At first glance, a blog post might seem like something created simply for enjoyment and entertainment. But once you take a closer look and learn more about the strategy that goes into crafting blog topics, it’s much more complex than that.

In recent years, brands of all types and sizes have discovered the myriad of ways that blogging can help them connect with their target market. By creating high-quality, engaging, and relevant blog content, a brand can attract new customers, build trust, and spur successful sales and inquiries. As part of a larger content and marketing strategy, blogging is an important way for brands to develop as leaders in their industry. So, while blog topics might seem to be somewhat casual and carefree, content creation is both a science and an art.

As 2021 approaches, plenty of media experts are making blog topic predictions that forecast the exciting directions that content will be taking shortly. As brands – and content creators – get even smarter about how to boost their online visibility, make genuine connections with their customers, and think outside the box of traditional marketing, topics become increasingly intentional and targeted. And if you’ve ever considered working as a blogger or another type of content creator, staying ahead of the curve is always important.

Here are our top picks for the 2021 blog trends that will impact content in the next year:

Highly visual content

Blogs are no longer relying solely on the written word. In fact, the most successful blogs understand how to effectively combine multiple modes for communicating to promote their most important points. This approach keeps readers interested, but it also helps present the information in easy-to-digest bits. For a society that’s always on the go, and gets most of our news from our smartphones, this is key.

In the upcoming year, we’re expecting to see even more topics incorporating visual elements, particularly ones that go beyond regular photos and graphics. Videos, interactive media (such as surveys and polls), and app-like widgets will become even more popular in 2021. For example, there are various widgets that utilize various types of charts to engage viewers with specific data. For blogs that are covering topics that are data-based, this type of widget can be a great way to catch the interest of readers.

Overall, both blogs and websites, in general, will be strategizing content with a visual focus in the coming year. The result will be positive increases in dwell time (how long a user stays on the page), the potential for share-friendly content, and better delivery of information to audiences as a whole.

A stronger focus on relevance

Even the earliest successful bloggers knew that their readers counted on them to create interesting, relevant content. If a reader can’t pinpoint useful information or timely connections to their present-day, it’s unlike that they’ll continue reading the blog – this is essentially Blogging 101.

However, as we head towards 2021, content creators are really going to hone in on relevance and what that means for their content. There will continue to be plenty of blog topics that are considered “evergreen,” meaning that they have long-term relevance. Other topics are only relevant for a few days, weeks, or months, passing very quickly and holding only short-term value.

It might seem like “evergreen” content is the best type to aim for, but actually, hitting the right balance between all levels of relevance is vital. In the future, content creators will continue to refine their understanding of achieving this balance. As a result, readers will be more likely to find blogs that hit the relevancy “sweet spot”: a mix of always-interesting content, trending topics, and middle ground subjects to balance it all out.

Long-form content

Even though short and sweet pieces can be a great way to grab readers’ attention, longer blog content is proving to have excellent staying power – and it’s a trend that will continue into 2021. Leading web influencer, marketer, and author Neil Patel has described long-form content as an ideal way to boost your competitive edge online.

Not only do extended blog posts stand out from other, typically short-form content, but they also offer more opportunity for lead generation through backlinks and organic traffic. Long-form posts also set up the author or brand as an authority to be trusted in their specific industry, helping build valuable credibility and brand strength.

Keep in mind that long-form blog posts should be used with a specific goal and audience in mind, and might not be right in all scenarios. Knowing when, where, and how to deploy this strategy will be key for blogs in 2021.

Learn How to Create Engaging Blog Content with an Education in Media

Are you interested in a career path that involves content creation? From blogging and social media to mobile advertising and internet analytics, a wide range of today’s most in-demand jobs have one thing in common: you have to have a clear understanding of content and media in order to succeed.

The Media Schools located in Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, and Miami offer a dynamic selection of education and training programs that give you the tools and skills you need to get started in the industry that’s right for you. Our Media Sales and Marketing program takes students on an in-depth journey through the world of content creation, diving into the many ways that you can establish a career as a blogger, podcaster manager, online advertiser, and more. You’ll learn how to write for specialized purposes, reach your target audience, and shape an outstanding brand image – it’s everything you need and more to follow your career dreams.

Get ready for 2021 by starting your bright future on the right foot. Enroll in classes at the Media Schools in Miami, Colorado, Ohio, and Illinois, and prepare for an exciting new year.

 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rawpixel.com

References: Patel, Neil. “Why 3,000+ Word Blog Posts Get More Traffic [A Data-Driven Answer]” Neil Patel, 2020.