As many people begin to set their marketing budgets for 2018, here are a few trends to keep in mind:
Virtual & Augmented Reality
Long thought to be on the back burner, VR and AR are about to become mainstream. Many companies won't feel comfortable leading the way on an unproven channel, but putting aside dollars to create VR or AR content your website or mobile app now will serve as a jumping off point for future endeavors into VR and AR marketing opportunities.
Live Streaming Video
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter all allow live streaming video. You may want to set aside some dollars that will allow for creative talent to live stream and create unique content from any events, product releases, behind-the-scene exclusives, etc.
Native Ads
With more online ads being seen as an interruption or irrelevant, native ads blend in with the content that the user is viewing in that moment. The point is to put the right information in front of the viewer when they actually need it and open to. Context is everything.
Marketing with a Purpose There is more to promoting your product or service than just driving sales. You want to connect with your customer on an emotional level as well. Customers tend to be more loyal to brands that have a purpose. Did you know that 91% of Millennials say they are more willing to switch brands to one associated with a cause that is meaningful to them.
Micro Influencers By now you've heard about social influencers on networks like YouTube and Instagram. They have large followings and can help promote your content, product or service to their many followers. But what about smaller scale influencers? Think of this in the terms of not how many followers someone may have, but how influenced are they by them. Micro influencers are more likely to get direct feedback from a certain post than someone with a large following. Think of it as being more intimate when sharing something with your small group. They come across more genuine.