Content marketing statistics enable marketers to make the most informed decisions for planning a content marketing strategy.

Have you ever tried your hand at developing a content marketing strategy? If you have, then you must have already come across content marketing statistics in some form or another. You have possibly even seen how useful they can be in guiding you to build a robust strategy.

From selecting the most effective distribution channels to defining the right KPIs— content marketing statistics come in handy at every step. However, the abundance of ‘state of content marketing’ reports on the internet can create an information overload.

In order to effectively sift through the mounds of data at your disposal, it’s important that you find the most accurate and relevant content marketing facts and stats for your business. Content marketing statistics are critical to getting visibility into how your content marketing efforts progress.

Creating engaging content marketing strategies is a top priority for successful businesses worldwide. By developing innovative content marketing initiatives to promote their products and services, businesses are better able to maximize their profit potential. But, in order to truly realize the potential of content marketing, marketers need to take into account essential content marketing statistics.

As already mentioned, content marketing statistics provide the crucial data needed to successfully create and conduct effective marketing strategies. To assist in identifying the scale and value of content marketing strategies, this article will provide some of the newest available data and facts regarding the impact of content marketing statistics in the marketing world today.

We’ve handpicked the latest useful content marketing statistics to help you cut through the clutter and focus on the right data. But before delving deeper, let’s first understand the importance of tracking content marketing data.

Overview—Content Marketing

Unless you’ve gone completely off the grid, you’re already familiar with the benefits of content marketing. It’s a great way to build your brand, attract paying customers and win their trust.

• About 72% of business owners cited that content marketing has enhanced their customer engagement.
• Based on reports, over 90% of marketers value the critical role of digital content to increase their clientele.
• 65% of marketers experience challenges when building appealing and Google-rich content.
• Startups with blogs achieve 126% higher lead growth compared with thriving businesses that do not employ blogging as a marketing strategy.
• In 2018 alone, 75% of sellers noted that using the latest content marketing data gain better insights to help their content to perform well.

Content Marketing Effectiveness

Understanding available content marketing data helps in conducting strategic planning. It also aids in identifying what content marketing facts you should focus on, and how you should deliver these to suit your target consumers.

Evaluating content marketing success statistics can be time-consuming, but these are worthwhile for boosting your marketing efforts.

Why Content Marketing Statistics Matter

If you’re building a content marketing strategy from scratch for the first time, here are a few questions that’ll come to mind:

• What platforms are your competitors using to distribute and promote their content?
• How much money are the key players in your industry investing in their content marketing strategies?
• What metrics are they tracking to calculate content marketing ROI?
• What tools and applications are they using to create content and measure its performance?
• How big are their content marketing teams?
• Are they using a content marketing playbook and editorial calendar to implement their strategy?

The answers to all these, and more, questions are found in the latest statistics about content marketing.

If you’ve dabbled with content creation and marketing, you likely already know that it’s a volatile world. New content formats and distribution channels rise in popularity regularly while others become obsolete. In such a scenario, how can you go about building and implementing a successful content marketing strategy?

One of the best ways is through the clever use of content marketing statistics to optimize your content strategy development process. These statistics are particularly useful if you’re new to the world of content marketing. They give you a glimpse of what the top performers in your industry are doing and how you can implement their strategies.

They are also essential for updating your strategy and keeping it relevant. Using this data, you can evaluate your existing strategy and optimize it according to the industry’s best practices. This, in turn, helps you ensure that your content always cuts through the noise and reaches your target audience.

Key Content Marketing Statistics

So, where do you find the latest content marketing statistics? Well, you can always run a Google search and scroll down multiple lengthy surveys to find relevant data. But this can be extremely time-consuming and may prove ineffective.

A better way is to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of content marketing by researching the latest statistics. This will highlight the latest trends and developments and will help you stay abreast of what is happening in the world of content marketing.

Knowledge is power, and familiarizing yourself with the facts and figures around content marketing can only assist you in the long run.

Successfully executing a content marketing strategy requires significant investment in terms of time and resources. It makes sense to get a better idea of real-life content marketing results before getting started.

Let’s look at a few statistics to find out whether content lives up to the hype.

Content Creation Statistics

When it comes to content formats, the internet is going to leave you spoilt for choice. You can use a wide array of eye-catching content formats. These include:

• Blog posts
• E-books
• Whitepapers
• Case studies
• Newsletters
• Videos
• Social media posts
• Podcasts
• Infographics

But which content formats are guaranteed to drive the best results? Let’s find out what the latest data suggests.

Content Distribution Statistics

Your content marketing strategy won’t yield the desired results unless you use the right distribution channels. Typically, you can use the following channels:

• Search engines
• Company websites
• Social media platforms
• Email
• Podcast platforms
• Influencers

However, you should carefully analyze your target audience’s online behavior to identify the most effective marketing channels.

A compilation of the latest content marketing facts and data would be incomplete without touching upon relevant return on investment (ROI statistics). Whether you’re publishing a handful of blog posts every month or implementing a multi-platform content marketing campaign, you must measure its performance. But what metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) should you use for this purpose? Let’s find out.

Content Marketing Budget Statistics

You can’t build and run a high-converting content marketing campaign without dedicating an adequate budget. But what’s the optimal budget for a content marketing strategy? While there isn’t a straightforward answer to this question, analyzing content marketing data can help you make the right decision.

1. Internet Purchasing

Based on Pew Research, a substantial number of American buyers shop online. They belong to a population who opt to buy online regularly at least once a day to several times daily.

An October 2020 Statista report, cited that the global digital population consists of about 4 billion. It involves 3.7 billion mobile online buyers and about 3 billion social media users.

In the 2020 B2B content marketing statistics, as reported by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), it was noted that B2B traders rely on content marketing to increase their customer base. In addition, most of its B2C marketers consider content marketing as a component of a winning business tool.

2. The Value of Content Marketing Strategy

Many marketers believe that content marketing works, and are learning how to apply the value of content marketing facts to their advantage. Good content is vital in business promotion. About 50% of most marketers are convinced that using content guarantees they will reach their clientele. Among marketers who make use of B2C content marketing statistics, many consider the value of content marketing to improve their business visibility.

However, marketers should learn the best ways to optimize their content marketing strategies. Some require the assistance of a third-party SEO service provider to produce quality and engaging content for their potential customers.

3. Content Marketing ROI

Based on digital content marketing ROI statistics, content marketing shows promising results. Citing the findings of CMI’s digital content marketing ROI stats, about 72% of business owners noted that content marketing is critical in getting higher customer engagement. This also contributes to generating more leads.

Some popular brands, such as Tiger Fitness, use content marketing ROI case studies. They attain a 60% repeat customer rate through video content marketing.

For using Twitter alone, studies show enhanced content marketing ROI using the platform:

• 66% of marketers consider opening a new business venture on Twitter
• 69% of consumers purchased something via a tweet
• 94% seek to buy from a vendor they follow

4. SEO

Understanding the relationship between SEO and content marketing strategy can be difficult at times. This is because search engine optimization impacts where your content is and affects whether potential buyers view it, and how often they visit your online site.

In fact, often the best content marketers place more emphasis on customer conversions and engagement than on web traffic. However, to achieve content marketing effectiveness, your website needs to increase its traffic so potential customers can easily view your online content.

For this reason, content needs SEO optimization. Many online browsers only check the first page of search engine results. If your available content is on the second or succeeding pages, it will not get much attention.

In many instances, even a first-page appearance of your content is not a guarantee of success. About 50% of most SERP clicks come from the top three online ranking results, including the essential components regarding content marketing formats.

The Importance of Blogging

Blogging is an essential part of the content tactics used by the most effective B2B marketers’ content marketing strategies with CMI noting that about 31% of entrepreneurs use blogging and drafting short articles to increase brand awareness. In the early part of 2020, along with building social media content, blogs are crucial tools to boost brand awareness.

When it comes to generating leads, many marketers consider blogging to be a valuable content marketing technique. And content marketing statistics demonstrate that blog posts are among those most widely shared online on social media platforms.

This in itself highlights the importance of blogging and it becomes most effective when the right formulas are used. For example—blog post titles that range from six to 13 words tend to gain good organic target traffic. There is also a belief that an average blog post should at least be 1142 words in length. However, others believe that in order to get higher social shares, drafting longer blogs is the way to go.

They believe that blog posts that gain the most shares usually range from 2,500 to over 3,000 words long.

6. Content Marketing Via Audio and Podcasts

Podcasting is a new trend for reaching your target customers. Half of the global online podcast users are between the ages of 25 to 34.

In the U.S., one in five Americans listens to audiobooks and 40% of them tune in to podcasts. In fact, approximately 15% of Americans are likely to listen to a podcast at least once a week.

Podcast Insights reported about 49% of podcast listeners usually stay at home and about 22% of them listen to them while driving. It makes sense then that approximately 11% of marketers concentrate their marketing efforts to focus on audio and podcasts as new platforms to highlight their products and services.

7. Use of Striking Images

Selecting a set of good images is critical in promoting content marketing. This is simply because quality content, with appealing images, gets more views. People like visual content and so using images assists in getting your message across, especially on social media platforms where you can aim for more shares, likes, and subscriptions.

As a marketer, you are free to use several image types. Employing infographics is one of them, which is the most shared image type. According to a Forbes report, entrepreneurs who include infographics in their marketing materials find them effective in highlighting their products’ benefits and features.

8. The Power of Video

The use of videos in content marketing is increasing in popularity. Many marketers today invest in HD video production to promote their products and services. Currently, 48% of sellers consider creating YouTube channels a requirement.

This new video trend provides high content marketing results. Many millennials these days trust video presentations. About half of individuals aged 18 to 34 love to view an enticing videos.

Over 70% of B2B sellers and B2C entrepreneurs employ videos as a marketing tool and leading firms see a great return on video content. Today, videos are the new normal and are used to promote products and services.

9. Webinars

A webinar is a form of visual content marketing—customers who are not aware of how these work may take a while to embrace them.

The admin surrounding these can be daunting with sign-ups and structures required. Education surrounding the functionality of these platforms will go a long way toward encouraging use and participation. Advertising on this platform needs to adhere to strict guidelines and provide the correct information in the right way.

Content marketing statistics indicate that the best viewing time for webinars is between midnight PST and 3 p.m. EST. In addition, sign-ups can be deceiving as time has shown that usually, only a third of people that register even attempt to view a webinar replay. Usually, 50% of on-demand views occur ten days following the webinar.

When it comes to B2B content marketing statistics, webinars are considered powerful for generating leads. By increasing lead generation, more prospects can be reached and this then becomes an effective content strategy.

10. Interactive Content Marketing

Many larger businesses have opted to employ AI-assisted self-service to reduce contact with buyers. This form of customer service is quite different from what regular customers are accustomed to. It can be advantageous in content marketing effectiveness for enterprises wanting to provide a more personalized approach to buyer satisfaction.

Increasing interactivity is another way to upgrade content marketing conversion rates while enticing your audience. You can achieve this in various ways. Quizzes and contests are great tools to use here.

Trends with Ai are set to increase over time and so marketers would do well to begin familiarizing themselves with this now.

11. Mobile Content Marketing

With more mobile users shopping online, Google’s research cited the value of content marketing by optimizing online websites and content for mobile conversions.

In recent years, mobile search use has grown by over 80%. Since 2019 the number of people using their mobile devices to make purchases has continued to climb. It makes sense then that intensifying your promotional strategy on these devices can only assist your marketing efforts.

Research indicates that in the U.S. alone 10%, or one in every ten Americans, are mobile phone users. This highlights the importance of mobile marketing as a means to drive marketing efforts.

12. B2B Content Marketing

Content marketing statistics show how different buyers rely heavily on content for their research.

B2B buyers are known to cross-reference an item between three to five times before finally making a purchase decision. This means, that before they even reach out to a salesperson, they have done their research, checked their details, and feel they are moving forward, informed, empowered, and ready to purchase.

Types of content these B2B buyers frequent when completing their research includes blog posts, case studies, and white papers. They tend to focus on content that links content marketing ROI statistics and business techniques.

This information arms the marketer with the knowledge that creating white papers is a productive content marketing strategy. These white papers are continually shared by buyers with their friends and loved ones. Incentivising content also works well and many customers share these lead magnet pieces in exchange for personal details and email addresses.

13. Email Marketing

One practical approach widely used by marketers in content promotion is email marketing.

Smart Insights reports that for every dollar spent, there is a $40 ROI.

While there are multiple means to communicate, sending an email is widely used for the following reasons:

• Trillions of emails are sent annually worldwide
• Most American adults are well-versed in using emails for daily use
• Professionals in the corporate world use emails as media of communication

14. Social Media: Statistics About Content Marketing Channels

Posting on social media platforms is deemed to be one of the most effective communication platforms.

The use of Facebook is not only limited to potential customers and has become a great way to encourage engagement within a community. When run correctly, business pages can enjoy regular browsing and followers visiting their sites at least once a day.

Demographics from social platforms highlight which platforms are best for various age groups. For example, Facebook and YouTube are the best channels to communicate with older online users. The younger generation is most likely to use Snapchat and Instagram. Email content marketing statistics indicate that Facebook is a rich source of online content and that YouTube users make use of content marketing that generates three times more leads than outbound marketing.

Social media provides vital tools to find solutions, be entertained, and learn new things. Here is a breakdown of the main reasons people use social media:

• Assist in fixing something at home (65%)
• Be entertained (57%)
• Learn new things (56%)
• Satisfy curiosity about something (54%)
• Solve a problem (54%)
• View anything (50%)
• Relax (42%)
• De-stress (39%)
• Be inspired or motivated (38%)
• Improve current skills (37%)

Content marketing statistics help when deciding on what content strategies are applicable to your business and what data-driven marketing initiatives to implement. After drafting your content, you can use lead generation software to either promote or share it anywhere. Below are three general strategies that can be applied:

• Develop a campaign to build your email listing
• Increase engagement using gated content
• Use the latest technology to get your viewers’ attention before browsing another website

15. Documented Content Marketing

Using a documented content strategy is crucial for achieving success. Collecting content marketing data can improve your daily operations, driving engagement in B2B or B2C business enterprises.

Marketers who do not take the time to build their knowledge about content marketing, and who do not integrate these findings into a defined strategy for building and distributing content, will never hit their target content marketing results.

Take the time to evaluate any available content marketing facts and apply these in your documented strategy to enable your business to meet its goals. Adding this step to your planning will allow you to define a strategy to meet the needs of your customers. This will pave the way for you to easily convert your strategies and optimize your content marketing efforts.

16. B2C Content Marketing

It is well understood that, generally, B2C content marketing initiatives are easier to implement than in the B2B arena. However, simpler or not, this strategy is equally as important and equally as effective for any B2B company.

Marketing is a vital component of any business and is critical to the success of its buyer journey. Content marketing assists overall marketing initiatives through its ability to enhance customer interactions, drive engagement, and meet their expectations. A well-constructed content marketing strategy will immediately improve SEO campaigns and results.

Content marketing strategies have brought a shift in the overall marketing goalposts. Today’s focus is very much on the customer experience as companies have seen how a happy customer experience results in greater brand recognition and overall brand loyalty -something this is essential in today’s world. Companies are creating content relevant to the needs of their customers, and this translates well into a transparent and caring brand identity—and one that customers feel safe and comfortable with.

It is important to keep things dynamic. Never stop trying innovative strategies to help your potential customers make the right buying decision, as this translates into a rewarding experience with higher sales and brand loyalty. Remember, customers, are the bloodline of any business. They will be your lifetime partner if you meet their needs.

17. Paid Search Content Marketing

While organic is good, there is also a place for paid search campaigns. These can be an effective way to boost traffic to your website quickly. Usually, marketers will invest in search engine marketing (SEM) to boost their online ranking to appear on the first page when an individual searches using specific keywords.

18. Content Marketing Proficiency

Less than 10% of B2C traders are proficient in using content marketing technologies at an expert level. Most companies today operate at an intermediate level. It is encouraging to note that many are beginning to see the value of content marketing effectiveness and are implementing it in their daily business operations.

19. Paid Advertising Content Marketing

Paid advertising content marketing statistics show the ad type that you need to pay for as compared to owned or earned advertising. Through paid advertising, business owners can pay for ad space to promote their products and services on a specific platform. This ad type is vital to about 68% of marketers.

One of the best ways to gain insight into the buying habits of customers is through social media. Social media provides marketers with the essential tools to identify their customers’ buying habits and preferences for a minimal fee. Within these platforms, marketers can track the habits of their followers in order to develop accurate buyer personas.

Content Marketing Trends

Content marketing is ever-evolving and the trends and developments are exciting to watch.

There is still so much room for improvement as many B2B and B2C marketers are not yet using this medium as effectively as they should be. They need to become familiar with industry trends and lean on industry experts to guide them toward effective strategies. Third-party content agencies provide tremendous support in this regard.

With the new shift towards integrating interactive media through mobile devices and creating videos, and with a high reliance today on visual content marketing, the need to partner with experts in the field has never been greater. These trends are set to continue and with the inclusion of emerging technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality, the sky is really the limit.

While currently, social network stories and YouTube videos are the key players, these trends to shift at any time.

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Content marketing is crucial for your brand’s marketing success. By learning about the latest trends in the industry, you can decide whether your brand is following the best practices or not, and make the necessary adjustments.

If you want a powerful content strategy, we can create one that’s customized to your requirements.

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