Did you know that Quitter’s Day is the second Friday in January? While not widely (or openly) celebrated, it is the day by which most people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions. Now that we’re safely past Quitter’s Day, we can regroup and take another look at what to do this year with your business.
There are plenty of trends to watch out for in the world of digital marketing. If you’re a small or medium-sized business, staying ahead of the curve is essential to make the most of emerging opportunities. Here are some digital marketing trends to keep an eye on in 2023.
Social Media Continues To Be Vital
While it may not seem new or trendy, few things compare to the influence of social media. It’s already a powerful force in driving awareness and engagement for brands, and this year we’ll see it take on an even more significant role.
New digital marketing trends will take full advantage of all the popular platforms – Instagram and Facebook are still the “go-to” platforms for marketing. But we will see bigger changes to what gets posted.
Video content is becoming very important. Whether you’re sharing short, educational videos or user-generated content (more about that in a minute), videos are the new graphics in social media marketing.
Content Creators
Another facet of social media – and a huge digital marketing trend in the new year – is content creation. 30% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 40% of 25 to 34-year-olds consider themselves content creators. It’s a strange niche in the world of marketing, too.
Unlike business social media accounts, content creators don’t focus on the number of followers they have nearly as much as the content itself. TikTok, Twitch, and YouTube all offer “creator funds,” so the incentive is there for people to create content for those channels. This can be lucrative for content creators and brands as another form of digital marketing.
Video Content Rises To The Top
In 2023, digital marketing will be increasingly tailored to the digital lifestyle of young people. Video content continues to gain popularity, especially on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where videos can be used to tell an impactful story that best conveys a brand’s message.
Businesses should capitalize on this digital trend and create engaging motion graphics, captivating soundtracks, and inspiring storytelling videos. By tapping into digital trends like these, businesses have the power to reach their target audience more effectively and increase their digital presence.
User-Generated Content
User-generated content is, quite simply, content created by the people who buy your product or service. You can spend tons of time and money on amazing photos and impressive copy, but you’ll only get so far. Today’s consumers are looking for referrals from their peers, so it’s essential to notice this digital marketing trend!
People are more careful with their money (especially during an economic downturn). So getting real customers to share their experiences with your product or service is a great way to convince your ideal customer that you’re the right business.
So, how do you get user-generated content? Ask customers for an online review. Encourage them to share unboxing videos, written testimonials, and videos of them enjoying your product or service. The clients you haven’t yet met can use these videos and reviews to determine how amazing your business is!
Artificial intelligence
You may have heard of a new tool called ChatGPT. Or maybe you’ve tried out JasperAI. Even if you haven’t, you’ve likely read something created by one or the other! Artificial intelligence (AI) is a digital marketing trend that is bringing a new tool to content creation. While it’s not perfect, AI can be handy for creating blog posts, social media content, and email marketing materials.
It may be tempting to jump right in and let AI take over your content creation – but beware. You’ll need to edit and fact-check all of the content. AI is an excellent resource for starting content – use it to get an outline for a blog post, research a topic, or get some great ideas. Just remember, Your voice is the one customers want to hear!
No More Cookies
Well, sort of. Google is phasing out the use of third-party cookies on its Chrome browser. The phase-out will be completed at the end of 2023. This means that websites will no longer be able to track user activities and serve tailored content via third-party data collection. While this may seem like a setback for marketers, alternative ways exist to reach your target audience without relying on third-party data.
The most important – and easiest to implement is first-party data. This data is gathered when someone visits your site – just like third-party cookies. Except this is your data to use and won’t be affected by Google’s decision to phase out third-party cookies. Since you fully own this data, this is the first source of client data to leverage. This digital marketing trend should not be overlooked.
Conversational Marketing
Gone are the days when shipping could take 6-8 weeks. We live in a culture of instant gratification. And the same goes for client communication. Customers have come to expect round-the-clock service.
So why make your customers wait? Engage them with instant messaging. Implementing a chatbot to assist with the basics can help you stay on top of these marketing messages. And answering the most commonly asked questions with a chatbot can engage your customer by offering the information they need right now.
Update Your Website
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to update your website. Do you have tons of information on your web pages? Are your pictures old, outdated, or just not great? Is your website generating leads? With this digital marketing trend, you’ll need to take a really good, objective look at your website. Or maybe have that friend that always tells you the truth (even when it’s painful) take a look at your website and critique it.
Modern websites have plenty of white space (it doesn’t have to be “white,” just blank space around graphics and text that allows the viewer to appreciate the photos and take in the text in easy-to-read pieces.) Custom graphics and branding are also vital to a fully functioning website. So great photos and consistent branding are essential features of your website.
Also, consider the user experience. Is your website easy to navigate? Are there lots of pages with multiple clicks that make it difficult to get where you want? Think about how someone would use your website and design it to make their user experience as easy as possible.
Lastly, consider how people will find your website. You can use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to increase your site’s visibility and rank higher on search engines like Google.
Keep an eye on these digital marketing trends – and jump in with your business where it makes sense. Still need help with your digital marketing strategy? Schedule a call below! We would love to hear from you!
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