Digital marketing trends to look out for in 2021!
You have to understand as a marketer that consumers are functioning in the age of efficiency. – Mitch Joel
Now that the world has vastly changed and we’re well aware of the negative impact it’s caused businesses globally, the word adaptation has become so prominent in everybody’s business strategy. Building business resiliency by pivoting to digital platforms is one thing. However, building awareness and gaining knowledge on new digital marketing trends is the key—still, building a digital presence on any given platform. We’ve provided a list of marketing trends that we’ve discovered through market research and working with brands of all sizes during the pandemic.
New ways of nurturing leads and creating personal connections
For many consumers and businesses, the buying decision processes and motivations have changed. Now that everybody is mitigating their digital strategies, there are tons of creative ways to build customer relationships. Now we’re not only focusing on consumer problems, such as “Why will this product or service change our consumer’s lives?” but we also have to keep in mind that your consumer is also facing a series of changes during the pandemic. Without in-person connection, it’s become more challenging to define your client’s problems and solve these problems they are facing. Showing your consumers that you’re their reliable choice and putting a voice behind your brand is essential when growing your customer experience strategy. Rethinking your digital marketing strategy and incorporating value into your messaging virtually is the key when scaling and gathering more leads.
Businesses decided to mitigate their efforts to digital permanently.
As businesses have shut down and their physical locations have taken a fall during the pandemic, companies had to rethink their marketing strategies and cascade them to the online marketplace. As 2021 has progressed, the pandemic is still very much relevant globally and, unfortunately, has no plans of leaving. Brand resilience has been put to the test, and many companies had to step up their digital marketing efforts. During the first quarter of 2021, many businesses have noticed the substantial benefits that the online world has brought to their companies, even though it may have been a challenge to relearn everything in the digital space. Online shopping has increased drastically due to multiple country lockdowns and strict protocols. Small businesses, mom-and-pop shops, and even large businesses that have only been transactional in physical locations have started developing e-commerce websites and shifting their products/services to various social platforms. Since everybody’s prime goal is to earn back their losses from the pandemic and maximize profits, it makes perfect sense for businesses to keep their online shops permanently.
Specific industry niches are more accessible.
Pre-pandemic, we’ve enjoyed in-person experiences even though there are multiple ways to enjoy these experiences in the palm of your hands. Industries that were exclusively catering to in-person experiences are now making the switch to digital. This means the online marketplace is swimming in new businesses daily, which means more competition. This is where strategies need to be put in place. The pandemic has also encouraged consumers to support small businesses, which can be super beneficial if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur wanting to launch your big idea in the online marketplace!
Social media isn’t just about the algorithm anymore!
As the years passed, Instagram and other various social media platforms are changing their features and the way they’ve worked, such as the Instagram algorithm. Social media have become a staple tool in digital marketing strategies. Primarily, the purpose of social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook was to keep users connected and promote lifestyle-oriented posts. In previous years, short videos, memes, random quizzes, and lifestyle content took over our social feeds but slowly transitioned into sponsored posts, influencers, product posts, and brand intrusions. As much as we all love social media, it has become more of a job to keep up with the latest trends, and slowly it has lost its original purpose, “connection.” When businesses have shut down during the pandemic and users were forced to stay indoors, social platforms started to regain their ultimate purpose. Slowly we’ve begun seeing users post cooking recipes, dance challenges, book posts, and hobbies, social feeds began to regain their meaning again, and ads have been separated based on the algorithm. Businesses and lifestyle posts coexist, and users have become more accepted that ads are a part of the Instagram algorithm. Because of the adaptation and the success of these social media platforms, users don’t think about moving to other platforms to enjoy their hobbies. Still, they choose to stay on, engage and adapt to whatever update they have next. Social media platforms remain strong and even better for digital marketers.
Now that we’re halfway through 2021, we’ve adapted to the new world, and we’re optimistic that it’s going to end better than 2020. We hope to see more trends that will benefit businesses who faced challenges during the pandemic and help them build resilience throughout the different phases of their strategy. At RAVEN + CO., our digital experts are attentive and updated when it comes to the ever-growing digital marketing trends to leverage the brands we partner with. Do you need help to incorporate the new digital marketing trends in your current business plan or find an opportunity in these trends? Book a complimentary discovery session with our brand experts; we’ll ask you some questions to tell us about your brand and put your ideas out onto paper to help you execute the perfect strategy that will help you scale and succeed in the digital space.
Book your complimentary discovery session here www.ravenandcompany.com/consultation