2021 was a big year for ThoughtLeaders - let's let the infographic do all the talking

There are a ton of articles around the web about companies needing to add influencer marketing into their marketing strategy in order to stand out in the cookie-less future, but there aren’t many guides for content creators about how they should be leveraging the new and improved post-cookie world. Here’s your guide to ruling online marketing in the cookie-less era:

Check out the most important influencer marketing trends to watch in 2021. We’ve put together the big picture of what’s been happening on YouTube, podcast, and private e-newsletter in the past 3 years leading up to 2021 to give our readers insight into what will happen in 2021 - and what marketers should be doing to capitalize on these trends. 

Earlier this year, we launched a podcast to sit down with some of our favorite content creators, and find out what it takes to build an audience and a career out of their passion projects. 

In spring 2020, if you weren’t baking sourdough, what were you doing with your time?

How To content is a foundational element of digital media and is only continuing to gain traction. For many communities that lack traditional resources, this content is vital for learning and gaining new skills. We’ve seen just how much traffic has been driven to online learning, certifications, and alternatives to university as the COVID pandemic eats into the typical academic calendar.

The How-To video has become a classic genre on YouTube, promising viewers a definitive guide on the best way to achieve the desired result. How-To videos done well can also be perfect opportunities for brand sponsorships.

We’re here to provide you with some exclusive data straight from the ThoughtLeaders’ platform to help your digital marketing team succeed while everyone is working from home.

After many years of struggle, Youtube now stands as a prime advertiser for gaming companies as well as becoming the #2 website for streaming gameplay content and having 100 billion hours of gaming content being watched in 2020.But why do gaming brands love Youtube?

Athleisure flourished during the pandemic! Take a look at how 4 clothing brands that jumped on the athleisure trend did in 2020-2021.

The ultimate Fitness, Workout and Tracking Trend Report

A look at influencer marketing and sponsorships

At ThoughtLeaders we alone can’t break the wall of injustice that has stood tall for centuries - but we can try our best to make a dent. We can, like with this article, raise the profiles of content creators of color. But we also recognize that really isn’t enough. We would like to make sure that more sponsorship money is getting into the hands of creators of color, so if you are a brand that shares that goal or if you are a creator of color reach out to us and we will do our utmost to make that happen.

2021 has become a pivotal year for the LGBTQ+ community as this year welcomed the most “coming out” videos uploaded to YouTube than ever before.

The overhead shot has long been the preferred framing for Instagram’s army of foodies, as you’ll know if you’ve even found yourself at brunch surrounded by micro-influencers standing on chairs to capture their food at the perfect angle. Somewhere along the way, someone decided that this framing could work not just for the finished product but for the food prep itself. That’s when Tasty, the Buzzfeed food channel, stepped onto the scene and became an internet phenomenon. 

Here is our top 8 entrepreneurship podcasts for your listening and enjoyment needs

Here are our favourite 6 crossover stars of YouTube and Podcasts

YouTube and food seem to go hand-in-hand - how do brands use this space to promote their products?

I’ve spent the last month or so trying out some of the most popular podcasts for nodding off. Here’s the rundown on what managed to put me asleep.

In this industry report, we’re taking a look at key dieting apps and how they’re sponsoring over time to not only attract new customers, but build a cult following that drives organic mentions for them.

In this article we’re going to be looking at references to different forms of remote digital gatherings including webinars, livestreams and the newly established category of online / virtual events.

Here we dive into some of those trends to better understand what parents across the world have been struggling with during the past year: 

A few months ago, we started a survey to talk to content creators, and find out what their experiences have been like over the past year, from the impact of Covid-19 to the ongoing headaches of securing brand sponsors. 

How did content creators adapt their content to the current situation and to maintain their sponsorships ?

5 essential podcasts for female founders that are guaranteed to give your business a boost.

YouTube is filled with travel vloggers who document their adventures around the world, highlighting the good, the bad, the yummy and the lost in translation moments. Here are the top 5 best travel vloggers.

Check out this overview of Squarespace's sponsorship marketing strategy. Infographic included inside of Squarespace on YouTube!

For the first time ever, we have the unique ability to teach ourselves musical instruments, free of charge, under the virtual tutelage of a passionate pro - thanks to the top 6 YouTube Musicians!

Here are the keys to understanding how topics pick up speed over time

Growing up in a Jewish community in Argentina, the idea of being queer wasn't talked about or even considered. YouTube helped me find a community, became my support system and gave me the confidence to open up about my own sexuality.

YouTube has recently announced that they are making the dislike count private (only visible for the specific creator) in order to protect creators - but this button shows a lot more than just a thumbs down for viewers, creators and brands. However, YouTube has seemingly not considered what the 'thumbs down' tells us about audience behavior on YouTube and how this varies across different types of content. ‍

YouTube is probably the best platform for promoting wellness supplements - not only is it the second-biggest search engine in the world but it's a great way to get a more ‘honest’ review by someone you trust. Brands have found ways to cater to a wide range of categories on YouTube, including fitness channels, travel vloggers, makeup moguls, and more. Here are 4 wellness supplement brands that successfully capitalized on the health & wellness trend on YouTube: