Content marketing is key for most business models, but especially for B2B marketers. According to the Content Marketing Institute, sixty-two percent of B2B marketers in North America say that compared to one year ago, their organization’s overall approach to content marketing has been must more or somewhat more successful.

Content marketing is growing at a moderate pace and it will continue to grow in 2017. As content marketing continues to evolve, marketers will have more options available to them than ever before, including the following trends that are likely to become bigger hits in 2017.

• Live Streaming. Live streaming will continue to grow in popularity, especially on live streaming platforms such as Facebook Live, YouTube Live and Periscope that offer user-friendly formats for marketing products, giving social media tutorials, hosting commentary on current topics, giving live tours, chatting and providing even more content.
• Virtual Reality. Virtual reality is getting noticed more and will be a strong source for content marketing. Companies have started using virtual reality to showcase premium products. Earlier this year, McDonald’s introduced a Happy Meal box in Sweden that can be repurposed as a Google Cardboard VR headset. Audi lets customers experience the opportunity to configure their preferred car at the dealership through virtual reality headsets. Virtual reality will be a powerful, somewhat expensive, way to showcase products and services.
• Email newsletters. Email newsletters should be on the rise in 2017. They are an effective method, for B2B marketers, to reach prospects and share information with clients. Though there has been chatter about the death of the email in past years, email newsletters will be stronger than ever.
• Storytelling. Storytelling will become a key part of all content marketing campaigns. Great storytelling is about authenticity and personalization. It is also about riveting and invigorating messages that stays on message. Simply blogging isn’t enough anymore. Content marketing needs to engage your audience and tell them a story.

Adapting and using any of these trends will immensely improve your content marketing and help build an audience unlike before.

Content Marketing Institute
http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2016/09/content-marketing-research-b2b/

McDonald’s
http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/mcdonalds-now-making-happy-meal-boxes-turn-virtual-reality-headsets-169907

Audi
https://www.audiusa.com/newsroom/news/press-releases/2015/01/audi-vr-experience-the-dealership-in-a-briefcase