In 2019, it is not easy to predict which methods will connect businesses with consumers most effectively in the ever-changing landscape of modern marketing. Today, marketers are often victims to a changing audience, new technology and new behavior especially when they believe they understand them. This is why it is very practical to study past years’ patterns and pay attention to the changing and growing trends that will influence the future success.
It’s difficult to predict which methods will connect with consumers most effectively in the ever-changing landscape of marketing. Just when marketers believe they understand their audience, a new technology, new behavior or even an entirely new audience alters everything.
Let’s take a look at some of the marketing trends you should definitely keep an eye on in 2019;
1. The purchase and marketing funnel is changing
The current purchase and marketing funnel welcome anyone. It assesses customers for profitability and rejects them if they’re deemed unfit. In simple words, most companies see customers as guardians of their wallets while customers feel ignored at best and insulted at worst when the purchase journey reaches its end. Today, businesses are trying to leverage content to target niche audiences instead of simply getting who the can find. Reaching out to interested prospects is not only cost-efficient but also more time saving and sustainable. Plus, it also helps you segment your audience so your efforts are not wasted. Today, consumers are looking for legitimate trust and genuine relationships so they do not just want business glossed up on them. In the current market weather, content is everything. You should know that you need to engage your audience in such a way that you inspire them, visually or emotionally influence them, provoke them or excite them. The goal of this goes beyond simple response. Your content needs to encourage them to share it with others and engage with it. The content can be an article on a product or simply a video on social media. What it does is enable two-way communication which is necessary for building trust and letting prospects and customers know that you appreciate them.
2. Chatbots are here to stay
Customer service isn’t to be taken for granted. However, not every customer or marketer for that matter feels comfortable talking on the phone or over email. This is what makes chatbots not only convenient but also helpful. These little AI helpers are integrated into websites that answer queries and respond to requests efficiently. Majority of customers are getting accustomed to chatbots and due to this their market will reach $1.25 billion by 2025 with an annual growth rate of 24 percent.
3. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is growing rapidly and makes data analysis faster and more efficient. This is useful in targeting potential leads quickly and perform tasks that humans struggle with. Machine learning is the most common form it takes. Ai also monitors consumers’ online patterns to help you understand their behavior in real-time. There are some legitimate concerns about whether this is ethical or not due to privacy but it is smart to check how customers react to it and keep with your competitors if they are using it.
4. People are aware and cautious about security
Every company should pay attention to its security and ensure that it is thorough. Even if your customers do not notice the security, they deserve respect when it comes to the data, financial details and privacy. Many companies do not promise this which is something customers are noticing. Unlike years ago, people are now paying attention to privacy, terms and conditions. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has taken effect in Europe this year and consumers all around the world are now paying attention to how businesses take care of their information. If you are a top business, you should talk about security with customers and what makes it better than other businesses. Consumers are aware about theft, hacks and leaks in this economy so they will favor those businesses that promise them the safest experience.
