Marketing Predictions for 2016 from Industry Experts

As 2015 comes to a close, industry experts predict the trends that we're going to see in social media - from content creation to SEO rankings.  Here are some of our favorites we've read so far.








B2B Beat: The B2B Marketing Trends That Will Define 2016, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Blog

This blog post features the opinions of 10 marketing leaders and advertising agency executives.  The suggestions range with some of the experts predicting that they will see an increase in targeted customer marketing.  Others talk about content and how that content will take shape (video) and how it will be produced (through managers and executives who will oversee social media decisions).

10 Marketing Tactics to Plan for in 2016, Inc. 

The key influencers who were quoted in this article were asked to answer what marketing tactic they were going to implement in 2016.  My personal favorite is how one company plans to make their brand voice stronger. 

Experts Predict 9 Ways Internet Marketing Will Change in 2016, Inc. 

For the second article from Inc., this focuses on the opinions of experts in the internet marketing field.  Some of the experts are predicting a heavier shift in transparent communication which includes videos and live-streaming apps.  Customers want to know they are benefiting from showing their vulnerability to companies by those companies returning the favor. 

5 Online Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2016, Inc. 

Another Inc. article where online marketing is the topic.  The most important thing to take away from this article is the fact that website design and efficiency is important and will play into SEO rankings.  A website being mobile friendly is important in 2015 and will continue into 2016. 

7 Marketing Trends You Need to Know for 2016, Inc.

What I like most about this article is its positioning for businesses to think about the trends mentioned as part of their marketing investment.  The trends still continue to anticipate high quality content but that will come from better writing skills and more personalization.

6 Game-Changing Social Media Trends for 2016 – The Influencer’s View, Business to Community

This is another article that talks about the predictions of social media marketing trends for 2016.  It also highlights the importance of personalization of content for customers as we now have more ways to target our audience. 

HubSpot’s Brian Halligan on The New Sales Playbook of 2016, Impact Branding & Design
 

The blog post itself is brief but you have the option to sign up for Impact's mailing list.  If you do, you're awarded with the option to download their 46 page, "16 on 2016 - Inbound Marketing Predictions from 16 Industry Experts." It's an easy-to-read PDF of experts who share their thoughts on all things marketing come the new year. 

As each article differs, one thing can be for certain in the new year: content is still king when it comes to Google preference and SEO results.  Video marketing boomed in 2015 and will continue to solidify itself as a content piece especially with live-streaming options like Periscope.  

It is also important to continually identify your customer's pain points when it comes to creating content.  Long-form content is predicted to be favorable and more so when it addresses a specific problem.  

We hope these articles help you figure out your marketing tactics and goals for the new year.  Have any suggestions of your own?  Let us know! 

Quora Marketing

#MarketingMondays

The reason why a company is in business is because they feel they are the expert in that particular field.  They feel they are the solution to their customer's problem. 

For social media content, it is important to capitalize on this.  You should be pushing content that shows you are a knowledgeable company and your customer can trust what you're talking about. 

This is especially important in the B2B (business to business) marketing world.  These businesses can't capitalize on a tangible product - they aren't going to generate instant gratification that way.  They must build up their customer's trust by showing they know what it is you are looking to solve and that they are the ones who can make that happen.  

One not-so-common (or rather, instantly thought of) way of spreading your knowledge is through Quora. The question and forum website allows users to post a question to a particular thread, and can get answers from the average Joe, to CEO's.  Their mission is to, "share and grow the world's knowledge." You can be apart of that.

You will increase your visibility even if it's just by a few people but you're still generating a presence and that's what is important.  It's also a cost-effective way to market yourself online (because it's free!)  As a small business, you want to cut costs and maximize your efficiency.  

The more questions you answer, the more you will become synonymous with that topic area.  On the right hand side, Quora will also list the most viewed profiles.  Taking just 10-20 minutes a week to do this can help you and your business on your quest to generate awareness.  

Do you have other ways your business identifies itself as an expert?  Let us know!

Smile! You're on Instagram

#MarketingMondays

It is no secret now that most people are digesting their content online through video and pictures.  Have you been on Facebook lately?  I'm sure you have a whole folder dedicated to the newest (and delicious) cooking tutorial that Buzzfeed posted.  

But Instagram is the photo-sharing social media app that is a force to be reckoned with.  Instagram's active user base has grown by 64 percent.

It is the app both individuals and businesses are using to capture audiences.  It is easy to use and has a sleek, modern design.  It is the app that you should be getting onto now.  

Instagram is a great way to market your business because it gives you a chance to take your customers behind the scenes of the day to day operations.  Behind the business is a person and that helps you connect with your customer on a more personal level (see benefits verses features marketing).  

So now that you are ready and willing to get onto Instagram, what should you do next?

Identify what your company stands for and post a visual representation of it.  

We wanted to show that we welcome new visitors, that we believe in collaboration. We also wanted to show the uniqueness of our members.  

Once you have some pictures posted, you want to identify the keywords you want your company to be associated with on Instagram.  Once you have them picked out, utilize Instagram's search feature:

It will return to you the keyword and how many posts are associated with it, and other forms of how your key word is being adapted.  

Now you're posting pictures and hash tagging like a pro!  But you want to create awareness of your brand by interacting and following other users.  When you click on the respected hash tag, it will show you all posts that have the hash tag in their description.  This helps you find accounts to follow.  

But what do you post now?  

Instagram is a great way to showcase unique parts of your business and describe it in-depth.  One thing you must remember is that this is another platform for your business to connect with your customer.  What is your objective on Instagram?  Is it to build brand awareness? Make sure you know why you are posting on this social media outlet.  

Once you do that, some fun ideas of photos could include taking a photo of a client meeting or showing that it's someone's birthday in the office.  You want to make your photos vibrant and eye-catching - give people a reason to connect! 

Here are some additional articles that can help you on your quest to Instagram greatness:

• http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/peteschauer/2015-05-31/5-easiest-ways-grow-your-instagram-following

• http://pegfitzpatrick.com/instagram-productivity-tips-how-to-create-a-workflow-that-works/?utm_source=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_medium=socialmediaexaminer.com&utm_campaign=socialmediaexaminer.com 

Let us know your Instagram tips and follow us on Instagram! @Incutate