In 2013, marketers invested more than ever in digital & social media marketing, and this interest is only predicted to grow.

In 2014 more than 95% of businesses claimed that they would use social media to market their products or services. Also, 64% of those businesses expect to increase their social media marketing efforts in the next year.

According to HubSpot Blogs research, 81% of businesses claim to use social media to market their products or services. A majority of these businesses (53%) use Facebook to connect with customers, while 47% use Twitter.

Why Are Buyers Turning To Social Media For Research?

Although SEO, or search engine optimization, has always been a key tactic in digital marketing, the focus has shifted to online communities and platforms like Pinterest and Instagram as well as to Snapchat and other popular messaging apps.

These online destinations offer businesses the ability to connect with customers on a more personal level than possible through SEO tactics alone. Thanks to the widespread use of smartphones, online communities can flourish through the power of personalization, engaging with potential customers through videos, photos, and articles as well as demonstrating a business’s expertise through SEO-rich content.

Marketing on these platforms is often called’micro-marketing’, and it’s a valuable tool for startups and small businesses. Not only does it allow you to connect with prospective customers, but it engages existing customers in a different way, encouraging them to revisit your website or social media channels for more information.

Are These Micro-Marketing Platforms Beneficial To Your Business?

To answer that question, let’s take a step back and consider how traditional marketing and SEO tactics have changed in light of the increasing prevalence of online marketing.

In the past, marketing would often rely on a combination of SEO, pay-per-click ads, and landing pages to drive traffic to a website. While this type of marketing still works in certain cases, it’s now possible to directly target the right audience and engage them into action without forcing them to leave the comfort of their homes.

Online communities like Instagram allow businesses to connect with customers by sharing content that is personalized and relevant to their interests and hobbies. This type of marketing strategy is often called ‘influencer marketing’, and it’s a great way to grow a business exponentially because it takes advantage of a customers existing knowledge, interests, and social connections to gain awareness and trust.

The takeaway from this is that, as a business, you don’t have to rely on one tactic to achieve success. While SEO still provides good value and works for certain businesses, knowing when to deploy other marketing methods can significantly boost your results.

SEO, Social Media, And The Future Of Marketers

Looking to the future, as SEO and marketing become even more sophisticated, savvy marketers will continue to harness the power of traditional tactics, blending them with the emerging technologies that make up a customer’s digital landscape.

This combination of old and new will shape the way we see marketing and SEO in the future. For instance, SEO will become even more valuable in helping businesses find their niche in a crowded market, while social media will continue to evolve and provide bigger opportunities for businesses to engage with customers.

Overall, the future of marketing looks extremely positive. In the coming years, SEO and social media will continue to evolve and change the game, making it easier for businesses to find their niche in a saturated market while also providing consumers with personalized content, relevant product suggestions, and up-to-the-minute news & analysis.