With 2015 quickly approaching, the business strategies that will prove the most effective for the upcoming year are taking shape and it is becoming clear where marketers need to place a majority of their focus if they wish to succeed. It should come as no surprise that the internet will continue to drive consumption and that the influence of social media will be more important than ever, which means businesses are looking to get educated on technology to reach potential clients.
Social Media Networks
There’s no doubt that social media networks are here to stay. In the next year, they’ll be driving customer service and consumer spending at greater levels than even before. Both Facebook and Twitter have been testing features that allow consumers to buy products without leaving the site, meaning these websites will be taking the lead and small businesses can take advantage with concrete revenue metrics in social media messaging. LinkedIn will also become increasingly popular, and image-driven social media platforms will become more prevalent. Over the year there’s also sure to be new networks that pop up and some that may supplant the old. Business would do well to make highly focused and integrated social media campaigns.
Advertising Trends
Since social media networks will be driving consumerism, it should come as no surprise that advertising will be crucial on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Advertising will also be more targeted and focused on the individual preferences of users since the wealth of data available allow marketers to understand the behaviors of potential customers better than ever.
Simplicity and Portability
The businesses that wish to really get ahead of the curve will have to adapt to the increasing prevalence of mobile devices. While most of the population now does a great deal of their internet browsing and social media updating via smartphones and other mobile devices, there are many businesses which have not yet taken advantage of mobile marketing. The upcoming year is sure to see more companies looking to take advantage by developing mobile-friendly sites and smartphone applications that will make consumer experience simpler, faster, and more satisfying from their portable devices.
Marketing to Millennials
With the crux of business marketing plans depending on social media, the internet, and mobile marketing, it will be impossible to ignore the heaviest users of technology: the Millennial generation. While they have been stereotyped as entitled and lazy, Millennials are the most knowledgeable demographic in regards to the tech world and their spending power is only increasing. This new generation of consumers makes up over twenty five percent of the marketplace, and the best way to reach them is through social media platforms both in the traditional browser and through smartphone applications.
Friends Influencing Consumption
There’s no more powerful force when it comes to spending than word of mouth, and social media has made it easier than ever to get the word out. The Millennials be important drivers of market forces in 2015. Social media trends already show this demographic is likely to buy products their friends post about purchasing via social media. Clever marketers will no doubt find a way to turn that fact to their advantage in the next year.
Originally posted on December 31, 2014 @ 10:49 am
