2020 Trends: Content Marketing

As the new year comes upon us, we must begin to explore the content marketing trends for 2020. To remain (or upgrade to) a strong competitor in the market, businesses must aim to stay ahead of the competition. As technology advances, consumer needs shift. Let’s take a look at some of the upcoming 2020 trends:

Podcasts

On-demand entertainment material is definitely on the rise. Today we can use our preferred streaming services to listen to music or watch any movie/series, without depending on our TV guide. Just as on-demand movie libraries have become more popular than TV cable, radio has been overthrown by podcasts. Spotify, iTunes, and Google Podcast are just some of the many platforms where consumers can listen to podcasts of any genre. The reason behind their popularity lies in the simple fact that people are busy. The “one-size-fits-all” concept has become outdated due to advancements in technology. Instead of waiting for a specific time of day to listen to your favorite radio show, you can now listen to podcasts wherever you are and whenever you want.

Visual Content: GIFS

Video content is critical for marketing purposes and used across many industries, but let’s look at other types of visual content. As funny as it may seem, communication is not only done by text, but we have also added things such as emoticons, memes, and GIFS. While adding emoticons to campaigns is a great way to grab the attention of your audience, GIFS have turned out to be the hottest trend. GIF stands for “Graphics Interchange Format.” They can be described as “short videos with no sound, on loop form” and are heavily used by Gen Zers and some Millennials. GIFS can be added to mobile keyboards, plus are also integrated on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Join the GIF movement now and connect with your followers!

Storytelling 

This was a BIG trend in 2019. It doesn’t matter what type of content you are providing (videos, images, etc), consumers should relate to the content you offer. Business to Consumer connections are critical to increasing loyalty and trust. The only way to make these connections is by finding the right common interest in order to build that strong tie. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways (if not the most powerful way) to engage your customers. With the help of storytelling, you can help current and potential customers:

  1. Know your content (mission, vision, values, products, etc.)
  2. Understand why they need it
  3. Take action

In a world where customers are rapidly becoming conscious shoppers, storytelling is key to establishing and maintaining engagement.

Shoppable Posts

“If they are interested, they will figure it out”, right? Not really. In today’s busy world, less is better. Businesses must make it as easy as possible for consumers to find and purchase products. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest allow “shoppable posts,” making it easier for consumers to purchase products. These tools allow followers to turn into customers with one click.

Ready to add shoppable posts to your business’s social media? Follow these steps:  https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/selling-on-instagram

Summary

The importance of content marketing is clear, as we currently live in a world dominated by social media. As demand changes, business strategies must shift too in order to effectively reach consumers. Marketing is an ever-changing field, along with social media trends. While we add new trends or even new platforms in the next year, businesses must always be prepared and welcome change. Let’s get ready for 2020!

Veronica Scarlett Lopez Martin is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. Scarlett is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Instructional Design & Technology at The University of Tampa. She previously worked at CenturyLink as a CSM- Client Support Manager within the strategic enterprise and government markets division. She graduated in May 2018 from The University of Tampa with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Marketing. Scarlett is a blogger for the AMA Tampa Bay, with a background in marketing & technology.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.