Digital Marketing Trends for 2019
Welcome to 2019! It’s a new year, and that means thinking about what’s in store for the next 12 months. We’re not talking about those resolutions to hit the gym, cut carbs or learn a new language. No, we’re talking about upcoming digital marketing trends for 2019. Read on to learn more about three trends you can’t ignore for 2019 and a to-do list to take advantage of them.
Social Media
By now, it is common knowledge that businesses need to take advantage of social media marketing. Your customers are out there, and social media is a great way to reach them. However, it’s important to know your audience, and know where they hang out. Facebook is still the most popular platform, with roughly two thirds of Americans with a profile. But don’t put all your marketing eggs in this one social media basket, especially if you’re looking to target a younger demographic. YouTube is used by nearly three quarters of all American adults, with a whopping 94% of 18-24 year olds using the site. Nearly 80% of 18-24 year olds are on Snapchat. Instagram is another platform not to be ignored. If you like stats and numbers, this article is chock full of them, but in a nutshell: There are over 1 billion users, it’s popular with the under 30 crowd, and people that hang out there have money to spend. In fact, 72% of users have purchased something they saw on Instagram!
To Do: Take a look at your target audience, spend some time thinking about where they hang out on social media, and go find them!
Video
Video might be the most important digital marketing trend for 2019. As mentioned previously, nearly two thirds of all Americans interact with YouTube. Snapchat has a huge user base. Videos on Facebook and Instagram, including Live Videos and Stories, are quickly gaining popularity. We’re not talking about a two hour feature film; you want your videos to be short and sweet. One-fifth of your viewers will click away within 10 seconds or less, so you need to make those first seconds count. Get your audience hooked right away with a teaser, and remember to keep it light. People want a video that pulls them out of their day, even if just for a few seconds.
To Do: Brainstorm topics to promote with video- a new product or service, or a quick ‘behind the scenes’ look at your office or warehouse. Be willing to take risks and see what happens!
Voice Search Technology
Alexa, Cortana, Siri, Google Home… These smart devices are changing the way we search. Voice interaction continues to rise and that means adjusting your website’s SEO accordingly. Searches on a smart device, i.e. verbally asking it a question, differ from typing it into a search engine. This means targeting broader topics and longer keyword queries in a more conversational tone. Depending on your product or service offering, this may also include upping your local SEO game.
To Do: Make a list of questions that would yield your business in the results, if someone asked a smart device. Compare these to your current keywords and phrases, and update accordingly.
If taking on these tasks reminds you of endless other resolutions cast by the wayside, contact us today! We can’t help you lose weight or teach you Russian, but we CAN help you with your digital marketing goals!