Today, businesses cannot survive without digital marketing. Regardless of the size and industry, it has become a lifeblood of all types of organizations. However, what worked exceptionally well in the digital marketing space a few months ago may not yield the same results now. This is because new technologies are constantly hitting the scene, and customer behavior is changing over time. Therefore, you need to embrace new trends to stay in the game.
In this blog, we are sharing digital marketing trends that are currently making waves. So, without any further ado, let’s dive right in:
1. Voice Search Optimization
Source: techbullion.com
The number of voice assistants is increasing at an alarming speed. According to credible statistics, we will have an estimated 8.4 voice assistants billion by 2024. This exponential growth indicates a substantial rise in the adoption of voice-activated technology.
Voice search is particularly helpful for local businesses because many voice queries are location-based. Depending on what an individual is looking for, they might ask, “Find a gas station near me” or “Where can I find the best Italian food?”. Businesses that optimize for voice search with the help of a professional digital marketing agency capture these hyper-local queries and attract customers who are actively seeking their products or services in the vicinity.
Besides, voice search optimization enables you to show up in featured snippets. When your content features in this prime location, you will stand out as an authoritative and trustworthy source, increasing the likelihood of users clicking through to the website.
2. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has become a more organic way to interact with a target audience. Unlike interruptive ads that viewers might skip or block, influencer content is often seamlessly integrated into the influencer’s feed. It feels less like advertising and more like a recommendation from a friend. No wonder why influencer marketing leads to higher engagement and conversion rates.
On top of that, influencer marketing saves time and effort to build an organic following. Instead of starting from scratch, businesses can simply leverage the existing reach of influencers to reach a broader audience quickly. This especially benefits new or small businesses looking to establish themselves in a competitive market.
That said, simply hiring any influencer will not cut it. You will have to consider a few factors to get the right person on board. When looking for an influencer, figure out whether their content, style, and persona resonate with your target audience and the message you want to convey. Also, review an influencer’s history of working with other brands. Look for case studies or testimonials to gauge their efficiency as a brand advocate.
Once you have found the right fit, do not forget to discuss the terms of the partnership. It typically includes compensation, deliverables, and timelines. Establish a clear agreement that outlines all these details to avoid misunderstandings later on.
3. Short-Form Video Content
Source: digitalfreak.com.au
Short-form videos refer to videos that are typically brief, preferably no longer than one minute. The growing prevalence of mobile devices has made short-form videos quite popular. Typically, mobile users access content on the go, during short breaks, or while multitasking. Short videos cater to this user behavior as they do not require viewers to commit to lengthy viewing sessions.
Apart from that, the concise nature of these videos makes them easy to share across various social media platforms, chat apps, and other digital channels. This means they can quickly reach a broad audience and create a ripple effect of engagement and exposure.
Though short videos generally drive more engagement, you still need to put in an effort to stand out. You will have to grab your viewers’ attention within the first few seconds. Be it a unique image, a surprising statement, or an intriguing question, the beginning of your video should make people want to keep watching. Short videos leave little room for lengthy explanations, so get to the point quickly. Make sure your message is easy to understand. Since many viewers watch videos on mute, proraterate visual cues, subtitles, and captions to get the point across.
Remember, every social media platform has its unique audience, features, and engagement dynamics. So, you need to create videos according to a specific platform to maximize their impact. For example, if you run an online e-commerce store, Facebook can be an ideal platform for sharing short product videos, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content.
4. User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is produced by customers, users, or fans of a particular product, service, or brand. UGC essentially serves as digital word-of-mouth marketing, which has long been recognized as a powerful influencer in consumer decision-making. When potential buyers see content created by their peers, they relate to it and find it credible.
Transparency is another factor that contributes to the trustworthiness of UGC. In many cases, users share UGC on public platforms where others can view and verify the content. It allows consumers to assess the credibility of the content creator and the context in which the content was shared.
Starting a UGC campaign requires detailed planning. If you are doing it for the first time, here is the step-by-step guide on how to go about it:
- Set clear goals: Start by defining the specific goals. What do you want to achieve? It could be increasing brand awareness, generating product reviews, or creating a sense of community around your brand.
- Identify your target audience: Understand who is your target audience and where it is most active. It will help you narrow down the right platform.
- Devise guidelines: Develop clear guidelines for participants. These guidelines should outline the rules, submission format, and any incentives or rewards for participants.
- Keep an eye on it: Continuously monitor the content being submitted. Ensure that it aligns with your brand values and guidelines. Remove any content that violates your rules.
- Promote your UGC campaign: Spread the word about your UGC campaign through your marketing channels. Use email marketing, social media, your website, and any other relevant platforms to create awareness and encourage participation.
Source: nationaljeweler.com
Conclusion
There is great potential in digital marketing, but only for companies that are flexible enough to take advantage of new opportunities. If you want to stay one step ahead of the competition, trying out the latest trends covered in this blog is your best. Rest assured, implementing these tactics will take your business to new heights.
