When did content marketing become popular? Content marketing has changed dramatically in the last ten years. A decade ago, almost every company had a blog, but most didn’t know why they needed one, let alone how to optimize it to generate visitors. To get the highest rankings, brands were using spammy content, which was overstuffed with keywords and irrelevant links. Today, content marketing is a comprehensive strategy incorporating public relations and SEO. Consumers are increasingly making their buying decisions before ever interacting with a company.
The History of Content Marketing
The advent of the printing press paved the way for content marketing. The first printed marketing materials were produced by Gutenberg, who invented the printing press in 1440. In 1732, Benjamin Franklin published a newspaper titled Poor Richard’s Almanack, promoting his printing business. The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company began publishing “The Locomotive” in 1867 and continues to publish it to this day. Using this new medium, the company shares helpful information with its customers.
The early days of the Internet were a luxury for most people, but computers quickly became a common tool for doing business. In 1996, newspaper journalist John F. Oppedahl first coined the term “content marketing,” The concept has since grown to include a wide variety of content. By mid-early 2000, most companies on the web enjoyed a rise in traffic. However, thousands of new websites were published daily, and the competition for views increased significantly.
Before the Internet, content marketing was confined to television networks and the mass media. The early days of content marketing grew in popularity when cereal manufacturers began sharing recipes in The Ladies Home Journal. By 1909, Jell-O sales reached $1 million. By 1913, they reached $2 million. Content marketing has evolved through the years to become increasingly competitive, whether it is cereal or a brand.
When Did Content Marketing Become Popular?
Brick Kicks
Content marketing started with bricks. In 1987, LEGO launched a magazine called Brick Kicks, which featured comics, games, modeling tips, and other content. This publication, which is still produced under LEGO Club Magazine, is still going strong with loyal readers. The first commercial website appeared in 1993, owned by OReilly & Associates. In addition to bricks, the brand also started licensing these bricks to major film properties.
Before content marketing was a niche strategy, the Internet was not yet widely used, and most brands only used it to sell products. Television provided the opportunity to produce visually attractive advertisements and television shows. Content marketing became so popular in the 1990s that it was employed by almost every brand. And in 1993, O’Reilly Media launched the world’s first company website. Content marketing became a staple for brands as the Internet grew in popularity.
It Helps in Establishing Your Presence in the Industry
Today, many brands are familiar with the term “content marketing.” As online marketing and social media continue to open up new opportunities, content marketing has become an essential tool to grow revenue and establish a presence as an expert in a specific industry. Content marketing has come a long way and will continue for years. It’s essential to be aware of the different types of content and how to market it effectively.
Content Marketing Is Perfect For Reaching Out to More Customers
Content marketing became popular when companies figured out their target audience and tailored content to meet their needs. Proctor & Gamble and Jell-O understood their customers and developed unique content that drew their target audience to their websites. The companies knew where to find this content and placed it in places that were easy to find for their target audience. While cereal mascots and Superhero comics are still used as content marketing today, the key is to make your content meaningful to your audience. This emotional reaction creates loyal customers.
Video Content
Ultimately, content marketing has become more interactive than ever. Video content is digestible and keeps people interested for longer. Video content also increases the likelihood that your audience will share your content with others. A recent study by Statista predicts that mobile data will grow sevenfold by 2022. It is a sign of a rapidly changing culture. In addition to the rise of mobile devices, video content is becoming a crucial part of content marketing.
