Hey there! So, as we look ahead to 2024, things are getting a bit crazy in the digital marketing world. If you’re finding it harder than usual to keep up with what’s going on, you’re not alone. It’s not just about being part of the digital world anymore; it’s about making sure your business succeeds.
Imagine this – there are these tricky computer rules, new tech stuff keeps showing up, and customers are constantly changing their minds. It’s a lot to handle, right? Well, it is. If you don’t keep up, you might miss out on good opportunities, kind of fade away, and see your success drop. In this digital world, being able to adapt is super important, and the rewards for doing it right are huge.
Marketing also changes due to consumer behavior and the external environment. While global growth is set to be modest and inflation is likely to cool, according to the OECD, consumers will still be cost-conscious. Also, most people are likely to seek out brands that show they are doing something for the good of society, and not just their bottom line.
But no worries! We’ve got a guide that’s like a treasure map for navigating the digital world in 2024. It’s full of helpful tips and tricks, with information tools such as AI chatbots & email finders. This guide is your key to not just getting by but doing well.
Let’s explore the upcoming trends together and make sure your business not only stays afloat but rides the digital waves to big success. Ready to give it a go? Let’s do this!
Navigating Digital Marketing Trends in 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Let’s talk about the cool stuff happening in digital marketing, especially with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in 2024. These are like super-smart tools that are changing how businesses succeed online. Imagine them as your secret helpers in the digital world. As these technologies become increasingly integral to various industries, they open up a plethora of opportunities for students to develop highly sought-after skills and experiences.
49% of the value of the NASDAQ and 25% of the US stock market consists of just six companies, and they’re all AI companies.
Here’s what they’re up to:
- Personalized Connections
- Future Prediction Magic
- AI Chat Helpers and Virtual Assistants
- Customized Content
- Smarter Ads
- Data Security
Social Media Trends
It’s going to be another interesting year for social media! In 2024, social media platforms will continue to battle for consumers’ attention and they’ll need to re-examine the way success is measured.
There may also be a shift in dominance as the continuous drama with X (formerly Twitter) leaves room for new platforms like Instagram Threads and Bluesky to rise in popularity, while other networks have the potential to gain new ground for organic traffic.
Virtual And Augmented Reality
Over 2023, VR and AR marketing has become more accessible than ever. And it’s a digital marketing trend that isn’t going anywhere. From IKEA’s use of AR to help customers see how a product might look in their home to Volvo’s VR test drives, we predict that more and more brands will be using the latest hardware to bring their products to life for customers.
Even outside of retail, VR and AR will be making waves. While gamified advertising is nothing new, the use of AR to encourage consumer participation has taken off in 2023. With brands like M&Ms inviting users to play in their interactive music lounge and Corona inviting shoppers to ‘Paradise’, we’ll see plenty more AR adverts in 2024.
For VR specifically, even B2B brands are discovering how it can support their marketing efforts. How it van help in building a strong identity and branding for businesses. Those trained through VR classrooms report a 40% increase in confidence compared to a traditional classroom. And some brands are creating new ways to educate consumers through interactive VR technology.
For small businesses, you can use AR to enhance everything from traditional business cards to VR recruitment to walk candidates through your office.
Threads Is On The Rise
Meta launched Threads in July 2023 and now claims to have 100 million monthly users, a number which will no doubt rise as it finally went live last week in the European Union. A rival and alternative to X, Threads is used primarily for sharing text updates and joining public conversations.
Expert tip: At a minimum, brands should have a presence on Threads, even if it’s just grabbing a username because user numbers will increase in 2024. Do your research. Have a look and see how other brands are using it, such as Canva, TedTalks, and Channel 4. This is the time to experiment with the platform.
Hyper-Personal Experiences, Every Single Time.
Gone are the days when digital marketing was one size fits all. 66% of consumers expect companies to understand their unique needs and expectations, and 52% expect personalized offers.
And, as small businesses continue to leverage big data, you need to channel it into creating experiences that fit each individual customer. These experiences can be anything from demographic-led offers to personalized product recommendations.
In fact, some are predicting that with the help of AI, we could even see individualized adverts for consumers, where each advertisement is tailored directly to their needs. From food and beverage brands only advertising vegan food to their vegan customers to clothing brands offering personalized recommendations by size and taste. For businesses, this can be as simple as personalized email marketing using your customer’s name or serving more specific adverts to niche demographics across social media.
Retention Rate Is The New Engagement Rate
In recent years, marketers have seen the engagement rate on organic social media activity decline. While there are many reasons for this – content quality, time of day, device – people may shift away from engagement to focus on retention in 2024.
To combat this, brands have been creating fantastic social media campaigns built around entertaining, educating, and informing audiences. The key is to drive engagement by being playful and creative.
We believe that social media platforms are looking to enable this by testing longer-form videos – for example, TikTok will introduce 15-minute-long uploads – and focusing more on how brands not only engage their audiences but retain viewers.
LinkedIn Organic Reach Dominates
LinkedIn has just hit a billion members worldwide. That’s a long way from the days when it was just a place to upload your resumé and look for a job!
In 2024, we expect to see a huge rise in organic engagement on LinkedIn – a rarity on social channels right now.
“People are updating their LinkedIn profiles, not just about work topics either – general life skills, advice, support, mental health issues, tips and leadership.”
There’s a lot of engagement happening between creators on LinkedIn. You can switch to ‘Creator Mode’ on a personal profile, which enhances your profile and gives you access to more tools. For paid media, video ads seem to be driving the most engagement on LinkedIn.
Voice Search Is Changing SEO
As we continue introducing voice assistants like Siri and Alexa into our homes, we’re also changing how we search online. Instead of typing a query into our search bars, we’re now asking Alexa and our voice assistants will select the most relevant answer. Choose KingAsterisk Digital Marketing to adjust your content strategy to answer the exact questions people are asking out loud. FAQs, blog posts targeting specific queries, and content optimized for conversational keywords will help you become the go-to answer for voice searches. As we move forward, integrating voice search into your SEO strategy is not just smart; it’s essential
With almost 50% of homes in the UK now owning a smart speaker, blending conversational language, hyper-local SEO and frequently asked questions into your content can boost your prospects of showing up in voice search results and reaching a brand new audience.
Short-Form Video And Content
This format’s ability to capture attention quickly makes it indispensable for brands aiming to engage audiences and amplify their message. Short-form content is super-sharable for mobile users. By using it to offer glimpses “behind the scenes”.
Data Privacy Is Becoming Important
As we introduce more and more technology and automation into our lives, consumers are becoming increasingly more concerned with how much data they’re handing over. With 68% of us concerned about our online privacy, businesses must demonstrate that they’re protecting our sensitive information. This is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses where consumer trust is essential.
You can do this by conducting regular cyber-security audits. As part of that, you’ll need a clear plan of action in case of a data security breach, as well as highlighting the steps you’re taking to protect your customer’s data.
Conclusion
In a world that’s changing faster than you can say digital marketing, staying flexible and creative are the keys to making your marketing work in 2024 and beyond. For brands that embrace virtual reality, hyper-personalized experiences and bite-sized, conversational content, the next year will bring even more exciting opportunities to connect with customers. KingAsterisk Digital Marketing can assist you with catching each lead and improve your Marketing in 2024. Book your free consultation today to figure out how and begin today.
