Forbes Magazine
The year 2020 was full of changes and uncertainty, something that impacted marketing quite a lot. Ask any marketer about the bygone year, and you’ll hear the ways they had to shift their marketing plans to deal with the pandemic and ongoing protests around the states.
The year 2020 was full of changes and uncertainty, something that impacted marketing quite a lot. Ask any marketer about the bygone year, and you’ll hear the ways they had to shift their marketing plans to deal with the pandemic and ongoing protests around the states.
But 2021 brings a new avenue. Although we cannot predict the outcome of how this year will pan out, we can still pivot our strategies to maximize marketing opportunities. Thankfully there are quite a few marketing channels that have proven to be effective and will hopefully bring you success — and generate high responses for your marketing campaigns — this new year.
1. Content Marketing
Content still retains its top position when it comes to attracting users to your website. Users come to your website based on the right content, keyword and offerings. A properly executed content marketing plan helps to optimize content according to the needs of your user and attract organic viewership.
2. Social Media Marketing
Social media has come a long way from its inception and is one of the most prominent marketing channels to this day. Over 72% of Americans have used at least one form of social media. That’s an astonishing number and something that a marketing manager can use to leverage their brand growth. YouTube and Facebook remain the most used social media platforms, with Instagram and Pinterest following in the rankings.
A social media marketing plan with a strong impetus for creating brand awareness, building customer relationships and crafting compelling posts can help you build a good presence on social media and redirect users toward your products and offerings. Focus on creating consistent messaging across all social media platforms and create video content to increase engagement with your audience.
3. Video Ads
Videos have slowly crept to the frontline of marketing channels. Years back it was expensive and tedious. However, with the rise of video creation and publishing platforms, it has become an easy-to-use tool, making it a good branding exercise. Today, even small businesses are creating video ads for branding and marketing. Social media platforms in themselves have become a hub for video ads and marketing, and it’s something that will continue to grow.
Videos can deliver compelling narratives and emotions that a written word cannot. When done well, your videos should create a connection with viewers.
4. SMS Marketing
Almost everyone carries a phone. Whether you’re a Gen Z, a baby boomer, a millennial or even a senior executive, using a phone has become a basic necessity. Over 4.8 billion people use mobile phones. Of that, the number of smartphone users is 3.5 billion. Connecting with people via phones is quicker and, according to some research, it’s likelier to generate responses compared to other marketing channels, like email. Plus, on average, it takes 90 seconds for someone to respond to a textand 90 minutes to respond to an email.
Many businesses are already utilizing text messaging as a means of connecting to their prospects and have reported great conversion rates. It also helps to convey the brand message quickly and effectively. Make sure to keep your texts short, sweet and fun to entice customers.
5. Direct Mail Marketing
Direct mail marketing is one of the oldest and most traditional means of marketing and continues to thrive. Direct mail can help bridge the gap between a brand and its customers. The allure of getting a physical piece of mail in your mailbox is something that today’s digital media marketing cannot replace, and it’s one reason why brands still rely on direct mail today. As a $44.2 billion industry, you should never discount direct mail.
Direct mail can help brands connect with consumers on a more personal level, creating an emotional bond that can last long. Direct mail has a median ROI of 29% compared to 23% on paid search. On top of that, by using automated platforms without having to visit your local printing and mailing companies, personalizing and tracking a single piece of direct mail has never been easier and faster. With options like marketing automation, personalization, ease of use and demographics-based targeting, it has enormous potential to give your brand the boost that it needs.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of 2020, marketing has certainly faced a greater challenge. But with plenty of marketing channels to supercharge your campaign, 2021 will hopefully present a more favorable outcome. A carefully crafted marketing plan and strategy can help reach more people and generate more responses. Keep an eye out for these marketing channels and try to leverage them to your benefit.
by Kenny Tripura, Forbes Magazine – February 1, 2021