Marketing trends have a way of changing at a breakneck pace, and to keep up with the newest is next-to-impossible in an industry where what’s in this weekend is out by Tuesday. But there are some marketing trends worth paying attention to because they’re either so new or so large that ignoring them could mean future failure for your company.

Here are five marketing trends you need to know about right now:

1. Put The Customer First

Change is one of the most difficult things to deal with when it comes to business, particularly when that change requires companies to alter the way they’ve always treated their customers. But businesses can’t remain competitive if they treat their clients like crap, so the idea of putting the customer first is catching on.

What it means to ‘put the customer first is simple: companies realize that prospective buyers need more than just a great product or service to be happy with their purchase. They want good communication and support as well, which has led to increasing demand for reviews, reviews and reviews.

This marketing trend isn’t particularly new; people have wanted honest reviews about products since – well since reviews were invented. But now that many eCommerce startups offer review-based items like food/beverage delivery services, hotels, and even grocery deliveries, it’s more relevant than ever.

2. Video Marketing

One of the most effective tools in marketing today is the use of video. Marketers have known for years now that people love videos, but what isn’t as widely known is how much they like free videos. Thanks to the power of services like YouTube, Vine, and Snapchat, consumers expect companies to provide them with highly engaging videos that don’t cost anything except for time. The best part is that it’s not just for social media; companies can also use video to display their products like real estate video marketing, provide updates, and even tutorials.

3. Social Media Optimization

Consumers today are spending more time than ever on social media. For some reason, people like to share photos of their cats, talk about a celebrity who has gained weight, or brag about how many likes their latest selfies got.

What this means for marketers is that their social media marketing campaigns need to be as strong as ever. But what makes social media optimization different from regular old social media marketing is the fact that businesses need to provide more than just marketing messages. They also need to engage with users and share relevant content instead of constantly resorting to self-promotion.

4. Mobile Marketing

Mobile internet browsing is projected to overtake desktop usage by the end of this year. Such statistics might apply to marketing or commerce since it seems like everyone has a smartphone these days, and most people use them for just about everything.

What does this mean for marketers? It means they need to step up their mobile game. If you want your company to stand out from its competitors, then you must be willing and able to provide customers with an exceptional mobile experience. This can be as simple as having a responsive website (which most businesses now do) or creating native apps (which many companies still don’t).

5. Content Marketing

So far, we’ve learned that people expect businesses to provide them with high-quality, informative information. They also want to be entertained, whether it’s by watching videos, sharing content on social media, or using other forms of interactive media. Marketers who understand these expectations are already taking advantage of the latest trend in digital commerce; content marketing. 

Content marketing is all about providing users with helpful advice and interesting topics. This can refer directly to your product or service – for example, one company used humor to market their new line of headphones, while another connected to users by talking about a common issue – but it doesn’t have to. The possibilities are endless!

In Closing

Remember, the internet is still evolving, and so should your marketing campaign. Trends come and go, but as long as businesses work hard to meet their customers’ needs, they shouldn’t have any problem keeping up with the latest information. So keep track of what’s hot and get ready for the next big thing!