1. E-PAYMENTS & SOCIAL MEDIA CREATE NEW CLASS OF GLOBAL-VILLAGE ENTREPRENUERS
With PayPal, ApplePay and mobile marketing, combined with the democratization of content, new products will overcome local retail challenges and go global overnight.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA BRAND MELTDOWNS WILL INCREASE
As digital brands aim to create a genuine experience by connecting with customers and potential customers on social media, more major brands may face viral backlash and crises on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Customers’ immediate access to social media, along with a company’s poorly received jokes, can harm their brand image.
3. THE MOUSE WILL GET THE FINGER
Digital brands will be designed for scrolling rather than bulky clicking to achieve a smoother and more direct user engagement. The mouse will still be around, but your fingers will do more of the walking.
4. MOBILE FIRST, MOBILE LAST
Content, design, thought leadership, PR and social media will conform to the “medium is the message” as BYOD mobile will become the primary screen where consumers view your information.
5. CITIZEN JOURNALISM IS THE NEW JOURNALISM.
Traditional news media that was considered trusted will give way to social media’s citizen reporting. Unfiltered content will go viral quicker and earn trust faster than any accredited news organization can deliver.
6. BEHAVIORAL & PREDICTIVE DATA ANALYTICS ARE THE NEW PSYCHOLOGIST’S COUCH
Marketers will rely on predictive and prescriptive data analytics to make major advertising decisions like never before. The psychologist’s couch is being replaced with big data analytics that demonstrate insights on user behavior data dissected to the micro-level.
7. Less IS More
Content marketing will be re-engineered to align responsive web and mobile designs that demand larger imagery and minimalistic text for enhanced user experience.
8. CONTENT AUTHENTICITY WILL BECOME CRITICAL
As content marketers automate their content, the role and importance of authentic content creation will increase. People are less likely to believe hyped marketing schemes and more likely to accept genuine imperfect consumer reviews as a compass for purchasing decisions.
9. PRIVACY IS GONE – AND SO IS THE EXPECTATION
The idea that online users have privacy will shrink as more cyber security attacks and big data analysis make every website visit a “deep dive into the buyer’s mind.” The hope for anonymity will shift to the hope for “secure protection offered by the seller.”
10. YOU ARE WHO GOOGLE SAYS YOU ARE
Corporate buyers and consumers alike will increasingly trust what they see on Page 1 of Google. Today, the most important first impressions happen online. Companies will have to monitor postings on social media platforms diligently.
Read more: 7 Digital Marketing Trends To Keep in Mind