It’s a new year! Time for new beginnings … clean out the old, dusty stuff, freshen up the tried and true, and add something new to the line-up!
Here’s a few ideas and statistics from recent blog posts I found interesting … hope you do, too.
Digital Marketing Budget Trends for 2012 (Infographic)
Looking for a little guidance on allocating your budget? Take a look at this infographic. Great visual aid … In general, online marketing is averaging 17% of a marketing budget overall. How much have you allocated to yours this year?
Just a few stats from the graphic that grabbed my attention.
- 35% of today’s consumers spend 180 minutes or more online today
- 20% of Google searches by month are for local businesses
- 57% of internet users search the web everyday
- 46% of daily searches are for information on products or services
- By 2015, projected ad spending is $50 Billion – with mobile ad spending projected to be over $1.1 Billion
- Over 75% of marketers plan to include mobile in their budgets … because in 2013, smartphone users are predicted to reach over 60 million
- 57% of companies cited company blogs and LinkedIn as the source for generating the most business
Source of blog and infographic: 6SMarketing
10 Trends for Online Marketers in 2012
My thoughts and takeaways from this:
- If you’re not yet using it, find opportunities to test mobile in your marketing line-up.
- Learn more about tablets and how they might fit into future marketing efforts for your business.
- Small biz owners should continue to invest in nurturing and expanding their email lists and building a customer database.
- Consider whether you need a way of accepting payment online.
- Location-based apps like foursquare.com haven’t been a favorite of mine; however, I really like the frontflip.com app. Its fun – you scan the flip code, it unlocks a digital scratch card, you get to scratch and possibly win a prize.
5 Internet Marketing Trends for SMBs to Watch in 2012
Good post for the small biz owner to check out.
- Small biz needs to be able to adapt to new ways of reaching customers.
- Online reviews where the consumer is able to rate the service and product are not only a key source when gathering information; they are fast becoming more of an expectation.
- Look at cloud computing alternatives. Dropbox is a great example. I use it with clients … easy way to share photos without clogging up my inbox, great place to store the images and so easy to access, too.
- Happy to see this article point out site security for the small biz. It can happen to any size company and does. Changing passwords can seem like a hassle, but it can help protect you. Be aware – phishing scams or malicious emails happen all the time.
A fave blog of mine is Social Media Examiner with 30 Social Media Predictions for 2012 from the Pros
This blog post is loaded with ideas! Just a couple that are on the top of my list.
- Tip #6 from Nichole Kelly. Look for and develop sustainable ways to create content. Tip #8 from Lewis Howes tells us consistency and unique content are key.
- YouTube is coming more to the forefront (Tips #12 – Paul Colligan; #13 – James Wedmore). Video is engaging and can be lots of fun, too!
- Tip #16 from Stephanie Sammons. “Find and focus on the tools that can make you more productive and competitive.”
What trends and predictions are you planning for? What are the new things you’re adding to your marketing line-up? If you need assistance in figuring out what to stop, start and continue, let’s chat!
