Digital marketing moves fast. There’s always a new algorithm, KPI, or SEO tactic to try.
And let’s face it—when you work in an industry that follows the “trending” column on Twitter, it can be impossible to stay on top of things.
That’s exactly why we asked a room full of marketing professionals at our video and virtual reality meetup for help. We wanted to know what they were focusing on, excited about, or planning to try in 2018.
Here’s what they said.
1. Be data driven
Know which KPIs to measure and use data to support every decision you make. And this doesn’t just mean having “proficient in Google Analytics” plastered all over your LinkedIn profile.
“Knowing your North Star metric and breaking it down into achievable goals makes you more focused. It also prioritizes the tasks with the biggest impact.”
2. Work in sprints
If the word “agile” still brings to mind images of lycra-clad aerobics instructors, you’ve got a lot to learn.
Agile is a project management strategy that’s popular among software developers. It helps speed up the design and build of products by organizing tasks into a weekly checklist.
“Sprints are a great way to turn big projects into actionable steps. It keeps people moving toward bigger goals, but it’s still flexible enough to adapt to unexpected needs and opportunities.”
3. Collaborate closely with designers
They’re called creatives for a reason. Marketing is becoming increasingly visual, so invite your designers to brainstorming and process meetings. Maybe bring them a coffee as well, because they’re going to be your new best friends.
“Creative teams and marketing teams can benefit from a tight working relationship. Creatives are great for envisaging new ideas while marketers usually know whether a concept is realistic or not—and if it’s supported by data.”
4. Carry out impactful market research
Effective market research helps you figure out who to target during campaigns—so you tailor your efforts to what customers are looking for. By sending out a friendly survey, you’ll get to know your market and build a community before you even have anything to sell.
“If you send out a market research survey before launching your product, it saves you from creating something that nobody needs.”
5. Engage often with your social followers
We all have that one friend who loves to talk about themselves. Does it make us want to call them up for a drink? Nope.
The same applies to a good relationship marketing strategy. If all you do is share your content, people begin to lose interest. Instead, look out for mentions, reach out to followers, and start building a community based on genuine conversations.
“It all comes down to replying in a way that’s engaging. Give your audience as many chances as possible to interact with you.”
Need more followers to engage with? Check out our article on how to get Facebook likes.
6. Tell a story with every campaign
There are few commercials that stay in our minds. But the ones that do tend to have one thing in common. They don’t just show how something works—they tell a story, they hook us into their narrative.
“It’s all about making customers feel something. People remember emotions and experiences even when the rest is forgotten. That’s why sentimental ads work so well.”
7. Think outside the product
Wait, isn’t the whole idea to sell your product?
Things don’t always need to be centered around the p word. Try aligning your marketing campaigns with your brand ethos, and sharing your company culture with customers to build trust.
“At Typeform, we believe in making things a little more human. We let our followers go behind the scenes by sharing pictures and videos of our daily lives. It’s about showcasing the brand as a living, breathing thing rather just a logo and a typeface.”
8. Turn data into visual campaigns
Support everything you do with data. Then make it look good.
“Marketing is becoming both increasingly visual and data-driven. Although the two areas may seem at odds, they’re both conversion-oriented. Transform your data into a beautiful visual experience—especially during campaigns.”
Want more in-depth tips to boost your marketing strategy? Take a peek at our brand awareness guide.