New Year Marketing Resolutions to Make
Beginning this post, we at Online Optimism want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 2015 was a long and successful year for us and hopefully for you as well. If it wasn’t your best year, consider reading some of these tips we’ve compiled about some new marketing resolutions your business could be making in 2016.
1. Merry Mobile
Mobile devices are the premier digital platform for 2016. They began their takeover in 2014 and completed the transition in 2015, finally surpassing desktop searches. Is it really a surprise? With the advancements being made in mobile devices, will computers themselves become obsolete machines in 2017? We’ll have to wait and see. With apps like Snapchat, Instagram, Vine, Tinder, and so many others, is it really a surprise that mobile devices are the next generation platform for users to connect, shop, date and explore their favorite companies and brands? In 2015 alone, 75% of Facebook’s revenue came from mobile advertising. Don’t believe us? Look at the top 10 most popular apps in 2015 and try to tell us you don’t have at least one on your smartphone. There are a few things to be sure to have in your mobile arsenal: a mobile responsive site, mobile advertising strategy, and strong social media marketing plan.
Not only is having the mobile market cornered crucial to your 2016 marketing goals, but video is largely the form of content that mobile utilizes. As mentioned earlier, Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, YouTube, BuzzFeed, all of these huge media and social juggernauts are using video to capture new audiences and create bigger followings. Think of it like commercials that can reach so much more.
2. Branding & Engaging Content
According to Content Marketing Institute’s 2016 B2B Budget and Trends Final Report, marketers continue to be focused on creating engaging content as the main priority for the year. Having content that is both authentic and strategic is possible without being spammy or too “markety.” It just takes some creativity.
The ultimate goal with any content marketing strategy is to create a recognizable brand. While you might have a great product or a special deal every week, having a brand is what other people pass along to those that have never heard about you and what other businesses will remember. With the new year, take the time to really think about where you want your brand to be at the end of the year. Begin with this goal in mind and the content will be more authentic. According to one source, content marketing will be the 2nd most factor in commercial impact in the new year. While having paid advertising and paid social media plans will only enhance your marketing, having some transparency when it comes to content resonates with people much stronger than promoting what you think people want to see.
3. Social Hour
Social media is still going strong in 2016 and that fact doesn’t seem like it will change anytime soon. Along with what we mentioned earlier regarding video content being the strongest in 2016, apps like Periscope and Meerkat are taking video content and making it in real-time. This level of accessibility hasn’t been seen previously and can be an innovative way for your customers to see and understand your brand.
Be sure to be using your social media to the fullest extent. Remember the rule of thumb with social media marketing: 80/20, meaning 80% promotional and 20% relational. A strong social media following is instrumental in creating a long-lasting, positive brand. Not only can you connect with your customer base with social media but you can respond accordingly if problems within your company arise. Never before have people been so connected as they are now. To ignore that fact just isn’t smart business.
4. New Realities
With Google Glass premiering in 2014, the age of virtual reality is upon us and many influencers believe that this will be the new marketing frontier. Keeping yourself abreast of the newest trends, even ones that haven’t exactly “taken off” yet is how you will stay dynamic and influential to your clients or customer. HubSpot explains “with the ability to literally tell 360-degree stories, companies will be able to engage like never before.” Even if you don’t think that your company will be using this kind of technology, thinking about your brand within that sphere can give you innovative new ideas you may not have considered before.
What we have noticed most in 2016 is a connected digital marketing strategy is the best way to see the most results and to get the most ROI for your efforts. If you have questions about what kind of marketing you should be using in the New Year, give us at Online Optimism a call, we’re always happy to talk!
