Digital Marketing Trends for 2021

It will not have escaped you that 2020 has been an interesting year. With the basic premise that the Digital landscape has been relied upon now more than ever, I wanted to take a look at the Digital Marketing trends I think are going to dominate 2021 and if in business, this is where you should be focusing your marketing efforts

1. Rein it in
   I think we will begin to see stripped back social media channels. Businesses will really assess the direct value added from each platform and speak directly to their audience via the medium they interact with most. There is no need for a FOMO situation where you feel you have to be on all platforms, all the time. A more curated and informed approach that speaks to where your customers are engaging speaks volumes. (and if you don’t believe me — Forbes backs me up!)
2. The Dominance of AI
   For those in the B2B market, the advancement of technology will see an increase in AI capabilities and our reliance upon it. Big data really does hold they key and the power to digital marketing dominance in the modern age.
3. Optimisation for Branded Searches
   With every business feeling the effects of COVID-19, brand building has never been so important. With attracting new clients a vital part of most business strategy the need for direct calls to action and urgency ever increase too. So expect more brand building with strong hashtags, imagery, specific deals that attract target markets. 2021 will see a depending of understanding of customer bases as we are able to gain more insights into what drives conversions and the tracking that surrounds the buying process. This is of the utmost importance if you are an E-Commerce business.
4. DTC: The future
   With convenience high priority for most consumers, brands and business alike will look at new and innovative ways to get their product into buyers hands (direct to consumer). No longer are we satisfied to wait, marketers will need to capitalise on fast shipping, instant ordering and adding urgency to purchases and delivery of product.
5. Engagement and Transparency
   The increased human need for connection being sought through social media seems to have accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for authenticity, privacy and engagement should see marketers maximising on an increased reach, attentive market and sheer volume of opportunity in their advertising efforts through social.

This is just a handful of marketing trends set to develop over the coming year. In short, now more than ever the digital space is offering the most opportunity for human connection, commerce and expression which is only set to grow and become more of a requirement as we navigate the new normal and this without a doubt impacts upon businesses, brands and the self employed alike as we look at the year ahead.