Are you following the latest trends to promote your business?
It’s been over a year since the pandemic began and the amount of packages arriving at doorsteps continues to increase. The pandemic has brought the demand for online business to a new level as e-commerce becomes increasingly popular. One e-commerce behavior survey showed that 74% of people are shopping more online now than they were before the pandemic. 88% said they’ll continue to do so when this nightmare is over.
Here are some of the latest trends to help you promote your business
1. Transparency
False advertising can cost companies millions of dollars and their reputations. It is important to build a relationship of trust with your consumers. A 2018 Sprout study shows that 86% of Americans say transparency from businesses is more important than ever before, as 58% claim that companies have a moral obligation to be straightforward. You should go the extra mile to show consumers what’s happening on the inside. Use your social media platforms not just for promotional posts. Use social to also give customers the background information they need to trust you.
2. Be “Green”
Conscious consumers are on the lookout for what brands are harming the environment. Show off how climate friendly your brand is. How does your product or service sustain, if not benefit, Earth? One study shows that 47% of conscious shoppers care about sustainable packaging more so than chemical-free or ethically-sourced products.
3. Get on TikTok
TikTok saw an enormous rise in 2020 and proved successful for many is projected to continue its success. For online businesses, this means a major advantage. Some experts suggest TikTok can build brand awareness with almost immediate results. This is true especially if you’re able to put together an attention-grabbing 15-to-60-second video. The rise of video marketing is attributed to Wyzowl’s survey that shows consumers spend an average of 16 hours a week on video.
4. New Features on Facebook and Instagram
If you’re a retail business, take advantage of the Shops feature on Instagram and Facebook, which makes online shopping even faster. Through these features, customers can click on the navigation tabs and look up the products they’re searching for.
5. Livestream Shopping
Livestream shopping is said to be the next generation of infomercials on TV. You can host a livestream on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or Amazon. While you’re talking about your business, pitch your products during “ad” breaks. Even if you don’t have products to sell, the same idea can apply to other businesses. Experts say this method has more of an emotional appeal to viewers, and can lead to a new customer base.
Carolina Macedo, the author, is Project Coordinator of Marketing Keys.