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Digital marketing is an ever-evolving industry with a compound annual growth rate projected to be 13.9% until 2026. By that time, the market is expected to reach a staggering $786.2 billion. Staying on top of new developments and adapting strategies accordingly is crucial for digital marketers who want to take advantage of this growth.
Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, here are some valuable tips to help you slay your digital marketing game and stay ahead of the curve.
Follow Industry Leaders and Influencers
Following industry leaders and influencers in digital marketing can provide valuable insights and expertise. These individuals have established themselves as thought leaders in their fields and have a large following due to their valuable contributions.
To find the right influencers to follow, start by doing some research. Look for those who have a track record of accurately predicting trends and providing valuable insights. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are great places to search for keywords related to your industry.
Once you’ve identified potential influencers, make sure to follow them across various platforms, including their social media accounts, blogs, and podcasts. This will give you a well-rounded view of their insights and perspectives. Tools like Feedly or Flipboard can also help you create a customized news feed of content from your favorite influencers.
Engaging with influencers is another great way to build relationships. Comment on their content and participate in their online communities. By adding value to the conversation, you can stay on their radar and potentially form valuable connections.
Tools like Hootsuite or Buzzsumo can help you identify influencers and track their content. Hootsuite allows you to monitor social media conversations and track specific keywords or hashtags, while Buzzsumo provides insights into trending content in your industry.
Pro-tip: Looking for some influencers to get started with? Here are some of our favorites:
- Neil Patel: Known for his expertise in SEO and content marketing
- Gary Vaynerchuk: Known for his expertise in social media marketing
- Rand Fishkin: Founder of Moz, recognized authority on SEO and content marketing
Attend Digital Marketing Conferences and Events
Attending industry conferences and events is a great way to build your skills, explore new marketing strategies, and connect with like-minded professionals. These conferences offer exposure to new marketing strategies, tools, and technologies and provide opportunities to learn about the latest trends and best practices in digital marketing.
To find relevant conferences and events, research conferences in your specific niche and choose ones that align with your interests and goals.
Once you’ve chosen a conference, plan your schedule to make the most of your time. Attend workshops and breakout sessions to learn about specific topics in depth. Take advantage of networking opportunities to build relationships and exchange ideas with other attendees and presenters.
Pro-tip: Some popular digital marketing conferences include:
- Social Media Marketing World
- Content Marketing World
- MozCon
Collaborate with Other Professionals and Brands
Collaborating with other professionals and brands in your industry allows you to learn from their experiences and gain new insights into marketing strategies and tactics. Here are some tips for successful collaborations:
- Identify potential collaborators who share your target audience and marketing goals. Look for businesses and individuals who complement your brand and its values.
- Develop a mutually beneficial partnership. This could include co-creating content, cross-promoting each other’s products or services, or collaborating on a joint marketing campaign.
- Building relationships is key to successful collaborations. Take the time to get to know your collaborators and understand their businesses and goals. Communicate clearly and work together to establish shared objectives.
- Use social media to connect with potential collaborators, share each other’s content, and promote joint initiatives.
- Measure and analyze the results of your campaign. Conduct website audits and track key metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and sales. Use this data to optimize your future collaborations.
A successful example of a digital marketing collaboration is the #LikeAGirl Campaign partnership by Always and Girls on the Run. This collaboration supported the National Access and Inclusion Initiative and donated over $750,000 over the last two years. It amplified the success of Always’ viral 2014 marketing campaign and strengthened the brand’s image.
Join Industry Organizations and Groups
Joining industry organizations and groups can provide many benefits to help you stay ahead of the curve. These organizations offer access to exclusive industry information and resources, such as primary research and reports that can keep you up to date with the latest trends and best practices.
Additionally, joining these organizations provides networking opportunities to build relationships with other professionals in your field. This is especially valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs who may not have as many opportunities to connect with others in their industry.
To identify the right organizations:
- Research industry organizations and choose ones that align with your interests and goals.
- Attend events and participate in committees to build relationships and gain exposure for your work.
- Volunteer to help with events or initiatives to build your skills and experience.
Pro-tip: Examples of industry organizations and groups include:
- American Marketing Association
- Interactive Advertising Bureau
- Content Marketing Institute
Experiment with New Marketing Techniques and Technologies
Experimenting with new marketing techniques and technologies can help you reach wider audiences and engage customers in new ways. However, it’s important to choose the ones that align with your brand’s goals and audience.
For example, if you’re targeting Gen Z, you might experiment with video formats on growing social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels to reach that audience.
A great way to experiment is by trying new tactics on a small scale to test their effectiveness before scaling up. Conduct A/B tests on your website, run a small ad campaign on a new platform, or test a new content format to see how it performs before investing more resources.
Examples of new marketing techniques and technologies that digital marketers can experiment with include AI tools like ChatGPT, virtual and augmented reality, and voice search optimization.
If a new marketing trend or technology doesn’t work out, be prepared to pivot your strategy and try something new. Experimentation involves taking risks, and not every experiment will be successful. The key is to learn from your failures and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Conclusion
As we move into 2023, it’s important to keep an eye out for emerging trends like AI and machine learning, social commerce, the rise of the ‘creator economy’, and a focus on customers’ personalized experiences. By staying up to date with the latest trends, you can ensure your brand’s success in the fast-paced digital landscape. So let’s embrace the future of marketing and take advantage of the exciting opportunities ahead!
