COVID-19 has led to a very strange time for the whole world. The marketing industry has not been exempt from the pandemic’s impact, and we expect to continue experiencing changes as the new year approaches. When the pandemic first hit, many of us had to regroup, make new plans or cancel everything all together. It hasn’t been a friendly year for a lot of people, but this doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to the future with a new approach. Now, more than ever, it’s important to strategize and get ready for the new year.
In marketing, specifically, the current climate will always have an effect on what to do next. How people get messages, what clients should be marketing, should people even be focusing on anything other than the pandemic — these are all very relevant questions to think about for the new year. Everyone is trying to figure it out right now, so we put together a few key components to help guide our fellow marketing professionals for the year 2021.
Social Media is Key
A lot may have changed this year, but one thing that remains predictable is the growth of social media. We use it every single day and during the pandemic the use of social media grew even more. According to Hootsuite (as of October), more than four billion people are using social media each month. Social media is always a great tool and will continue to be a great tool for marketing in 2021. The benefits of social media marketing can range from brand awareness, brand loyalty and consumer experience, to generating leads and sales.
Contactless is Here to Stay
In our growing digital world, implementing contactless technologies into next year’s marketing strategy should definitely be at the top of the list. While following CDC guidelines and staying home has been this year’s theme, we aren’t going to be stuck in the house forever. Even if COVID is eradicated in 2021, it seems like contactless technology is here to stay. A lot of businesses have turned to touch-free options for consumers such as online shopping, online reservations, checking in, ordering food, etc. It may be costly for some, however it could help many businesses stay open and thrive in the new year.
Stay Flexible
If there’s anything we’ve learned this year, it’s to always expect the unexpected. Don’t just stick to a plan and not have any back-ups when a crisis hits. Get that crisis communication strategy set to go and be flexible with the plans that have already been set in place. While we’re all hoping for a much better year, it’s still important to remember that anything can happen, so staying flexible and open to change should be a vital part in next year’s planning.
Always Read the Room
Never forget the current climate and stay up to date with what’s going on in the world. It may seem like an obvious strategy, but it’s easy to forget when trying to keep clients happy. Make sure everyone is on the same page with what’s happening and what shouldn’t be put out into the public eye. When the world is going through a tragedy, no one wants to hear about the next new shiny thing that’s coming out.
Customer Service is Still Important
The most basic fundamental that will always remain is customer service. Regardless of what’s going on around us, never forget to show the consumer or client that you will be there for them. Reply to messages and questions, show compassion and always give a helping hand when it’s needed. Showing support is paramount in a time of distress, not only for the client and consumer, but also within the company itself.
If you need to start planning your marketing strategy for 2021, reach out to us and we can help!