We may not be psychics, but smart is definitely our middle name. After reading Forbes’ recent article on forecasted marketing trends for 2015, we couldn’t help but notice how over the past year, we’ve provided insight on many of these predictions.
As we say goodbye to 2014, we’re taking a moment to revisit some of our most prophetic posts!
Forbes says:
Brands Will Scramble to Humanize in 2015
We said:
Several of our posts from 2014 honed in on the importance of brands being honest and human. From highlighting the importance of quality engagement on Facebook to capturing nostalgia through social media marketing, we had one final takeaway: Yes. Your fans can really tell when you’re being authentic and when you’re faking it.
Forbes says:
Content Marketing Will be Bigger than Ever
We said:
Back in June, our director of accounts, Andy Kutcher, talked about the importance of content. Good content doesn’t interrupt the conversation – it attracts more conversation. Forbes harps on quality metrics, and we agree. Whether the content is visual or written, it must play on emotion while being authentic, timely, and of high quality.
Forbes says:
Social Media Ad Spend Will Increase
We said:
At this year’s Social Media Tourism Symposium, FSC Web Program Manager Kate Stroh explained a new reality of social media marketing – you’ve got to Pay to Play, as spending on social media ads can help you achieve your goals. Kate streamlined the process into a simple and fun slideshare, complete with an on-point Ryan Gosling meme.
Forbes says:
Email Marketing Will Receive a Renewed Focus
We said:
The idea behind this Forbes prediction is that email lists are the sole marketing asset that businesses “can control entirely.” Is that really true? One of our posts from May discussed how targeting based on search history isn’t always accurate and can lead to major e-blast snafus. A HubSpot report sums it up nicely: email marketing should be based on smart strategies rather than ploys to garner quick sales.
Forbes says:
Native Advertising Will Become Less Promotional and More Relevant
We said:
Tourism accounts manager Mignon May posted in September about how to use Twitter advertising. Twitter is a platform that allows businesses to talk to their customers or potential customers and be a leader for customer service. With that in mind, advertising becomes less about overtly promoting your product and more about listening (and rectifying!) your customers’ needs.
Convinced we’ve got the foresight for your business? Contact us today about focused, data-driven marketing strategies for 2015.