Lou – I think on a basic level that what you’re saying about the New Testament is probably true, because content marketing doesn’t have to be about selling in a literal sense.

But I can’t fully agree that the New Testament is content marketing in a traditional sense.

I can’t agree, because I don’t want to go to hell. 🙂 But seriously, I would say I can’t fully agree, because the writers’ purpose in writing the N.T. was to report what they had seen and experienced, not to directly “sell” anyone on the idea.

But, again, on a basic level you’re probably right. Take care, Lou and thanks for taking time to comment.

Thanks, Roger. I really appreciate your kind words and respect your opinion. I am glad you liked it and I am it gave you an expanded perspective. I am interested to see what examples you discover. Take care.

Whether or not it is “100% certified content marketing,” or just 60%, isn’t the point. You’ve provided a new perspective on content marketing and made me wonder how many other overlooked content marketing precedents are waiting to be discovered.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you that it has a more of a promotional tone than I would usually consider content marketing to have.

But it does seem qualify just based on my general definition: “Content marketing is the creation (or curation) of engaging content for the express purpose of gaining the attention and favor of a certain group, so that they will be persuaded to do business with an individual, business, or organization.”

Anyway, I honestly keep going back and forth on whether it is or not in my mind. That’s why I will also be looking forward to other comments for or against it. Take care, Mike.

Here’s my two cents on the whole William Penn thing: it doesn’t feel like Content Marketing to me because his content was not useful/helpful to his audience in and of itself, but merely promotional regarding the land he had to sell. So, while many of the things he did would qualify as similar to Content Marketing, I think he was simply doing a good job of promoting what he had to offer.

I’ll be interested in what others have to say and, again, kudos to your son for his thinking. He’s on the leading edge of what’s going on in marketing!