Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2019
BY Amanda Murphy
We’ve officially rung 2019, and with a new year comes new marketing trends. Clark Concepts has identified these five marketing trends we think are worth investing in for the year ahead. With an increase in channels and tools, it’s hard to know where to put your hard-earned revenue. These marketing trends will help you deepen your relationship with customers and ultimately increase your bottom line.
1) Video
2018 was the year of video, and for a good reason. If your marketing team is not considering video for your content marketing strategy, now is the time. People are watching countless hours of video every day, and YouTube is the largest search engine after Google. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or some other platform, video is one of the best ways to reach and engage with your audience.
If high-dollar video production just isn’t in your budget, consider trying live video. Live video allows for a less “formal” approach and doesn’t need editing/producing the way a scripted video does. If done correctly, live video can increase the trustworthiness and authenticity of the brand.
Short, ten-second video clips will keep your customers engaged and coming back for more.
2) Local Social Influencers
While “influencers” are nothing new, 2019 will see an increase in the “local influencer.” Instead of employing A-list celebrities, you will see more and more brands leaning towards a local or micro-influencer. Compared to celebrities, these influencers have more of a peer-to-peer, relatable relationship with an audience, making the sell that much easier. Local influencers have followers who are located in a brands area and are generally more connected with them. In many cases, this will mean that their followers are more influenced by their recommendations.
3) Email Gets Personal
Other marketing channels may be on the rise, but don’t forget about email. Billions still rely heavily on email for personal, professional, and commercial use. But, as marketing continues to evolve, so does the art of email marketing.
Generic marketing emails just won’t cut it in the advanced consumer world that is 2019. To stand out, consider using automation and personalization to reach your audience. Set up automation workflows to trigger a specific action like browsing a particular product or page and use email to follow up with a promotional price or a demo video.
4) Chatbots
Your customers’ experience on your website is everything. From the moment they arrive, each customer should feel like it’s a journey exclusively tailored to them. In comes the chatbot. As we move into 2019, the use of chatbots – both man-made and artificially created – is going to become more and more prevalent.
If having resources available 24/7 to answer customers isn’t realistic, consider setting up automated Chatbots. Most customers don’t expect a Chatbot to answer every question, but they do expect it to at least point them in the right direction.
At a minimum, here’s how you can start using Chatbots:
- Provide quick answers to simple, frequently-asked questions regarding your products/services
- Provide details regarding delivery, payment, and other such transactional processes
- Collect information and feedback from customers to be analyzed by human members of your team
5) 2019 Design Trend: Color Gradients are Making a Comeback
While color gradients have been on the rise, lately they’ve been finding their way into some significant brands such as Instagram. Gradients provide designers with interesting color options and give dimension to design elements that would not have previously existed. There has even been an increase in gradient/conceptual backgrounds available for download on photo sites such as iStock and Shutterstock, which are royalty free. Be on the lookout for how your design team can incorporate this trend this year.
As you and your marketing team continue to plan into 2019, put yourself in your customers’ shoes. How would you like to be reached? What kind of service do you expect? As you ask yourself these questions, consider how these four trends can serve as solutions for not only you, but your customer.
Contact Clark Concepts if you need any assistance evaluating your marketing needs.