As we enter into 2019, the digital marketing strategies we once knew are now experiencing a dramatic shift. SEO, social media, content marketing, PPC – these trends and strategies are constantly evolving in today’s tech savvy era.
As a business owner, you need to keep up with these trends because what worked for you in the past may not work for you this year. Here are top three digital marketing trends you need to watch out for in 2019:
1. Artificial Intelligence
There will come a time when artificial intelligence (AI) will take over simple jobs. The AI’s potential is limitless and it will definitely improve overtime. But currently, AI can analyze consumer behavior and search patterns through social media data and blog posts. Businesses will be able to understand how clients and customers find their goods and services.
AI can also offer information and tips to consumers by talking to them. If you haven’t noticed, chatbots are gaining popularity this year. According to Gartner, 25% of businesses in the customer service industry will use chatbots by 2020.
By adopting artificial intelligence in 2019, your business will potentially save money, accelerate growth, and stay one-step ahead of your competitors.
2. Chatbots
Speaking of artificial intelligence, chatbots continue to be an important aspect of digital marketing in 2019. A chatbot is an AI-based technology that chats with customers or website visitor in real time.
If you’re not already using a mass email follow-up service then the next best thing is chatbots to interact with your potential customers.
There are currently more than 1.4 billion people interacting with chatbots on the daily and 80% of businesses are already using or plan to use chatbots by 2020. Additionally, research shows that chatbots will help businesses save more than $8 billion per year by 2022, especially in the healthcare and banking industries.
Most customers prefer talking to chatbots since they are more responsive, accurate, answers almost immediately, and most importantly, they never lose patience. Chatbots offer stellar customer service and they’re exceptional in meeting customers’ expectation and automating repetitive tasks. This helps businesses focus on more important matters.
3. Influencer Marketing
While influencer marketing is not an entirely new concept, the focus on local influencers is. Influencer marketing is similar to a word-of-mouth marketing, except that it only uses key ‘influencers’ to relay your brand’s message to your market. In short, you pay influencers to advertise your brand.
How does this attract customers? Consumers generally trust the opinions of consumers than corporate statements. In fact, Iceland – a frozen food retailer – “tapped into the dedicated community of micro-influencers” rather than use celebrities to advertise their brand. After collaborating with Channel Mum, Iceland’s approval rating shoot up from 10% to 80%.
Influencers can range from Instagram celebrities, well-known bloggers, journalists, or YouTubers who have solid social media platforms to help spread the word about your business or products.
Digital marketing doesn’t come cheap. If you want to know more about it and how it benefits your business, contact SMB Compass! We help small business like yours to get the funding you deserve. Feel free to give us a call at (646) 569-9496 or email us at info@smbcompass.com.
