2019 is almost around the corner: how do you make a flying start in the new year? What should you take into account, and which topics should be on your roadmap in 2019? We list 5 important trends for your digital marketing strategy in the coming year.
1. Authenticity wins. Always.
Fair is fair, there is increasing suspicion about advertising and marketing among consumers. As a result, authenticity will become an important element in 2019, or actually it is now. The vast majority of consumers, therefore, indicate that authenticity is an important factor in determining which brands should be supported. People trust people, not brands. For this reason, influencer marketing, among other things, has become so large. Consider also a User Generated Content. Let your customers become ambassadors of your brand by sharing their content about your brand with potential customers.
2. Voice Search is growing
In our living rooms, there is increasingly a smart speaker. These voice assistants can help you with anything at home or in the office. They are also getting smarter. The prediction is, therefore, that by 2020 half of all searches will be voice-driven. So anticipate this now! Why? Voice-guided searches are different from the typed searches. Are you looking for something in the Google browser? Then you get a huge list of possible options that you are looking for. A speech-driven search often only provides a single answer to your question. More than ever, it is therefore important that your answer is mentioned first.
Another possibility with Voice Search is to build your own interaction. This way you can check your flight times at KLM and hear where your package is at PostNL. Consider what Voice Search can do for your company and get started.
3. Artificial Intelligence does what people cannot do
AI has become a sort of buzzword. Although many companies do not yet know exactly what the possibilities and limitations are, this technology is increasingly taking shape. AI is becoming increasingly important in digital marketing and you really can’t ignore it anymore. Every marketing must have this on the agenda for 2019.
How? A good example of AI is a chatbot. Chatbots help brands to improve customer service without putting pressure on budgets. They are faster than people and with the help of collected data, they answer the questions asked. They are ‘trained’ and may even have their own personality. Chatbots can be integrated on your website, in an app, and deployed via social media channels. Very smart, they also collect user information that can later be used to better align marketing strategies.
4. Video becomes bigger than you think
Video is often still a poor child in the digital marketing strategy. Yet video advertising is becoming increasingly important. This is because more and more video content is being viewed on the internet. For example, consumers would rather watch a video to convince them to make a purchase, rather than read it somewhere.
The possibilities to advertise with video are enormous, both on different channels and in different forms. Think of YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, but also webinars, instructional videos and live streams are popular with visitors. Consider carefully which video strategy fits your brand and your target group. In addition to the ‘standard’ videos, virtual reality and augmented reality will also play an important role in 2019. All the more reason to use video in your marketing strategy for 2019.
5. Social media: you can’t ignore it
It may be the last topic on this list, but it is certainly not less important. Social media is actually a mandatory part of your marketing strategy, regardless of the industry in which you work. In 2019, the focus is on Social Stories. These were of course introduced by Snapchat and meanwhile taken over by Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. Stories have a short lifespan because the message disappears after 24 hours. This, therefore, requires a different approach than the ‘normal’ posts in the timeline. Do you want to know how you can best tackle this? Contact social media marketing agency and our experts. They are happy to help you with your strategy for 2019!
Do you want to know more about how you can make a flying start in 2019? Give your business a boost based on these 5 tips? Contact us and come and have a cup of coffee (or tea). We are happy to help you further!
About the Author:
We are the growing digital marketing agency that realizes your growth objectives. With our full-service approach, we ensure maximum results at companies. For companies with ambition, just like us. We always raise the bar and make smart choices to push your boundaries. That is our mission.
