We have come to the end of another year, and as we spend these weeks planning and prepping and dreaming about what 2020 will bring for our businesses, it’s important to know where the industry is going.
Of course, digital marketing is constantly changing. Things we think will be the next big thing might be a flop. And at the speed digital changes, there will be new trends and innovations multiple times throughout the year.
With that being said, here are some digital marketing trends I’m excited about implementing for me and my clients in 2020.
VIDEO – ESPECIALLY LIVE VIDEO
Video marketing is one of, if not the, most important marketing trend today and likely for the next 5-10 years. These numbers show the importance of incorporating video into your digital marketing strategy in 2020:
- 70% of consumers say that they have shared a brand’s video
- 72% of businesses say that video has improved their conversion rate
- 52% of consumers say that watching product videos makes them more confident in online purchase decisions
- 65% of executives visit the marketer’s website and 39% call a vendor after viewing a video
Video is by far the most popular way customers want to learn about new products.
Don’t ignore video. And don’t be afraid of it. Read the article below for more on how to get over your hesitation and make video work for your business.
PERSONAL BRANDING WILL BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
Your personal brand is a way of establishing and consistently reinforcing who you are and what you stand for in your career and life. But personal branding doesn’t actually have to do with you. It’s about who other people know you to be.
As Jeff Bezos says, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
People want to connect with people, not companies. So whether you run a business or work for a business, it is important to have a personal brand. Connections are what converts, and the more yourself you are, the more authentic those connections will be.
LinkedIn has seen a resurgence in 2019 and it will only continue to grow. LinkedIn is so much more than just an online resume or place to go look for a job. It is a place to connect with thought leaders and to position yourself as one, as well. It is also another channel for sharing your content, whether it be writing articles, sharing links to content, or posting video.
Remember, people who are active on LinkedIn are in a business mindset, and are opening to connecting and communicating about business on the platform.
CHATBOTS
We are constantly hearing about how artificial intelligence (AI) is taking over. One of the most practical, tactical, and useful ways businesses can implement AI is through the use of chatbots.
Facebook recently released a host of data proving the value of bots for business:
- 2 billion messages are sent between people and businesses monthly
- 56% of people would rather message than call customer service
- 53% of people are more likely to shop with businesses they can message
How do bots save time and create a better experience? The key things your customers want from chatbots are:
- To get a quick answer to questions
- To resolve a complaint or problem
- To get a more detailed answer to a question
- Finding a human customer service agent
So what are the benefits to businesses using chatbots?
- Save time and money
- Generate leads
- Retain existing customers
The main benefit to chatbots I see for my clients is utilizing it as a customer service tool. If you can quickly answer a customer or potential customer’s questions or concerns, you can save a sale or solve a problem before it becomes a problem.
PODCASTS
Everyone seems to have a podcast these days, right? Well, that’s because everyone listens to podcasts. There are several ways to take advantage of this trend. You can start your own podcast. While this isn’t extremely complicated to do, simple does not mean easy. And it is extremely time consuming. Another way to capitalize on podcast popularity is to be featured as a guest on a podcast in your industry. This positions you as a thought leader and exposes you to a larger audience.
Make a list of podcasts you think would be relevant to your industry and realistic for you to be featured on. For example, the chances of you being on Oprah’s podcast probably aren’t great. And if they are, and you are reading this…let’s meet! It’s okay to start small. Smaller podcasts are a great place to get your feet wet and give you a better chance of being featured.