When people ask me for digital trends at the end of each year, I know they''re looking for something sexy to get started on.
I hate to disappoint, but chasing the new and shiny won''t make 2021 different than 2020. Being strategic will.
(If you REALLY want to see the upcoming shiny trends, you can check out my post on 21 Trends for 2021)
Here is what will future-proof your marketing in 2021 and beyond.
1. Strategy reigns supreme
If you know why you''re doing something in digital, you''ll easily be able to shift if necessary. 2020 reinforced the importance of strategy as most of us can''t afford to do things that don''t work.
Have a clear, sharp strategy that laser focuses your efforts on what you really are trying to accomplish.
PRO TIP: Ready to get serious about this? Join our Strategy Reset in January to sharpen (or create) a clear strategy.
2. Test, Learn + Adjust
The reality is that digital is evolving. Something that works now isn''t guaranteed to work in 6 months. An ad that starts strong will start to slow results over time. Changes to platforms and networks can impact your results in an instant.
Build the mindset to test, learn and adjust. Always be looking at your results. We recommend a monthly cadence of measurement + adjustment to continuously adapt.
3. Stay up-to-date
Almost every prediction experts made about 2020 was wrong. Why? Because #2020.
But seriously, the start of a calendar year doesn''t mean marketing has changed. Ongoing adjustments win over long-term planning (see #2.)
Marketers and business owners who stayed current on the latest and greatest in digital marketing were able to adapt.
Those who stuck with what they''ve always done were not. Career tip: LinkedIn ranked Digital Marketing as one of the top ten MOST in-demand jobs. Staying current means a lot to employers and results.
PRO TIP: We keep you up-to-date in 30 minutes a month with our Digital News Update in the All Access Pass.
4. Focus on the customer
As algorithms take over everything and get smarter digital marketing is less about technical aspects and "hacks". It is more about customers.
From SEO to email to websites to digital ads to social media consumer response to your marketing is the #1 thing that will impact your success or failure.
Focus on your customer experience and journey to break through and worry less about small details.
5. Do what actually works better
It is easy to get caught up in shiny new things, but this isn''t what drives ROI. Most digital ROI is driven by the same things as 10 years ago. The foundational elements to your digital marketing strategy.
To drive your ROI focus on improving upon the things that work with optimization strategies. Avoid the temptation to spread yourself too thin.
When you have something working do it better. and better. and better.
That is how you grow results in the long run.
Are you ready to get serious about 2021?
Our All Access Pass members have the entire online training library at their fingertips so they can learn what they need when they need it including monthly digital marketing news reports. We comb the internet for updates that matter so they don''t have to. Join us?