The Best and Worst Marketing Trends of 2021

The Best and Worst Marketing Trends of 2021

As the year winds down, let’s talk about the best and worst marketing trends we’ve seen over the last 365 days. The web has not only become an outlet for killing time, but today more people are working from home and using online platforms for business. So let’s see what worked and what didn’t.

The three best marketing trends of 2021:

1. Embracing automation: Individuals and businesses are turning to automation and scheduling applications to be more efficient in engaging on social media and email marketing campaigns. It’s not only a time-saver, but it allows users to see multiple platforms simultaneously as they create new content.
2. Engaging in upcoming features: Yes, we’re going to talk about reels! One of the best trends we’ve seen this year is the use of reels on Instagram. When creators and marketers can embrace new features they stay ahead of the game and get more engagement.
3. Employing live streaming: Allowing followers to engage with a business through live streaming opens new doors! Live streaming makes followers feel valued and makes businesses seem less aloof to their customers. When they take time to come onto a platform live, it also allows them to speak about new products or services firsthand.

Now that we’ve talked about some of the good things we’ve seen in the 2021 marketing world, let’s talk about the things that weren’t so great.

The three worst marketing trends of 2021:

1. Overuse of email marketing: Receiving too many emails in a week was a turnoff for many consumers. Businesses should be using analytics to better understand optimal days/times to send emails for the most engagement and conversion.
2. Posting too much: While it may seem positive to post multiple times a day to increase engagement, that’s not necessarily true. Quality over quantity is completely valid. Most algorithms do not take into account how many times a day a business is posting, but rather the content that’s being posted. One quality post will reach more of your audience and result in higher engagement than three posts that are low quality.
3. Ignoring trends: While a business may get a handle on posting quality content, if they are not tracking engagement their pages won’t be optimized. For example, certain businesses may benefit from adding polls into their stories. Allowing the audience to give feedback could increase engagement on other platforms. When businesses don’t keep track of where the audience is engaging, they are less likely to use the most effective strategies to advance their page and convert it to sales.

As we move into a new year, businesses looking to increase engagement should use new features, including live streams, on social media. They should highlight products/services in the most attractive way to captivate potential customers. Minimal posting is not going to hurt your business so long as the pieces being released are high-quality and provide value.

Need help staying on top of trends or developing your marketing strategy? Reach out today to our team of professionals at Fuhrman Creative.