3 Crucial Marketing Trends To Be Aware Of For 2019
The leaves are starting to fall and the year 2018 is in its final months. With the impending New Year, it is the ideal time to start planning next year’s marketing strategy in order to stay one step ahead of the competition. The following three trends will be essential for your small business’ marketing endeavors in 2019.
No. 1: Cause marketing. Just what is cause marketing? Cause marketing is the marketing of a for-profit business which benefits a nonprofit charity or supports a social cause in some way. Why is cause marketing essential for your small business? Because 70% of Millennials, people born between 1982 and 2000, will spend more money on a brand that altruistically supports a cause they are passionate about. Millennials are the largest generation America has ever seen, and should not be ignored when it comes to marketing as there are over 83 million Millennials in the United States alone. However, you shouldn’t just choose random causes and charities to support, as Millennials are sticklers for authenticity. Think about your business’ mission statement, then one or two causes it can stand behind that are in line with your already established values.
No. 2: Livestream video. Live video is revolutionizing the way businesses interact with their clientele. Live video is capable of engaging your viewers in exciting ways that other social media formats cannot. Facebook Live, Twitter Live, YouTube Live and Instagram Live are transforming the way people watch videos. Live video can help generate buzz around your business’ new products and services. It also enables you to interact with your customers in real time and answer their questions.
No. 3: Old-fashioned honesty. Honesty has become a juggernaut in the world of marketing, as the public is tired of being misled and downright lied to. As a business owner, you should always clearly represent your products and services, e.g. what they truly can do and even where they might need improvement. Honesty means integrity, which translates into brand loyalty and increased sales. Keep in mind that 77% of online shoppers base their purchase decisions on reviews from other customers, so if you have consistent negative reviews because of dishonest practices, you will cost yourself business in the long run.