Marketing Trends You Need to Know About
Hard to believe that we’re already more than a month into 2018–and yet, here we are. As the new year starts to pick up speed, the fast-paced world of marketing is hot on its heels. A new year means new evolutions, new platforms, and new marketing trends that are sure to take the small business world by storm.
While we’re not predicting that 2018 will be the year of flying cars and bottomless iPhone batteries (we wish), it is looking like there will be a slew of new marketing trends that the entrepreneurial and marketing-savvy among us should start adopting now.
Don’t get left in last year–charge forward into 2018 with these 4 marketing trends that are sure to be game changers.
Step Up Your Game with these 4 Marketing Trends
1: Augmented Reality
What is it?
Augmented reality has been around for a while, but it’s really starting to take off in 2018. First coined in 1990, augmented reality (or AR, if you’re in the know) describes the integration of digital information with the user environment in the digital sphere. Or, in plain English: AR is the technology that allows you to place digital images (videos, graphics, etc.) onto the screen, and enables those images to interact with the real world around it. Think Pokemon Go or those dancing bitmojis you see on Snapchat all the time.
How can I use it?
Augmented reality is already taking the marketing world by storm. The technology is incredibly popular in experiential industries like travel and music, and we’re predicting that it will start to appear more frequently in other industries this year. And it’s not just digital: you’ll start to see AR usd to enhance customer experience in brick and mortar shops, too–how cool would it be to be able to try on clothes at your favorite shop without the hassle of a changing room? The future is here, you guys.
2: User-Generated Content
Are you sure?
For the past few years, we’ve seen user-generated content get something of a false start. How many times have you tried to host a Facebook image competition, or encouraged your audience to interact with your product–only to get a sad smattering of participants? It happens all the time–but I’m not giving up hope on UGC quite yet. According to Bazaar Voice, people are craving ways to share their opinions about brands and user-generated content does more to build trust and faith in a brand than any other medium.
So yes, I’m sure that this is one of those marketing trends that is going to stick around for the new year–and if you’re not already on board, you should be.
Looking for more inspiration to kickstart your marketing in 2018? Check out these 3 influencer marketing campaigns that absolutely killed it last year.
3: Mission-Driven Branding
This is probably my favorite of the marketing trends that are making waves this year. Companies are becoming more confident about taking a stand in 2018. Your brand’s values shouldn’t stop at the point of purchase–you’ve got to walk the walk and talk the talk this year.
You don’t have to be overly political to make this work for your company, either. Now is the time to think long and hard about what you are trying to achieve with your business. What is your purpose? What inspires you to get out there and hit the ground running every day? How can your marketing support you in this mission?
You have a voice, and you have a platform. Now’s the time to start using it to tell your audience what you believe in.
4: Next Level Personalization
Aren’t I already doing this?
If you’ve been operating on all cylinders for the past two or three years, this marketing trend should come as no surprise. We’ve been pushing the importance of personalization for a while now—at this point, consumers expect content that is relevant, responds to their needs, and solves their problems.
In 2018, we’re taking personalization to the next level. Your messaging strategy needs to be highly targeted, succinct, and precise in order to stand a chance this year. If you haven’t already, it’s time to sit down with your team and re-segment your audience, because a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t cut it. Diversify your messaging! You’ll attract more qualified leads, and find that it’s easier to seal the deal when you step up your personalization game.
