What does the month ahead hold in the world of content marketing? Content Desk explores all the latest tips, tricks and trends to find out…

Content creation

A veritable smorgasbord of content creation inspiration has emerged over the past month, with wide-ranging predictions on how industry trends will shape the future of content.

Of particular note are the accelerating changes in content consumption.

Understanding innovative new formats is becoming an indispensable part of content marketers’ remit. This means appreciating the intricate workings of interactivity and bolder content experimentation to stave off the staleness that can set in from the same old content grind day in, day out.

Read more:

Content marketing’s evolution will require a new approach to content creation – higher quality, video and mobile-centric are key themes: Convince and Convert

Some of the secrets behind a top-quality B2B post: Kapost

How interactive content can enhance customer experiences and how its many different forms operate at different stages in the purchasing cycle: Content Marketing Institute

Q&As – quite probably the ultimate content marketing tool: Content Desk

A comprehensive guide to editorial experimentation, ranging from republishing old content to emboldened interactivity: Content Marketing Institute

Campaigns and conversions

Content marketing may be turned to many uses, but its prowess at creating business leads is a top priority for many advocates.

Content marketing is a key method for driving conversions but there are some important tips that should be followed to maximise its effectiveness.

This ranges from broad advice on strategies that can be used across platforms to drive conversions via content, as well as specific instructions on when and when not to use controversial tactics such as PPC.

Read more:

The complementary yet often under-appreciated advantages of mixing PPC and content marketing: Content Marketing Institute

Marketing automation could lead to a sales bonanza, accelerating the scoring and nurturing of leads: Marketo

Consumer behaviour, education and the importance of brevity – just some of the tips that can elevate a video into a conversion machine: Convince and Convert

“Nurture campaigns” – how to target users before, during and after conversions: Marketing Insider Group

Ten tips explaining how consistency, brevity and a single-minded dedication to conversions can propel profits: Marketo

SME and industry-specific content

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to content marketing. A refined approach is required for businesses of different sizes and specialities.

For many small firms, investing in and optimising content to ensure it works well requires time and money that is simply not available. As a result, understanding how SMEs approach marketing, automation and social media is an essential precursor to winning them over to the joys of content.

A similarly subtle approach is required when crafting content for different industries. Although there are some catch-all tips, awareness of different industries’ specific requirements is vital for content marketing agencies attempting to satisfy a range of different clients at the same time.

Read more:

Automation could make small business more capable of fulfilling, understanding and pre-empting consumer demand: Marketing Insider Group

Some insights on the current state of digital marketing, with a strongly SME slant: Huffington Post

How social media, user-generated content and brand personality can cut across industries: Kapost

Tips and tricks for doing content marketing in the technology industry: Content Marketing Institute