Top digital marketing trends for 2023

“Digital Marketing Trends” – THE most hottest search item at the start or end of any year.

The trends usually depict high end techs and data analytic tools that startups just dream of (and never use). Jokes apart.

So, between marketing budgets and cost cuttings and consumer social media fatigue what are those high voltage trends that startups should look out for in 2023? Marinoid has smartly devised and mapped marketing strategies that zero in on the biggest impact for you. Let’s get started then.

#1 Less is more

This is an age old technique. It has grown in importance even more with the advent of recent technologies and everyone being familiar with same words and idioms across the industry. Write less but more convey more. Especially for a startup it is important to curb that instinct to share how good you are and blah blah blah. Run straight to the point and answer what a potential customer might be looking for. You may go a step further and give him more to read but in his/her spare time with content offers! The market is already smart and beating around the bush by stuffing keywords will only fuel competitor success. Focus on value driven content and don’t make them think. It is easy to get distracted so stay sharp, keep it smart but do not forget foundations of marketing.

#2 Content Creators or Realistic Influencers or Smart Speakers

What was once used by only a handful of marketers is now being used by almost every business. Some influencers or content creators or smart speakers can generate a great ROI through social channels which even proven digital channels cannot. In 2023, startups should understand the power of these smart content creators to promote their brand. When leveraged with the right strategy this trending medium can boost your company sales like no other. Content is still the king.

#3 Value systems or Employee Advocacy

The pandemic hit the market where they hadn’t expected at all. Everyone realised it was profitable to work from home or in a hybrid environment but it also opened a door that was less thought of by many. Last year also saw the biggest resource resignation period which tells more about the dearth in value systems. This is where everyone looks at startups to get it right the first time. Digital mediums have been critical in exposing this and everyone will now be razor focused in getting it right. Emphasise your value systems to motivate and excite employees to speak on behalf of the business. Get them to talk about your business more by inculcating the values and developing employee advocacy. If a start up can harness this power, they can pull the best resources available in the market. After all, it’s the resource who gets you business. Client does not come first – employee first!

#4 Community

Communities and niche forums are on the rise since 2019. The audience want to belong and connect about their interests and get an answer when they need it the most. This opens a door to help small business build a community and share business. It ensure your brand is visible to everyone at the heart of the discussion. Outsmart the algorithm changes by opting for experiential deliveries. Get closer to your customers and competitors to build better trust. 2023 is yours!

#5 No cookies!

Do you know there is a speculation that the sun is setting on third party cookies? Scared what will happen of your retargeting or cookie based campaigns? It is true that users are more knowledgeable and you can’t push content to them. Even though users opt out of being tracked, startups can leverage what we call invite-only campaigns. Gather consumer insights to form a personalised experience while keeping the ad spend under control. If you develop the right ad, your customers won’t be able to ignore or reject them. There is still some power left in cookies to fight in 2023, so use them to the fullest.

#6 Social Listening and Social Selling

Social listening and social selling are generally used by big companies to keep an eye on their brand, messaging, positioning, resources, etc. So what is it for a startup? Well, earlier these channel were heavy on pockets but now you can use them almost at a price that’s right for any start up to invest in growth. These channels provide useful and relevant information to reduce sales cycle. You can push sales message and using content to engage and create connections by using both.

#7 Conversational Marketing

This one has been in market since more than four years now. It has fought a war with other stable channels and also bore the grunt of being either a sales focused or marketing focused channel. Conversational marketing is a game changer for startups who want to be operative during and outside hours. They want to cash in on every opportunity to engage and answer queries. If you can use this channel it will mimic real time responses like no other. It will convert warm and cold prospects and even help you develop innovative drips and nurtures.

#8 Targeted & Interactive Marketing

A study made over the last two years states, targeted or interactive marketing is 23% more effective than any other effort in marketing and sales together. Focus on engaging audience better with interactive marketing content. Visual content with that touches emotions not just generates social shares! This is one of the most critical trend seen in digital marketing that has seen a hockey curve. In 2023, you have to develop campaigns that are integrated from all aspects of marketing and sales. Go beyond infographics – develop engagographics!

#9 Customer experience

Customer is key to a business success – no doubt. Don’t get me wrong, customer experience or business experience is even more important. Most algorithms and AI in digital aim for better user experience now. They know that attracting – converting – closing is not the end! Delighting the customers using inbound marketing methodology and being ready for the future will ensure you play the infinite game. Finite games end with just numbers and messing up the environment but infinite games are hopeful and almost every time the ‘real game changers’ in business.

#10 Outsourcing to digital marketing agencies – they are your investment centre!

2023 is going to be yet another strong year for India and Indian companies. It is time to think beyond old sketching notions of marketing being a cost centre. Startups must leverage an expert in generating personalised experience and one who know how to capitalise any trend. Digital agencies know how to identify the vein of your audience better. They can help you make sense of data that your may have accumulated with experience or by your knowledge. They can help you study behavior patterns faster and efficiently to get that brand retention and recall you want.

There are many more that would elevate marketing to the next level but the above list is meant specifically for startups. Digital marketing trends help make better products and services, advertise and market properly and enhance customer experience. It is essential that every start up understand these trends and be ready with the right strategy to reap maximum benefits.

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME!

Share you thoughts below if you think there is any other trend that suites startups in 2023 and we can brainstorm.