Top Marketing Trends of 2024

In today’s rapidly-evolving digital society, small businesses and corporate giants alike are always searching for new ways to reach, and keep, customers and clients. It’s no secret that now more than ever, brands either stay on trend or get left in the dust. That means it’s important – no, scratch that – it’s vital to stay up-to-date on the latest marketing trends to ensure that your business thrives in Montgomery County’s growing marketplace. 

Let’s unpack the top trends dominating the marketing scene today and take a closer look at how you can harness their power to increase awareness, visibility, and loyalty for your brand. 

Top Marketing Trend of 2024 #1: AI – AKA Marketing’s New Right-Hand Man

We’ve come a long way from Alexa and Siri, my friends. In fact, HubSpot recently called AI “the ultimate marketing assistant,” citing that 64% of marketers are already using it. And why wouldn’t they? AI has amazing capabilities – it can assist with identifying trends and curating content, images, and videos based on specific needs of businesses. Alexa, play “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. That’s how we feel about AI and its potential to efficiently and massively drive growth for companies. 

And we aren’t the only ones. Google’s President of the Americas and Global Partners, Sean Downey, believes AI will be the biggest marketing trend in 2024. 

Okay, Katelyn. That sounds great. Now, how does this hot new AI trend work? And more importantly, does it work? We’re glad you asked. HubSpot’s The State of Marketing Report for 2024 reports that a whopping 85% of marketers say that AI has changed how they create content in 2024 – and typically for the better, we might add. Marketers taking advantage of this trend believe it has enabled them to create more, higher quality content that performs just as well or even better than content created completely by humans alone. 

A word of caution: While AI has made remarkable strides in automating and optimizing various aspects of marketing, human oversight remains crucial to ensure its effectiveness and accuracy. AI systems, though powerful, are not perfect and often require a set of true human eyes to check over their work. 

All in all, by harnessing the power of AI, businesses can not only enhance efficiency and effectiveness, but also deliver more relevant and highly-engaging content experiences that resonate with their target audience, ultimately driving greater success and a huge competitive advantage. In short, with AI, businesses can have their cake and eat it too. 

Top Marketing Trend #2 – Social Media isn’t All Fun and Games Anymore

Social media is no longer just a handy-dandy way to keep up with out-of-state family and friends from college. It has become a powerhouse for marketing, transforming how brands engage with their audiences and build their presence. 

It’s no wonder social media is trending more and more as a marketing ecosystem in 2024 when you consider the fact that these platforms allow businesses to meet the consumer exactly where they’re already at in Montgomery County and beyond – scrolling on their phone any and everywhere from the car rider pick up line to waiting at the doctor’s office. That’s the magic of it and that’s exactly why HubSpot reports that 43% of marketers are using it – which, by the way, is more than any other marketing platform. 

As we said, social media isn’t just about sharing content anymore, it has become a popular product discovery channel. This trend has revolutionized how consumers find and explore new products. Social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have integrated shopping features that allow users to purchase items without ever leaving the app, bridging the gap between product discovery and purchase. Combine the user-friendly nature of social media with its unparalleled access to consumers and marketers have a one-of-a-kind tool at their fingertips to target specific demographics with ease and precision. Don’t take our word for it though, according to HubSpot, 64% of Gen Z, 59% of Millennials, and 47% of Gen X have confirmed discovering a product on social media in the past three months. 

By leveraging the dynamic nature of social media, companies stay relevant, adapt to trends quickly, and create authentic connections with their audience, ultimately driving growth and success in an increasingly digital world. 

PS – We also talked about social Media as a tool to increase brand awareness in our “10 Ways to Make Customers Fall in Love with Your Brand” blog in June.

Top Marketing Trend #3 – Facebook Remains the Tried and True

We love social media – personally and professionally. But not all social media is created equally, at least not in terms of marketing capabilities. In 2024, Facebook remains a cornerstone of digital marketing. A hearty presence on Facebook allows businesses to leverage its vast user base (despite rumors, Facebook is still the most popular social platform by marketers and consumers alike) and sophisticated targeting capabilities to drive brand engagement. 

Aside from the previously-mentioned seamless shopping experience integrated into the app, Facebook’s emphasis on community-building through Groups and Events offers brands unique opportunities to foster deeper connections with their audience, drive discussions, and build loyal customer bases. Add in the platform’s advanced algorithms, sophisticated targeting capabilities, and robust analytics tools and you’ve officially entered into a marketer’s happy place – a place with plenty of data and a great return on investment (ROI). 

As businesses adapt to these trends, Facebook remains a dynamic and essential tool for crafting impactful marketing campaigns and achieving measurable results.

Top Marketing Trend #4 – Short-form Video is Rising in the Ranks

Short-form video has become a dominant marketing trend, capturing the essence of today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have popularized this format, allowing brands to create engaging, bite-sized content that quickly grabs user attention and drives engagement.

The brevity of short-form videos, typically ranging from 15 to 60 seconds, forces brands to deliver their messages quickly, with clarity and creativity. This trend offers marketers a dynamic tool for delivering concise, impactful content that resonates with users’ fast-paced consumption habits, which is more than likely why 26% of marketers told HubSpot they planned to invest more in short-form video than any other format this year, and 57% of marketers who are already using short-form video plan to increase their invest. 

As the short-form video trend continues to evolve, its ability to captivate, entertain, and influence will make it an essential component of any modern marketing strategy.

Top Marketing Trend #5 – Micro-influencers are Making Big Moves

Speaking of influence – micro-influencers have emerged as a pivotal marketing trend, offering brands an authentic and highly-engaging way to connect with niche audiences. Unlike their mega-influencer counterparts, micro-influencers typically have smaller, more targeted followings ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 followers. This concentrated reach allows them to cultivate strong, personal relationships with their audience, resulting in higher engagement rates and more genuine interactions. 

Brands are increasingly turning to micro-influencers because they offer a targeted, cost-effective approach to marketing by using a credible, relatable voice. According to HubSpot, 86% of marketers believe that influencer marketing was effective for their company in 2023. Additionally, their consumer trends survey shows that one in four social media users bought a product based on an influencer’s recommendation in the past three months. That’s up 33% from the year before. 

Working with mico-influencers allow brands to tap into their often highly-established, loyal following and benefit from endorsements that feel genuine, compelling, and relatable to the consumer. As this trend continues to evolve, 50% of marketers told HubSpot they plan to increase their investment in these relationships. 

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, cultivating relationships with micro-influencers allows brands to tap into specialized audiences and harness the power of personalized content, ultimately driving higher engagement and more effective brand awareness, visibility, and loyalty.

Wrapping Up: The Future of Marketing in Montgomery County and Beyond

Needless to say, the marketing landscape of 2024 is marked by rapid innovation. The rise of AI, the dominance of short-form video, the power of social media for product discovery, and the influence of micro-influencers all highlight the need for brands to continually adapt and innovate. Embracing these trends allows businesses to connect more authentically with their audiences, deliver personalized experiences, and drive meaningful engagement. 

As the digital environment continues to transform, staying informed and agile will be crucial for leveraging these trends effectively. By integrating these cutting-edge strategies into your marketing efforts, your brand can not only navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace but also capitalize on emerging opportunities to achieve sustained growth and success – in Montgomery County and beyond.