It’s hard to believe that 2015 is almost over. Kind of seems like a repeating statement every year. But, as we all know, time slows down for no one. If anything, it feels like it speeds up. Anyways, I’m getting off topic.
I want to discuss the New Year, and what we, as digital marketers, should come to expect. Of course, you can never fully predict what is going to happen with digital marketing in 2016, but you can make an educated guess, and that’s what I am going to do here for you.
Creativity and Originality Will Take Over
Getting noticed on the worldwide web used to be so easy. Slap together something, post it and watch people gobble it up. Unfortunately, the internet is now completely flooded with content. We’re like sardines stuck in a can that only want out. But how do you get out?
Simple: you have to think creatively and out of the box. A simple article or social media post isn’t going to cut it anymore. People today are already using unique strategies with podcasts, videos, etc. Basically anything interactive is what I predict will explode in 2016. No longer do people on the internet simply want to digest information and leave it at that. Now they want to interact and have a say in what your marketing plan or contests or whatever it may be is about. So look for unique ways to get your audience involved.
Increase in Digital Marketing Agencies
Again, now that the internet is loaded with tons of content, you have to find the means necessary to compete with everyone who is posting content, from big franchises (Wal-Mart, Nike, etc.) to even those silly cat videos you see. This is your competition, because you have to vie for the attention of your audience. So no longer can your digital marketing plan consist of a few posts a week and some mild conversation. It’s going to take digital advertising, social posts, newsletters, contests, or whatever you can think of to grab the attention of your audience and create followers.
This leads me to believe that you are going to start seeing companies knocking on the doors of digital marketing agencies. Running a SUCCESSFUL digital marketing plan takes time, effort and many resources. Instead of hiring new employees, taking the time to devise a plan and updating it, companies will instead outsource to a digital marketing agency to handle their digital marketing efforts.
Social is No Longer a Free Resource
Social media plays a huge role in digital marketing, and companies are starting to see the benefit of using it. Which, again, means more businesses using it and more competition. So we’re back to the sardines stuck in a can. How do we get out?
It’s time to put a budget to your social media campaign. Now, you don’t have to spend money on your social media marketing, but it’s a safe bet that your just going to blend in with the noise, or not be seen at all if, you don’t. And it really doesn’t take much at all. By just boosting a few posts here and there for a few bucks a day makes a big difference. So spending more money on social media is certainly something I see in 2016.
To Conclude
Again, you can never really predict exactly what to expect with the new year in the digital world, but I think it’s a safe bet that the three trends I mentioned are going to happen this new year. So get ready, think about how you can apply these 3 trends to your digital marketing plan and be prepared for the new year!
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