While it might seem a little early to start looking for content marketing trends for 2018, there are certainly current trends that will affect how this form of promotion evolves next year. In fact, many of the advancements that occurred in content marketing in 2017 will likely continue strong throughout all of the upcoming years. Unfortunately, only 22 percent of marketers consider themselves very successful at content marketing, but the following trends could help change that.

Using Social Influencers

Corporations have been using social influencers since the dawn of marketing, but it’s not necessary to have a commercial with Brad Pitt to use influencer marketing. Local businesses have realized this, and it’s led them to reach out to community celebrities and even infrequently spend a few dollars on being promoted on a large social media page. Now that influencer marketing is more affordable and widely known, 2018 will likely keep the method going strong.

Live Video Remains Content Gold

Facebook Live has been fully rolled out for just over a year, but it’s already making waves. Unfortunately, the company realized that their release was a bit premature, so they’ve spent most of 2017 working to perfect the product. This means that, by 2018, Facebook Live will be improved and ready to help marketers produce the live and interactive content that consumers are demanding.

Email Marketing Becomes More Important

Social media marketing is certainly essential, but with these platforms focusing more on profit that user-friendliness, it’s become harder for companies to reach their target audiences. Of course, they can pay to do this (which is a good idea), but email marketing still offers a great method of pushing content. And since 75 percent of marketers say they get a good ROI from email, it’s certainly worth focusing on.

Content marketing in 2018 will see huge changes and evolution. To be ready for that, though, it’s essential to understand the trends of 2017. Only this can properly prepare an entrepreneur for what’s to come.