Marketing Trends to Watch For in 2017

It is hard to believe that 2016 is about to be over. This year was a major win for digital marketing and it will be no different in 2017. In preparation for the new year, we have put together a list of our top five marketing trends that we think will dominate in 2017.

Live Video Platforms

It’s no secret that video has dominated the marketing scene the past few years, but now marketers are taking it to the next level. In 2017, live streaming will begin to get the most views and engagement from target audiences. Live streaming started gaining ground when apps like Periscope were released along with Facebook Live and Snapchat. Marketers will continue to be able to use live streaming in various ways to their advantage. For example, we at Team SI are going to host a weekly live streaming show called “The Midday Roast with Team SI” to keep our audiences updated on marketing trends in our industry.

Data is the Currency of the Internet

Data targeting isn’t limited just to the digital space anymore. It will soon determine every marketing message you see, from billboards that recognize the kind of car you drive to the watch you wear on your wrist, whether you bought it to tell time or to track fitness. We are constantly forging new platforms and content to break through the clutter that marketing can bring. Team SI developed its own proprietary system called Doppio℠ that pairs the most sophisticated aggregated and automated data analytics platform available with insights and instincts of our certified professional staff to optimize campaign effectiveness. By pairing data and human optimization, we are able to truly understand and offer a comprehensive service for our client’s media placement.

Personalized Experiences Will Be Key

Many businesses are adopting website and content personalization. In fact, many customers already expect a personalized web experience. The one-size-fits-all approach to web experiences isn't going to cut it anymore. You may be asking yourself, what the heck is site personalization? It is personalization that enables you to stop feeding generic content to your customers and start a relevant and personal conversation. You do this by presenting target customer segments with specific content relevant to your business’s audience. Team SI has partnered with Sitefinity to give your users the best online experience and give your website the ultimate personalization it needs. Our custom sites feature innovative technology that allows you to customize your site for each visitor.

Mobile will Continue to Dominate

After the “Mobilegeddon” occurred in 2015, it was made clear that your website must be responsive to fit any mobile screen. Four out of every five Americans use their smartphone daily, and experts predict that one out of four will be using a wearable device in 2017. Make room and be ready for in-app messaging and notifications. They will dominate mobile traffic just as mobile dominates desktop traffic. Consumers are more comfortable than ever using mobile payments. Make sure your business is set up to accept mobile pay for your goods and services. “Buy” buttons already exist on various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer Marketing has already become one of the biggest trends in marketing. With so much content being produced on the Internet every day, brands are now finding new ways to get in front of their target audience. As consumers, we look at fellow consumers to influence our purchasing decisions. Influencers don’t always have to be “famous” people either. It can be someone who has a lot of followers on social media that people follow for advice and recommendations. The rise of Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Pintrest and other social media platforms, opens up a world of opportunity. Many consumers trust third-party recommendations more than the brand itself.