2022 is coming to a close meaning it’s time to reflect on the year and find ways to improve. Marketing analysts have been gathering data all year and it is finally time to parse through it all to determine the most meaningful business trends of 2022. We’ve identified seven business trends that we think will continue to pick up steam and be relevant for years to come. Here are some of the most prominent business trends of 2022 that your company can take advantage of to find more success.
Automate Tedious Work
Artificial intelligence has been on the rise for a few years now, but it has recently become more accessible than ever before. Automated solutions are becoming more affordable as time passes, meaning more companies are able to take advantage of them. This is especially true of the simpler solutions powered by artificial intelligence. Simple tasks such as sending out a batch of marketing emails can be completed in minutes by an AI.
One of the fastest growing applications for automation is in the logistics industry. One of the major challenges facing eCommerce brands experiencing rapid growth is warehouse management. It’s all too common for online retailers to grow faster than their order fulfillment centers can handle. Fortunately, there are several shipping APIs available that can streamline your entire order fulfillment process. Some APIs can even automate entire tasks such as label generation or order tracking.
Partner With Influencers
Influencer focused marketing campaigns gained a great deal of popularity in 2022 and show no signs of slowing down. In fact, some studies found that 89% of marketers who currently engage in influencer marketing will maintain or increase their investment in 2023. Influencers have become a marketer's best friend because of the huge, dedicated audiences they have access to. Many of these social media personalities have hundreds of thousands of followers that turn to them for advice in their area of expertise. When an influencer endorses a brand, many of their followers will engage with that company.
In particular, micro-influencers have received much more attention in 2022 than in previous years. Micro-influencers are social media personalities that have decent sized audiences, generally in the thousands to tens of thousands range. More than 56% of marketers that currently invest in influencer marketing partner with micro-influencers. There are a few unique advantages to working with micro-influencers compared to larger social media personalities. Firstly, although micro-influencers have smaller audiences, they tend to be more dedicated. A larger percentage of micro-influencers’ followers will make a purchase with a company they endorse. Additionally, micro-influencers tend to be cheaper to work with because of their smaller audience. If you can’t afford to partner with a celebrity influencer, consider working with a more niche personality that has a dedicated following.
Native Advertising
Native advertising is a marketing practice where sponsored content is displayed so that it matches the form and function of the website where it appears. It can be difficult to point out because if it is done correctly it should perfectly mirror the genuine content on the website. If you’ve ever been to your favorite online publication and seen headlines in the sidebar that mimics the rest of the website’s content but reads vaguely like a sales pitch, then you’ve encountered native advertising.
In 2022, more marketers than ever before began investing in native advertising, and for good reason. Nearly 50% of marketers who currently engage in native advertising reported it had the highest return on investment of any marketing tactic. The primary benefit of native advertising is that they don’t come across as ads at all. Online consumers are subject to dozens of ads on an average day, so they’ve become understandably tired of them. Native advertising’s unique approach to marketing makes it one of the few digital marketing methods that continue to receive long-lasting attention.
Prioritize Social Responsibility
One of the most prominent trends of 2022 is in consumer shopping behavior. Consumer activism has continued to grow in popularity among both online and in-person shoppers. Consumer activism is a practice where shoppers support brands that share the same values they hold and take steps to make a positive difference in the world. Some individuals have even reported they are willing to spend more money for the same product if it is in support of a “good brand.” By prioritizing your company’s social responsibility, you can grow your audience and encourage your current audience to stay loyal.
Consider your target audience when deciding on what social issue your company wants to tackle. For example, athletic wear brands likely have a younger audience that stays active. These individuals are more likely to engage in a recreational sports team and believe it is a good idea for others to do the same. Companies that have this sort of audience could donate a percentage of their revenue to a charity that provides athletic scholarships for students. Taking such an action proves to your audience that you care about the same issues that they do and are willing to help the cause.