2013 Marketing Trends

We are vastly approaching the new year and with a new year comes new marketing trends.  As a Chicago Marketing Company we have seen many trends come and go.  We have also noticed some trends emerging over the past few years and feel it is safe to say there will be a lot of continuing and emerging marketing trends for 2013.  For Marketing Monday this week we wanted to sit down and discuss the trends that we believe will be popular for 2013:  

1- Devotion to website strategies: Your website should no longer be a static, online brochure with information that hasn’t been updated in a decade.  If you haven't updated your website in the past decade, make 2013 the year of website changes.  We aren't just saying this because we are a Chicago Web Design company either!  Website strategies will be all the rage in 2013.  Complete website overhauls will take on great important in 2013 as the demand for dynamic content combined with user friendly CMS systems is only making it easier to edit and control websites.  Today’s target audiences are looking for consistent, fresh information. 

2- Content remains king: I know, we’re always talking about content, but in 2013 content will continue to remain king.  Organic SEO strategies, blogs and social media profiles require a constant flow of information that is audience specific and truly engaging, so focus a majority of your efforts on creating great content in 2013.   

3- Create powerful integrated marketing campaigns:  The merging of marketing, PR, creative design, and sales will be essential in 2013.  Together, the integrated marketing approach will give companies the opportunity to reach their total target audience in a multitude of ways. 

4- Social media will only continue to grow: Through 2013 social media will only continue to grow and evolve.  We suspect that companies that were not engaging in social media prior to 2013 will start to see its advantages, especially with so many different social media sites available for use out there.  Social media is definitely a vital part of the overall mix and worth utilizing since it provides such a simple way to get yourself and your brand directly in front of your target audience. 

5- A boom in mobile solutions: Mobile solutions and campaigns centered around the use of mobile technology will be hugely popular in 2013.  Savvy marketers will continue to find ways to reach this large base of consumers. Responsive web design will be considered a must versus being labeled a luxury as more and more consumers turn to their phones to gather information and surf the web.

What marketing trends do you anticipate being popular for 2013?  Feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us.  

"Marketing Monday"-- Marketing Strategies to Utilize

In honor of “Marketing Monday” (what we’re dubbing it) we want to discuss effective marketing strategies that will help transform your business from marketing apprentice to marketing maven.  No matter what type of business you run the importance of marketing is universal.  Are you in need of a new marketing strategy to implement into you current or future marketing plans?  Consider the following marketing strategies:

1- Keep your network growing: You should always be in the process of building up your network.  That is a plate your should never stop spinning.  Ask some of your business contacts or close friends to introduce you to people that they think you should get to know to help you expand your business.  Forming relationships with new contacts will greatly help you expand your horizons and get some potential customers.

2- Enter a business award competition:  Entering a business award competition is a great way to establish your business’s credibility and strengthen your reputation.  If your business ends up winning an award that could really boost your reputation within your industry and with the audience you are hoping to attract.  Competitions could get costly, but winning an award could prove completely worth it.  If you are concerned about the quality of your entry you could hire someone to prepare your entry for you.  Winning an award gives you plenty of press opportunities and really, it's worth the effort for the potential buzz.  

3- Look into local chambers:  Become the expert in your field and share what you know with others.  Teach seminars throughout your local Chamber of Commerce.  Your business will receive promotion and marketing solely because of the event itself.  Being affiliated with the Chamber will also give you and your business some added credibility.  

4- Guest blogging:  Outside of writing your own company’s blog, consider becoming a guest blogger for other blogs that are closely related to your area of expertise.  Offer to write a guest post in exchange for a link and/or byline.  This will help to establish your credibility and will help get you and your business's name out there.  

5- Create follow up cards: A follow up card is a great way to reach out to potential clients.  An old-fashioned hand-written card or even an e-card is a great way to say thank you and to pursue doing business with someone.  It’s a personal effort that helps you and your business stick out and be remembered by clients. 

Trust us, we’ve got plenty more marketing tips to give out.  Check back with us next Monday for some more “Marketing Monday” talk.  Questions or comments on this blog?  Leave them below or feel free to contact us.