From the Metaverse to artificial intelligence (AI), marketers will undoubtedly be facing uncharted territory in 2022. Due to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has advanced at a rapid rate in order to meet consumers’ changing needs. But what does this mean for small businesses? And how can you realistically apply new technology to your marketing planning?
Keep reading as we take a look at how your business can stay ahead of the curve and make the most of next year’s trends…
Marketing has moved on from print ads and radio bulletins – we’re now so used to having information at our fingertips 24/7 that there are almost infinite possibilities for marketing activity. But what’s going to be new in 2022? And how can small businesses capitalise on that?
Here are five marketing ideas to look out for that are likely to go big in the new year:
In the wake of the pandemic, we’ve all become much more digitally savvy. Silver Surfers are using Google Nest to chat to loved ones, Discord, Zoom, and Teams are now everyday apps, and social media has become even more popular (if that’s possible).
We’re all using our phones and devices more than previously, so it makes sense to capitalise on that for your customer growth with hybrid events. No more in-store only sales or special offers, direct them online via your carrier bags, delivery notes, advertising and more.
The main benefit of these kinds of events is their accessibility and inclusivity. You’re able to reach a much larger audience than just those coming into your physical location. But they are also much more eco-friendly as there is less travel and less wastage too.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are no longer something just for the scientific community. The recent advances in technology have allowed these to slip into the mainstream and become a huge part of the marketing matrix.
They’re used:
· As chatbots
· To showcase new environments like car interiors
· To visualise room layouts and design changes
· To predict customer behaviour and make recommendations
And so much more. They’re proving to be invaluable in terms of customer satisfaction and communications as convincers and analysers.
According to Semrush, “The global AI market is predicted to snowball in the next few years, reaching a $190.61 billion market value in 2025”. Moreover, TechJury estimate that “The global AR and VR market is expected to grow to $209.2 billion by 2022”.
Add in Facebook’s new Metaverse investment into digital technologies like this, and it makes sense to see if there’s an AI, VR or AR solution for you.
Video is predicted to continue reigning supreme on the marketing front in 2022. And considering TikTok’s increasing popularity, short videos are something we are sure to see more of in 2022.
Research suggests that 33% of viewers lose attention and will stop watching a video after 30 seconds and others say that including a video on your landing page can boost your conversion rate by up to 80%. So, incorporating video into your marketing efforts either on your website or on your social media (or both) is certainly something you should consider in 2022.
The climate is an ever-growing concern for many consumers across the generations – particularly Gen Z and younger buyers. It’s got to a point where customers are actively avoiding purchasing from companies who are not environmentally friendly or are considered to be ‘greenwashing’. In fact, 76% of consumers say they wouldn’t do business with a company that holds views or supports issues that conflict with their own.
So, looking at your assets and procedures to see if you can improve your corporate social responsibility is certainly something you should look into to stay ahead of the curve.
Your customers have real concerns and care for the world, so aligning your values to them is certainly not going to hurt. What’s more, in this post-pandemic world, audiences are more aware of the need for accessibility and consideration for others, so it’s likely that they’ll be more inclined to shop with those who demonstrate care and inclusivity.
We all love our phones – so much so that it’s estimated we check them every 12 minutes! On that alone, optimising your website for mobile makes sense, right?
The ability to browse and buy in minutes is just another convenience that customers have begun to expect of brands and companies, so it makes sense to add it to your 2022 marketing strategy.
Start by ensuring your website is up to scratch and that your social media sites are up-to-date and engaging. But then you can move on to things like email optimisation for those users who read their email on the go.
Don’t fall at a simple hurdle – most content management providers and web development tools have mobile optimisation functions included, so take a bit of time and see what can be done.
It’s clear that the marketing industry is an ever-changing and evolving being – new technologies are being invented and tested every day, so small businesses need to learn to adapt if they are to survive and thrive.
You need to be receptive to new ideas and think outside the box to overcome new obstacles and keep your audience engaged and growing. So, don’t be afraid – be brave and let your business grow through innovative new marketing ideas in 2022.
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