The 8 Online Marketing Trends You Need to Know for 2017
Be prepared for some big changes in online marketing this year. We’re sharing the 8 online marketing trends that are sure to shape the industry this year here.
Keyword(s): marketing trends
As Google algorithms continue to change, so do marketing trends. What works one year for a small business may not the next year.
That’s why it’s best to pay attention to these trends from year to year. As a small business, you don’t want to waste time or money on a marketing campaign that’s destined to fail.
Not sure which trends to follow in 2017?
Check out this list of eight must-see marketing trends.
1. Live Video
In the early days of the Internet, video was a luxury. Then YouTube changed all that. Suddenly we could watch videos of anything we wanted whenever we wanted.
Technology has expanded since YouTube’s founding more than a decade ago. Today, social media sites like Facebook offer instant video streaming. Just turn your camera on and you’re the videographer.
You can use live video to capture important moments in your business, like opening your first bricks and mortar store, debuting a new product, or appearing at a panel.
2. Email Marketing
When it comes to modern marketing trends, lots of people discard cold calling and email marketing. These are old-hat and terribly out-of-date, right?
No. Both cold calling and email marketing have their place, especially the latter.
Email is a tech trend that hasn’t died. To this day, you probably still have both personal and professional email addresses. You get tons of emails from companies that want your business.
If you’re not partaking in email marketing, you’re doing your company a disservice.
As a small business, it’s important you engage your customers in every message you send. That means catchy headlines, short but sweet content, and plenty of freebies, discounts, and exclusives for opting in.
Insider Tip News: Buzzhive Marketing already manages a huge number of their clients’ email campaigns. We solely use Mailchimp for email marketing and are looking forward to officially launching our add on service for this in May.
3. Dense Content
Google algorithms currently favor longer-form content. Marketers have responded to that by writing lengthy posts that top out at 1,000, sometimes even 2,000 words.
Writing content that long for the sake of it doesn’t do your customers any favors.
People are busier and have less time these days. Bite-sized, short-form content like tweets and Instagram stories are popular for a reason.
To keep people reading your posts through to the end, you have to offer them something valuable. Otherwise, they’re not going to bother.
Value means different things to different companies. For some, your goal could be to teach and inform. For other companies, the goal could be to sell.
Writing fluff just to make a word count is very transparent, though. Your customers will see right through it and they won’t be happy.
4. Mobile Optimization
It used to be that when you designed your website, you had the option to optimize it for mobile users. Today, you can’t afford to skip mobile optimization.
Mobile optimization has risen to the forefront of 2017 marketing trends. In fact, some marketers recommend you start with mobile optimization and then make a desktop version of your site.
If you think about it, this makes sense. Almost everyone has a smartphone these days. People carry these devices with them everywhere.
Chances are a prospective customer might first encounter your company’s brand while on their mobile device. When they research you, they expect to see a well-designed site.
5. Native Advertising
Native advertising is a lot like affiliate marketing and sponsored content, but it has its differences.
The biggest difference is that this is advertising. These ads may appear on a website or even a magazine.
They’re designed to look like ads. This is unlike sponsored content, which is meant to blend in discreetly yet still sell you on a product or service.
While native advertising isn’t exactly a new marketing concept, it’s come back into favor. There’s so much advertising white noise online that other advertising avenues are an appealing alternative.
6. Influencer Marketing
Influencers are everywhere. These are the people who your audience looks up to. They respect this influencer and may be willing to try products and services the influencer uses.
If you can find an influencer in your industry, you could benefit big. This influencer can discuss your company’s products and services, which could, in turn, attract a whole new audience. It’s no wonder influencer marketing is one of the biggest marketing trends of the year.
7. Data Visualization
Data and analytics may be interesting to a marketer, but to a customer? That stuff is a snooze-fest. It’s just a bunch of numbers and stats that don’t mean anything.
As a small business, it’s especially important to showcase your company’s growth from one year to the next. This is how you get new investors, funding, and even customers.
Yet how do you present this information in an easily digestible format that isn’t boring?
You use data visualization.
As the name implies, data visualization is a way of taking those numbers and stats and making them visual. You can use graphs, pie charts, and even infographics to do so.
People understand pictures a lot easier than an endless stream of random numbers. Presented visually, this data can be explained more clearly. That lets you do a lot more with it.
8. And One of the Biggest Marketing Trends in 2017? Expanded Social Media Marketing
Social media isn’t going away anytime soon. As a marketer, you probably have business accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. There are more social media platforms still to be aware of.
These are:
- YouTube: We already mentioned the importance of video above. While that was live video, it doesn’t hurt to have a YouTube channel as well. Customers want to learn more about your company’s processes, so upload videos regularly.
- Instagram: Many businesses already use Instagram. You should, too. Combine professional and fun photos for an account your customers will be happy to follow.
- Pinterest: Although not a fit for every business, if you’re a visually-oriented company, Pinterest is great. You can create boards to showcase your products and services.
- Snapchat: Sort of like Instagram, Snapchat is another useful platform for getting your brand out there.
Need more help with your small business marketing? Contact Buzzhive Marketing. This coast to coast marketing firm specializes in mobile apps, web design, and marketing packages (adding new services every month!).