8 Essential Marketing Trends for 2020
very year, there’s some development in consumer behavior and the digital environment that affects the effectiveness of running marketing strategies. Changes could involve anything from significant Google algorithm updates to newly-published expert opinions on the best SMS software.
To succeed, marketers need to evolve in line with these changes. They need to constantly evaluate the relevance of their strategies and tweak their campaigns to keep up with recent marketing trends. Otherwise, they risk getting left behind by their competitors.
The year 2020 brings in a slew of discoveries and developments in business. But these 8 essential marketing trends, in particular, could make or break your campaign this year:
1) Adopting Text Messaging & SMS Software
Image Source: Omnisend
Despite the growing concern that instant messaging has made SMS obsolete, businesses are increasingly relying on text messaging as an effective means of communication. Its value is driven by the constant proximity of people to their mobile phones, which leads to the most impressive engagement rates amongst all marketing channels. In fact, SMS enjoys a response rate that’s over 200% higher than phone calls, email, and Facebook.
In response, specialized SMS software and SMS-capable omnichannel marketing software have become not only more advanced, but also more accessible for the average marketer. Nobody is claiming that SMS will replace email, but it can definitely serve as the perfect complementary platform. Today’s businesses need to learn how to take advantage of the unique qualities of the text message, and use it to foster a feeling of closeness in their customers.
Click Here: You can visit Simpliv an online learning platform that provides a variety of courses including marketing courses that have been prepared by authors, educators, coaches and business leaders. Simpliv is now one of the leading online learning platforms helping numerous job aspirants to achieve their career goals.
2) Enhancing Marketing Automation
Image Source: Omnisend
Marketing automation has become a fundamental requirement, especially among ecommerce businesses. That’s because automated workflows allow for more timely communications that help customers along the buyer’s journey, and do so with very little human intervention.
Today, marketing automation remains just as valuable, if not more so. However, with customer journeys are becoming less linear, businesses now need to be more insightful when developing their workflows. Additionally, marketers need to design workflows to involve all channels relevant to their audiences. Through omnichannel marketing automation workflows, you’re better able to nurture your customers. That, in turn, leads to an exceptional brand reputation as well as better sales.
3) Deepening Data Dependence
Insights-driven marketing is nothing new. For years now, marketers have been developing strategies based on insights gathered from data analysis. However, recent advances in marketing software allows for an even deeper understanding of your consumers.
To compete in today’s data-driven business environment, marketers need to go beyond user-provided information. You need to use appropriate technology to gather data on all customer interactions and have the necessary skills to pinpoint actionable information.
It is only through deeper data analysis that you can gain a thorough understanding of your customer profile. Doing so allows you to craft personalized messages that convert at a remarkable rate. Additionally, it allows you to foster a better customer experience and develop the most appropriate products and services.
4) Amplifying AI Technologies
As data gathering becomes more advanced, artificial intelligence becomes even more valuable. Behind the scenes, AI has greatly affected the way businesses consume data. Machine learning, for example, is now available to assist marketers in anticipating their customers’ next move or even to predict purchasing patterns.
Additionally, AI now plays a pivotal role in customer-facing technologies. As businesses recognize the value in conversational marketing, chatbots are becoming increasingly essential. Today, chatbots are no longer limited to support functions alone. Businesses now rely on these technologies to enhance the overall customer experience.
5) Broadening Content
Content has always been king. But the type of content that’s most effective for marketing is ever-changing. While blogs are still essential to content marketing, companies now need to be present in different platforms where they can entertain, educate, inspire, and spark conversations.
Considering consumers’ preference for short-lived content, companies should capitalize on the growing reach of social media platforms like Instagram Stories and Facebook Stories, where at least three million advertisers are already present.
Business should also ramp up video marketing efforts since 84% of consumers now say that watching a brand’s video has convinced them to avail of products and services. Aligned with that, 80% of marketers also say that video content directly contributes to sales.
