Ebooks: Ebooks are long-form and highly detailed content focused on specific topics. They're a great way to provide lots of value in exchange for user information or a one-time fee.

Now here comes the good part. Let's look at a real-world success story: Shopify. Shopify’s site features a blog and a “Resources” drop-down menu with business courses, how-to guides, social media strategy guidance, and more. 

Today, millions of entrepreneurs use Shopify on a daily basis, proving that this particular strategy works.

The bottom line is that digital content is vital for businesses to thrive within the digital age. From interactive webinars and quizzes to in-depth podcasts and premium reports, each type of content has unique ways to connect with audiences and build long-lasting relationships — and when it comes to creating effective content that resonates with your audience, the reality is that done is better than perfect.

As digital sceneries change, so should our approaches to content creation and marketing.

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or an emerging entrepreneur, we encourage you to explore and use the different types of digital content. Try interactive tools, dive into multimedia content, and share your expertise through engaging text and visuals. Plus, you can stay in the loop with my Founder OS newsletter, where I share three tips for practical growth every Saturday.

With Founder OS, you'll have the tools, knowledge, and community support to succeed in the digital era. Get started today with my Founder OS Program application to build a better tomorrow.