Sure, we can sit here and forecast “What’s Next?” in digital marketing. But, every other marketer out there will be feeding you the same information about emerging trends until you’re blue in the face. No thank you! That would be a disservice to you, and our valued readership.
We’ll politely decline the invitation (and pressures) from our industry to deliver information that quite honestly has become status quo year after year. Fact of the matter is most “trends” remain the same. Content marketing, online advertising — specifically, search (Google) and Facebook, real-time relevance, social media, mobile and email marketing are all things that should remain priorities at the top of your strategic “To Do” list in 2018. Quality over quantity is something we practice and we preach.
We’re certainly not going to bombard you with quick and easy New Year’s Resolutions either. Sorry to disappoint! Chances are likely you just don’t care, and you already know what you need to do to improve the quality of your marketing for your business. It’s up to you to take the plunge.
That’s why we’re here to tell you to forget that nonsense. Buck the trends! That’s right. Ignore the noise and focus on you. This means find your niche and define a strategy that sticks to your strengths.
There’s no need to rewrite the book in 2018. An integrated, omni-channel approach is one that often leads to success. Have faith in knowing that your customers will continue to value authenticity and place an emphasis on social responsibility. The powerful art of storytelling will always remain tried and true.
The one thing we can promise you in 2018 is that technology will continue to evolve at an unpredictable, incomprehensible rate of speed. This phenomenon will mean posts from “experts” containing the latest and greatest trends will, for the most part, be outdated by the time our February issue hits newsstands.
The best advice we can give you is to check this column each month. It’s the greatest New Year’s Resolution money and happiness can buy! Kidding aside, we will continue to help you stay informed each month with the latest trends in digital marketing with monthly updates that cut to the core. The truth is, we love having these discussions and staying ahead of emerging trends.
Chris Herting is a digital and social media specialist at Gallinghouse Marketing + Creative. He has experience delivering innovative digital solutions for hundreds of brands, including the NFL’s Washington Redskins. Gallinghouse is located at 409 W. 21st Ave., Covington. For more information, call 985-893-7631 or visit gallinghouse.com.
