Crafting A Content Marketing Quiz
Content marketing… if you’re a business, it’s all about getting noticed and getting people to engage with your content. That’s how you attract prospects.
One way to do this is with a quiz. The quiz can be educational, entertaining, or both.
It’s a fun way for readers to learn something helpful, while allowing you to demonstrate your expertise.
Even a quiz that simply entertains can pay off in likes, follows, and social shares.I did two football quizzes for Chick-fil-A Restaurants last year. The second one was on the 2016 Peach Bowl: Alabama vs. Washington. (Alabama won, 24-7.)
A quiz like this poses a couple of challenges: not everyone is a diehard football fan, and some questions are bound to be more interesting than others.
Here’s where a custom illustration can make all the difference: it can add a laugh, it can attract even those who don’t follow football, and it can make the question seem a lot more interesting than it really is.
Perhaps most importantly: it gets noticed. People are more apt to stop and take a look.
There were 9 questions altogether. Here are the three I liked best.
Answers at end, along with one additional question.
1. Which sporting event tradition first started at UWashington?
a) The singing of the National Anthem
b) Marching band show during halftime
c) The Wave
d) Holding up four fingers at the end of the third quarter
2. The Alabama mascot is Big Al the Elephant, but the team is known as The Crimson Tide. What inspired the team name?
a) Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
b) White jerseys covered in red mud
c) The state’s official color
d) The color of opponents’ embarrassed faces after being beaten
3. Which of the following was invented at the University of Washington?
a) Peanut Butter Cups
b) Bubble Gum
c) Aluminum bicycle frames
d) Polyester clothing
Here’s the additional question:
Alabama won its first national championship in 1925 against Washington — its 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl opponent. What was the score of that game?
The four possible answers are the scores shown in the illustration below.
The subject is interesting from an historic standpoint– the same two teams met more than 90 years ago in a big championship game– but the question falls a bit flat: most people would have to guess, and there’s not much you can do to narrow down the choices.
I include it here because it’s a good example of how an illustration can “rescue” text by making it more entertaining. I think the humor also provides some cover for what is essentially an unfair question.
You can see the entire quiz on the Chick-fil-A site.
Answers: (same order as above)
c) If you’ve ever been to a sporting event, chances are you’ve done The Wave. But did you know the idea started at the University of Washington? It was first developed in 1981 by Robb Weller, a former UW yell leader, and Bill Bissell, then-Husky marching band director.
b) Early newspaper accounts of the university’s football squad simply referred to them as the “varsity” or the “Crimson White”. The first nickname popular with the media was the “Thin Red Line,” which was used until 1906. Hugh Roberts, former sports editor of the Birmingham Age-Herald, is credited with coining the phrase “Crimson Tide” in an article describing the 1907 Iron Bowl played in Birmingham. The game was played in a sea of red mud, which stained the Alabama white jerseys crimson.
b) If you guessed bubble gum, that’s correct. But if you’re thinking there are a number of other things created at UW, you’re right about that, too. Here’s something to chew on: in addition to bubble gum, vinyl, synthetic rubber and the color TV tube were all invented at the University of Washington.
The 1926 Rose Bowl is commonly referred to as “the game that changed the South.” In their first-ever bowl appearance, the Alabama Crimson Tide capped off an undefeated season, scoring all 20 of their points during the third quarter to top the Huskies 20-19.
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Do you enjoy quizzes? Have you ever used one in your content marketing? Please leave
a comment.
If you enjoyed this post and would like to recommend it, please click the Like button below. To share it, click Tweet, Facebook, or one of the other Share buttons.
You might also enjoy my infographic about content marketing. It explains what it is, how it evolved, and what characterizes good content.
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About Mark: I’m an illustrator specializing in humor, branding, social media, and content marketing. I create images that get content seen and shared.
You can view my portfolio, and connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Questions? Send me an email.
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Mark Armstrong Illustration Specializing In Content Marketing Advertising Editorial Infographics Animation Videos and Social Media 
Once my work duties are through, I am taking this quiz! Brill, Mark! Splendid!
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High praise indeed from an acknowledged marketing guru– thank you, my dear Mia!! : )
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I know the perfect way to attract prospects and get noticed! Simple: just study every advice given by genius illustrator, Mark Armstrong. Success guaranteed and not just that, happiness and joy also guaranteed. Should anyone ask for anything more? NOOOOOOO! 🙂 Gratias tibi ago, my dear dear friend! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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After reading this wonderful comment, I had to change my socks. Why? They got soaked because I cried so many happy tears!!! 😂😂😂😂💦💦💦🚣😊
Usually I just switch the pair I’m wearing from one foot to the other, but this time I had to get a dry pair out of the dirty laundry basket. I also decided it was the perfect opportunity to shampoo my carpet. It looks a little strange now, covered with a thick layer of salty foam, but it should dry out eventually… I hope. 😕
My dear Marina! Your comment is outrageous, and you are outrageous– in the most outrageously kind and wonderful and supportive way!! Thank you!! Oh, now I’m crying again 💦💦… the room is flooded… wait, here comes a boat ⛵️… The Captain says he’s sailing for Greece… he’s agreed to deliver a small token of my appreciation to you: γλυκά για το γλυκό: 🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🚑😊
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I knew those scuba diving lessons would come in handy at some point in my life! Now my tears are flooding my room! 😭😢☔️Sent straight from M.O. 🍨🍨🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍧🍨🍦🍰🎂🍮🍨🍧🍨🍭🍬🍮🍩🍪🍦🍨🍰🍧🍩🍰🍧🍨🍦🍭🍬🍮🍨 [we have variations of ambrosia nowadays! 😉 ]
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You’re the genius, always the genius! Happy New year old friend. 🙂
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My dear Seyi!! How lovely to see you! You’re right, of course, I am a genius– a genius at acquiring the most wonderfully kind and supportive friends– you being an obvious example!! 🏆
I hope this finds you well and smiling, and in good spirits. You are, of course, being your usual force for good in the community– I’m certain of that! Do forgive this terribly late reply– I also seem to have a genius for laziness and procrastination… 😢
Thanks for your lovely comment, and a very belated but heartfelt happy new year to you as well! 😊
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Haaaaa!! This is genius! People love quizzes! Your illustrations are always so good, so much fun. They’re full of movement, humor, and information. I didn’t get any of the quiz question correct. The only one I knew much about was – of course – the peanut butter cups. And the only reason I knew that is bec the gentleman who concocted them was born in PA.
By the way, quizzes are a wonderful way to introduce new material to trainees/students. Participating in a quiz, actively wondering about the answers opens minds to learning. That’s why a lot of teachers use them at the beginning of a course or segment of study (almost like an appetizer at the beginning of a meal). I did, always. Including humorous wrong answers is good, too, esp for adult learners who sometimes resist the entire process. It’s REALLY tough to resist humor. But you already know that — you’re a master at it!!!
BRAVO!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏
(I’m not proofing this, so I hope it’s all legible)
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My dear RK!! Remember that comment you left that fell into the void? Then you tried again, and Mr. Void grabbed that one, too?? Well… they suddenly resurfaced, and I found ’em sittin’ there pretty as can be!! The time-space continuum musta had indigestion and burped. I hate that!– it’s rude, and it causes angst where no angst should be!! 😡
Thank you for your wunnaful kindness and perseverance! I deleted the second try, since the two comments were virtually identical, but I did read them both, because I was moved to cry “Encore!!” after reading the first! 😊
Glad you enjoyed the quiz, and thanks again for all the kind words. The only reason I knew the answers was because they came with the assignment!! And yes, I did think of you while I was working on the “peanut butter cups illo,” knowing there is no one more knowledgeable or enthusiastic when it comes to all things Reeses!!
Loved your point about a quiz opening the mind and putting one in a learning mood. I hadn’t really thought about that. I especially like quizzes where the right answer comes with a little backstory, and you learn some additional details. You don’t mind guessing wrong, because the whole experience was fun and interesting. I certainly agree about the power of humor to get people to lower their defenses and buy into a new experience. I think we all worry about looking ignorant and foolish in a learning environment. Humor helps us relax a bit, and, as you say, open up to something new…
Thanks again for your persistence with leaving comments. I don’t have a clue as to why yours seem to disappear. I suspect it’s some kind of evil plot perpetrated by the same villains responsible for the squashed Reeses cups, and the ones with mangled foil you always find in a bag!! Mostly: thanks for being your superb and benevolent self!! 🌹🌻🍪🍰🏆😊
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Awwwww, peanut butter cups made you think of me! Wonderful!! Thank you! And thank you for what you’ve told me about the comments. I wonder if they’ll work better from the other account? We’ll see! 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I have an Easter tip for you. OK: go get your Easter basket. Looks empty, right, because you ate everything yesterday. OK, reach in and grab that big hunk of Easter grass. Now shake it. Give it a couple of good whacks! Did a Reeses egg just fall out?? Aha! I knew it!!– there’s always one that gets lost in the grass!! Hey, you’re welcome– yes, I’ve learned a few things over the years… : )
My dear RK!! I’m so sorry for this late reply– my apologies!! I’m afraid I got sick back in March, and it’s taken me awhile to recover. Result: I’m even more behind than usual!! Thanks as always for all your support! A belated Happy Easter to you, and I hope you’re enjoying this welcome spring weather!! : )
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Mark! I’m so sorry you were sick! (((((hugs))))) I hope you’re feeling better than ever! Please don’t ever worry about not replying to me – I’m just glad you’re out there somewhere, doing what you do. And this time I’m glad you’re out there not being sick anymore! 🙂 PS – I hope those italics work. I don’t think I’ve ever used them from inside the WP Notifications pane before. ::waves::
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You, your warmth, kindness, caring, and concern, and your italics, have cured me!!!– thanks, RK!!
(And a big ham like me needs all the curing he can get… : )
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🙂
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