Content marketing has become an integral part of the digital advertising landscape, with its significance only growing in recent years. In 2016, businesses witnessed a remarkable surge in their ROI (Return on Investment) through effective content marketing strategies that captivated their target audiences. From blog posts and social media campaigns to videos and infographics, brands leveraged various forms of content to engage and convert users. In fact, according to a report by the Content Marketing Institute, 88% of B2B marketers were using content marketing as a core strategy in 2016.

One reason why content marketing gained so much traction in 2016 is its ability to solve the challenge of ad-blocking. With the rise of ad-blockers, advertisers had to find new ways to reach their audience. Enter content marketing, where brands can provide valuable and relevant information to users without being intrusive. This approach not only bypasses ad-blockers but also builds trust and credibility with the target audience.

To illustrate the impact of content marketing, let’s consider a compelling statistic from 2016. According to a study conducted by Demand Metric, content marketing generates three times more leads than traditional marketing strategies, but costs 62% less. This statistic demonstrates the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of content marketing compared to traditional methods, making it an attractive option for online advertising services and advertising networks.

As the year progressed, video content emerged as a dominant force in the content marketing landscape. In 2016, over 70% of marketers reported that video converted better than any other content type. Brands realized that videos could deliver their message effectively and engage users in a more immersive way. With the popularity of platforms like YouTube and the rise of social media video ads, brands began investing heavily in video content to capture the attention of their target audience.

Another significant development in content marketing during 2016 was the rise of influencer marketing. Brands started collaborating with influential individuals on social media platforms to promote their products or services. This approach allowed brands to tap into the massive followings of these influencers, gaining exposure to a wider audience. According to a study by eMarketer, 86% of marketers reported positive results from influencer marketing campaigns in terms of brand awareness and customer acquisition.

Overall, it is clear that 2016 was a transformative year for content marketing. It became an essential tool for bypassing ad-blockers, generating leads, and engaging users. With the growing importance of video content and the rise of influencer marketing, brands found innovative ways to connect with their target audience. As the digital advertising landscape continues to evolve, content marketing will remain a powerful strategy for online advertising services and advertising networks.

What Made Content Marketing in 2016 the Best Option for Online Advertising?

Content marketing in 2016 emerged as one of the most effective strategies for online advertising services and advertising networks. But what exactly made it the best option? In order to understand this, we need to delve into the definitions and advantages associated with content marketing. This article will explore the significance of content marketing in driving organic traffic, engaging target audiences, building brand reputation, and increasing conversions. By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of why content marketing was the top choice for online advertisers in 2016.

Best Content Marketing 2016

As the digital landscape evolves, content marketing continues to be a crucial aspect for businesses striving to engage with their target audience. In 2016, several trends emerged that proved to be highly effective in capturing consumer attention and driving brand growth. In this article, we will explore the best content marketing strategies of 2016, highlighting their impact on businesses and providing valuable insights for online advertising services and advertising networks.

Video Marketing Takes the Spotlight

One of the most notable trends in 2016 was the increased emphasis on video marketing. With the rise of platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, businesses recognized the power of video content in capturing users’ attention. According to a study by Cisco, video accounted for 73% of all internet traffic in 2016. This statistic highlights the importance of incorporating video into content marketing strategies.

In 2016, brands leveraged video content to tell compelling stories, showcase product features, and engage with their audience on a deeper level. The ability to convey emotions, demonstrate product usage, and provide tutorials through video had a profound impact on brand awareness and customer loyalty. The widespread adoption of smartphones further contributed to the popularity of video marketing, as it made videos easily accessible anytime, anywhere.

Interactive Content Engages and Converts

Interactive content also emerged as a powerful tool in 2016, as it successfully engaged users and encouraged them to take desired actions. Quizzes, polls, calculators, and interactive infographics were just a few examples of the interactive content formats that captivated audiences. Research shows that interactive content generates twice as many conversions as passive content. This finding underscores the effectiveness of interactive content in boosting brand engagement and driving desired outcomes.

In 2016, businesses leveraged interactive content to collect valuable user data, personalize experiences, and create memorable interactions. By providing users with an opportunity to actively participate and express their preferences, brands were able to gain insights into consumer behavior and tailor their marketing efforts accordingly. This data-driven approach led to higher conversion rates and improved customer satisfaction.

Micro-Influencers Create Authentic Connections

Influencer marketing has been gaining momentum in recent years, and 2016 saw the rise of micro-influencers – individuals with smaller yet highly engaged social media audiences. Unlike macro-influencers with massive follower counts, micro-influencers were able to forge more genuine connections with their audience, resulting in higher levels of trust and credibility.

Collaborating with micro-influencers allowed brands to tap into niche markets and target specific demographics more effectively. These influencers often had a deep understanding of their audience’s preferences and could recommend products or services that aligned with their followers’ interests. According to a study by TapInfluence, businesses earned an average of $6.50 for every $1 invested in influencer marketing in 2016. This impressive ROI demonstrates the effectiveness of micro-influencer campaigns.

User-Generated Content Boosts Authenticity

With the overwhelming amount of content available online, trust and authenticity have become crucial factors in capturing consumers’ attention. One of the strategies that gained prominence in 2016 was leveraging user-generated content (UGC) to enhance brand credibility.

UGC refers to any content created by consumers themselves, such as reviews, testimonials, and social media posts. By encouraging users to share their experiences and opinions, businesses were able to create a sense of authenticity and credibility around their brand. According to a study by comScore, consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view UGC as authentic compared to brand-created content.

Moreover, UGC proved to be an effective way of creating social proof and driving purchase decisions. Potential customers often seek validation from their peers before making a purchase, and UGC plays a pivotal role in influencing their choices. According to a study by Bazaarvoice, 84% of millennials reported that UGC had an influence on what they buy.

Mobile-Optimized Content Becomes Essential

In 2016, mobile usage continued to skyrocket, with smartphones becoming the primary device for accessing the internet. To cater to this growing trend, businesses had to ensure their content was optimized for mobile devices.

Mobile-optimized content involved creating responsive websites, designing mobile-friendly emails, and developing apps that provided a seamless user experience. According to Google, 89% of people are likely to recommend a brand after a positive mobile experience. Therefore, it became imperative for businesses to invest in mobile optimization to improve user satisfaction and drive brand advocacy.

Conclusion

In 2016, content marketing witnessed several groundbreaking trends that reshaped the digital landscape. Video marketing, interactive content, micro-influencers, user-generated content, and mobile optimization emerged as the best strategies for engaging with consumers and driving brand growth. By leveraging these strategies, businesses were able to capture attention, build trust, and achieve remarkable results. As the digital ecosystem continues to evolve, it is crucial for online advertising services and advertising networks to embrace these proven content marketing techniques to support businesses in reaching their target audience effectively.

Statistic: According to a study by Forbes, 75% of marketers consider video as a crucial aspect of their content marketing strategy.

Key Takeaways for Best Content Marketing 2016

As an online advertising service or advertising network, it is crucial for you to stay updated with the latest trends in content marketing. In this article, we will highlight the key takeaways from the Best Content Marketing strategies in 2016. These takeaways summarize the most important points and insights that will help you optimize your content marketing efforts and stay ahead of your competition.

1. Quality over Quantity

In 2016, the focus of content marketing shifted towards delivering high-quality, valuable content rather than simply producing a large volume of content. It’s important to prioritize creating content that is relevant, informative, and engaging for your target audience.

2. Personalization is Key

Personalized content was a major trend in 2016, and it continues to be a crucial aspect of successful content marketing. Tailor your content to specific audience personas and segments to make it more relevant and appealing to your target audience.

3. Visual Content is on the Rise

In 2016, visual content became increasingly popular and effective in capturing the audience’s attention. Incorporate visual elements such as images, videos, and infographics into your content marketing strategy to make it more engaging and shareable.

4. Mobile Optimization is a Must

With the growing use of mobile devices, optimizing your content for mobile became essential in 2016. Ensure that your content is mobile-friendly and easily accessible on different devices to reach a wider audience.

5. Social Media Integration

Social media platforms played a central role in content marketing strategies in 2016. Integrate your content with social media channels to increase its reach and engagement. Develop a strong social media presence and share your content regularly to attract and retain followers.

6. Influencer Marketing

Collaborating with influencers in your industry can significantly boost the reach and impact of your content marketing efforts. Identify and build relationships with influential individuals who can promote your content to their followers and increase brand awareness.

7. Interactive Content

In 2016, interactive content emerged as a powerful tool for engaging audiences. Experiment with quizzes, surveys, polls, interactive videos, and other interactive content formats to captivate your audience and encourage their active participation.

8. User-Generated Content

User-generated content became increasingly valuable in 2016 as it improved authenticity and trustworthiness. Encourage your audience to create and share their own content related to your brand, products, or services, and leverage that content to enhance your overall content marketing strategy.

9. Storytelling

Effective storytelling resonates with the audience and builds a strong emotional connection. Develop narrative-driven content that tells a story and evokes emotions to create a memorable and impactful content marketing campaign.

10. Data-Driven Insights

Incorporating data analysis and insights into your content marketing strategy can help you make informed decisions and optimize your campaigns. Use analytics tools to track the performance of your content and gain valuable insights into audience preferences and behavior.

11. Continuous Content Optimization

Content optimization is an ongoing process that allows you to refine and improve your content based on audience feedback and performance metrics. Regularly analyze your content’s performance and make necessary adjustments to achieve better results.

12. SEO and Content Alignment

Aligning your content marketing efforts with SEO best practices is critical for maximizing visibility and organic reach. Conduct keyword research, optimize your content for relevant keywords, and ensure it is properly structured and formatted to improve search engine rankings.

13. Integration of AI and Chatbots

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots in content marketing gained traction in 2016. Consider utilizing automated chatbots and AI-powered tools to enhance customer interactions, provide personalized recommendations, and streamline content delivery.

14. Diversification of Content Formats

In 2016, brands experimented with various content formats to cater to different audience preferences. Explore diverse formats such as podcasts, live streaming, interactive eBooks, webinars, and more to expand your content marketing reach.

15. Measurement and ROI

Tracking and measuring the return on investment (ROI) of your content marketing efforts is crucial for optimizing your strategy. Define clear metrics and goals, regularly monitor performance, and make data-driven decisions to improve the effectiveness of your campaigns.

These key takeaways from the Best Content Marketing strategies in 2016 provide valuable insights and guidance for your content marketing efforts as an online advertising service or advertising network. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your content’s quality, reach, and engagement, ultimately driving better results for your clients and increasing your own success in the industry.

FAQs for the Best Content Marketing 2016

1. What is content marketing?

   Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach that focuses on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific audience. It aims to ultimately drive profitable customer action.

2. Why is content marketing important?

   Content marketing is important because it helps businesses build brand awareness, establish thought leadership, engage with their target audience, and drive more qualified leads. It also helps in boosting customer loyalty and increasing conversions.

3. How does content marketing support online advertising?

   Content marketing supports online advertising by creating valuable content that resonates with the target audience. This content can be used in online ads to capture attention, drive clicks, increase conversions, and build brand trust.

4. What are the key elements of a successful content marketing strategy?

   A successful content marketing strategy involves defining clear goals, understanding the target audience, creating high-quality content, optimizing content for search engines, promoting content through various channels, analyzing and measuring results, and continuously refining the strategy based on insights.

5. How can I create engaging content for my target audience?

   To create engaging content, you need to understand your target audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points. Conduct research, use surveys or polls, analyze buyer personas, and craft content that provides valuable information, addresses their challenges, and sparks their interest.

6. What are some effective content distribution channels?

   Effective content distribution channels include social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, email marketing, influencer partnerships, guest blogging, content syndication, and SEO optimization to increase organic traffic.

7. Why is it important to track and measure content marketing efforts?

   Tracking and measuring content marketing efforts is essential to understand what works and what doesn’t. It provides insights into audience behavior, content performance, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI). These data help optimize strategies and allocate resources effectively.

8. How long does it take to see results from content marketing?

   The time it takes to see results from content marketing varies depending on various factors such as the industry, competition, content quality, consistency, and promotion efforts. Generally, it can take several months to a year to see significant results.

9. What types of content are most effective for content marketing?

   The most effective types of content for content marketing include blog articles, videos, infographics, case studies, whitepapers, eBooks, webinars, podcasts, and social media posts. The choice of content type should be based on the target audience’s preferences and the goals of the campaign.

10. Should I outsource content creation or create content in-house?

    Whether to outsource content creation or create it in-house depends on your resources, expertise, and goals. Outsourcing can bring fresh perspectives and expertise, while in-house content creation allows for better control and a deep understanding of your brand and audience.

11. How can I repurpose existing content?

    You can repurpose existing content by turning blog posts into videos or infographics, creating slide decks from webinars, transforming customer testimonials into case studies, compiling a series of related articles into an eBook, or adapting content for different social media platforms.

12. What are some common content marketing mistakes to avoid?

    Some common content marketing mistakes to avoid are creating content without a clear strategy, producing low-quality or inconsistent content, neglecting SEO optimization, not promoting content effectively, forgetting to analyze and learn from data, and copying competitors without adding uniqueness.

13. How can I make sure my content is optimized for search engines?

    To optimize your content for search engines, you should conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms, incorporate keywords naturally in titles, headings, and body, write compelling meta descriptions, optimize images with alt tags, ensure fast loading times, and build high-quality backlinks.

14. What is the role of storytelling in content marketing?

    Storytelling plays a crucial role in content marketing as it helps captivate the audience, evoke emotions, provide context, and make the content more memorable. By telling stories, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and create a lasting impact.

15. How can I measure the success of my content marketing efforts?

    You can measure the success of your content marketing efforts by tracking key metrics such as website traffic, engagement rates, conversion rates, social media shares, backlinks, and customer feedback. Using analytics tools and setting specific goals will enable you to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of your strategies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the year 2016 has proven to be an extraordinary year for content marketing. Throughout this article, we have explored and uncovered some of the key points and insights that have emerged from the best content marketing strategies of 2016.

One of the most notable trends that have dominated the landscape of content marketing in 2016 is the shift towards more personalized and interactive content. Brands and businesses have recognized the importance of creating content that resonates with their target audience on a personal level. This has led to the development of innovative strategies such as user-generated content, interactive quizzes, and personalized video campaigns. These approaches have not only increased engagement but have also created a sense of connection and authenticity between the brand and the consumer.

Furthermore, the rise of social media platforms as powerful content distribution channels has been another significant development in 2016. Brands have leveraged the reach and influence of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat to amplify the visibility of their content. Additionally, the emphasis on visual content, such as images and videos, has played a crucial role in capturing and retaining the attention of the online audience. Brands have recognized the power of visually appealing and shareable content, resulting in the creation of highly engaging and viral campaigns.

Another important aspect of content marketing in 2016 has been the increasing collaboration between brands and influencers. Influencer marketing, where brands partner with influential individuals in their niche to promote their products or services, has proven to be an effective way to reach and engage with the target audience. Influencers have the ability to create authentic and relatable content that resonates with their followers, thereby increasing brand visibility and credibility. The success of influencer marketing campaigns, such as those conducted on YouTube and Instagram, has highlighted the importance of building relationships with influencers and leveraging their influence to drive brand growth.

In addition to personalization, social media, and influencer collaborations, brands have also focused on developing content that provides value and solves the problems of their target audience. This shift towards providing useful and informative content has resulted in the rise of educational and informative blog posts, tutorials, and e-books. By positioning themselves as thought leaders in their industry, brands have been able to establish trust and credibility with their audience.

Furthermore, the use of data and analytics has played a crucial role in refining and optimizing content marketing strategies in 2016. Brands have relied on data-driven insights to understand their audience behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns. This has enabled them to create more targeted and personalized content, resulting in increased conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Overall, the year 2016 has been a remarkable year for content marketing, with brands and businesses pushing the boundaries to create innovative and engaging content. The shift towards personalized, interactive, and value-driven content, along with the rising influence of social media platforms and influencer collaborations, has transformed the content marketing landscape. As we move forward, it is evident that content marketing will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing digital landscape, and brands will need to stay agile and innovative to stand out in the crowded online space.