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Email marketing is one of the oldest and best tricks in the communication playbook, and newsletters are an excellent tool for brand awareness, audience engagement, and lead nurturing. But newsletter planning is challenging. Coming up with and delivering fresh ideas...
Oct 10, 2024
2024 has been quite a rollercoaster ride for small businesses so far. Trends pop up and tech races forward, so there’s a constant stream of fresh avenues for you to explore.
It’s a perfect time to mix things up, test new ideas, and discover what clicks with your audience. The world of marketing is full of opportunities for you to stand out in the crowd.
Ready to explore the emerging marketing trends for small businesses? Let’s see what can add spark to your business this year!
AI, AI, AI… and, once again, AI! It’s everywhere, and for good reason. This tech revolution transforms personalized marketing, data analytics, automation, and predictive insights. Small businesses can ditch the guesswork and replace it with precision. AI will constantly fine-tune your strategies.
AI is far more than personalization. It optimizes ad spend through real-time data analysis so that your message reaches the right audience. It powers customer service too! ChatGPT, Zendesk and its alternatives use AI chatbots to handle inquiries 24/7, freeing your team for complex tasks.
A Salesforce survey revealed that 51% of marketers already use generative AI, with another 22% planning to jump on board. The results speak for themselves. McKinsey also projects that generative AI could boost marketers’ productivity by 5% to 15%, potentially adding $463 billion in value annually.
Still hesitating? AI streamlines your entire marketing operation. It handles data grunt work, freeing you to focus on creativity.
This shift from reactive to proactive marketing will put you ahead of trends, keeping you competitive in 2024.
Speaking of personalization… Generic marketing? That’s old news. Hyper-personalization kicks things up a notch. It basically uses AI to craft real-time experiences that react to customer behavior on the fly. You will achieve deeper engagement and loyalty since you meet your audience’s needs right when it matters most.
I know you might wonder, ”Hey, what’s the difference between hyper-personalization and standard personalization?”
It’s simple! Personalization taps into basic customer info – names, past purchases – to offer custom content. Yes, it works, but it often feels a bit stale. Think about those “Hey, John!” emails or product recommendations based on last year’s shopping habits.
But hyper-personalization is a whole other level. With real-time data, it delivers responses based on a customer’s current actions. Just picture suggesting products right as they browse or offering a discount when they linger on a specific page. Exciting, isn’t it?
Consumer expectations have evolved. Research by McKinsey revealed that 71% of customers now expect personalized interactions, while businesses embracing hyper-personalization see a 40% bump in revenue.
It’s a great trend that will lead to better results and customers who stick around for the long haul.
In 2024, the single-platform bet is out of date. Today, success means customers everywhere: email, social media, websites, and brick-and-mortar stores. Omnichannel marketing delivers this smooth, consistent brand experience across all touchpoints.
Apart from visibility, omnichannel marketing cultivates loyalty and drives sales. According to research by Harvard Business Review, 73% of shoppers used multiple channels during purchases.
What’s more, companies with strong omnichannel approaches retained 89% of customers, compared to just 33% for those with weaker strategies.
Effective omnichannel marketing keeps your business visible and builds trust through consistent, reliable experiences – regardless of where customers engage with your brand.
Values are shaking up how people shop. People now seek brands that match their beliefs and act on sustainability and social responsibility. This year, it’s becoming the new norm.
But what does being purpose-driven even mean? It’s showcasing your green efforts and proving you’re not just about the bottom line. Even small moves like eco-packaging or supporting local causes can work wonders for your image and keep customers coming back.
According to NielsenIQ, 46% of consumers expect brands to lead the charge on sustainability. Products waving the eco or social flag are flying off shelves faster than ever. The verdict is clear: purpose-driven brands are stealing the hearts (and wallets) of today’s shoppers.
Right now, video content is a hit, and it will only become more so. To be exact, it’s those short types of videos that are taking over platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok.
No point denying it – we have short attention spans. Not the best news, yet, this can greatly add to your marketing campaign. And the best part of it? You don’t need a large budget or expensive gear to produce videos that click with your viewers. An idea and a phone camera will be more than enough!
Duolingo did just that: a simple and silly TikTok video racked up over 65 million views. Now, Duolingo has over 13.2 million followers. Riding trends and injecting humor, it hit the right note globally without any flashy production.
If you’re a TikTok user, you’ve definitely met this green owl on your For You Page before, and you know how unserious their content is. The best part? It actually works, especially for Gen Z.
Moreover, HubSpot reports that 73% of consumers gravitate towards short videos to explore products or services. Meanwhile, 56% of marketers are betting big on this format for 2024.
In 2024, concentrating on video content – particularly those short snippets – is your way to establish a deeper connection with your clients. It all comes down to presenting the ‘human’ and real side of your company.
I couldn’t just walk by without mentioning good old email marketing! In 2024, flashy platforms come and go, which makes email stand tall as a marketing powerhouse.
While social media algorithms keep marketers guessing, email offers a direct line to your audience. You own the relationship, making it perfect for connections, sales, and keeping your brand front and center.
Litmus reports a staggering $36 ROI for every $1 spent on email marketing. Want to boost those stats even further? Personalization is your key. Campaign Monitor found that tailored emails see a 14% higher click-through rate and 10% more conversions.
In a world of shifting algorithms and privacy concerns, email remains a rock-solid choice for marketers. Master the art of targeted, well-crafted emails, and watch your results soar!
The future is here, and AR is no longer reserved for gamers only. In marketing, it lets customers visualize products before buying – perfect for online shopping. Just picture seeing how a couch fits in your living room or trying on virtual glasses. AR makes online products feel tangible, which boosts customer confidence and makes your brand stand out.
Sephora, a beauty products retailer, nailed it with their Virtual Artist tool, letting customers try on makeup right from their phones. This use of AR helped boost their online sales from $580 million to over $3 billion – a huge jump in just six years.
As AR tech becomes easier to use, your small business can tap into it to create cool, interactive experiences that keep customers engaged and excited to shop!
Standing still is not even an option for your small business operations. So, if you want to compete, you must stay aware of the latest updates in marketing.
Keeping up with the competition and ensuring that your business doesn’t fall behind as others progress are your key takeaways.
Today’s consumers have greater awareness than ever. Whether it’s in the subjects of sustainability, personalization, or original content – they keep brands to higher standards.
What you can do though, is you can meet and, what’s more, exceed these same standards by staying on top of emerging marketing trends for small businesses. This way, you’ll keep your business relevant and connected to what your customers actually want.
There’s no denying that to stand out in a crowded market is challenging. But utilizing current marketing trends? Your brand will be recognized!
Be it through omnichannel marketing strategies or viral TikTok videos, staying up to date raises brand awareness and keeps your company in front of customers.
Whether you’re a small business in e-commerce, retail, or restaurant marketing, staying updated on current emerging trends — from AI to AR — can keep your brand competitive, captivating, and connected with your audience in innovative ways.
As you can see, small businesses have a lot to be excited about. We’ve covered quite a bit – AI, hyper-personalization, omnichannel strategies, purpose-driven branding, short videos, email marketing, and even AR! These trends each offer a unique way to stand out and grow your business.
But remember, you don’t have to chase every single one of them. Maybe AR isn’t your thing, but purpose-driven marketing is for your audience. That’s great! The key is to experiment, learn, and adapt.
So, this year, use your imagination, stay curious, and let these marketing trends expand your company to new heights!
John is the Head of Digital PR at Chilli Fruit, specialized in featuring SMB clients in reputable magazines such as Forbes, USA Today, Yahoo and more. Privately, John is a sports commentator for F1 and other motorsports.
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