Some advertising trends vanish fast, but others represent much more than fads.
They are here to stay and transform the digital marketing landscape. Most of these game-changers have permeated the mainstream propelled by tech innovation and changing consumer behavior.
What does this mean for you as an advertiser?
Well, your success is dependent on the ability to experiment with and master these techniques. Of course, pushing the boundaries doesn’t come easy. An additional problem is many customers shun advertising altogether.
The good news is we’ve compiled a list of tried and true techniques. They are rooted in a pool of insights on how campaigns perform in practice and why that is so.
Here is an advertising trends guide on how to stay ahead of the curve and outmaneuver the competition.
1. Programmatic Advertising
In a nutshell, programmatic advertising is a process of automated ad buying / selling.
Real-time bidding is one of its most prevalent practices. It cuts the time and costs associated with ad space transactions. Also, it enables marketers to target incredibly specific audiences.
Programmatic demand-side platforms are at the epicenter of this trend. They factor in hundreds of different targeting signals in a split second. You’re able to convert customers better and decrease the cost of their acquisition too.
It’s estimated the vast majority of all display ads of today are programmatic-based. Manual processes are quickly becoming a relic of the past. It’s high time to bid farewell to lengthy human negotiations and requests for proposals (REPs).
2. Google Ads Smart Bidding
Another herald of transformation comes in the form of Google Ads Smart Bidding.
This automated feature spearheads the evolution of paid advertising in 2020 and beyond. It hinges on cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) engines. They process data at scale and guide your PPC endeavors.
You can act based on highly-accurate predictions and adjust your budget on the fly. No need to waste resources on bids that involve lackluster conversions or poor conversion value.
So, make sure to familiarize yourself with the Smart Bidding option. It’s a surefire way to boost your marketing return on investment (ROI).
3. In-Depth Personalization
Trends like programmatic advertising are tied to one overarching trend— personalization.
This staple technique has reshaped a variety of digital marketing strategies. Effective advertising is much closer to tailored one-on-one interaction than a catch-all blast. Namely, studies show that generic adverting campaigns do more harm than good.
They only annoy modern customers, many of whom employ ad blockers.
Data is what holds the key to overcoming this obstacle and properly personalizing ads. Your task is to discover which data points are relevant for your specific context. They tend to relate to online behavior, device use, location, demographics, etc.
4. Internet of Things (IoT) Advertising
The mobile advertising boom is already old news.
The future of advertising will be defined by the IoT revolution. The proliferation of IoT devices is rampant around the globe. We’re talking about wearable tech, connected cars, smart home appliances, etc.
They generate a wealth of data on vital functions of people’s daily lives. Advertisers can tap into it to reach customers in new and innovative ways.
Take the example of drinks companies Johnny Walker and Malibu. They’ve already launched connected bottles with built-in sensors. These IoT devices emit insights, such as where the bottle was opened.
We expect many other brands to follow suit and adopt IoT strategies.
5. Micro-Influencer Marketing
In a way, micro-influencer marketing is an evolution of the good old word-of-mouth.
But, the tendency of businesses to relying on influencers with the huge following has phased out.
Consumer and brand trust in them is dwindling. Many marketers are now gravitating toward their micro counterparts.
These lesser-known online personas don’t seek strength in numbers to make waves.
Instead, they possess a niche appeal and can better connect with your brand. Organic collaboration with them preserves brand authenticity and yields substantial audience engagement.
So, take advantage of this trend to enhance your competitive edge. At the same time, you can spread brand awareness cost-effectively.
6. Video Advertising
Video dominates the forefront of the online media ecosystem.
Many sales teams and platforms utilize video ads to transmit marketing messages. The opportunities for precise deployment abound. YouTube is certainly a no-brainer.
But, you may also want to consider platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They are a great fit for a variety of campaigns, including shoppable, 1:1, and live video ads.
Finally, note that the shift toward mobile devices emphasizes the importance of mobile optimization. People are more eager to watch a video than strain their eyes reading on a small screen.
The lesson to draw is clear. Make sure to integrate video ads into your digital marketing strategy.
7. Creative Display Ads
Data will fuel display advertising campaigns in the years to come.
This development will persist across industry sectors. However, the ultimate trick is to infuse this method with a dash of creativity. In other words, you can’t let a data-based obsession with ROI compromise the creative flair of your campaigns.
Yes, we know creativity is hard to measure and track. Yet, it’s the only way to spark and maintain the attention of the audience. Thus, take a closer look at how customers interact with ads.
Use creative management platforms (CMP) and tools like heatmaps. Do some A/B testing to get the content and keywords right. Craft killer ads optimized to people’s actual preferences.
Get on Top of Advertising Trends
In the tumultuous marketing realm, the only constant thing is change in the world of marketing and advertising trends.
This is to say you can’t rely on the same, tired, and old advertising methods. Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds and consumer preferences are shifting fast.
The best way to proceed is to put together a comprehensive game plan. Research the latest advertising trends and leverage them to remain competitive and relevant.
Embrace a smart, data-driven approach to developing ads. Target your advertising with laser-like precision and personalize your campaigns. Make strides toward higher conversions and lower acquisition costs with your advertising.
If you enjoyed this article, check out some other marketing articles on our site. It’s time to take the ROI to the next level with digital marketing trends in 2020. Visit the Digital Marketing section of the Bootstrap Business Blog right now to learn more about modern advertising trends!
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