With the end of the year almost here, you’re either insanely busy dealing with the end-of-year rush or beginning the wind-down towards Christmas. Either way, I bet you’re looking forward to turning on the out of office message and relaxing with a celebratory beverage or two (I know I am!)
Before you get too carried away with your holiday plans, make sure you schedule in time to review your digital marketing strategy. Regardless of how busy you are, now is a great time to review the big trends of the year and evaluate what worked and what didn’t work in 2019.
This will also help you develop an effective digital marketing strategy for 2020. Don’t risk returning to work in January with no clue and no plan! Take the time now to evaluate your digital marketing efforts so you can truly enjoy your Christmas break.
To get you started, I’ve put together the 4 biggest digital marketing trends of 2019 for small business owners. As a bonus, I’m also sharing the 4 trends I think are going to be most important for you in 2020. Consider this my Christmas gift to you (you’re welcome!).
2019 Digital Marketing Trends for Small Business
Video
Video marketing continues to lead the way, with 52% of consumers confirming that watching product videos positively influences their online purchase decisions. Video content is highly effective in engaging customers, creating trust and helping to reach new audiences.
Automation
Automated tools such as chatbots can engage customers in real-time, providing an instant response when they are primed to make a purchase. In addition, automation takes the load off answering simple questions, making your business look more responsive and professional.
Omnichannel Marketing
One of the buzzwords of 2019, omnichannel marketing focuses on delivering consistent messaging across multiple channels. This targets your ideal customer, wherever they are, increasing the visibility of your business and amplifying the power of your message.
User-Generated Content
A powerful organic marketing tool, UGC allows customers to share their own content (most often photos) in return for a discount or giveaway. Using hashtags and tagging others, your customers can share your brand more widely, increasing reach, engagement, and sales.
2020 Digital Marketing Trends for Small Business
5G Technology
5G technology is set to transform how we use and access content. With 5G expected to power a dramatic increase in the number of connected devices in the coming years, more of us will be relying on our phones for information and communication. It’s definitely time to get mobile-ready.
Voice Search
Whether you’re asking your smartphone for the nearest restaurant or checking sports results using your smart speaker, voice search is growing in popularity. To continue to be found, your content should be optimised with more conversational keywords and language in mind.
Interactive Content
There’s a move toward more engaging content in 2020, offering a more interactive experience to customers. Interactive ads will allow users to click on specific items to purchase them while quizzes, polls, and 360-degree videos will deliver a more immersive experience for consumers.
Personalisation
In an era of declining consumer trust, personalised content is more important than ever. With 80% of consumers more likely to engage with a business offering personalised experiences, it’s time to get to know your audience, target their needs and personalise your content accordingly.
If you’re looking to step up to the next level with your digital marketing in 2020, schedule a free 30-minute chat with me. I’d love to discuss how I could help your business grow and guide you in getting the most out of digital marketing!
