The beginning of the year is a busy time for marketers because it means another set of trends will be released and they have to adjust their existing strategies (or even change them completely) to keep up with an ever-changing marketing landscape. But which trends will really make a huge impact this year? We rounded up five:

1. Content is still everything

People consume content differently these days. While it was enough to put out content before, consumers are now more critical about what content they read, engage with and share. Good content should be inspiring, thought provoking and exciting, and it should encourage readers to not only like it but like it enough to share and engage with it. This year, good content will be crucial in building relationships with clients and letting them know that you value them as part of your business.

2. Marketing automation will become a more crucial marketing tool

Although artificial intelligence is already making headway into more businesses, marketing automation is still one of the most reliable tools for improving marketing processes to boost lead generation and increase ROI. In fact, it is used by a lot of businesses that want to be more consistent with sending out emails, managing social media accounts and gathering data that are relevant to improving a marketing campaign. If you still haven’t incorporated marketing automation into your system, this marketing agency can help.

3. The marketing funnel takes on a whole new perspective

Until today, a lot of businesses still see their customers merely as a source of income and more often than not, customers walk away at the end of the consumer cycle empty handed or at a losing end. But the traditional marketing funnel will change this year. Instead of just accepting anyone and rejecting those who are not fit for the business, the new marketing funnel will focus on creating more efficient content that targets a specific demographic. This is actually a more cost-efficient method since you are sure that you’re reaching out to people who are more likely to take interest in what you have to offer. It also reaps better results and help build trust with your consumers.

4. Voice search will be making big noises

Search Engine Land predicts that voice-based commerce sales in the US is set to reach $40 billion by 2022. So, if you want to get ahead of the competition by applying this technology, 2019 is the perfect year to do so. With more people appreciating the conveniences of shopping through voice search because it reduces screen time and helps maximize one’s time, it’s very important for businesses to be optimized for voice search.

5. Vertical video is the new IT video marketing strategy

Video marketing has been around for many years. In fact, a lot of businesses have used videos to entice consumers, especially these days when people spend more hours watching videos in online platforms like YouTube. Facebook and Instagram are also offering video features that help businesses curate video content to increase brand exposure, generate leads and increase sales. But Instagram took video marketing a little further with IGTV, its newest feature launched in June that focused on offering videos in vertical mode. IGTV was created to offer a platform where users can publish longer content like videos, interviews, live streams and other types of materials that are useful for businesses and can reach out a wider audience. So, if you haven’t tried IGTV yet, it’s time to join the bandwagon and make it part of your social media strategy.

One Last Trend: Generation Z

Of course, this roundup won’t be complete without this year’s biggest chunk of consumers: generation Z. While a lot of businesses are focused on pleasing the millennials, this year will be the time when those born from the mid-90s to the early 2000s also known as generation Z are already old enough to possess buying power. If there is one thing that this generation seeks, it’s authenticity. These young individuals are idealistic and smarter than ever before, so they don’t just trust brands for their products. They are looking for businesses that can offer good value to them. Generation Z are also more inclined to trust socially responsible businesses since they grew up with an awareness of the different issues around the world—from global warming to struggling economies—and they want to promote change by supporting companies that want to make the world a better place.

So, which of these trends will you apply first this year?

By Dylan M.

© 2019 Copyright Dylan M. - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

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