Given the unique changes and challenges of 2020, pretty much everything changed quickly and so did content marketing. We saw the need for content marketing grow steadily.

With 2021 just around the corner, it’s that time of the year that content marketers start researching the key content marketing trends of content marketing to ensure they stand out and get the results they want in the next year.

So, if you are looking for ‘what’s next in 2021?’, here are the top 5 content marketing trends we think will play a big part in the content marketing world.

1. Get ‘Voice’ Ready

According to research, half of the world’s population uses voice-activated search and these numbers could rise to 5 billion in 2021 and 6.4 in 2022. This means you should consider adjusting your search engine optimization strategy in terms of voice queries. Voice searches are conversational and need a different approach than a text search. For this, use long-tailed keywords in your copy. You could even create a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page and use the long-tail keywords to answer your audience’s queries. Also, remember to bag your ‘My Business’ listing to increase your chances of showing up in Google results when a relevant voice search is performed.

2. Let the ‘Video’ Play

Videos are consumers’ first choice among different types of content to see from a brand on social media. So, yet again videos continue to be all the rage as we roll into 2021. Videos help:

• Increase sales
• Build brand awareness
• Keep customers informed
• Reach out to potential customers

Live streaming videos on social media platforms is definitely one thing you need to embrace in 2021. You could do a ‘Q&A’, an interview with an expert, or even a product demonstration to engage and educate your audience.

3. Tune in to the ‘Podcast’ Power

Podcasts are a modern-day storytelling content type that has continued to flourish. According to a report, there were 48 million weekly podcast listeners in 2018 and this audience is expected to grow to 115 million by 2021. Podcasts have the potential for massive brand visibility and to get the best out of them, you need to create meaningful, educational material that resonates with your audience. You can get creative on an exclusive subject related to your brand or you could ask an expert to pitch in.

4. Aim for the ‘Featured Snippet’ Crown

The coveted featured snippet continues to rule the Google charts. Landing in Google’s featured snippets is quite the accolade and can get you a good chunk of traffic. To do so, you should structure your content clearly, make it scannable, and have an attention-grabbing headline. Your copy should provide crystal clear answers that satisfy the user’s intent. Few rules to ‘swear by’ are:

• Use a heading, numbered lists, or bulleted lists
• Provide succinct explanations
• Follow an optimal word count of 40-50 words
• Optimize for question-type search queries

5. Get Your Money’s Worth With ‘Co-Marketing’

In a co-marketing partnership, two companies join forces to create a powerful campaign and reach a wider audience, something like the RedBull and GoPro campaign. Co-marketing has always been key in B2B content marketing and 2021 is no different. Co-marketing can help open up new opportunities to promote your content, grow your brand awareness, get more subscribers, and get more moolah. You can co-market your high-quality content pieces like:

• Webinars
• Blog posts
• Infographics
• Videos
• Joint-research

Here’s an example of how Moz aligned with CRO influencer Talia Wolf to educate their audience with a webinar discussing how to build a mobile conversion optimization strategy.

Few things to keep in mind:

• Your potential partner’s audience should fit your target audience.
• You must establish a clear objective of your partnership, is it new leads, reach, or exposure to new markets.

If you want to improve your content marketing game in 2021, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Be flexible
• Score your content
• Be a content distribution pro
• Ace your research
• Think holistically
• Use content syndication

Each year brings about new trends and strategies for marketers to implement. And with change being the only constant, the key to success is keeping yourself informed.

Want to cruise ahead in the 2021 content marketing landscape? Talk to us!