Marketing in 2014 looks very different from a few short years ago. New technologies and changing consumer behaviour have changed the marketing space almost overnight. Digital and mobile marketing are on the increase and should be considered a vital ingredient in your marketing plan for 2014. It is important to stay on top of the wave and be up to date with the latest trends. If all this sounds a bit daunting, try researching sites like http://www.marketsmartly.com/which offer up-to-the-minute marketing information. There are three strong trends to consider including in your marketing mix for 2014.
Trend 1: Tablets Aren’t Going Away
Tablets will be used more than ever in 2014. These increasingly popular devices aren’t going anywhere and tablet use is set to rise in 2014. Your website absolutely must be tablet-friendly and any displays you place on your website need to work well on a tablet or mobile device. Always make sure any banner ads you create are suitable for both tablets and smartphones. Check your website on as many devices as you can and always check that any updates or new ads display well.
Trend 2: Mobile Marketing is Major
Consumers now shop anywhere and anytime using their smartphones, making mobile marketing an essential part of your marketing plan for 2014. Mobile internet is set to overtake desktop usage this year! You don’t have to look far to find evidence of this. Go to a coffee shop, restaurant, bus station or conference and you will see countless folk engrossed with their mobile devices. Exploit this trend in your marketing strategies and your business will benefit. If you haven’t yet added mobile to your marketing mix yet you are on the wrong side of the trend.
Many businesses feel that mobile marketing is too hard or they are unsure just how to integrate it into a more traditional marketing plan. Don’t let fear hold you back. Start to integrate mobile into your other marketing strategies. If you have a magazine advertisement or a flyer, use it to encourage potential clients to check out your mobile site and receive a free offer.
What is a Mobile Site?
A mobile site is a website that has been optimised for use on a mobile device. A regular website is just too hard to navigate on a mobile, but it is relatively inexpensive to implement a mobile site.
Trend 3: Content Marketing
Content marketing is all about engaging your audience with valuable, easy to read content. Whether you are writing a blog or posting on Twitter or Facebook, you need to understand that content is king. You can set yourself above your competitors by offering your potential marketplace a continual flow of relevant and interesting content. Focus your efforts on giving your audience value-add information for free. You will also position yourself as an industry expert in this way. In 2014 your content marketing strategy needs to include innovative and creative ways to engage the marketplace.