You’re going to turn 40 soon! Is your life ready? Are you excited about all the changes that come with getting older? You might be wondering what comes next. Let’s have a look at the future of marketing and whether or not you should be doing anything differently.

The Rise of Digital Marketing

This year is going to be the big 4-0. However, while we celebrate this upcoming milestone, we need to acknowledge that 2020 is going to be the year of digital marketing.

In the past, people tended to think about marketing in terms of how it was represented in printed media. Yellow pages, billboards, and radio ads were all methods of marketing that were highly visible and recognizable. With the rise of digital marketing, we see the emergence of new methods of reaching potential customers that are purely digital.

Traditional marketing still has its place. In fact, we’re seeing a resurgence of analog marketing as more businesses realize the benefits that come with targeted marketing on social media. However, a large portion of our marketing spend will be on digital methods in the future.

The Changing Trends In Digital Marketing

As we mentioned above, traditional marketing still has its place. However, the trends in digital marketing are not going to disappear. In fact, we’re seeing a transition, as potential customers are more likely to be reached through digital means than through traditional marketing.

Here are some of the trends that are going to emerge in the next few years.

1. Video Content Is On The Rise

In the past, people tended to shy away from video content. After all, who had the time to watch a 4-minute video when you had so much to do?

Times have changed. Video content is on the rise for several reasons. First, it is much easier to consume in large quantities. Second, many people are realizing the benefits that come with video marketing. According to HubSpot Blogs research, 78% of adults between 18-29 years old have watched a video to better understand or learn about a product or service. Finally, more and more businesses are creating compelling content to entertain and inform their audience. In other words, video content is becoming a more practical and desirable method of marketing.

2. Personal Branding Is Essential

A few years back, marketing became much more personal. Companies like Harry’s and Ralph Lauren started placing a greater emphasis on marketing to individuals. When you’re selling products to individuals, having a personal relationship with those people is critical. Creating a brand for yourself, rather than a company, is essential. In other words, if you want to succeed as a marketer, you need to be prepared to invest the time required to develop your personal brand.

You’re going to have to put in some serious work to establish yourself as an expert in your industry. However, the rewards more than make up for the effort. When you develop your personal brand, the results can be extraordinary. Consider using Twitter and other social media channels to establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Create a podcast, find and engage with other individuals that have an interest in your niche, and ultimately, build a following. The more you engage with your audience, the greater your chances of attracting new customers.

3. Influencer Marketing Is Here To Stay

While video content is on the rise, influencer marketing is here to stay. Why? It’s quite simple. People are realizing the benefits that come with being associated with well-known individuals in their industry. If you want to succeed as a marketer, learning how to work with popular influencers is a must.

Influencer marketing is also quite affordable. For example, if you want to learn more about influencer marketing, you can check out this informative blog post from Influencer Marketing 101 or you can start by connecting with other individuals that are already working with influential people in your industry.

4. Inbound Marketing

In the past, we tended to think about marketing in terms of how it was organized and directed. We’d typically have a marketing campaign that was planned out in advance. However, today, we’re seeing a paradigm shift. Thanks to inbound marketing.

Inbound marketing focuses on attracting, engaging, and delighting people, rather than converting them into sales. As a result, the marketing methods and the approach to marketing itself have changed. Inbound marketing was inspired by the approach to business that can be attributed to Richard Schaefer, the Founder of REI, the co-author of The New Normal in Marketing, and probably, the person most responsible for inbound marketing. He states:

I don’t believe in marketing. I believe in marketing opportunities.

According to HubSpot Blogs research, 66% of executives think that marketing was drastically changed by the pandemic. That’s a lot of change in a short amount of time. However, while we’re focused on adapting to the new normal, we need to remember that marketing is evolving with it.

To summarize, the future of marketing is looking bright. Video content is on the rise. Personal branding is essential. Influencer marketing is here to stay. Inbound marketing is the way of the future. Let’s continue our discussion on the future of marketing in the next blog post.