With the fast approach of the New Year, we’re sure you have seen your fill of New Year articles, so we wanted to provide you with some simple digital marketing content that you can apply in the beginning of 2020 without upturning your entire strategy.
At the rate of change in the digital marketing field, we must always keep our eyes open for the latest and greatest, but with the wisdom to know what is actually the “greatest” and what is just unnecessary. With that said, don’t get overwhelmed trying to sift through all the tips and tricks for 2020. Start small.
Here are 3 simple things you should be aware of going into 2020:
1. Recent Digital Marketing Trends
The number one thing to be aware of going into a new year in digital marketing (and just in general) is new and existing trends. Digital marketing is an ever-changing field because the online world is constantly shifting, so you have to stay on top of what trends are changing and what are staying the same.
Examples:
- Direct Messaging
More and more companies are utilizing direct messaging (such as in Facebook Messenger) tailored for business to consumer interaction. This allows for a far more personalized experience than has existed in the past, and most customers today, especially those of the younger generation), feel more comfortable sending and receiving a direct message than a phone call or even an email.
- Interactive Emailing
Email marketing has gotten far more complex over the past few years, and gone are the days of boring text-only emails. Now, companies focus on visually pleasing emails with a strong message and a personalized aspect. A recent trend that will definitely grow in the coming year is interactive emailing, which allow readers to click on images and icons to shop and have quick access to the companies website, etc.
- Social Media Stories
With the rise of social media “stories,” it was only a matter of time before businesses discovered ways to utilize them for marketing purposes. Often, you will see companies use the stories as a way of meeting consumers where they are, focusing on pretty visuals and shopping opportunities using the “swipe up” feature.
There are so many more examples, but rather than listing them all, check out this article that shares 42 Digital Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2020. Keep in mind, not all of these will work for all businesses. In fact, we don’t advise trying to implement more than a couple at a time, and even so, be very selective about choosing ones that work for your digital marketing strategy.
2. Updated Algorithms and Policies
One of the top things you need to be aware and stay aware of in the coming year is changes in algorithms and policies on search engines and social media. Again, the online world is always changing and with that comes changes in the way things are monitored and updated.
Examples:
The algorithms for Google love to throw you for loops sometimes, and this is especially true when it comes to Google Ads or even SEO attempts. With shifts in mindsets and nifty new ways of marketing, Google has to stay on alert, and most often, that means keeping us on our toes.
Sometimes it feels like trying to market on Facebook is just another one of those online games people play when they have too much time on their hands, right? Facebook’s policies are never the same for more than a few days at a time, it seems, especially for advertising and promoting your business. They can be very particular, so it’s important that you stay read up on what is and isn’t acceptable according to their policies.
It can all seem very intimidating, with new adjustments to algorithms and policies around every corner, but the most important thing you can do is research consistently. We would also recommend finding a group of digital marketers (could be a Facebook group or something similar) that you can engage with and share any problems you may come across. Most often, at least one person will have a solution for you.
For more on navigating Facebook’s algorithm, read here.
For more on navigating Google’s algorithm, read here.
3. The New Generation
We talk a lot about your need to know your target audience and who exactly your message is for, and that is, of course, still true. But you also need to be aware that in 2020, Generation Z will make up 40% of consumers, as they are just beginning their ascent into adulthood. With this in mind, you should be considering ways to draw them, even if they are not necessarily your target audience. Likelihood says that they will either make up a notable portion of your prospects this year or, at the very least, within the next few years. We need to be prepared.
According to 99designs.com, 4 things that GenZ values most in marketing are:
- Authenticity (this goes along with personalization)
- Privacy
- Diversity
- Sense of Humor (don’t be afraid to pull out a meme!)
Keeping these four things in mind gives you a solid foundation for establishing a simple strategy to win over GenZ as part of your consumer base. They are the up-and-coming, so they cannot be ignored. Be prepared!
Of what could be a very long list, we’ve just introduced three things to be aware of going into the New Year. We’ll say it again: don’t try to do everything at once. Start small. Start slow. And consider these simple, applicable things going into your 2020 digital marketing strategy.
If you would like to be extra prepared for the coming year, take a few minutes to schedule a free strategy session with us at Brown Creative Group. We would love to speak with you about your current and future digital marketing strategy!
Best of luck in the New Year!
