What will 2010 bring you?December 11, 2009As 2009 comes to a close, a lot of us begin to think about what the New Year will bring. While the economy had a devastating effect on many marketing budgets this past year, the good news is there is hope on the horizon. According to BtoB's "2010 Outlook: Marketing Priorities and Plans" 40% of respondents plan to increase marketing spending next year. And on the BtoC side, creativity, innovation and change will flourish.
Take time to reflect on what makes sense for your customers in 2010. And, enjoy these interesting 2010 predictions from some of our marketing colleagues:
Email will increase. 74% of small to medium-size businesses (SMBs) will spend more on email marketing*. If this includes you, be sure to understand how frequently your audience wants to hear from you via email and keep your campaigns targeted and compelling!
Continued movement into social media. SMBs predict a 68% increase in their social media spend*. However, social media sites aren't for everyone. Find out if sites like Facebook and Twitter are right for your 2010 strategy. And on a side note, be sure to check out these up and coming social media sites: buzznet.com (site for music lovers), fixya.com (community resource that provides post-purchase customer support) and 5min.com (instructional videos and DIY projects).
A focus on customer acquisition. Cited as the top marketing goal for 2010, BtoB marketers will use a range of programs to attract new customers**. They will get back to the basics, using direct mail and customer events for face-to-face interaction. Read more ways to engage a prospective customer.
No matter what's in-store for your marketing dollars in 2010, keep in mind the importance of understanding your audience and how they want to receive information.
Looking forward to providing you great marketing tips in the New Year!
* State of Small Business in America; Reports on Planned Marketing Spend for 2010
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