2024 Marketing Trends to Know
In an industry that never stops evolving, staying on top of the latest trends and innovations is a must. We dove into some of the top marketing trends we’re helping our clients leverage this year.
In-Store Shopping Proves it's Not Going Anywhere
TRENDS IN RETAILIt turns out the retail apocalypse was just a myth. Despite the continued rise of e-commerce-only brands, 80% of all retail sales still happen in person. In fact, 40% of global consumers are ditching the delivery costs and prefer the personal touch of in-person shopping. Success from the pandemic is dwindling, and DTC brands are in full pivot mode. Whether it's cozying up with bigger retailers, cultivating wholesale relationships, or embracing the brick-and-mortar hustle, online-only brands are rewriting their playbook. The lesson? Your digital strategy should sync seamlessly with the in-store experience to really give your customers the best of both worlds, which is exactly the philosophy we ascribe to. Through our research-backed process, we help our clients understand their customer journey and the role each platform plays in their path to purchase.
Entertaining Content is King
TRENDS IN SOCIALSelf-promotion is out, and relatability is in. People are on social media to unwind and be entertained — so where does selling come into play? According to the Hootsuite Social Media Consumer 2024 survey, 56% want authenticity and compelling storytelling from the brands they love, not relentless promotions. In fact, 34% of those surveyed said that too much self-promotion is a major turnoff. For us, it’s all about helping you strike the right balance between communicating brand ethos, and fostering deeper relationships with customers. We can help you find the social selling tactics that actually work on each platform — like live demos, subtle product placements, testimonials, etc.
Getting Personal in Inboxes
TRENDS IN EMAIL MARKETING Say goodbye to generic emails. Consumers crave personal touch. Tailored, hyper-personalized email campaigns keep your audience engaged and your subscriber lists healthy. De-personalized campaigns can lead to higher unsubscribe rates, deleted emails, and a strained relationship with your customer. Through effectively utilizing AI technology, customized flows and personalized product recommendations, we can help you identify opportunities to really speak to your customer, and help convert them into a repeat buyer.
Have Fun With It
TRENDS IN CONTENTAfter years of design leaning towards a more minimalist aesthetic, expect to see content get more experimental in the coming year. If the Barbie Movie taught us anything, it’s that consumers are craving visuals that inspire playfulness and fun. Think bold colors, maximal design, AI generated imagery, and a nod to nostalgia. Experiment with some of these design elements, it’s important to do so in an on-brand way. The key is to surprise and delight, while still being instantly recognizable. For example, our client Great Jones is leaning heavily into Nostalgiacore, because vintage imagery and illustrations were already a part of their brand identity.
Don’t Pass on Pinterest
TRENDS IN SOCIAL Pinterest isn't just a mood board; it's a marketing powerhouse. Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest’s number one objective is for users to leave. It's all about driving traffic to your website and increasing visibility to your existing content. Much like that famous search engine we know, Pinterest uses the same ideology to deliver users exactly what they’re looking for when they search for it. Plus, the life expectancy of a pin is years, vs. just 24 hours or so on Instagram (if you’re lucky). We love the results we’ve seen on Pinterest with our clients (ask us about it!) — it’s truly a land of opportunity.
Maxing Out
TRENDS IN DESIGN“Sad beige millennial” is so last year. Maximalism is taking center stage, characterized by vibrant colors, striking photography, and dynamic collages. This design approach aims to evoke a sense of creativity and individuality, encouraging brands to embrace bold and expressive visuals. Even minimalist designs are adopting a more daring and impactful approach, contributing to the overall trend of pushing creative boundaries in design.
Selling in Real Time
TRENDS IN SOCIAL “I saw this on TikTok” is about to be an even more common phrase in 2024. Leveraging social media for live selling and customer service has exploded over the past few months. Now more than ever, consumers are choosy with their dollars, and giving them the opportunity to ask questions directly to the brands they’re interested in (and see those products in action) brings you one step closer to winning them over. Think home shopping network presentations, but even easier (and more casual). We’ll help you find ways to take advantage of live selling in a way that feels right for your brand.
AI is Getting Smarter
TRENDS IN RETAIL
When it comes to AI, the sky's the limit — but proceed with caution. In marketing, AI solutions are transforming the landscape, offering enhanced customer service support, personalized product recommendations and new ways to understand your customers. We’re excited to see how AI can support hyper-personalization and in turn help build stronger relationships with your audience. But, nothing beats the human touch, and today’s consumers can spot AI-driven social media captions from a mile away (balance is key). We’re keeping our fingers on the pulse of all things AI so you can stay ahead of the curve.
Dark Mode
TRENDS IN EMAIL MARKETING Dark mode isn't just a design choice; it's an accessibility principle. Be wary; rendering in Apple and Gmail can be unpredictable, which is why understating Dark Mode’s place in email strategy is crucial to ensuring you can connect with all of your customers. We’re equipped with the best-in-class software and platforms to do just that.
The speed of change in the world of retail and marketing continues to increase, and we make it our #1 priority to stay ahead of the trends. This year, we're so excited to find creative ways to delight our clients' customers, creating brand-consumer relationships that stand the test of time. Contact us to see how we can use these trends to make your 2024 a year to remember.