In the ever-evolving world of marketing, professionals, regardless of their level of experience, often find it challenging to keep pace with the rapid changes. However, in order to thrive in this dynamic marketing landscape and ensure continued engagement with your target audience, staying ahead of these developments is important.
We have looked at some of the top marketing strategies and how they have evolved since 2022. Based on insights from marketing professionals and industry experts, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to build effective and competitive marketing campaigns.
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- Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has emerged as a popular solution for brands to use the influence of social media and connect with audiences in a more credible and engaging manner. Traditional advertising is slowly losing its significance as younger generations increasingly rely on social media for their buying decisions. Additionally, consumers are becoming more distrustful of traditional advertising, with 61% placing their trust in recommendations from family, friends, or social media influencers, in contrast to the 38% who trust brand recommendations.
Collaborating with influencers allows brands to leverage this trust and foster stronger connections with their target demographics. This approach enables brands to promote their products and services in an authentic and cost-effective manner while cultivating a sense of community and shared experiences that resonate with consumers.
The adaptability of this strategy and its quantifiable outcomes have positioned it as one of the most effective marketing tactics in recent years. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, brands can generate approximately $5.78 in return for every dollar invested in influencer marketing
Additionally in 2023, spending on sponsored social media content in the US is expected to increase at a rate approximately 3.5 times higher than the growth of social advertising spending. This trend is projected to continue and maintain its lead through the year 2025. Why? Because 89% of marketers currently involved in influencer marketing are committed to increasing or maintaining their investments in 2023.
Collaborating with influencers and thought leaders in their respective industries allows marketers to expand brand awareness and attract new fans from the influencer’s own audience.
If you can’t afford the services of a celebrity influencer with millions of followers, there’s no need to worry. In fact, more than 56% of marketers engaged in influencer marketing opt for micro-influencers.
Micro-influencers are social media promoters with a more modest following, typically ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of followers. Despite their smaller numbers, their posts often have a more significant impact due to their heightened engagement levels.
These influencers have carved a niche in their industry, which is why they play an increasingly pivotal role in converting leads, connecting with audiences, and boosting brand awareness.
As micro-influencers are perceived as “everyday” individuals, in contrast to elusive celebrities, their audiences tend to place more trust in their opinions and recommendations.
While it might be tempting to focus solely on follower count when assessing an influencer’s suitability for your brand, remember that genuine influence lies in engagement rates, including actions like clicks, subscriptions, and purchases.
In addition to traditional influencer marketing, user-generated content (UGC) creators have emerged as a significant force in the field. These individuals, often everyday consumers or enthusiasts, actively engage with brands and create content related to their products or services. UGC creators are valued for their authenticity and their ability to generate content that resonates with their specific niche or community.
Working with UGC creators offers several advantages for brands. They can tap into the trust and authenticity that UGC provides, as content is typically created by genuine fans or customers. This kind of content often showcases real experiences, unfiltered opinions, and authentic interactions with the brand’s products or services, making it more relatable and appealing to the target audience.
2. The Short-form Video Content remains at the top
Consumer preferences have shifted toward shorter videos, largely influenced by the rise of TikTok and snapchat and the growing popularity of short form content. Videos under three minutes have proven to be highly effective.
For newcomers to video marketing, starting with short-form videos is a smart way to begin and understand what resonates with your audience. It’s equally important to find the right pace for your video content. Imagine yourself as a busy consumer and ask, “Does this video quickly engage and hold viewers’ attention?” If you notice any segments that feel slow, consider trimming them. However, if your team consistently finds the video engaging and informative throughout its duration, you can experiment with longer content and learn from the results.
The data underlines the significance of video content in the digital landscape:
- As of 2023, the average person dedicates approximately 17 hours per week to watching online videos.
- When it comes to content sharing, video content is 52% more likely to be shared compared to other types of content.
Additionally 75% of viewers prefer to watch short-form video content on their mobile devices.
it’s clear that video preferences will continue to evolve with each new generation. The current environment is increasingly favorable for marketers. Consumers are turning to video content as an essential tool for learning about brands during the initial stages of their buying journey. Furthermore, most video consumers seek knowledge or insights related to their interests and hobbies, rather than pure entertainment. This presents an opportunity for marketers to integrate educational videos into their strategy, offering content that’s relevant to specific interests while promoting a brand or product.
Video is a permanent fixture in the digital landscape, continually expanding, adapting, and evolving to meet changing consumer needs and platform dynamics.
For example, Canva, a graphic design platform, harnesses short-form video on TikTok to demonstrate how easily professional-looking graphics can be created. This content deeply resonates with audiences and prompts action.
To integrate short-form video into your marketing strategy, prioritize delivering brief yet impactful messages. Take advantage of the accessibility of video creation tools and platforms, such as smartphones and affordable editing software, to create compelling content that captivates your target audience.
Finally, while long form content remains valuable, there has been a significant shift away from long-form video in favor of short video content. With consumers’ shrinking attention spans, short form video offers an engaging and effortless way to convey information. The versatility of video empowers businesses to maximize the reach and impact of their content, making it a dominant force in today’s digital landscape.
3. Social Media as a Customer Service Tool
The use of social media as a customer service tool is a trend that is fast gaining even more traction in the business world. As social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, continue to expand their e-commerce capabilities, the role of providing customer service on these platforms has become increasingly vital. Research suggests that over a quarter of marketers are already using direct messages (DMs) to offer customer support, with an additional 15% planning to adopt this strategy in 2023.
The convenience and immediacy inherent in social media makes it an ideal platform for addressing customer inquiries and resolving issues. It’s a space where customers can reach out and expect rapid responses, which aligns well with the expectations of consumers.
Notably, Millennials and Gen Z, who constitute a significant portion of the consumer market, prefer to communicate with brands via DMs. In fact, according to HubSpot’s 2022 Consumer Trends Survey, approximately 20% of Gen Z and nearly 25% of Millennials have reached out to a brand on social media for customer service within the past three months. This statistic underscores the growing importance of social media as a customer service channel for these generations.
In a world where information is constantly flowing, social media’s dual role as a news outlet and customer service platform may seem a bit messy due to the sheer volume of content and interactions. However, it’s precisely the dynamism and real-time nature of social media that make it such a valuable tool for customer service. It allows businesses to respond quickly to customer needs, stay attuned to their preferences, and foster a sense of community and trust, all of which are essential for maintaining a positive brand image in the digital age.
To effectively harness the potential of social media as a customer service tool, businesses must prioritize timely responses and personalized interactions. The immediacy of social media demands that customer inquiries and concerns be addressed promptly. Additionally, offering personalized and tailored assistance can greatly enhance the overall customer experience. By providing exceptional customer service on social media platforms, you not only address individual issues but also bolster brand loyalty and create positive customer experiences, which can have a lasting impact on customer retention and satisfaction.
5. The Alignment of Marketing and Sales Teams
In the contemporary business landscape, the collaboration between marketing and sales teams has assumed an unprecedented level of importance. This collaborative synergy empowers marketers with invaluable insights into customer interests, preferences, and demographics, fostering a deeper understanding of the target audience. However, survey has highlighted a concerning reality — only 31% of marketers believe their sales and marketing teams exhibit a strong alignment.
To bridge this critical gap, nearly half of marketers are pivoting their objectives towards achieving sales and marketing alignment in 2023. This strategic shift is facilitated through open communication channels, the shared exchange of data, and a harmonization of strategies. By uniting these critical facets, businesses can craft a seamless customer journey and, in doing so, pave the way for remarkable revenue growth. It is within this dynamic synergy that brands can not only drive sales but also provide exceptional customer service, nurturing brand loyalty in the process.
Final thoughts
Remember, marketing is a dynamic field, and continuous learning and adaptation are essential for long-term success. By staying informed, embracing new trends where necessary, and leveraging emerging technologies, you can position your brand for sustained growth and achieve your marketing goals in 2023 and beyond.
Are you ready to supercharge your marketing efforts? Take the first step to success by implementing these best practices on your marketing strategy and if you’re looking for expert guidance, we’re here to help. Schedule a discovery call with Atarodo. You can also follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn and our blog to learn more about how we are enabling ambitious businesses to achieve their goals through high-impact marketing.
