1. Trend 1: marketing based on location
Tips: Go ahead
Location based marketing is getting more and more popular and Google has also begun to map the location in the search results. Be prepared for this marketing trend by introducing your location to Google Places and ensure your website design is more friendly to mobile devices.
2. Trend 2: predictive search
Tips: Please wait in front
When you type keywords into the search box on Google, this tool will predict and display keyword phrases that correspond to your search. For example, when you type the word “webmaster forum” this tool will immediately display and predict it as “comment on a webmaster forum” … If you previously optimized for this short search term, it is time to optimize for a longer term to ensure that you will not ignore or miss out on potential customers.
3. Trend 3: Social network control
Tip: be patient
This year, the practice has proved that discussions on social networks are initiated by business and are not as personal, memorable or effective as we might think. Invest the time and budget to create a great customer experience. When you deploy marketing campaigns using social networks these customers will become your best ambassadors.
4. Trend 4: social network marketing
Tip: Be proactive
As a smart marketer, you will probably start running tests of social network marketing campaigns this year on Facebook or Twitter. Try to incorporate some social network games or contests. You can use sites like Foursquare to reward loyal customers or services like Wildfire to run promotional applications.
5. Trend 5: mobile marketing
Tip: be patient
2010 figures indicate that more and more people are using text messages, emails and social network access on their mobile phones, but most still do not feel comfortable shooting the bar code products (in promotions).
If you want to succeed in mobile marketing start building an application now, a user-friendly website for a mobile device or a campaign message. If managing a retail store, try running promotions at the store – customers can capture a bar code or even text a short code to receive coupons and exchange at the counter.
6. Trend 6: online advertising
Tip: Be proactive
Banner ads might seem outdated but display advertising will become a hot trend of the year. In fact its very easy for small businesses to place display ads on millions of websites just by working with the agency that owns the ad network.
These ads can be displayed by geographical area, behavior and interest groups. The combination of search advertising and display ads will optimize results obtained from the two types of advertising and thereby optimize the efficiency of the investment budget for PPC advertising (pay per click).
7. Trend 7: email marketing
Tip: Be proactive
Today’s mobile devices have functions to support the display of email, and HTML functions on the phone will help display beautifully designed emails clearly on the screen. It is time to give email marketing a new face.
8. Trend 8: buying groups / general
Tip: be patient
Customers are beginning to become familiar with the general concept of buying or group buying and shopping sites like Swipely and Blippy create conditions for people to share the purchase with just a click of the mouse. If your product can get customers more excited or are open to group discount programs you can use these websites.
9. Trend 9: IM
Tip: be patient
Visiting customers are becoming increasingly more difficult to find and require you to respond immediately their needs. If you already have a customer care team or sales force always on duty in front of the computer or device, you should also consider conducting a test on the level and ability of your staff to handle these situations.
10. Trend 10: Online TV
Tip: be patient.
Viewers will be able to choose TV programs via their web browser while watching the program, watch the program on demand and even control the TV with a mobile phone.
Online TV opens up a tremendous opportunity for advertisers because the ability to target audiences with online TV will be higher than traditional television. But you need to wait for the trend to take place by the giant broadcast industries as changes are very slow.
