The marketing industry evolves quickly, and those businesses that can’t keep up are likely to be left behind. That’s why it’s vital to stay on top of and even ahead of digital marketing trends to give your business a competitive edge.
Because today’s consumers are digital-savvy. With a virtual world that is now just as real as our flesh and bone, brick and mortar one, we are all accustomed to marketing that seamlessly integrates into our matrix.
And as the pandemic rolls on, work, school, and entertainment spaces are increasingly virtual, offering businesses frequent and invaluable digital marketing opportunities.
Let’s take a look at some of those opportunities as we explore the top marketing trends of 2022.
1. Facebook/Meta
Facebook may have officially changed its name to Meta, but what hasn’t changed is the social media giant’s influence on our world. Facebook now has almost 3 billion users, and the user numbers grow every month. Marketers should begin to look to further opportunities to market their business in this space.
Most everyone is on Facebook today. So if the people who need your business are already on FB, why not target them directly? Facebook-focused videos and ads that captivate your targeted customers can be the key to success for your business.
2. Influencers
Social media influencers continue to, well, influence. Influencer marketing was set to reach $13.8 billion in 2021. And when global marketing professionals were asked by HubSpot which trends they planned to invest in for 2022, 34% put influencer marketing at the top of the list.
In fact, influencer marketing is no longer considered a passing fad but a necessary and effective marketing tactic. Social media influencers already have an audience engaged in their content and so will be influenced by the marketing information they provide.
And if you can’t afford to hire a big-name celebrity influencer? Not to worry. Micro-influencers (those with 10,000 to 50,000 followers) cost less but have a BIG influence. Studies show that consumer engagement gets better with the fewer followers a person has. So, although a micro-influencer may have fewer followers, their posts often pack a bigger punch.
3. Short-form content
Short-form video content is one of the most effective strategies for increasing a brand’s performance. A 2020 study by Wyzowl showed that people share short-form videos at twice the rate of other content and are 84% more likely to buy a product after seeing a brand’s video.
While long-form videos may offer more in-depth information about a product, short videos get straight to the point. And getting to the point works for today’s busy lives and short attention spans.
Short-form videos also match the fast-paced format of mega-popular social media platforms like TikTok.
4. Social responsibility
Social responsibility matters to the modern consumer. And for businesses, being a good corporate citizen isn’t just good for humanity, it’s good for the bottom line.
Today’s successful business IS a business that takes social responsibility seriously.
How so? Studies show that customers are more likely to support a brand that gets behind the causes they believe in. AND that consumers will happily pay more for those products.
In addition, socially responsible companies are more likely to inspire brand loyalty, which is an essential factor for any business’s long-term success. Clearly, integrating philanthropy into a brand’s marketing campaign is crucial for modern businesses.
The wrap up?
There are powerful and innovative developments around every corner in the world of marketing. Each of these will transform the way businesses communicate with their audience as the world moves forward.
So as we settle into 2022, it’s time to digest, navigate, and implement the marketing trends outlined above. Success is waiting just behind every one of them.
Here’s to 2022.