We asked our Leadership Team to share the top trending topics that are on their mind as we move into the new year. Here’s what they had to say:
BRAD
Voice Search.
“Hey, Alexa!” It’s predicted that by 2020 over half of all searches will be done via voice. Stay tuned for our blog post on this topic in our December newsletter!
Content Marketing.
Content becomes more and more important not just for SEO but because people put more credibility in it over ads. Influencer marketing, as well as referrals and recommendations, will all become equally important.
Be Authentic. Be helpful. Technology and marketing automation can certainly help in your efforts, but never lose sight of the importance of face-to-face marketing. We’re becoming desensitized and sterilized, and losing the personal approach to help and assist. Build marketing relationships.
KIM
HR & Marketing.
Working together to identify ideal employee candidates as a target market, and getting super focused on finding, attracting, and retaining them through marketing efforts that will make the brand stand out. We’re talking BIG, BOLD recruitment campaigns.
Gen Z.
This population, born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, makes up 25% of the U.S. population, making them larger than the Baby Boomers or Millennials. By 2020, they will account for one-third of the U.S. population so they’re certainly worth paying attention to. We’re regularly talking about how we reach this generation of digital-savvy consumers.
Video content. This is nothing new to our world, but it’s becoming increasingly important. Experts predict that by 2020, 82% of web consumer content will be video-based. Plus, Google found that videos work for B2B buyers, too (70% watch videos on their journey through the sales funnel).
SUE
Influencer Marketing.
Brands are using individuals that have influence over potential buyers and curating specific marketing activities, messaging, and touch points through these influencers to sell their products and services.
Machine Learning.
Aggregating the data we have and utilizing machine learning to recognize patterns in customer data … and using that information to inform our marketing strategies.
LAUREN
Brad stole mine (standard!)
Content Marketing.
It’s so much more than blogging.
Experiential Marketing.
What better way to build engagement with target audiences than by letting them experience and bond with your brand?! The days of just “being there” are gone.
MARK
Visual Vocabulary.
Branding taken beyond a logo mark where the design style is applied to graphics to create a series of iconography. These images are used to further the brand and are ideal for social media applications.
Subtle Motion.
Using micro-interactions (slightly animated movement) in imagery. It’s often used in website design for “surprise and delight.”
Broken Grid Layouts.
Minimalism design meets wondering design elements to create asymmetry, both in print and digital design.
KEYON
Chatbots.
Consumers are becoming increasingly more comfortable using chatbots to communicate with brands. They allow for personalized, immediate, and helpful communication while requiring minimum resources. And all of that communication can be tracked to your CRM for follow-up.
CRM Integration.
Your website is the hardest working resource you have – it’s up 24/7/365 and can capture valuable data that you want to ensure your sales team has available to them. Make sure that data is being integrated into your CRM.
Automation. Again, your website and other technology tools can do the work for you. Setting up automation in your marketing and communication efforts streamlines workload and increases productivity! Let the tools do the work!
