Everyday, new technologies and social media platforms are created, making it essential for your business to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and what worked last year will definitely not cut it in 2020 and beyond. If you don’t adapt, you will be left behind.
Here are the top 10 trends in digital marketing you cannot ignore:
1. Chatbots
Chatbots are an artificial intelligence (AI) software that automates conversation with users. Most chatbots are programmed with specific responses, but with the advanced AI technology, chatbots are able to understand their users on a deeper level.
Chatbots are taking over the customer service industry allowing companies to save money while having 24-hour service, vital information and instant answers to your customers' questions.
2. Micro-Influencers
You don’t have to have a partnership with a Kardashian or Olympic athlete for your business to be successful. Micro-influencers are way more valuable to businesses that are interested in selling products as opposed to mass visibility.
Micro-influencers have a medium-sized following and are still influential, but in a smaller niche. They are in touch with their followers, more authentic and not to mention, less expensive.
3. Shoppable Posts
If your business sells any type of product, you need to be utilizing this trend. Shoppable posts allows customers to shop at your store directly from a social media app. Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest are all compatible for this feature making it a seamless integration for you to tag and shop products directly in your posts.
4. Voice Search
Alexa? Siri? Google? With the popularity of voice search at our homes and our phones has led to a significant shift in using keywords. Technology is finally catching up with the way people want to search.
To optimize this trend, phrase keywords in conversational sentences, rather than how they would normally be typed.
5. Instagram is the new Facebook
Facebook is a big hit among older generations, but not so much with the kids. Younger generations are more interested in Instagram rather than the platform that their grandparents use. If your target market includes anyone under the age of 30, your business needs to have an Instagram account.
6. Video
Video content is no longer an option, it’s a necessity. A strong marketing campaign incorporates video into the mix especially when trying to sell products or services online.
Video blogs (vlogs) and live videos are more popular than ever. These types of video content create a more personal and direct connection with the viewers. Video marketing is highly engaging, and you will be able to form authentic relationships with your audience and grow your business.
7. Personalization
Personalization has moved beyond a first name basis. With today's technology, marketers are able to dig deep into the data to create a positive impression in their minds and build credibility of your brand.
Consumers want content to be tailored towards them. Personalization should be seamlessly integrated into your marketing strategy in order to form real connections between your brand and target audience.
8. Messaging Apps
Most marketers overlook messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger when creating a social media strategy. Brands are using messaging apps to send concise, personalized, private messages to a broad audience.
9. Interactive Content
With new cutting-edge technology, interactive content is offering consumers a more engaging experience. Interactive content includes quizzes, polls, surveys, shoppable posts and 360-degree videos.
Marketers will never go back to traditional content. Users want to control the experience, and interactive content is the perfect way to offer them a fun and memorable experience.
10. Social Media Contests
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Social media contests are a great way to engage your audience, grow your following and expand traffic. These contests give something of value to your followers and in exchange, they will connect and engage with your brand.
These 10 digital marketing trends are not suggestions, they are mandatory. There is no time for your business to stand still. Your business should invest in digital marketing, or you will be left behind.