News & Community
December 14, 2021
A new year is on the horizon, and there’s no better time to think about getting a fresh start or exploring new ideas on behalf of your business. As technology evolves, it’s important for marketers to be constantly examining their strategies and evaluating whether it’s time to make adjustments connecting to customers.
If you’re looking for new ways to refresh your marketing in the coming year, check out our top ideas.
Print is increasingly going beyond the page as new technologies offer potential for creative integration into traditional media. Augmented reality (AR) refers to the overlay of digital elements atop the real world. Typically, this is experienced via a smartphone screen. This technology offers the opportunity for a fun and engaging experience that adds another dimension to your branding. It also allows you to create an immersive brand experience anywhere, at any time.
The pandemic brought QR codes, which were largely fading out of popularity after a brief period of novelty. Now they are roaring back into mainstream use as safer alternatives to high-touch print materials, like menus. Businesses are also exploring more unique ways to use QR codes and other forms of augmented reality.
A few ways brands might consider incorporating AR include:
• Allow customers to digitally “try on” products like clothing, glasses, and makeup
• Help customers find more information about your product or company without taking up space via incorporated QR codes
• Bring advertisements to life with interactive digital elements that only appear with the use of a smartphone
Ever since TikTok took the world by storm, short-form video has been springing up everywhere. You’ve likely noticed this DIY style of video creation influencing content on other channels.
All it takes is a creative vision and a little smartphone savviness to hop on this trend yourself. A fun, creative video is an engaging way to tell your brand story or showcase your products and services. Plus, you’ll come across as authentic and relatable, unlike a highly scripted commercial which is clearly recognized as marketing. Have fun with it and your audience will respond.
Consumers have grown weary of traditional marketing methods, and are likely to respond with cynicism to a nationwide ad campaign. Instead, prospective shoppers are much more likely to conduct their own research before a purchase, ensuring that they can feel good about their decision.
The process of researching a potential purchase typically includes time spent on Google. But modern searchers are more likely to avoid website results in favor of the localized information found on Google business pages. This data could include customer reviews, hours of operation, COVID-19 related requirements, and details like whether the business is minority-owned.
In addition to Google, consumers are turning to other local-focused platforms for information, like Nextdoor and Facebook. Ensuring that your business appears positively on these platforms is a great way to connect with customers.
The hyper-local approach can be applied to more traditional media, too. For example, Every Door Direct Mail® allows you to reach every household on a specific postal route with a marketing mailer. Targeting your audience neighborhood by neighborhood allows for highly personalized messaging. By indicating that you know the community and understand their needs, you build trust with your audience.
As we’ve established, today’s consumers are both savvy and skeptical when it comes to marketing. The best way to get their attention is to meet them where they are and present them something of value. That’s why content marketing in particular is skyrocketing in popularity. Capture their attention by creating interesting content this is relevant to your brand.
Along the same lines, influencer marketing allows you to build a positive association between your brand and an individual that your audience already likes. It’s an organic and effective way of reaching your target customer. Unlike the stiff, inauthentic celebrity endorsements, influencer marketing comes across as genuine and compelling. It carries the same weight as a word-of-mouth recommendation from a trusted friend.
Don’t be afraid to try out something new with your marketing in the new year. The more you can demonstrate that your company understands modern consumers, the more effective your tactics will be.
A partner like AlphaGraphics Las Vegas can consult with your brand and guide you in determining a path forward that incorporates the newest marketing trends without losing sight of what your brand stands for. From print pieces to a local web presence, AlphaGraphics Las Vegas can help you bridge the gap between traditional marketing and more modern approaches.
For further information about AlphaGraphics Las Vegas and their capabilities, and setup and marketing strategy consultation with one of our sales team contact the AGLV team at 702-798-7557 or visit their website, AlphaGraphicsLV.
