Digital Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2017

With the New Year right around the corner, many IR companies are putting the finishing touches on their digital strategies for 2017. Budgets have been approved and wish lists received, meaning that now is the time when the tactics are being throughly reviewed and targets set for the upcoming year. You’ve likely spent time researching the latest digital marketing trends (mobile, mobile, mobile), and have been dissecting predictions yourself for the last few months; however, as we inch closer to the New Year, digital predictions are becoming that much more clear, with key trends emerging in the online space.

We’ve spent time surveying the industry and have determined our top five trends heading into 2017. So, grab a cup of coffee, open your 2017 Digital Marketing Strategy, and consider affirming (or making tweaks!) now, before we get into the Holiday Swing.

 

Below are our Digital Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2017…

 

1.  Your target investor wants personalized content.

In recent years, companies have been developing more content for their websites; blogs, infographics, eBooks and more have filled the pages of content strategies globally.

Now, your target persona wants content – but they want personalized content. With 40% of businesses taking a strategic approach to content, the time is now for your IR company to shine.

By personalized, we mean using content like the aforementioned blogs, infographics, eBooks and more that is suited and targeted to your potential investor. For example, you could create a white paper or case study for a particular segment of your target, like mining. You would then serve this content through an email newsletter or targeted advertising to mining contacts exclusively. Not only does it provide valuable and worthwhile content to your potential investor, it makes him or her feel like your company is taking their wants and needs into consideration.

 

2. Design for multi-platform users.

 

digital marketing trends

 

It’s clear that more and more digital consumers are using multi-platforms to view content online; that is, they have indicated use of mobile, desktop, tablets and more on a frequent basis. Users are coming to your website from a variety of sources, and likely using other devices at various times to return to your website.

This means that instead of thinking mobile-exclusively, consider the benefits of building for multi-platform. Run an audit of your website – is it responsive on desktop, mobile and tablets? What about iPhone VS Android? Is there room for improvement?

 

3. Remember, your target users on are other sites, too.

 

Digital Marketing Trends

 

While the main objective is to drive potential investors to your website, remember that your target investors are on other sites, too.

Primarily, consider the benefits of having active profiles on social accounts, like LinkedIn and Twitter, for example, or perhaps Facebook Groups to peruse for your benefit. Facebook is the leading social network as of Q2 2016, with 1,590,000 million active users and an 18% market share of social media networks.

 

4. Mobile marketing SEO will break you apart from competition in 2017.

When it comes to digital trends in 2017, SEO might very well take the cake for generating the greatest impact.

Google has announced a plethora of updates to search engine optimization in 2017, but the one you primarily need to focus on is around Accelerated Mobile Pages. Accelerated Mobile Pages (or AMP) is a project from Google and Twitter that is designed to make really fast mobile pages. At its core, it’s basically a stripped-down form of HTML.

Anything you can do to help speed the load of your web and mobile pages will significantly help in keeping users on your site. The AMP project from Google and Twitter is performing so well, we predict that this will start to have a real impact on SEO moving into 2017. Make sure AMP pages are on your digital task list for the New Year.

 

5. Nurture your current IR leads.

Nurturing your leads, either through email newsletters or 1:1 contact, is a necessity in 2017.

Much like personalizing your content, it’s more important than ever to keep in contact and deliver the content your potential investor needs. 2017 is the year of reliance on big data and CRM software, so be sure you have the budget and systems in place to start (or continue) your email nurturing strategy. By keeping in contact with leads who have not yet converted to an investor, your company can stay top of mind in 2017.

 

There are big changes in store for the year ahead, and it’s clear that digital marketing will play a significant part in the success of businesses globally. Through these digital marketing trends and predictions, review your current strategic plan and consider the areas you can expand on or update.

Above all, we wish you and your team a joyous Holiday Season and a successful New Year! 

Questions about these digital marketing trends and predictions for 2017? Contact us here.


Nicole Van Zanten
Nicole Van Zanten

Nicole is fascinated with all things Investor Relations, lending her penmanship to Blender's blog subscribers and loyal readers. She's focused on delivering the goods (and latest IR updates) each and every week.