The New Year is around the corner, and if 2016 has been any indication, the online marketing world is in for some big changes. Technology develops at an overwhelming rate, and you’re not alone if you find it hard to keep up. Read below to learn more about some of the innovations in marketing that we expect to see trend in the coming year.

  1. Snapchatscreen-shot-2016-11-03-at-1-55-37-pm

Not only is Snapchat here to stay, it has actually surpassed Facebook for the total number of videos viewed. It’s safe to say that the popularity of this social media game changer is only going to increase in 2017. Snapchat’s ability to make content expire was a genius way to reintroduce a sense of urgency into business marketing, and that’s a trend that never disappears. Even Instagram saw the potential in this strategy and introduced their own version of “stories.”

  1. Native Advertising

While native advertising isn’t exactly new, it’s definitely continuing to increase in popularity. If you’re unfamiliar, native advertising is advertising that doesn’t disrupt a user’s content experience. It’s integrated into content so smoothly that users often don’t even realize they’re looking at an ad—a big contrast to the “click here” banners and popups that appeared in the past. You know it’s working because according to the Content Marketing Institute, “five years ago, enterprises were spending 80% on content creation and 20% on content promotion” and today, that ratio has essentially switched. So think about how your content is being advertised, and if the answer isn’t “natively,” consider a change in your strategy.

  1. Darwinian Advertising

A term coined by LocalVox, Darwinian advertising refers to a “survival of the fittest digital advertising concept.” They believe that in 2017 we’ll see AI algorithms that have optimized their creative components, and that the only creative elements to remain after the algorithm is done with them will be used towards creating a better version of the advertisement.

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  1. Facebook Live and Other Live Stream Video Options

Facebook Live is one of the most popular live streaming video apps since YouTube’s emergence in 2004, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. More and more small businesses are realizing the potential of “live streaming” new products, product demonstrations, advertisements for their businesses, etc. and consumers are eating up the ability to tune in whenever they want and be caught up immediately with whatever is new and trending. It’s a great, new way to engage your audience and build credibility. YouTube Live, Snapchat, Tumblr, and Twitter have all developed their own versions of live video and we can only imagine there will be more companies who do so in 2017.

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  1. Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality is another way to engage your audience while also differentiating yourself from your competitors who are too intimidated to incorporate VR into their marketing strategy. Those that have braved the new trend and taken it on- Google, Volvo, Patron, etc.- haven’t been disappointed, which makes us think that in 2017 this is a trend that’s only going to get bigger amongst even small businesses. VR is still somewhat of an uncharted territory, but business owners should only think of that as an opportunity to be creative and distinguish themselves from the rest of the crowd.

  1. Mobile Messaging Apps

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Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc. are all messaging applications that allow users another level of communication outside of the public social media platforms. These are tricky for businesses to use as they allow very little paid advertising options in order to protect people’s privacy, and because of this we expect mobile messaging to offer some new options in 2017. I highly doubt social media is going to pass up on another chance to monetize an aspect of the social business, so be on the lookout for some unique advertising options in messaging next year.

  1. Chatbots

You might not be familiar with the term, but I’m willing to bet you know about the service. Chatbots are “conversational agents that simulate intelligent conversation [without the presence of an actual human being.]” Facebook has incorporated them into their messenger app, and found success using them to retrieve data, automate tasks, and otherwise engage users and improve customer experiences. Chatbots are great because consumers are always looking for quick and easy ways to get answers to their questions and concerns, and these robot agents don’t disappoint. Consider incorporating them into your customer service strategy and relax while they take some work off your plate. Still not sure chatbots are the way to go? Read this article to learn more about their success.

  1. “Buy” Buttons

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Amazon championed the first “buy” button concept with their one-click purchasing option, but many other social platforms have followed suit in the time since. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube all offer buy buttons, allowing consumers to instantly make a purchase with just the touch of a button. So why hasn’t this trend already blown up in 2016? Mainly because it’s still relatively unknown to a lot of users. Why not have your business incorporate this new trend while simultaneously being a trendsetter and marketing the heck out of the idea? Something tells me that once consumers realize the potential of this button, it’s going to skyrocket. In fact, IBM thinks that 2017 is the year this tool is finally going to find success.

Do you plan to incorporate any of these new tools into your marketing strategy? What marketing trends do you expect to see in 2017? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Image 1 Credit: Screenshot taken by author October, 2016

Image 2 Credit: localvox.com

Image 3 Credit: Screenshot taken by author October, 2016

Image 4 Credit: whatsapp.com

Image 5 Credit: pinterest.com