A new year has begun and as a marketer you know what that means: it is time to make some strategy changes and prepare for the new trends. Marketing is a never ending process for any kind of business and to stay ahead in the game you need to do a lot of planning. 2018 will carry on some of the trends that started in 2017 and make them even more impactful. Here is everything you need to know before heading into the new year with your marketing strategy:
Videos, Videos and Videos
If the past few years have shown us anything, it is that video is truly the King of content. Videos have become an essential part of websites, blogs, and social media simply because they have proven to drive more traffic as compared with other mediums. In fact, experts predict that in the near future most of the internet traffic will revolve around video based content only. As a marketer, you will need to fully incorporate this reality into your strategy and into your content. It will give you a better ranking and a lot more exposure.
Another part of this is “Live Streaming”, which began with apps like “Periscope”, and now is an important part of platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 2018 is going to be an extension of this trend and how you utilize it depends on your business. For instance, live feeds work best for events so that the maximum amount of people get to see it. And the best thing about all of this is that it is very cost effective.
Data Stays Important
A smart marketer knows the value of data and how it can help shape the strategy and also help implement it in the best way possible. 2018 will perhaps be even more data focused as technology improves even more. Now it is easier than ever to collect data and make sense of it using cutting edge tools and analytics. Data can help you in two ways: you can collect data from customers and measure the success of your marketing efforts.
The first use of data helps you take a personalized approach towards your customers. Personalization is extremely important and so we shall discuss it separately. Secondly, data can help you measure your success as a marketer. The traffic, the clicks, the likes and the sessions with all those tiny details like age, gender or location can help you make your mark. So this year, you need to focus a lot on data and use the best tools you can find for this purpose.
Buy Buttons on Social Media
The integration of social media into the buying cycle of the customer has increased exponentially. It now serves as a starting point for most incoming customers and makes conversions quick and easy. There has also been the addition of adverts on social media which we term as the Buy Button. It is still somewhat an up and coming trend as many businesses are not fully aware of it. What it basically does is let you buy something right there on social media. So if someone sees something on your Facebook page, they can just buy it over there.
This has a lot of potential and in 2018 it could become a major game changer as social media is now one of the most influential playgrounds for marketers. Using this Buy Button can benefit both you and the customer. The customer gets convenience and you get increased conversions.
Personalization
This is no new concept as marketers have been doing this for years but now it is absolutely essential. Why? Just look around and see that the competition is getting stiffer by the moment. No matter what kind of business you are, you will have rivals that you have to battle things out with. And so, personalization is your best bet. Not just for beating out rivals, it is important for your visibility and eventually for conversions too.
This holds even more importance for those businesses that have a broad audience and even broader product line. Your marketing efforts need to go in the right channel where they will likely make the most impact. Personalization is directly related to increased usage of data from your customers. You should know what your customers want, how they want it and when they want it. This is literally what separates a successful marketing campaign from others. Whatever you are doing, whether it is a social media advert or an email, make sure it goes to the right person.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is another type of technology that people know is the future. It is being used increasingly in marketing campaigns. Just check out the 360 degree videos on Facebook and you will know what we mean. Using this technology, you can make your video content even more immersive. And 2018 is going to be the best time to try this technology out, if you haven’t already. VR headsets have gotten incredibly cheap and more and more people are getting on board. Virtual tours can make your campaigns so much more interesting. VR is destined to be a big market leader with important companies already investing billions into it.
Conclusion
Marketing requires a lot of forecasting and planning, and for that you need to be well aware of the trends of the upcoming year. All in all, 2018 is going to be an extension of the trends we saw in 2017. Trends that are only going to enhance their importance in the marketing cycle. Your website still plays an important role in all of that especially collecting data. Use smart solutions, like Devrix, use analytics to track customer behavior and help you decide on the best strategy for improving conversions and taking your business to the next level.
Team DevriX
This article is crafted by DevriX's seasoned marketing team, boasting over four decades of collective expertise in crafting sophisticated marketing funnels, devising comprehensive content frameworks and pillars, implementing engaging email campaigns, and creating impactful social media content designed for scalability.
Our marketing experts specialize in the complete spectrum of inbound marketing strategies. As an accredited HubSpot Agency Partner and a Semrush Partner, we engage in meticulous research, blending our extensive experience with the unique insights of our highly skilled team.
We set benchmarks in content creation by incorporating cutting-edge marketing trends, leveraging in-depth industry research, and utilizing state-of-the-art AI tools for data segmentation and captivating content hooks. Our proficiency extends across a diverse range of sectors, including working with SMEs, Fortune 1000 companies, global B2B brands, major publishing entities, WooCommerce platforms, business directories, and affiliate networks.
