As a creative business owner, it’s important to stay ahead of the game and be aware of the latest trends in marketing and personal branding. In today’s fast-paced digital world, things are constantly changing, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 2024 marketing trends that I believe will be essential for your business. I think you’ll love the first one! 😉 Let’s dive in. There’s a lot to cover here!
Table of Contents
7 Trends for marketing and personal branding that your creative business needs in 2024!
1 – Blended Learning
As the world of online education continues to expand, new methods and approaches are emerging to meet the needs of learners. One such approach is the hybrid model, which combines on-demand self-paced learning (regular courses) with interactive instructor-led coaching sessions.
This hybrid approach offers the best of both worlds – flexibility and convenience of on-demand learning, along with the personalized support and guidance of live coaching sessions. It allows students to learn at their own pace while also having access to an experienced coach who can answer questions and provide additional insights.
But why should you consider this approach for your own courses or programs?
- Well, for starters, it opens up a whole new market for you as an educator. With on-demand learning becoming increasingly popular, this hybrid model allows you to tap into the growing demand for flexible and convenient education options. This means more potential students and a wider reach for your content.
- Additionally, the combination of on-demand learning and live coaching sessions provides a well-rounded learning experience for students. They can learn at their own pace, pause or rewind lessons as needed, and take breaks when necessary. And with the support of a coach, they have someone to turn to when they need extra help or clarification.
- Furthermore, this hybrid model allows you to cater to different types of learners. Some may prefer self-paced learning while others thrive in a more interactive environment. By offering both options, you can accommodate various learning styles and provide a better overall experience for your students.
- But perhaps one of the biggest benefits of this approach is the flexibility it offers. With on-demand learning, students can access course materials anytime and anywhere, making it easier for them to fit their course studies into their busy schedules. And with live coaching sessions scheduled at convenient times, they can still receive personalized guidance and support without having to sacrifice other commitments.
- In addition, the combination of on-demand learning and live coaching allows for a more personalized approach to education. Each student can progress through the material at their own pace and have one-on-one time with a coach to address any specific challenges or questions they may have. This individualized attention helps students feel more supported in their learning journey and can lead to better overall outcomes.
- Moreover, this hybrid model also fosters a sense of community among students. Through live coaching sessions, students can interact with one another and build relationships, fostering collaboration and a support network. This not only creates a more engaging learning experience but also provides opportunities for networking and connections that can benefit students in their personal and professional lives.
- A combination of on-demand learning with live coaching also allows for a more diverse range of perspectives to be shared. With the ability for students from different backgrounds and locations to connect through live sessions, discussions can be enriched with various viewpoints and experiences. This promotes critical thinking and open-mindedness, creating a well-rounded educational experience.
Who says learning has to be all online courses and no 1:1 help?
I must have seen this one coming because, in 2023, I revamped my offerings to include DWY and DFY packages.
So there is a hybrid approach with both on-demand education + add-ons of interactive, instructor-led coaching group sessions or 1:1 coaching. 💻 Do you need to rethink your offers? I have a free DIY Audit Checklist you can grab here!
2 – Belonging As A Core Value
I love this in business because it goes right back to creating a niche community where everyone in it fits in and can relate to one another – making them feel like they belong from day one.
When 750,000 people were surveyed worldwide about the 56 core human values. In the US, the most significant value is belonging. This may be due to the country’s cultural emphasis on individualism and personal success. As a result, many Americans seek out communities and groups that align with their personal interests and values, creating a strong sense of belonging.
Belonging is a powerful human value that encompasses our need to feel connected, loved, and accepted by others. It is an essential aspect of our social nature as human beings and plays a significant role in shaping our identities and understanding of the world.
But why is belonging so crucial?
For starters, humans are social creatures who thrive on connections with others. Our brains are wired to seek out social interactions because they provide us with a sense of safety, comfort, and support. When we feel like we belong, our brain releases oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of trust and bonding.
Furthermore, belonging is essential for our mental and emotional well-being. It gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life and helps reduce stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that people who feel a strong sense of belonging tend to have better overall health outcomes, including lower rates of depression and higher self-esteem.
In the United States, the value of belonging ranked highest among the 56 core human values identified by researchers.
But what happens when we feel like we don’t belong?
It can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even depression. In fact, studies have shown that social rejection activates the same areas of the brain as physical pain does. This shows just how important belonging is for our well-being.
So how can we cultivate a sense of belonging in our lives? Here are 5 Ways:
- One way is by actively seeking out communities and groups where we feel accepted and valued. This could be through joining a club or organization with similar interests, volunteering in our local community, or participating in online communities.
- Another way to foster belonging is by practicing empathy and inclusivity towards others. By showing understanding and compassion towards those around us, we can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.
- Additionally, self-reflection is crucial in developing a sense of belonging. Taking the time to understand ourselves and our own values can help us find like-minded individuals and communities that align with our beliefs.
- Building strong relationships is another key aspect of belonging. Whether it’s with family, friends, or romantic partners, having meaningful connections with others can make us feel supported and accepted.
- Finally, it’s essential to remember that true belonging comes from within. While it’s important to find external sources of belonging, such as communities and relationships, ultimately, we must cultivate a strong sense of self-love and acceptance. This means being kind to ourselves, practicing self-care, and staying true to our authentic selves.
3 – Authenticity
No more smoke and mirrors! In 2024 marketing trends, it’s all about being real. This means showing your true colors, your quirks, and even your flaws. Turns out, people like knowing they’re doing business with real humans like them. Who knew? 😜
With social media being such a crucial part of our lives, consumers are becoming more savvy to traditional advertising tactics. They want to see the real person behind the brand and connect with them on a deeper level. This means sharing your authentic self and showing vulnerability can actually strengthen your brand image.
But how do you do this effectively?
Here are 6 tips to help you humanize your brand on social media.
1. Show Behind-the-Scenes Content
One of the best ways to humanize your brand is by giving your audience a glimpse behind the scenes. This could include photos or videos of you/your team working, sneak peeks at new products or services, or even sharing personal stories about why you started your business. By showing the human side of your brand, you’ll build trust and credibility with your audience.
2. Use Personalization
Another way to connect with your audience is by using personalization in your content. This can be as simple as addressing people by their first name or responding to comments and messages personally instead of using automated responses. By making your audience feel seen and heard, you’ll create a more human connection with them.
3. Share User-Generated Content
Your brand is not just about what you have to say, but also what your customers have to say about you. Sharing user-generated content on social media is a great way to humanize your brand. This could include reposting customer reviews or photos of people using your products or services. It shows that real people are enjoying what you have to offer and adds authenticity to your brand.
4. Use Humor
Let’s face it, social media can be flooded with serious and promotional content. Stand out by infusing humor into your posts and captions. Not only will it make your brand more relatable, but it will also help your audience remember and engage with your content. Just be sure to keep it appropriate and in line with your brand’s tone and values.
5. Engage in Conversations
Social media is not just a one-way street, it’s a two-way conversation. Make an effort to respond to comments and messages from your followers. By engaging in conversations, you are showing that there are real people behind the brand who care about their customers. It also gives you the opportunity to get feedback, answer questions, and build relationships with your audience.
6. Regularly Update Your Social Media Profiles
Keep your social media profiles updated and consistent across all platforms. This includes not only your profile pictures and cover photos but also your bio, contact information, and links to your website or other social media accounts. An up-to-date profile helps maintain a professional image, makes it easier for potential customers to find you, and provides a seamless brand experience for anyone visiting any of your social media pages.
Remember, establishing a strong presence on social media takes time, but by following these 7 tips you can engage effectively with your audience while showcasing what sets your brand apart.
4 – Digital First Impressions
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But let’s be honest, we all do. The same goes for your online presence. 💕 In 2024 digital marketing trends, managing how you show up online becomes even more important for your business success.
Your social media feed and/or website is often the first impression people have of you and your brand. It’s like a virtual storefront, inviting potential customers to come in and take a look around.
But just like with a physical store, if your feed/website is cluttered, outdated, or unappealing, people are less likely to stay and explore what you have to offer. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your site is visually appealing, user-friendly, and reflects the essence of your brand.
So how do you create an irresistible online presence? Here are 10 tips:
1. Start with a clean design: A cluttered website can be overwhelming for visitors. Make sure your layout is clean and easy to navigate. Use plenty of white space and choose a color scheme that is visually appealing.
2. Use high-quality images: In today’s digital age, visuals are key to capturing the attention of your audience. Make sure to use high-quality images that complement your content and represent your brand well.
3. Write compelling headlines: Your headlines should be eye-catching and entice readers to click and read more. They should also accurately reflect the content of the post and include relevant keywords for SEO purposes.
4. Create valuable content: The most important aspect of any blog or website is the content itself. Make sure you are providing value to your readers by creating informative, engaging, and well-written posts.
5. Utilize social media: Social media platforms are a great way to promote your blog and offers and reach a wider audience. Share your blog posts and content on various social media channels and interact with your followers to increase engagement.
6. Optimize for SEO: Utilize keywords throughout your content, titles, and meta descriptions to improve your search engine rankings. Also, make sure to include alt tags for images and use internal linking to improve the structure of your site.
7. Consistency is key: Stick to a consistent posting schedule and keep a similar tone and style throughout your content. This will help establish your brand and make it easier for readers to connect with you.
8. Cohesive visuals: Make sure to use high-quality visuals that are relevant to your content. This could include images, videos, or infographics. Visuals not only make your content more visually appealing but also help break up large chunks of text and make it more digestible for readers. Be sure your colors and fonts work seamlessly from social media to your website so your brand becomes memorable.
9. Utilize email marketing: Building an email list allows you to directly communicate with your audience and promote your latest content or products. Offer a freebie, such as an ebook or printable, in exchange for their email address.
10. Wearing your color season on camera: As content creators, we want to make sure that we look polished and put together while also staying true to our personal style. But have you ever considered incorporating your color season into your camera-ready looks?
For those not familiar with the concept, a color season is a system used in fashion and beauty that categorizes colors based on the four seasons – spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each season has specific colors that are said to complement one’s skin tone and bring out their natural beauty.
So how can you use this color season concept to your advantage when creating video or live streaming?
First, determine which color season you fall under by looking at your skin tone, hair color, and eye color. Then, use this guide to choose colors that will enhance your features on camera.
Spring: If you have warm undertones and light or golden blonde hair with light blue or green eyes, you fall under the spring category. Colors that work well for you are pastel candy shades like blush pink, mint green, and lilac. These colors will bring a softness to your complexion and make you look radiant on camera.
Summer: Those with cool undertones and ash blonde or light brown hair with gray-blue or hazel eyes belong in the summer category. For them, muted shades like dusty rose, powder blue, and lavender will be most flattering on camera. These colors will add a hint of sophistication to your look and complement your features.
Autumn: If you have warm undertones and medium to dark auburn or chestnut brown hair with golden brown or hazel eyes, you fall into the autumn category. Deep, rich colors like emerald green, burgundy, and mustard yellow will make your features pop on camera. These colors will also add warmth to your complexion and bring out the richness in your hair color.
Winter: Those with cool undertones and black or platinum blonde hair with dark blue or brown eyes belong in the winter category. Bright, bold colors like royal purple, ruby red, and sapphire blue will make a statement on camera. These colors will also contrast beautifully with your pale skin tone and give you a striking appearance.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of seasonal color analysis, let’s dive into some specific tips and tricks for finding the perfect colors for you.
There are online color season quizzes and tools available to help determine your seasonal color type. You can also consult with a professional color analyst for a more personalized assessment.
Once you have a better understanding of your seasonal color type, it’s time to start incorporating those colors into your wardrobe. This doesn’t mean you need to completely overhaul your closet, but rather look for ways to add pops of color using accessories or layering pieces.
Remember what Jeff Bezos once said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
5 – Video Communication
Video is hands down the ultimate medium for personal branding. I mean, according to Forrester Research, one minute of video is worth a staggering 1.8 million words! 😮 Can you believe that?
You might not even realize it, but our brains are like sponges, soaking up way more information than we consciously process. Seriously, we’re like information-gobbling machines! 🧠💡
Per Healthline, scientists generally accept that the human eye can process images at up to 60 fps, and some studies go even higher.
So if the best length for a video is around 2 minutes, you’re looking at 3.6 million words of value for every video you post.
As we continue to adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape, video communication has become an integral part of our daily interactions. From virtual meetings and webinars to social media content and personal branding, video has become the go-to medium for sharing information, ideas, and stories.
With the rise of remote work and online communication, it’s no surprise that video is now considered the new normal. And as we navigate this new era of virtual connections, it’s becoming increasingly important for individuals and businesses alike to harness the power of video for effective communication.
So, better get comfortable in front of that camera, my friend!
2024 marketing Trends: So why is video so important?
- For one, it allows us to convey more than just words on a screen. With facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice included in the mix, video content allows us to connect with our audience on a deeper level. Additionally, it can be more engaging and entertaining than reading plain text, making it a great way to capture and hold the attention of viewers.
- But beyond its entertainment value, video content also has practical benefits for businesses. It is highly shareable, which means that if your video resonates with your target audience, they are likely to share it with others on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. This can greatly increase your reach and potential customer base.
- Moreover, videos can be repurposed for different purposes and platforms. For instance, you can use snippets from your longer videos as teasers on social media or include them in blog posts for added visual interest. This helps you get more mileage out of your content and reach a wider audience.
- In addition, videos can help improve your website’s SEO (search engine optimization). Google algorithms prioritize websites with diverse and engaging content, and videos are considered valuable and high-quality content. By incorporating video content on your website, you can improve its ranking on search engines and potentially attract more organic traffic.
However, creating effective video content requires some strategy. It should align with your overall marketing goals and target the right audience. You also need to consider factors such as length, format, and tone to ensure that they resonate with viewers and effectively convey your message.
Luckily, there are many tools available for businesses to create professional-looking videos without breaking the bank. From simple photo slideshows to animated explainer videos, these tools make it easy for anyone to create compelling visual content.
One popular tool is Canva, which allows you to easily design and customize video templates with your own branding. Another option is Kapwing, a drag-and-drop video editor that lets you add music and text overlays to your footage.
It’s time to level up your home office game and step up your video communication quality. Trust me, you’ll thank me later! 💻
6 – AI Content Creation
Ever wish you had a personal robot butler to do all your writing for you while you sip on a mocktail? Well, that’s what AI content creation is all about.
I’ve been using AI for years for every type of content I create. Whether for getting ideas, research, or help in writing blog content – it’s the virtual assistant you can actually afford. 😉
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, from recommending products on online shopping sites to powering voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. But did you know that AI can also be used as a valuable tool in creating content for your blog or website?
As someone who has been using AI for years, I can attest to its effectiveness in generating ideas, conducting research, and even assisting in writing blog content. And the best part? It’s affordable and accessible to everyone.
So how exactly can AI help with content creation?
Let’s take a closer look at 6 of the ways it can enhance your writing process.
1. First and foremost, AI can assist in idea generation by providing topic suggestions based on current trends and popular keywords. This can be especially helpful for content creators who may struggle with writer’s block or have a hard time coming up with new and relevant ideas.
2. AI can also improve the writing process itself by offering grammar and spelling suggestions in real-time. This not only saves time but also helps to ensure that your content is error-free, making it more professional and credible.
3. Another area where AI excels is in enhancing readability. By analyzing sentence structure and word choice, AI tools can offer suggestions for simplifying complex sentences or using more concise language to make your content easier to understand for all readers.
4. In addition, some AI writing assistants even provide insights on tone and style, helping writers to maintain a consistent voice throughout their content. This is especially useful for businesses and brands that want to maintain a specific tone and brand identity in their written content.
5. Furthermore, AI writing assistants can help improve SEO by suggesting optimal keyword placement within your content. This is crucial for increasing visibility and driving traffic to your website or blog.
6. One of the most impressive features of AI writing assistants is their ability to learn from user input and adjust accordingly. As you continue to use the tool, it will adapt to your unique writing style and preferences, making its suggestions even more tailored and accurate over time.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, using an AI writing assistant can not only save you time and effort, but also elevate the quality of your content. With its advanced algorithms and data-driven approach, these tools can help take your writing to the next level.
So if you want to stay ahead in the competitive world of online content creation, consider incorporating an AI writing assistant into your process. Not only will it streamline your workflow and improve SEO, but it may also spark new levels of creativity and innovation in your writing. Trusting technology to assist in our creative pursuits may seem daunting at first, but the results speak for themselves.
I’ve been using Jasper.ai for several years – get a free trial here!
7 – High-Priority Content Pieces for SEO
Getting your content to the top of Google’s search results is no longer about stuffing keywords in bland AI blog articles.
In 2024 marketing trends, it’s all about creating valuable content that people actually want to read with case studies, photos, infographics, and stories. And the cherry on top? Google rewards you for it. I’m so here for this!
So what exactly does this mean? Here are 6 examples:
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for ensuring that your website ranks highly on search engine result pages and gets more organic traffic. In order to improve your SEO, you need to focus on creating high quality content that not only provides value to your audience, but also meets the criteria and guidelines set by search engines.
1. Blog Posts: Blogging is a great way to regularly add fresh and relevant content to your website. By consistently publishing well-written blog posts with targeted keywords, you can increase your website’s visibility on search engines and attract more readers.
2. Product or Service Pages: If you have an e-commerce website or offer specific services, it’s important to have well-optimized product or service pages. These should include detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and relevant keywords to help your page rank higher on search engine result pages.
3. Landing Pages: A landing page is a standalone web page that is designed specifically for a marketing campaign. It can be used to promote a specific product or service, collect leads, or encourage visitors to take a desired action. By optimizing your landing page with targeted keywords and relevant content, you can improve its visibility and ultimately drive more conversions.
4. Infographics: Visual content like infographics are becoming increasingly popular in the world of SEO. Not only do they engage readers more effectively than plain text, but they also have the potential to generate backlinks from other websites. When creating an infographic, be sure to include relevant keywords in the title and description, as well as alt text for any images used.
5. Video Content: Video is another form of visual content that is gaining traction in SEO. Including videos on your website can not only increase engagement and time spent on your site, but it also provides an opportunity to optimize for keywords through titles, descriptions, and tags.
6. User-Generated Content: Encouraging users to share their experiences or opinions about your product or service can boost your SEO efforts. Not only does user-generated content add social proof to your website, but it also includes real-life language and keywords that people are searching for.
Marketing Trends of 2024
In the ever-evolving world of marketing, staying ahead of the trends is crucial for creative entrepreneurs. Whether a beginner or a seasoned business owner there will always be steps you can take in your business to become more productive and profitable. Grab the DIY Audit Checklist to get started!
