1. Global Reach

In 2016, more people than ever before are looking to connect with brands and businesses online. With the development of social media and online marketing platforms, like Google, Facebook, and Instagram, marketers can now reach people around the world and keep in touch with previous customers, potential new customers, and entertain viewers at the same time.

Having a physical storefront, a Twitter account, and a Facebook page is just the beginning. With Google taking the lead in developing a local SEO strategy, expanding your digital footprint to other platforms, like Instagram, is crucial. Having a presence on multiple platforms shows that you are a serious brand or business. It also shows that you are trying to be accessible to as many people as possible and are not restricted to one channel. Plus, being present on multiple platforms shows that you are keeping up with the times and are aware of what consumers want and need. With every new development and innovation in the internet and social media space, marketers should always keep up, and in order to do that, they must be present on as many platforms as possible.

2. Brand Awareness

Having a brand, or a recognizable logo or slogan, is crucial for any business. If people know what your company is about and what you stand for, you can bet they’ll be more likely to buy your products or use your services. Knowing your brand inside and out makes it easy for customers to identify with you. Developing a brand identity is an essential part of any business, and it’s important to keep in mind that consumers form impressions of your brand in the very first few seconds of a conversation or interaction. If these first impressions are positive, you can bet people will be more likely to continue doing business with you.

Now, take note of the brands that created successful businesses in the 21st century, like Apple and Nike. These brands developed a recognizable identity very early on, and they didn’t stop there. They made sure to develop memorable logos and memorable slogans, like Apple’s ‘Think Different’ and Nike’s ‘Just Do It.’

By being unique, intelligent, and memorable, these brands were able to establish themselves as leaders in their industry and continue thriving even in today’s ever-changing world. They understood the importance of being committed to their brand’s identity, and they continue to inspire others to be unique and creative, even today.

3. Flexibility

A business owner or manager who hasn’t taken the time to think about what makes them unique is losing out on a potentially lucrative customer base. The more a business can tailor its offerings to meet the specific needs of its consumers, the more likely those consumers are to be retained and connected to the brand again. Tailoring your services to meet customer expectations, desires, and needs means you can be sure that they’ll come back for more.

For example, Coca-Cola’s One Happiness Initiative aims to make their products available and relevant to consumers wherever they are in the world. As a result of this flexible approach, the company was able to retain customers in emerging markets like Africa, where access to safe drinking water is challenging. With Coca-Cola making drinkable water accessible to everyone, particularly in light of the fact that 864 million people still lack access to clean drinking water, this initiative is undoubtedly a positive move. Having a flexible approach like this makes it possible for a business to serve a global audience while still operating locally.

4. Customer-Centric

To succeed in today’s ever-changing digital world, a business must have a clear understanding of its consumers, their needs, and what drives their buying decisions. Without this information, it’s difficult to develop strategies to connect with this consumer base and convert them into paying customers. Additionally, when businesses focus too much on what’s good for the company, instead of what’s good for the customer, they’re putting themselves at risk of losing business and going out of business. This threat is very real, as many small businesses struggle to survive simply because they don’t have the financial backing or resources of a larger company. While this type of business may satisfy the needs of its customers, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be around for long.

Businesses that put the needs and desires of their customers first, rather than their own, stand an excellent chance of being successful. If you want to create a successful business in today’s world, it’s essential that you understand your consumers’ needs and motivations. To do this, you must listen to what they have to say and look for ways to meet their demands. The customer is always right, and if you want to be sure your business will prosper, you need to make sure the customers feel valued, as this will lead them to be more loyal and engaged with your brand.

5. Authentic and Engaging Content

Even if you have a beautiful storefront and a reliable brand, if your content lacks imagination and is simply copied and pasted, your customers will quickly become desensitized. In today’s world, consumers have an excess of information and are constantly being bombarded with advertisements and marketing material. The key to creating engaging and authentic content is to put yourself in your customers’ shoes for a little while and think about what would make them interested in your product or service. Additionally, keeping up with the latest trends while remaining true to your branding is a key to making an impact.

To use a sports comparison, imagine if a basketball player took a picture of themselves playing basketball and plastered it on Instagram. While the content may be aesthetically pleasing, does it really offer anything new for the user? Depending on how long ago this picture was taken, the player may appear to be completely unrestrained while actually playing the game, but for someone who has grown accustomed to seeing this kind of content, it may not appear authentic at all. The point is: if the content does not look or feel realistic, the user will be able to tell immediately. This type of content may be interesting for a few seconds, but unless the consumer genuinely cares about the subject matter, it’s not going to hold their attention for long.

To create authentic and engaging content, you must immerse yourself in the world of your customer and look for ways to connect with them on a personal level. When a business establishes a connection with a customer, that customer is much more likely to be retuned and engaged with the brand. You can have the greatest product in the world, but if you don’t understand your customer’s needs and what would make them interested in your product, you are losing out on a potentially lucrative audience. The need for quality content is greater today than ever before, which means you must take the time to engage with your audience, whether through captivating images or intriguing copy.

6. Data-Driven Decisions

With the ever-evolving world of technology, data-driven decisions and intelligent analytics play a crucial role in driving revenue and business growth. If you are operating a business that relies on revenue, whether through advertising or sales, you must have a clear understanding of how you can influence these figures. Developing a clear marketing and business strategy that is based on data and analytics makes it possible to identify the exact people to target with offers and discounts, as well as monitor and analyze the effectiveness of past campaigns, making it easier to determine what’s working and what needs to be changed. Additionally, focusing on analytics and data allows a business to track the results of their campaigns and determine which audience is seeing the greatest results from their efforts, while also providing them with the information needed to tailor future campaigns to be more effective.

7. Future-Proof

Being future-proof is essential when it comes to establishing a business in today’s world. To truly succeed, your business must be able to thrive regardless of the many uncertainties that come with being in the tech industry. This uncertainty can make or break a business, especially if they are not structured or equipped to deal with shifts in consumer behaviour, new competitors, or economic changes. The last thing you want is to find yourself in business but not able to pay your bills. By taking the time to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, you can rest assured that your business will be able to cope with the many uncertainties that come with being in the now, very much including the ever-changing world of marketing and communications.