It’s 2019 and we’re wondering what’s going to change in how we consume content. Will blogs continue trending? Does anyone even follow blogs anymore? These are things that we have to sincerely consider as the way that people browse websites and favor their reception of information will forever change.

Ten years ago, podcasts were compartmentalized segments from live radio. Groundbreaking podcasts, such as This American Life and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, were just segments that were repurposed as podcasts because of the definitive beginning and end. As podcasts, these segments entered far more channels than they usually would have as mere radio segments.

Podcasts have grown from dozens back then to hundreds of thousands now – but you know what? They still continue to grow in popularity, and now range ranging from mainstream and accessible to hyper-niche and esoteric.  Widely recognized as being “radio on demand,” podcasts give a platform to thousands of topics and subjects in the audio format. And, they are just one example of the various forms of content people are using to get the info they need.

Popular Content Formats in 2019

So, what other formats are people expecting now? Is it enough to just have a website with your typical pages and blogs and articles written well? Content marketers have certainly considered other ways of making content easier to digest and more entertaining to absorb. Over the years, we’ve seen:

  • Podcasts
  • Infographics
  • E-Books
  • Video Tutorials
  • Checklists
  • Guides
  • Flowcharts
  • Animations

How much do people care about these other formats of information that they’d expect after doing a Google search and finding your website? Well, as you know from plenty of previous blogs, we conducted a survey of 250 people to answer that very question. In the questions below, we reveal just how important different formats are to different people.

Please answer the following questions about obtaining different information on a professional’s (think Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant) website.

On a scale from 1-10, how much more likely are you to go with a professional that offers great information in the formats previously mentioned on their website? 7.4

On a scale from 1-10, how much more trustworthy do you perceive a person to be with information on their site in the formats previously mentioned? 7.2

On a scale from 1-10, if you narrowed down two professionals you liked but one had more helpful information in the form of e-books or videos on their site, how much would that impact your final decision? 7.4

The data show that these other formats do influence user decision-making, although not as heavily as in past surveys we’ve conducted. The most important content on your website should be made available in several formats, whether it be a podcast, some infographics or dynamic content, video, or an e-book in addition to your web content. If you had to choose one though, which would it be?

I decided to select three options to choose from, and here were those results:

ebook 100 41.32%
checklists 52 21.49%
video 90 37.19%
all 27 11.16%

 

What do all of these formats normally look like?

Somewhat surprisingly, more people preferred e-books to videos when they sought a quality source of comprehensive information about a topic. E-books allow businesses to show expertise and gain credibility. They have a perceived value in that readers feel they are getting tons of reusable information for free.

Indeed, businesses often offer e-books for free in exchange for a visitor’s email address. Offering an e-book as an incentive to get people to sign up for your newsletter is a smart way to build your email list. You can also re-use the information from your e-books for other types of content like blogs, emails, infographics, videos, and even podcasts. As a result, you can generate more leads and increase engagement. E-books are also referred back to like traditional books giving you have multiple opportunities to provide your expert opinion.

Videos Rule the Web

The world reportedly watches nearly 5 billion YouTube videos each day. It is no surprise that website visitors enjoy videos to break up all the reading. Videos are a great way to explain more complicated concepts to your visitors that may be lengthy and challenging to explain in writing. Videos also allow you to make a more personal connection with your potential clients and viewers. You can speak as a friend and connect on a deeper level through a video than any other format.

Why Record Videos?

When you’re willing to add your face to your message, it gives instant credibility. A video is the closest your visitors will get to interact with you without physically visiting your place of business. Videos are also sharable across all your social media networks, which can significantly broaden the reach of your content. Creating video content for your website enhances your social media presence and drives more people to your site.

Are Lists Still Relevant in 2019?

People like checklists because it’s an easy way to break down information without getting overwhelmed with details. Lists are the most easily-digestible content delivery method as well as the easiest to create. People are drawn to lists because it facilitates them scanning a page to determine whether the information is even close to what they seek. Most people tend to scan information before reading through the “meat” of the content. In this digital age, viewers like the ability to gain knowledge that can effortlessly be read on a portable device. Easy-to-read lists ensure all your ideas will be reviewed by those who need it. Once you write a list you can use each bullet as an idea for additional media or social media posts. Like the other content formats, it is dual-purpose.

Let Us Help You Create Outstanding Content

The content development team at Market My Market excels in creating easily-digestible content your clients will love to pore over with a cup of tea or a phone in their hand to call for more details. Find out how a professional digital marketing team can help your content shine in the new year and capture the leads you want the most. From infographics to social sharing, we do it all. Get in touch for a free marketing quote.