The Transformation of Marketing in 2022

The world is forever changed. 2020 brought with it uncertainty and fear, and 2021 was a time to fully adjust to that change. Nothing is as it was, and this had many marketers wondering ,”where do we go from here?”.  This was a loaded question, and it was up to marketers to find ways to reposition their brands, and find new ways to engage with customers - and it all came down to empathy, transformation, technology, and innovation. 

Since 2020, marketers have to readjust strategy and focus on a brand's customer experience, provide these customers with only the most relevant and helpful content, and continue in the pursuit of industry innovation. 

Here, we take a look at how marketing has transformed in 2020 - 2022, and what marketing tactic you should focus on as we head into 2022.

Marketing Innovation and Transformation 

Right now, more than ever before, companies need to begin building trust with their customers. 

As technology drives customer expectation to greater heights, marketers have begun to nurture meaningful relationships with consumers, and this goes beyond the buyers first purchase. Marketers build cohesive experiences, from the moment the prospect discovers the brand, to when they make their first purchase, and beyond. Marketers are with the customer every step of the way. 

As technology drives customer expectation to greater heights, marketers have begun to nurture meaningful relationships with consumers, and this goes beyond the buyers first purchase. 

Marketers build cohesive experiences, from the moment the prospect discovers the brand, to when they make their first purchase, and beyond. Marketers are with the customer every step of the way. In fact according to SalesForce Research, 84% of customers say that the experience that a company provides is as important as its services or products. 

Marketing Priorities in 2022 

Innovation refers to being able to adapt to change, and this is vital in the time of COVID-19. Today, marketers need to innovate through real time engagement, and by providing helpful and trusted content that reaches the consumer at the right time.

In 2020,  SalesForce took a deep dive into what marketers needed to focus their efforts on and this is still relevant today as we head into 2022. Essentially, since 2020 marketers need to put systems in place to reach potential and current customers, store current and potential customer data and create cohesive journeys for them. At its core: lead generation is key.

Top 5 Marketing Priorities to focus on in 2022:

1. Innovating
2. Engaging Customers in Real Time
3. Complying with Privacy Regulations
4. Improved use of Tools and Technology
5. Modernized Tools and Technology

Marketing Challenges in 2022

Creating a cohesive journey that customers will want to experience poses a few challenges for marketers.

Top 5 Marketing Challenges in 2022:

1. Engaging Customers in Real Time
2. Innovating
3. Creating Cohesive Customer Journeys Across Channels
4. Unifying Customer Data
5. Sharing a Unified View of Customer Data across Business Units

The best way to start is to focus on your brand fundamentals, and understand what your consumers trust about your brand. This is what should drive your marketing efforts and your marketing message in 2022 and beyond.

Every marketer needs to be adaptable, especially when it comes to budget and strategy. This is because consumers are reevaluating their own purchase decisions, and marketers need to reflect on how they can adjust to the change of buying cycles. This is why Account Based Marketing, content marketing and omni-channel marketing have become critical to marketing strategies in 2022. 

Account Based Marketing in 2022

Account Based Marketing (ABM) is one of the latest and most effective marketing and sales lead generation strategies, specifically when it comes to B2B. It is a marketing strategy that concentrates its resources on a set of targeted or key accounts within the market.

To put it simply, Account Based Marketing is strategic marketing that is designed to target specific accounts. ABM does not just call for alignment between marketing and sales, it merges them as this kind of personalisation requires both parties to be completely in sync. By doing this, and by personalising the buyer's journey, marketers are able to customise communication, content and campaigns to specific accounts, and this is what promises a greater return on investment and a boost in customer loyalty. This kind of marketing results in higher revenues in a shorter time frame.

ABM stops marketers from having to cast a wide net when it comes to lead generation, because it works to identity key prospects and create personalised and customised programs and messages to direct at these key accounts. 

This strategy goes beyond lead generation and encourages lead nurturing, upselling, and cross-selling, and this is why ABM goes hand in hand with Inbound Marketing. 

Content Marketing in 2022

Marketing in 2022 is all about engaging the customer and building trust. Content marketing lends to this as it is the practice of creating digital content that is valuable and relevant to the target market, with the aim of attracting a targeted audience of converting them into customers. 

Statistics show that content marketing receives 3x more leads than paid advertising and 55% of marketers affirm that creating quality content for their blog pages is one of their biggest marketing priorities. 

Content marketing allows brands to connect with their target market by creating content that is useful and helpful. This kind of content creates engagement and interaction with your brand. When this content is shared across social media platforms, it allows space for even more engagement, and allows brands the opportunity to speak to the audience in the comments section, respond to questions, and engage in real time conversations. This kind of personalised, instant communication builds trust - and this is a marketing priority for 2022.

Omni-Channel Marketing in 2022

Omni-channel marketing is not something brand new, but it has become more relevant than it has ever been before. Today, consumers move from channel to channel when they are looking to make a purchase. And marketers need to once again, adapt. They need to increase their marketing reach through various touch points. From Search Engine Optimisation to make sure a brand can be found on Google, to social media platforms and mobile applications. The world is more connected than ever before, and buyers expect your business to be just as connected, and to reach them at every possible touchpoint - and you have to reach them when they want you to reach them. 

According to SalesForce research, 54% of consumers become annoyed if they are targeted with an advert for a product they have already bought. Over the past few years, technology has advanced, and marketers are able to meet this kind of customer expectation, allowing for dynamic content across all possible channels. 

In Conclusion:

Marketing transformation in 2022 is all about innovation and using different touchpoints to reach the consumer.  It comes down to boosting audience segmentation and providing a personalised and dynamic experience across different channels.

In 2022, business has changed, communication has evolved, and customer expectation has shifted. It is time to acknowledge the impact of the past 2 years and rebuild and normalise our new marketing efforts. 

Digital sales and marketing is the new normal, and we can help. Contact Nexa today.