Green shoots and predictions for the year ahead

Happy New Year!

Although… it doesn’t really feel like a ‘new year’ does it?

In fact, I don’t want to start 2021 in lockdown.

How about we introduce this month as the 13th month of 2020 instead?

Feels better already!!

I’m feeling very optimistic for the year ahead.

And, I’m already hearing / seeing those ‘green shoots’ of hope and positivity – especially with the introduction of the new vaccine!

Fingers crossed we can soon leave lockdown and get back to some sort of normality again.

Which draws me nicely on to my...

Marketing theories and predictions for 2021...

Now before we go any further, I need to add the small print here (or legal disclaimer if we’re getting all official) – as these predictions and theories are not based on any scientific theory or validated research!

They are just a collection of my thoughts and summaries based on my own personal conversations with my professional network, learning interests and industry observations.

So, now we’ve cleared that up, here goes:

The ‘virtual world’ is the new norm…

Zoom/Teams, live streaming, ecommerce, subscription TV (Netflix), videos / vlogs, etc. - have all become part of our daily lives, with many people (including those who were not previously tech-savvy), embracing this new world.

How much more of your business can you integrate into the virtual world?

Consumers want ‘empathetic personalisation’…

There’s never been a better time to get more personal with our customers and consumers. Digital marketing provides the tools and channels which enables us to provide a more personalised service.

However, we need to first understand and empathise with our target audience – their challenges or pain points and how best we can serve them without being too ‘salesy’. 

Self-education and personal development will continue to grow…

It’s never been easier to access learning online through courses, challenges, webinars and live training events.

Lockdown #1, #2 and #3 have given us the incentive to keep our minds and body active. Are you missing an opportunity to educate your target audience online? 

We will see more side-hustles and micro businesses being created…

Sadly, we experienced a huge number of job losses last year as well as employees being furloughed. This has led to many rethinking their careers in a more radical way. 

Many have embraced the opportunity to take control of their own destiny and create a new revenue stream. This will result in some industries becoming more competitive with new enterprises entering the market. Is this a new market that you can serve?

People will yearn for their ‘luxuries’…

From our weekend shopping trips and spa breaks through to our annual foreign holidays, many of us have seriously missed our ‘luxuries’ and can’t wait to get back out and spend!

Those businesses who offer these luxury items will see an increase in consumers who look to purchase and experience when and where they can…

Micro-influencers will become more powerful than mega-influencers…

Celebrity influencers had to take a back seat during 2020 due to the lack of exposure across the more popular media channels. Hence the rise of those unknown, industry specialists who have developed a more loyal following - the Micro-influencer!  

People buy from 'authentic' people and micro influencers can provide stronger engagement with their audience, can often be more niche – and be much cheaper than some of those Z list celebrities! Is there a Micro-influencer you can partner with this year?

Wishing you all much success and happiness in 2021!

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