Marketing for the Entrepreneur of the Future
The changes in the world always lead to a ripple effect. Changes everywhere else soon follow. The arrival of the internet, the changing of societal norms, and the advancements in technology have impacted the world.
In the marketing and advertising industry, many of the conventionally used techniques are no longer effective. Big-budget commercials, billboards featuring popular actors, and extensive live marketing campaigns are still effective, but nowadays, there are far more efficient marketing methods. How can the entrepreneur of the 21st century catch up with all the innovations that are constantly popping up? The following tips are here to help entrepreneurs of all ages out.
Be Prepared for Generation Alpha
We know that millennials are no longer the new crowd, and Gen Zs are the current market. While we need to be ready and informed about Generation Z, we also have to look further ahead and have insights into Generation Glass.
In this future generation, we are expecting people who are born into technology as true digital natives. We’re expecting high digital literacy, a knack for gamification, and maybe shorter attention spans. However, these are merely speculations. But based on how our current technology delivers virtual experiences, AI, and other conveniences, it’s better to be prepared to meet the upcoming generation.
Get to Know Your Customers on a Better Level
Through the Internet and cloud computing, many businesses can now analyze customer data and create more personalized interactions with individuals. This may be more achievable for smaller-scale businesses that can afford a closer approach to customer relations. Consider how real estate agents develop a good connection with their clients.
By getting to know the preferences and needs of a home seeker, realtors can give options that really suit each of their clients. This is also how many companies approach marketing to clients: by showing genuine concern and care to deliver success and service.
Remember the 4Es
The 4Ps of marketing, product, price, place, and promotion are now proving to be less effective. We are now in an era where engagement, experience, exclusivity, and emotion (4Es) are the main drivers for the customer driver proposition. Understanding how market preferences change and knowing how to leverage them to benefit your business is crucial.
Now, consumers are more concerned about how a product or service makes them feel and how their experience is. Gone are the days when price stands as the king. The price comes secondary to actual quality and ease of experience. Instead of focusing on the “bang for the buck” mentality, angling your products and service to appeal to experience and emotions is the better move.
AI Is Here
Technology has been bringing a lot to the business table, and a very radical one is AI. Artificial intelligence is paving the way for many innovations in the industry. If a business sets AI aside, it will miss out on many standards, trends, and effective practices. For one, through AI tools, businesses can understand customers on a more specific level.
Take, for example, the arrival of chatbots. Frequently asked questions that many users share are now being answered by AI scripted to specifically service people with similar experiences. This allows a business to reduce the manpower needed for customer support and instead dedicate that to improving the actual user experience.
Consumers Are Not Sentimental to Brands
Right now, we see that many small-scale businesses thrive in the midst of big corporations. Particularly those that establish a good connection to their community can become mainstays in their industries and even grow as a business.
This then results in a plethora of options for consumers. Various services and brands are now more accessible, so consumers don’t actually mind that businesses come and go. Supporting smaller businesses has also become trendy, as many people deem it more ethical to support smaller-scale and personable establishments.
Not to mention, smaller establishments are far more willing to accept customization when it comes to their services. Instead of focusing on brand value, the modern entrepreneur is better off focusing on service and product quality — advertising as the main feature. With enough customers, this quality consistency will eventually become brand value.
Business trends always come and go, and only impactful, innovative, and effective models get to stay. Right now, we are looking at marketing that focuses on reaching consumers on a personal and emotional level. We’re not sure if it will remain the same in the future, but it pays to be prepared by studying the trends and laying down fearless forecasts.
