As the world becomes more digital, so does the way we shop and consume information. Today, consumers are researching products and seeking information online before even thinking about buying something in stores. This trend influences every market sector – from retail and e-commerce to affiliate marketing and SEO.
The internet has created brand new opportunities for marketers, and it’s time to take advantage of them.
What can you learn from North Carolina’s e-marketing and online marketing programs? Consider this your crash course on modern marketing and digital trends that will shape your world.
The Role of Digital Marketing in 2019
Over the next few years, internet marketing and e-marketing will grow and evolve in line with the times. However, an online marketing program in North Carolina will still teach you the fundamentals of digital marketing and how to effectively use the internet to engage with customers.
Here’s a quick recap of the key marketing trends for the next few years.
1. Increasingly mobile consumers
In 2019, more and more people are going to school online. This trend was spurred on by companies like Zoom, which provides video calling services, as well as by the growth of smartphone cameras and internet connectivity. This means that customers are increasingly likely to research products and purchase items online before even thinking about heading to a brick-and-mortar store.
As a digital marketer, it’s your job to ensure that your products and services are accessible to as many customers as possible. Today, this often involves having a mobile-optimized website, social media accounts, and email templates that can be accessed on any device.
2. Shifting to video content
Thanks to companies like TikTok and YouTube, which offer live streaming video, creating and sharing funny or interesting videos has become commonplace.
As audiences have shifted to consuming content in video formats, so have advertisers. In 2019, marketers are realizing that video content is more effective and can be more engaging than text-based or illustrated content.
Whether you’re creating funny videos or more informative how-to guides, adding video content is a simple way to entice customers into wanting to learn more and make a purchase. In fact, 93% of marketers say that video content is more effective than text-based content in attracting potential customers, and 80% say that it’s as good as live video.
3. Personalized Content
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers have become much more interested in what’s fresh and personalized.
While it’s easy to create generic informational videos detailing the most recent news stories or showcasing trending topics, these videos can often feel stale and uninteresting to customers. Tailored or personalized content allows businesses to create videos featuring the products and services that they sell. This can be in the form of a marketing video promoting a new product release or in-depth guide to the pandemic – or anything in between.
TikTok users especially enjoy personalized content because it’s quick, fun, and allows them to engage with the person who created it.
The demand for personalized marketing content has forced businesses to adapt and innovate. If you’re currently producing traditional marketing materials, consider looking into the possibility of creating personalized video content or in-depth articles about your industry. If this content is interesting and helpful to your target audience, you’ll find that customers are more inclined to learn about your company and hopefully buy your products or services.
4. Video is everywhere
The video content and platforms that we’ve discussed above are becoming more prominent and accessible every day. Thanks to companies like YouTube, which owns the biggest video-sharing platform, as well as TikTok, whose community-based platform makes it easy for anyone to create and share video content. These platforms have created a world where video is the normal, preferred format for content.
If you’re currently creating text-based content for the web, consider creating a video version to better engage with customers. You should also look into creating a YouTube channel or licensing video content to be used on other platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
The future of marketing is here
In the last few years, we’ve seen many traditional marketing methods and tools evolve along with the times. At this point in time, it’s important to remember that marketing will never die – it will just evolve.
Thanks to the influence of digital marketing and the internet, which continues to grow and evolve, marketing will never be the same. As the world shifts to a digital sphere, the methods and tools of marketing will adapt and change to fit the new era. But at its core, marketing will always be about generating interest in your products and services among real people who, hopefully, will eventually become customers.