Ready for 2019? As you start making personal resolutions for the new year, it’s the perfect time to think about your marketing resolutions.
Luckily, MDG, a full-service advertising agency, has done the hard work for you and put together an exciting list of resolutions marketers should consider for 2019. Based on successes from 2018 and upcoming trends, these resolutions can help you set yourself up for a prosperous marketing year!
1. I will engage on social media, not just post
Brands have gotten into the habit of using social media for content distribution and advertising. While this certainly isn’t an incorrect approach, brands and marketers will be missing out lots of engagement opportunities if they don’t start thinking about social media differently.
Why? Because 71% of consumers who have experienced a positive interaction with a brand on social media are likely to recommend that brand to others. So, there’s no better time to start engaging on social networks.
2. I will start to account for voice-controlled searches
58% of consumers have used voice search to find a local business, and it's estimated that by 2020 over half of all searches will be completed via voice. This represents a great opportunity for brands and marketers to start catering content for voice queries. Marketers will need to start applying targeted strategies to optimize for voice searches.
3. I will protect consumer data and privacy
With the recent implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), consumers now have more control over their digital data. Moreover, business and organizations have to comply with strict regulations in regards to consumer privacy and data management.
Taking the time to understand the specifics of the regulation and helping consumers to understand just how you are protecting their data will go a long way in building greater consumer loyalty.
4. I will commit to quality over quantity
When you consider that 90% of engagement occurs on just 5% of a brand’s total content, this resolution makes much more sense. In 2019, focus on quality over quantity if you are looking to generate revenue, attract interested audiences, and boost interactions. We suggest developing a few choice pieces of content and sharing them in different ways on different platforms.
5. I will champion transparency
Consumers want brands to be willing to admit to mistakes, give honest answers, display clear pricing, and share available information.
And, there are other incentives for brands to be operating transparently: 81% of consumers believe it is a brand’s responsibility to be transparent on social networks, and 86% of those consumers are willing to move to a competitor if a brand displays a lack of transparency.
6. I will start with mobile
Mobile is fast becoming the premier way to access the internet for over two-thirds of Americans. Unfortunately, many marketers are still adhering to a desktop-first approach when reviewing campaigns.
If you and your team need help moving towards a mobile-first approach, consider implementing a trick from the New York Timesand block the desktop version of your organization’s site or the sites of your clients. This is a temporary fix until you and your team get more comfortable with mobile, but a good one.
7. I will choose actionable metrics
Lately, marketers seem to be giving too much credit to vanity metrics. According to HubSpot, “Vanity metrics include data such as social media followers, page views, subscribers, and other flashy analytics that are satisfying on paper, but don’t move the needle for your business goals. They offer positive reporting, but no context for future marketing decisions — something actionable metrics can do.”
In the coming year, choose actionable metrics that will fundamentally improve the impact of your marketing efforts.
8. I will use a consistent brand voice
Have you noticed that you lose your brand voice when executing campaigns? You’re not alone if you have spent countless hours developing your brand voice only to lose it when pressed for time or creating content for a plethora of channels. However, start concentrating on maintaining a consistent brand voice, because this is how audiences recognize you across channels.
Whether it’s design or word choice, MDG believes 2019 is the year to make brand voice a priority.
9. I will be ready to embrace change
In today’s digital age, we are constantly confronted with rapid advancements in every aspect of the industry. Need proof? Less than two decades ago print was the second-largest advertising channel and the iPhone, Facebook (News - Alert), and YouTube didn’t exist!
While we don’t know what trends are likely to stick around and which ones will fizzle out, being able to adapt to either situation is key. In order to do that, think about adopting a mindset that allows you to embrace changes and pivot when needed.
One thing is for sure, marketers can expect 2019 to be an exciting year!
Read the full article from MDG.
About the author
Michael Del Gigante is the CEO at MDG Advertising.
In 1999, Michael Del Gigante founded MDG Advertising, a full-service advertising agency with offices in Boca Raton, Florida and New York City. MDG has earned a leading reputation for developing effective branding strategies, unrivaled creative, and dynamic interactive marketing solutions for some of the world’s most prominent brands. With his extensive industry experience and insight, Michael has turned MDG, which began as a traditional advertising agency, into an integrated marketing firm based on his innovative 360-degree marketing philosophy. This unique approach incorporates the in-house expertise of industry-leading specialists in every discipline to provide a full spectrum of digital and traditional marketing services. Michael’s progressive vision, coupled with his strategic and creative leadership, has propelled MDG and its clients on a steady trajectory of success.
