Evolution of Content Creation: Past, Present and Future Trends

The first thing that connects us with “content creation” since we live in the post-pandemic era is always going to be influencers. But we all know the word content creation just cannot be contained with the word influencer alone. A paid post you saw or the last viral video to take over your timeline. The internet is bustling with amazing creators, from mind-blowing posts to viral videos that conquer your social media feed. The world of content creation has taken the internet by storm, and there's never been a better time to explore all the amazing content that's out there!

Past: Books, Annuals, and Benjamin Franklin

Marketers often discuss the evolution of content creation and content marketing. Some marketers argue that content marketing has been around since the beginning of writing, while others believe that it began with Benjamin Franklin's first "Poor Richard's Almanac" publication in 1732, which was intended to promote his printing business.

However, it is unclear whether Franklin's publication can be considered as "content marketing," as it was more of a collection of his interests, featuring a mix of astrological and astronomical information, poems, stories, and a calendar without a clear central focus or target audience.

Before the rise of social media, content creators expressed themselves through speeches, books, and photography. Works by famous authors like Jane Austen, George Eliot, and Shakespeare were highly regarded in their time and continue to influence various art forms today.

The turn of the last century brought about significant changes in content creation and the way people connected with each other. The rise of technology-empowered families and creatives to share their passions with the world. With the help of search engines like Ask Jeeves and Yahoo!, people could stay connected with loved ones and like-minded communities from anywhere in the world. The exciting possibilities that emerged as people united through devices and dial-up continue to thrill us even today.

Present: Blogging, MySpace and Twitter

Blogging emerged as a popular trend towards the end of the 90s and quickly became an obsession for anyone who wanted to be part of the self-expression movement. Based on history, the first blog was created by Justin Hall in 1994, where he expressed his love for art and creative work. At that time, this form of self-expression was commonly referred to as "online diaries" before the term "blog" was coined. (A shout-out to those who remember LiveJournal in its prime!)

Over time, blogging evolved from a simple landing page for personal thoughts to a refreshed medium for journalists to share global news, updates, and social commentary. In 2005, two significant events occurred in the world of content creation: Garrett Graff became the first blogger to receive a press pass for the White House, and The Huffington Post was launched. Today, news cycles continue to run around the clock, with updates on Twitter, news stations, and blogs.

Blogging has become a crucial aspect of business or product launches. Companies host employer blogs to share their views on industry trends leadership profiles and provide glimpses into their internal operations. Although it is now viewed as a tool to leverage search engine optimisation (SEO) in 2021, it remains one of the quickest and most significant ways for creators to share their thoughts, tell their stories, and provide breaking news for millions.

Blogging has evolved into microblogging (Twitter)and social media, exemplified by platforms such as Twitter. Social media was first introduced in 1997 with Six Degrees. However, the platform we are familiar with today originated in 2003 with Myspace, founded by Tom. Myspace was well-known for its customisations and connection to music, providing users with a space to express themselves by sharing their favourite music, personal aspirations, and thoughts.

Myspace has since been replaced by the current social media giants, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. As with blogging, social media has become monetised and a vital tool for businesses and entrepreneurs. Surveys have shown that 73% of marketers attribute their success and relevance to social media, and 54% of consumers use it to research upcoming purchases.

Future; Beauty vloggers, Instagram, and Storytelling.

It is no surprise that advertising on social media has transformed marketing, leading to traditional media struggling to keep up. The audience is no longer captivated by Hollywood "it girls." Instead, they are buying from beauty vloggers, influencers, and self-proclaimed artists without the backing of a management team or entourage of handlers. As a result, companies have shifted their marketing budget from commercial ads featuring A-list celebrities to content creators and influencers with organic followings, reach and high engagement rates.

Social media can be a confusing place for many people. In the past, it was a space where individuals could connect with their communities and showcase their talents without the need for special connections. However, nowadays, it is often used as a platform for showing off and pretending that our lives are better than they really are, which can be harmful and stressful to our mental health and overall well-being. Nevertheless, social media users are starting to push back against this pressure and are moving towards a new era of content creation that celebrates real and authentic moments.

Influencers are also changing their approach, moving away from perfect, curated feeds and embracing the messier, more authentic moments of life. Previously, there was a lot of pressure to take influencer-quality photos, but now individuals are realizing that these types of photos have become too common and don't resonate as much as they used to.

Despite its association with consumerism, social media can also be an essential tool for social justice. People can use it to share photos and videos of events, such as protests, and raise awareness about important issues. Social media has been especially useful in the Black Lives Matter movement, providing a space for people to organize and share information. It can also be used to promote fundraising, education, and sharing personal experiences. Overall, social media can be a potent tool, but it's important to use it in a responsible way. By focusing on authenticity and social justice, we can make social media a better place for everyone.

The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, acknowledges the increasing popularity of using video content. Instagram, which has been the leading social media platform for more than ten years, realises the significance of adapting to changing content creation trends. The app, which initially began as a photo-sharing platform, now aims to be identified as a general entertainment app that is powered by algorithms and videos.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a great impact on content creation. Since people had to stay home with nowhere to go, video content became the most feasible option for creators. As a result, TikTok surpassed Instagram in attracting users, and more users started using video-focused features such as Reels, Instagram Stories, live streaming, and native video content. Users have been innovative in producing content that ranges from comedy to education and sharing honest, helpful information.

It seems like the increasing popularity of video content has brought us full circle. The beauty of this trend is that we, as users, have the power to influence what will come next. It is up to us to determine how we want apps and tech companies to evolve over the next decade and what role we want social media to play in our daily lives. If we use our agency and influence wisely, we can shape content creation for our generation.

The use of storytelling has always been an influential and powerful tool when it comes to creating content. The captivating way in which stories are woven creates a lasting impression. By incorporating storytelling techniques into your content creation process, you can establish a stronger connection with your audience, relay your word more effectively, and motivate them to take action.

Storytelling is key in content creation. It involves using narrative, relatable characters, and emotion to create engaging content. This strategy can be applied to different forms of content, such as blogs, social media, videos, and podcasts. By utilizing storytelling, you can create memorable and effective content that achieves your marketing goals, whether it's driving conversions, increasing brand awareness, or establishing yourself as an industry authority.

Final words

When crafting content, it's important to consider your audience and their specific needs. This will help you determine what information to include and how to write it. Organising your content logically is also key. Start with the most important information and keep your sentences short and concise. Using everyday language and avoiding jargon will make your message clear and easy to understand. Our journey of sharing information has evolved over time, from inscribing it in caves to scriptures, books, movies, and now. It's amazing to see how complex and layered this journey has become. Now, if you want a hand in improving your content game for your business, it is time you check out the best Blog Writers in Kerala. At Your Word, we can help you expand your business by offering a variety of content writing services, including SEO-focused content creation, creative content creation, and web content creation in Kerala. Bring your creative side to this significant transformation. Connect with us right now!