Running a successful digital marketing campaign is a complex term that can be broken down into various means and methods (trends). While chances are that you’re already using some of these methods, there is a huge unused potential in big upcoming trends whose potential you might not have unlocked as of yet. With that in mind and without further ado, here are the top 10 digital marketing trends that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
1. Chatbots
The first thing you need to understand about chatbots is the fact that they already dominate 85% of all customer service. This means that this is really no longer a choice but a mandatory transition into a tech trend that everyone else is using. Ignoring this means being outcompeted. The benefits of this method are numerous and quite persuasive. First of all, chatbots can answer all the simplest questions on their own. Second, they’re available 24/7. Finally, they offer an immediate response.
2. Content marketing
Never before was content marketing present in so many forms and formats. When it comes to its flagship – blogging, this is a task that takes some serious commitment. According to some surveys, in 2020 it took about 3 hours and 55 minutes to write an average blog post. In other words, this takes quite a bit of time and work. Due to much higher competitiveness, quality standards are much higher, which is why the average time is growing with each year.
3. Personalized content
People love preferential treatment which is supported by the fact that about 90% of people find personalization appealing. It’s not only that. You see, the majority of people (about 63% of them) are annoyed with generic advertising. Since this affects how they see your business in the long run, this is one of the decisions that can prove to be huge for your brand’s long-term loyalty.
4. Video marketing
Video marketing numbers are incredibly potent and it would be a shame to ignore them for too long. One of the biggest issues that you need to focus on is the fact that people need certainty if they are to commit financially and make a purchase. They want to know as much as they can about the product, they want to read about it, etc. The key thing is that the customers are much more confident after watching a video. In other words, video marketing gives you better conversion rates.
5. SEO
Increasing organic reach and visibility through SEO is one of the smartest decisions that you can make as a business. This is the so-called inbound marketing, seeing as how you’re passing the ball to the customer and making them believe that they’re the one who found you (and not the other way around). Investing in local SEO is just as important when it comes to your sales. You see, a lot of people will check you online first before buying from you. This also translates to offline purchases, even though these KPIs are somewhat harder to track.
6. Voice search optimization
More people than ever use a voice search feature on their phones. So, why now? What has changed so drastically? There are actually two answers to this question. First, the voice search algorithm is better than ever. Now, it takes context, geographical location (via GPS) and other similar factors into consideration when interpreting one’s voice commands. Second, smart speakers are more and more common in households across the globe. Just keep in mind that optimizing for voice search is not the same as your standard SEO.
7. VR and AR
Keeping track of the times is essential if you are to stay competitive. This is where VR and AR are so incredible. Due to their incredible nature, these two methods can provide the user with an unparalleled level of immersion. Now, not everyone has a VR set (even though smartphone sets are quite inexpensive). When it comes to AR, on the other hand, everyone has a phone. All you need to do is think about the popularity of camera filters. This might help you realize that you use AR almost every day. Well, so does your audience.
8. Influencer marketing
People respect authority but authority comes in all shapes and sizes. In the past, if you tried to explain to someone what an influencer is, they would naturally assume that you’re talking about an A-list celebrity. Nowadays, however, this is no longer the case. In fact, micro-influencers are huge in terms of reach and influence amongst your specific target demographic. Coincidentally, these are the only two KPIs that really count. In other words, micro-influencers cost you less and provide you with more value.
9. Social media messaging apps
The channel of outreach is just as important as the message itself. Now, when it comes to this WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and WeChat reign supreme. Creating micro-content in this environment is not as simple as it seems. In order to appear more human (less bot-based), your social media manager needs to learn how to use this form of communication properly. We’re talking about using the right tone of voice and walking the thin line between formal and colloquial.
10. A/B split testing
The best way to see what works and what doesn’t is to try A/B split testing all your theories and decisions. Before you start, you need to set a fair test and make sure that you know exactly which KPIs you’re tracking. When it comes to this, CTR (click-through rate) reigns supreme. This is a simple and effective method because it gives you an opportunity to make a direct comparison between two options and then choose the more efficient one.
In conclusion
The best thing about the above-listed digital marketing trends is the fact that they’re not mutually exclusive. You can try to implement them all simultaneously and reap the benefits. Sure, this will make it somewhat harder to diagnose which of the methods gave the greatest results but if the results are there, do you really care about such trivialities?
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