As we stand on the precipice of a new year, with just three months remaining until the arrival of 2024, it's that time again – a moment for reflection, assessment, and peering into the digital marketing crystal ball. Join us on this journey as we delve into the exciting prospects that lie ahead.
Well, it's that time of the year again – only three months until 2024! The moment when we take stock of the year gone by, assess our progress and peer into the crystal ball to foresee what's on the horizon in the world of digital marketing. So, grab your cups of tea, and let's delve into the exciting journey that awaits us.
1. Voice Search Optimization
No doubt you've noticed how Google's been giving voice search a good nudge. With Alexa, Siri, and Google Home making themselves at home, this shift was inevitable. Projections indicate that there'll be a whopping 8 billion voice-enabled digital assistants worldwide, and the voice recognition market will be valued at a staggering $26.8 billion by 2024.
2. Video Marketing's Reign Continues
Take a gander, and you'll see that every social media platform is going all out for video content. It's here to stay, no two ways about it. As per the reports by Personify, videos will make up a whopping 82% of all consumer internet traffic by 2025. Moreover, video streaming will chomp up 91% of global internet traffic.
3. Getting More Personalised
Personalisation has always been in vogue, but it's set to take a giant leap in the coming year, all thanks to the marvels of AI. AI will provide companies with nifty insights into customer behaviour and preferences, allowing them to offer tailor-made content, products, services, and recommendations. It's all about keeping the customers' chins up, enhancing loyalty, and ensuring their satisfaction.
4. AR & VR Take the Stage
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have been around for a bit, and they're getting better and better. Companies are gearing up to harness these technologies, revolutionising the marketing landscape. Some are already cashing in-take real estate professionals, for example. Post-pandemic, they're offering VR tours of properties instead of just plain old videos. Including AR and VR in marketing and sales is already yielding cracking results.
5. Advanced AI & Chatbots
Chatbots have grown up; they're not just chatbots anymore. They can handle much more than scripted questions. They're becoming an indispensable part of the whole shebang, offering real-time personalised customer service and tackling complex queries with the grace of a seasoned butler. With AI in tow, they're aces at retaining customers, enhancing their experiences, and even bringing in a few leads on your behalf.
6. Social Media as a Search Engine
Google's Senior Vice President, Prabhakar Raghavan, spilled the tea – nearly 40% of Gen Z are turning to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram for searches. This means social media has graduated from being a place to mingle to a full-fledged search engine. It's high time to see social media as more than just a gathering place.
7. Social Media as an E-Commerce Hub
Gen Z is giving social media platforms a run for their money, pushing them to offer more than just the usual services. According to Insider Intelligence, around 50% of the younger lot prefer to shop on social media, and this figure is bound to grow next year. Social media isn't just a place to show off your wares; it's where you can sell them too. With a little help from AI and tech magic, of course.
8. Evolution of Influencer Marketing
Let's tip our hats to the rise of influencer marketing over the years. It's evolved into a niche game with micro-influencers taking centre stage. These chaps are smaller but pack a punch, promoting products and services in their neck of the woods. With their specific approach, they're helping local businesses reach their niche audience effectively.
9. Email Marketing Stays Strong
If you reckon that email marketing's had its day, you're in for a surprise. Year after year, email marketing is going from strength to strength. There's a lot to be said for personalised email marketing. The introduction of AI is making it even more tailor-made, sparking more interaction and engagement.
10. Data Privacy & Ethical Marketing
As the rules tighten, marketing strategies are adapting to fit the bill. Third-party cookies are on the wane, and folks are getting more concerned about their privacy. This is where first-party data steps in, offering a safer, more accurate, and reliable option. It lets marketers customise and personalise their campaigns, enhancing the user's experience and building stronger relationships between companies and their audience.
11. Brand Purpose & Social Responsibility
In this age of smartphones and rampant social media use, brands can't escape their social responsibilities. The boom in social media has made it almost impossible for brands to hide. It's forcing them to tell genuine stories and highlight their commitment to social causes and sustainability.
12. Shift Towards CTV & Streaming
Consumer behaviour has undergone a sea change post-pandemic. They're glued to streaming platforms, pushing brands to turn their attention that way. This shift is going to lead brands to invest in advertisements and make the most of programmatic targeting. It's the telly all over again, only this time, it's a digital one.
In a nutshell, the digital marketing scene in 2024 is going to be a jolly exciting ride, full of challenges and opportunities. Social media search, voice search, personalised marketing, video content, chatbots, AR/VR innovations – you name it, it's all in there. Companies will need to adapt, embrace these changes, and make the most of available tech while keeping their customers at the heart of it all.
So, there you have it, folks, the lowdown on what's brewing in the world of digital marketing for 2024. Grab your brollies and get ready for the marketing journey of a lifetime!
