2021 Digital Marketing Trends

1. Personalization
Every customer wants to feel like what you offer is just for them. Some companies make this part of their overall business model, but there are easier ways you can incorporate this into your marketing. There are many ways that brands already do this including:

• Personalized email marketing
• Personalized shopping choices based on custom quizzes
• Giving customers ways to personalize their account or app
• Showing customers personalized videos

2. Video Marketing
It should come as no surprise that short format videos are more popular than ever. With platforms like TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Facebook Stories leading the way, these short form videos give your brand personality. Here are a few benefits behind creating video content:

• Customers are more likely to share a video vs a photo
• It makes people more confident in your products when buying online
• Your website will drive more organic traffic just by having videos
• You can use the transcription from the video as a blog post

3. Social Messaging Apps
Having a chat service that anyone can access, and have direct contact with your business, is something everyone should consider. People trust a business they can contact quickly and receive accurate information from. Here are some reasons to consider adding this to your list of marketing resources this year:

• 10 Billion messages are sent between businesses and customers on Facebook Messenger every month
• More people are living mostly online these days, so they communicate there as well
• You can add a personal touch to these messages which strengthens trust
• You can provide direct support and assistance when possible

4. Shoppable Posts
Scrolling through Instagram and finding an ad that not only targets your interests, but is also easily shoppable, is the best of both worlds. Without having to leave the app, customers can buy your products. Here are some ways the newest trend of shoppable posts might help your business:

• Strong call to actions on your social media posts
• Reduces the risk of customers abandoning their purchase because they don’t have to leave the app
• Trackable analytics showing what kinds of products your customers like
• Attracting new customers organically

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5. Virtual Events
Since 2020, the world and the way we hold events has been forever changed. Now that people have experienced virtual events, more people are open to the idea of attending them. Here are some reasons why a virtual event might make more sense for your company than an in-person event:

• There is no limit on the number of people that can attend
• You can attract new guests that may not be able to attend in-person events
• Guests are still looking for interactive events, but are staying cautious
• Saving money on traveling and renting a space for an event

 
Try including one or more of these tactics in your 2021 marketing efforts and see how your customers respond. Thinking outside of the box is a great way to be noticed in a space that is overwhelmed with content. What other creative ways are you going to market yourself this year? 

By Chelsea Bray: Elle A. Design