Personalisation and automation are the way of the future. 2019 turned AI and chat bots into the norm and catapulted influencer marketing to the top of the MUST DO list. If you have heard these words thrown around the office and have been nodding along while silently wishing someone could explain them… well never fear here is an overview of the top 5 key trends you need to start getting your head around.

Personalisation

No, this does not mean addressing a bulk mail out to a person’s name instead of Madame or Sir. This means sending RELEVANT information to your clients based on their purchase or browsing history.

Artificial Intelligence

This is not nearly as scary as it sounds. I grew up with technology and for me it sounds a little futuristic. Sorry to break it to you guys but doing business without AI is soon going to be a thing of the past. For most of us anyway. Whether you realise it or not you are interacting with artificial intelligence every day. You can save your business money and learn a lot about your customer base by introducing some basic AI technology behind the scenes.

Chat bots

Those pops ups on the bottom right hand corner of your computer screen saying “Can I help you with anything today?” – yep, those are chat bots. Your 24/7 customer assistants. Chat bots provide instant answers to queries you would otherwise be hiring a person to respond to, when they get the chance, and with an instant reply you can be sure you are not losing that customer to a different website that was able to answer immediately. This technology is earmarked to be not only the norm but expected by 2020.

Video marketing

In the age of instant gratification your company cannot afford to fall behind on visual marketing. Just as infographics provided us with a quick and clear way to present new or complex information the rise of the short video gives you the opportunity to get intimate with your customers with live promotions or product demonstrations that in the past would have cost a fortune to produce. All you need is a smart phone, a willing participant and a well planned script.

Influencer Marketing

You no longer need to spend large sums of money marketing to large groups of people if you have access to your target markets key influencer/s. From celebrities to bloggers to CEO’s and individuals at the top of their industry you can instantly access their online following with a simple endorsement. Start networking and see who your clients are looking to for answers.