Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
Do you want to stay ahead of the curve in marketing your business this year? With the ever-changing world of marketing, it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest trends to get the most out of your efforts.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your feet into the marketing pool, these 10 viral marketing trends will prove valuable as you plan your marketing strategy throughout the remainder of 2023.
1. User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is any content created by consumers rather than brands; this style of content has exploded in recent years. UGC can include anything from photos and videos to reviews and comments. It’s a powerful way for brands to build trust with their audience and spread awareness of their products.
“As brands continue to look for ways to stand out in the competitive digital landscape, leveraging UGC has become a key component of their marketing strategy,” explains Alia Bedi, General Manager of L’Evate You. “UGC generates much higher engagement rates compared to brand-created content. Consumers trust UGC because they can relate to it and see how others are using the product.”
To get the most out of UGC, brands should focus on creating campaigns that encourage consumers to engage with their products or services. This could involve hosting photo contests or challenges, running hashtag campaigns, or offering incentives for sharing content with their followers.
2. Livestreaming
Livestreaming has become an incredibly popular way for brands to engage with their audiences and build loyal relationships. Marketers can create real-time, interactive experiences with their customers, therefore providing a direct line of communication.
“Brands can leverage pre-scheduled and on-demand live streams to increase engagement and deepen relationships with their target audiences,” Christy Pyrz, Chief Marketing Officer of Paradigm Peptides explains. “The rise of mobile devices, coupled with the availability of social media platforms and video streaming services, makes livestreaming more accessible than ever. For brands looking to stay ahead of the curve in terms of digital marketing, livestreaming is a must.”
Aside from building brand loyalty, livestreaming can have a positive effect on sales. A survey in 2022 showed that 35% of consumers in the US purchased a product following a live shopping event.
3. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies allow users to experience immersive worlds that blend the physical and virtual with interactive, engaging content. How can this benefit brands? Brands can create experiences that go beyond traditional advertising methods, such as product demonstration videos or 360° photos or videos, to capture the attention of their target audience.
“The potential for AR and VR in the marketing world is tremendous,” shares Chris Bridges, CEO of VITAL Card. “AR can be used to bring products to life and make them more interactive, while VR offers an entirely new level of engagement with customers.”
Companies can use these technologies to create personalized experiences, such as virtual tours of a store or allowing customers to test out a product before they buy it. Multiple industries can benefit from this type of marketing, from apartment complexes to luxury retail goods.
4. Micro-Influencers
With the explosion of social media, influencer marketing has become an integral part of digital marketing strategies. As more brands recognize the power of influencers, the competition for the attention of high-profile influencers has increased, making it harder and more expensive to reach out to them. To stay ahead of the competition, many brands are now turning to micro-influencers—personalities with smaller followings and more niche interests—to engage with their target audiences.
“Micro-influencers are increasingly becoming a valuable resource for brands, as they offer greater authenticity and engagement than their high-profile counterparts,” explains Alex Novak, CEO of SLR. Micro-influencers are often more affordable than high-profile influencers, meaning you can reach your desired audience without having to stretch the budget.”
To make the most of micro-influencer campaigns, carefully select the right influencers for your brand. Look for individuals that strike a balance between reach and authenticity, as well as those whose content aligns with your brand values and message.
5. Chatbots
Chatbots are computer programs that simulate conversation with human users, and brands are finding a great benefit in using this form of communication. They can be used to answer customer inquiries, provide customer support, and even sell products or services.
Brian Munce, Managing Director of Gestalt Brand Lab explains, “As technology advances, chatbots are becoming more intelligent and can provide users with more accurate answers. This can help reduce customer wait times and increase customer satisfaction. Many companies are starting to use chatbots for marketing purposes, as they can be programmed to answer questions, provide personalized recommendations, and send automated messages.”
Some major benefits of chatbots are that they’re cost-effective and can help improve customer experience. They can answer frequently asked questions, provide customer service, and engage customers more conversationally. As chatbot technology continues to evolve, it will likely start being used in more innovative ways.
6. TikTok
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially amongst Gen Z. It has provided an easy way to create short videos and share them with friends and followers. With its increasing popularity, marketers are also looking to capitalize on the platform to reach their target audiences.
“There’s an authenticity on TikTok that’s difficult to find on other social platforms,” explains Marcus Hutsen, Business Development Manager of Patriot Coolers. “Creativity is at the core, and brands that can really lean into their creative spirit are more likely to stand out from the competition to build a solid fan base.”
The growth of TikTok presents a huge opportunity for businesses to connect with their audiences. Marketers need to stay up-to-date on TikTok trends to create effective campaigns. With the right strategy, businesses can create content that resonates with their target audiences and turns them into loyal customers.
7. Increase in Personalization
As customer expectations continue to grow, businesses need to ensure that their marketing strategies are tailored to the individual needs of their audience. One way to achieve this is through personalization technology such as customer segmentation, dynamic content, and automated campaigns. This technology allows businesses to customize their messages and products based on customer data such as purchase history, location, gender, interests, and more.
“By leveraging data-driven insights,” advises Brianna Bitton, Co-Founder of O POSITIV, “businesses can create highly targeted campaigns that resonate with their target audience. From social media to email marketing to paid ads, personalized language must be at the core.”
By leveraging customer data and advanced technologies such as AI, businesses can create personalized experiences that build trust and loyalty with their customers.
8. The Importance of Data
Data is key to any successful marketing campaign to understand what’s working and what’s not in your campaigns. With the right metrics, you can analyze the effectiveness of your campaigns, optimize them for better results, and make informed decisions on where to invest your time and budget.
“Data helps you measure the impact of your campaigns in terms of brand awareness, engagement, and conversions,” shares Den Montero, Marketing Director of Moeflavor. “Tracking user behavior allows you to better understand your target audience, craft more effective content, and reach new audiences with a personalized approach.”
Invest in data-driven strategies to better understand your target audience, create tailored campaigns that resonate with them, and get the best possible returns from your marketing investments.
9. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing is on the rise, especially with the introduction of ChatGPT. AI can help automate mundane tasks and provide companies with greater insights into their customers, such as identifying customer segments, predicting customer behavior, optimizing digital campaigns, and providing personalized customer experiences.
“Embracing AI-driven technologies can help businesses remain competitive and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving digital landscape,” Nabeel Abdullah, CEO of Sapphire predicts. “AI won’t completely replace key marketing roles, but it can be hugely beneficial and cost-effective in some areas.
As the use of AI in marketing continues to expand, companies should consider leveraging its capabilities to gain an edge over their competitors. Investing in AI-powered tools can help marketers save time and money, as well as gain valuable insights about their target audience.
10. The Mobile Shift
Over the last few years, there’s been a significant shift from desktop to mobile. To capitalize on this shift, businesses must be sure that their websites are optimized for mobile viewing and that their content is engaging and easily accessible on mobile devices.
Justin Soleimani, Co-Founder of Tumble recommends, “To capitalize on the mobile shift, marketers should use mobile-friendly tactics such as SMS campaigns, geofencing, and mobile push notifications to reach their target audience.”
As businesses continue to invest in mobile marketing strategies, they will need to think outside the box and come up with creative ways to engage and convert their mobile audiences.
Final Thoughts
By implementing and focusing on staying ahead of these viral marketing trends, businesses can see immense growth through 2023, from increased sales to staying competitive in their industries.