In January of every year, you can find articles about trends in nearly every industry: trends in movies, trends in finance, trends in publishing — you name it. We got in on the action, too, with an article titled 7 B2B Marketing Trends for 2013. These types of articles are helpful because they clue you in to the happenings in your industry and keep you current.

When I was looking at a content marketing trends article this morning, I was struck by how much marketing has changed during the Information Age.

But when you think about it, the only thing that has really changed in marketing is the delivery. The basic tenets of good marketing hold true, whether you’re Facebooking or cold calling. You just have to adapt to the new landscape.

1. Make personal connections. No matter how you do it — through email newsletters, social media, or face-to-face — you have to make a connection with the person on the other side. You can do this by sharing your story, by reaching out through many outlets, or by asking for feedback. Do what it takes to get someone to engage with you.

2. Offer something of value to the customer. People only want to know how your product or service will help them. Make sure every piece of content you produce has the customer in mind.

3. Be outstanding. The content marketing world is full of clutter and noise. Thousands of blogs, constant tweets, and uncountable websites make it difficult to get noticed. Be creative to attract some attention.

4. Target your audience. It’s crucial to know who you’re talking to — who will benefit from your offerings. This is especially important in the online world because it’s so tempting to try to blast your message everywhere instead of narrowing in on your target audience.

5. Persistence pays off. You’d never air a commercial just once or mail one brochure and expect a great response. Content marketing is the same way. You have to keep up with your social media presence and your blogging to stay top of mind with your prospects.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the trends and changes in content marketing, just stick to the tried and true marketing basics. Remember these basic concepts and apply them to your corporate blog, email newsletter, and status updates. And let us know if you need some help — that’s what we’re here for!

Business success starts with better communication. Contact the professionals at Proven Systems at (800) 720-5398 or info@provensystems.com.