Consumer behavior has dramatically changed since the global pandemic. For this reason, digital marketers have to pivot their marketing strategies to keep up with the changing times.

The year 2021 has seen significant developments on how digital marketers address the boom of ecommerce despite the current uncertainties. Although engagement and retention are still the primary goals, emerging trends can help generate more traffic to increase sales and revenue.

Here are 7 Digital Marketing strategies worth investing your time and resources in 2021.

  1. Optimize the Use of Social Media

The global pandemic has greatly increased the amount of time that people spend on social media platforms to research and purchase products and services. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide consumers with an easy and seamless buying experience.

Big companies are now putting money on social media content planning and marketing to reach and re-engage online customers. If you’re a small business, now is the best time to consider social media as a digital marketing strategy.

  1. Use the Power of Voice Search

Voice search is predicted to be a major game-changer in digital marketing this year. Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant are increasingly becoming prominent for online queries and searches. Hence, it is expected to be a valuable tool for the years to come.

Although voice search is not yet part of Google’s algorithm, it is wise to stay relevant and visible. Include a voice search in your business plan as a strategy to help boost traffic. Besides, local businesses are likely to benefit from using voice search as most users use it to find information and recommendations for local businesses.

  1. Invest in More Interactive Content

Interactive content like surveys, Q&A, polls, calculators, and widgets effectively increase the length of time and amount of engagement, making your brand stand out in feeds and algorithm-based searches. Interactive content keeps people engaged and improves the user experience.

Keep your audience engaged and entertained by allowing them to ask direct questions about your product, give their opinion, and state their point of view. This will make them feel valued and it can help them establish a rapport and create a personal connection to your brand.

  1. Go Live

Going live is a quick and effective way to interact with consumers in real-time. It is a fun and cost-effective strategy to stay connected with your audience and foster brand trust and loyalty. Going live keeps consumers entertained and engaged.

Encourage your audience to interact with you during live sessions by keeping the conversation fun, light, and interesting. The other way to establish your brand as an expert is by answering questions and giving personal insights and expert advice.

  1. Work with Micro-Influencers

Choosing to collaborate with micro-influencers instead of popular ones is a practical approach to attract and retain more audience share. Micro-influencers are relatable, and consumers can see themselves using the brand they endorse. They give their honest opinion and speak their minds on a more personal level than celebrities and big influencers.

Furthermore, micro-influencers are more cost-effective than celebrities or social media stars. Plus, consumers are more likely to trust a brand used and recommended by someone they see as an actual person.

  1. Engage Audience with Augmented Reality

The physical limitation brought about by the global pandemic pushed digital marketers to think of innovations on how consumers can effectively shop and buy products without leaving their homes. Augmented Reality (AR) allows businesses to show consumers what their product is about through a virtual app.

This digital marketing strategy is effective in helping the audience get a feel of owning or using a product without seeing it personally. What’s more, AR helps businesses connect with customers. It gives them a feel of what a product looks like before making a purchase; thereby, reducing the likelihood of return and product dissatisfaction.

  1. Enhance Social Marketing

Consumers are more likely to patronize a brand that reflects social issues they are passionate about. The past years have seen a paradigm shift on how social issues like inclusivity, sustainability, and political relevance influence consumer buying behaviors. Cultural and social issues are some of the current deciding factors why consumers are more willing to shift brands.

Social marketing is preferred by many because its main objective is to help the consumer and society as a whole rather than just focusing on profits. This is vital since today’s consumers want to ensure that they are using their money for something worthwhile.

Wrap Up

Understanding the latest trends in digital marketing can help increase your brand traffic, get more leads, and ultimately grow your sales. You can choose to apply all or any of these strategies depending on your business goals, audience, and industry.