Five Digital Trends That Will Stick Around For 2019
Digital Trends to look out for in 2019.
As we head into the new year, we find many businesses consider that it might be time to rethink their social media strategy for 2019. Around this time of year, we hear resolutions and goals being thrown around such as “This year I want to double my following” or “I’m going to much more ahead of my social media planning”, but how do you actually go about doing that?
To help our clients, we’ve pin pointed a few trends that are likely to stick around this year. Based on our own research and professional experience, below are a few digital marketing trends we suggest taking a look at for the upcoming year;
Content Will Still Reign
Content marketing will continue to be a crucial component of digital marketing. The quality is always going to be the focal point, but there’s also an increased interest in who the intended audience is. Having a more in depth understanding of a targeted market, and the ability to target that market more precisely is a rising trend in creating effective marketing.
While general content for the mass audience will always be important, specialised content for specific industries can also produce impressive results. A combination of specific content and constantly improving techniques for measuring content effectiveness, content marketing remains relevant and essential in 2019.
Video Marketing Continues To Rise
Video marketing will be the leader of digital trends in 2019. It is predicted that 80% of the online content will take up the form of visual representation. The videos will be the focal point of any marketing strategy as these will distribute the message in a better way while providing entertainment to the viewers.
Video has become a favourite form of communication since the rapid adoption of smartphones and social media apps. More than ever, we are seeing that video content does not have to have a high production value. Don’t shy away from pulling your smartphone out and recording a message to your potential customers about a recent win or to share some insights that will be valuable to them!
Chatbots Are Here To Stay
This AI based tech uses instant messaging to chat in real time, 24/7 with your customers or site visitors. Chatbots are here to stay as many customers prefer interacting with a chatbot as they are responsive, give answers almost immediately, they recall your entire buying history and best of all, they never lose patience.
Sephora is the perfect example of an advanced business. You can get all kinds of make-up tips if you chat to Sephora using the Kik App. The personal assistant feature also provides you with product reviews when you’re shopping in a store.
Email Is Getting More Personalised
Email continues to be a strong contender as a channel of communication with billions still using it for work, personal and commercial purposes. In fact, “Email remains a significantly more effective way to acquire customers than social media- nearly 40 times that of Facebook and Twitter combined”- McKinsey & Company.
In 2019, a combination of automation and more importantly, personalisation will make email marketing effective.
If you feel stuck on gaining a customer database, the easiest thing to do is run a competition. The old age marketing trick of attracting people to your brand by giving something away still works!
Storification
The stories format has boomed in 2018 on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp. It is even being tested by Linkedin!
Brands need to consider that although posts with high resolution and quality production values are still important, less polished, more intimate content performs better in the stories format. Consumers often feel more comfortable with brands when to see raw but authentic, in the moment views into the backgrounds of brands.
It’s not too late to start planning your digital marketing strategy for 2019, and our sister company The Social Co Academy can help brush up those skills! Check out their training resources here.
Thinking about outsourcing your digital marketing strategy to an agency? Contact us today for more information.
Building a social media audience
You've got great content, but how can you make sure it's being 'seen' and 'heard' on social media?
Your engagement rates now play a huge role in your brand's visibility on social media, but how can you go about building an engaged audience? Here are some of our top tips.
Have a good strategy in place to make sure you’re creating the right types of content, and sharing it on the right platforms (at the right time!)
When planning your content, you shouldn’t necessarily be thinking about how to get it in front of everyone – it’s all about getting it in front of the right people! To do this, you must define who your audience is, what their interests are, and create content that will really speak to them. The more engaged your audience is, the more likely it is that your content will be shared.
Consistency is key! Make sure you’re posting good quality content on a regular basis.
Engage, engage, engage! Spend at least 15-30 minutes every day engaging with fans, likeminded users and influencers to build your network. The more you show interest in and support others on social, the more you’ll be supported right back!
Use hashtags, both branded and unbranded to curate your content.
And finally, think about supporting your social media content with an advertising budget through Facebook/Instagram ads.
If you’d like to learn to how master social media marketing from our team, The Social Co Academy are currently offering a very special offer.
For a limited time only redeem Coupon Code: ‘SOCIALMELB50’ at the checkout to receive 50% OFF The Social Co Academy‘s signature online course – the Social Media Masterclass!
Why Facebook Live should be part of your digital marketing strategy
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Facebook Live is one of key digital marketing tools for 2017 and if you haven’t already started using it for your business now is the time!
Facebook Live can help you take your social media marketing to the next level, by helping you create an engaging conversation with your followers, reach new audiences in new ways and connect with your current audience in a more personal and interactive way.
Ready to join the trend and get started?! Here are a couple of ways you can use Facebook Live as part of your business’s digital marketing strategy:
Showcase your product or service in action:
Sometimes the hardest job for marketers is to explain to their audience exactly what their service is or specific product features. That’s why Facebook Live is a great tool for showcasing these unique characteristics and benefits, in an engaging way that doesn’t rely on just imagery or text.
For example, if you offer a beauty service, why not use Facebook Live to demonstrate the beauty service in action? If you have a food or beverage product you could use Facebook Live to show off a great recipe.
Make it personal:
Facebook Live is a great tool for sharing behind the scenes content to show a more personal side to your business. You could host an interview with key members of your staff, share some great behind the scenes content of a photoshoot, live auction or tour of your office. People love seeing the ‘real’ components (and people) in your business!
Encourage interaction:
As a business owner, chances are you’re an expert in your field. Share your knowledge, showcase your expertise and answer common questions through Facebook Live and while you’re doing that, encourage your audience to interact with you!
Ask them to comment their questions and answer your commenter by addressing them by name. This is a great way to build a relationship with your consumer and keep them hooked!
Ready to get started? Here are a few top tips to try now:
- Tell fans you’re broadcasting ahead of time: Post 2 – 3 sneak peeks or previews to encourage people to tune in when you go live
- Always do a practice run
- Film in a professional setting
- Be creative!
Do you need help developing a Facebook Live strategy for your business? Contact your expert team of digital marketing gurus at Melbourne Social Co today!
Call us on: 1300 386 165 or send us an email at: [email protected].