5 things to do

What should you think about while heading into 2024? Read these five trends for thought in less than four minutes, and take a few minutes more to ponder what they could mean for your content business.

1. Think custom bots: All-purpose generative content tools won’t be the go-to format. Meta’s betting big on narrowing the scope, creating 28 special-purpose bots – Max for cooking content, Victor for training content, Coco for dancing content, etc.

That’s a trend identified by Alex Kantrowitz, host of the Big Technology podcast in 34 Big Ideas That Will Change the World in 2024.

Trend for thought: What specialized bot could you train with your content to engage your audience?

2. Focus on fandom: YouTube’s annual year-end trending topics report is filled with audiences’ increasingly important role in transforming cultural moments into immersive phenomena across Shorts, long-form, livestreams, and podcasts.

Also, its US Breakout Creator’s list features many entrepreneurs who grew exponentially by giving fans what they want – content with a reveal (a surprise ending, a what-happens-when-you-do-this moment, an unexpected turn of events).

Trend for thought: How can your content deliver suspense, an interesting reveal, or a fun surprise to encourage the audience to keep reading, watching, or listening?

3. Create experiences: Creative Click Media’s 2024 Trends Report says interactive elements will be a hallmark of successful emails (and newsletters, we think) in 2024. Interactive elements could include clickable carousels, polls, quizzes, and embedded videos with which the subscriber can engage directly.

Trend for thought: What one interactive element could you test in your next newsletter?

4. Engage with readers: Publishing State’s Publishing Trends in 2024 notes book readers expect more personalized content in 2024. They want custom recommendations and the ability to engage with authors and other readers.

Trend for thought: What would an online community look like that would allow your audience to connect and benefit your content business?

5. Look for the trends in your content tilt: Get to know your topic and audience better by exploring themes and trends connected to your content tilt. Google Trends is a helpful and free resource tool to understand what people want to know. But don’t stop there. Go and talk to your audience and non-audience about what they want to know and how they want to learn it.

Trend for thought: What fresh angles could you create from relevant trending topics that will grab the attention and gain the interest of your audience?

Helpful Resources:

Learn from expert speakers at Content Entrepreneur Expo (May 5-7, 2024). Last call for early bird pricing!

5 things from the tilt

Let’s make 2024 truly incredible (for you and others) by doing these nine critical activities. (Content Inc.)
This week is content marketing true confessions and pet peeves from Joe and Robert. (This Old Marketing)
ConvertKit is looking for creators to help them dig into the creator experience. Will you help them by filling out this survey?
CEX early bird pricing ends in two days. Be sure to get your pass now at the lowest rates available.
ICYMI: Million-Dollar Entrepreneur Explains 5 Critical Factors From Start to Sale in the Creator Economy

5 things to know

Money

Creator boost: Ads alongside creator content accelerate the purchase funnel, according to IAB research. Forty-four percent of advertisers say they’ll increase their investment in creator content in 2024, with an average increase of 25%. (Insider Radio)
Tilt Take: A positive feeling about the creator also creates a positive feeling about the advertiser. And that’s good for both.
AI ad aid: YouTube says advertisers who used its AI-powered Video Campaign Research earned 3.7 times more on their average return on ad spend than those who manually optimized campaigns. (YouTube)
Tilt Take: Use the strength of AI, which can scan and interpret more data than a human, to benefit your business.

Audiences

Multiple languages: iHeartMedia will soon test using an AI tool to translate, transcribe, and voice content from its podcast archives into multiple languages. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Tilt Take: Expanding your content into multiple languages gives room to grow the audience and the business. However, any AI tools should be tested multiple times to ensure accuracy.

Tech and Tools

Newly opened: TikTok’s testing a new Creator Center UI. It provides more analytics and updated discovery tools for desktop use using conversational AI. (Social Media Today)
Tilt Take: The more you understand about your audience, the better.

And Finally

Book deal: JM Dalgliesh opted for self-publishing after six rejections from literary agents. Five years later, he’s published 22 crime thrillers and sold 2M copies. He also got a four-book deal with Bookouture, a division of Hachette UK, and his books have been optioned by Clear Pictures Entertainment. (The Guardian)
Tilt Take: Talented authors can also be talented marketers to grow an audience interested in buying 2M copies and attract the attention of filmmakers and traditional publishers.

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Trends for Thought – December 29, 2023