Keeping up with the ever-evolving digital marketing realm can feel like swimming upstream as a business owner. Take heart – there’s no need to learn about every shift and trend in the industry. Focus on keeping up with the right ones instead!
From Facebook adding designated emojis, sub-groups, and other new features to their Groups platform (good news for us old folks!), to Google making changes that might mean the platform will side with visibility for small business owners this Christmas season… positivity is coming down the digital pipe! On another note, it’s arguably easier than ever to capture Gen Z’s attention and engage the general public.
New marketing trends and social media features will change how you engage your customers, are sought out as a consumer, and communicate day-to-day. And, just in time for Christmas, I’m celebrating some positive shifts in the industry!
Here’s my “State of the Digital Marketing Landscape” Deep Dive!
Facebook Groups
Popular among boutique owners, Facebook Groups have become a more personal version of a business page, and a place for like-minded people to connect online. I call them “the modern-day chat room.”
Seeing a rise in Groups popularity since the covid lockdowns, Facebook responded by adding features that up engagement. Facebook’s recurring events and sub-groups are right on the money.
Recurring events are an awesome way to keep group members engaged. If you’re a boutique owner, you can set your monthly or annual sale day as a recurring event that that platform will auto-replicate at the stated time each month, week, or year. These can be digital or in person!
Sub-groups are also new, and allow group admins to encourage close-knit groups within the larger digital crew. For example, a Dog Lovers group might have sub-groups focused on specific breeds.
From a business standpoint, sub-groups can be monetized. If you’re in retail, this is a unique opportunity to create a Group that promotes your products, and also a VIP sub-group, where people pay to enter, then receive discounts and first-to-know product updates.
New Google Features
Google is dropping the Google My Business app, and the platform is moving to Google Search and Google Maps only. This is exciting news for small business owners. Your uphill battle with findability is about to shift in your favor!
The platform has also added phone records to trace not just the locations, ages, and genders of those who called your business, but now the phone numbers, too! Google has taken over traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and become the powerhouse of all information on the internet – managing your findability and giving you detailed data.
Customer Loyalty Tactics
College campuses are reporting students seeking IRL (In Real Life) experiences now more than ever. This seems to be a direct result of being stuck at home for much of 2020.
You might have noticed this in your own life. There has been a surge of events in 2021! It seems there is more than one large event or fundraiser in town every weekend. We are craving connection, my friends!
If you’re a business owner, this provides a unique opportunity to engage your customers. Here are some tips:
- Combine your digital and traditional marketing efforts.
- Create loyalty programs that have digital rewards and tangible rewards.
- Focus on unity and provide a place removed from conflict for consumers to relax, whether it’s digital or in person.
If you’re ready to talk about the new Google Features or a new marketing strategy, shoot me an email at Elizabeth@wordygirl.com. Mention this article for a free initial consultation.
How do you stay up to date with social media marketing changes as a business person and a consumer? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook or the blog.
Until next time.
Cheers,
Wordy Girl
