2020 has been a year unlike any other. The coronavirus pandemic impacted all facets of our lives, from healthcare to schooling to virtually all industries. Even the best marketing plans went out the window this year as businesses had to pivot their business model. As a year like no other draws to a close, we’re reflecting back on the biggest marketing trends of 2020.
The Rise of Social Media
As non-essential businesses closed their physical stores, social media pages became the go-to source for many consumers to keep up to date on operating hours, to-go options, take-out specials and more. Businesses that didn’t have a strong social media presence quickly realized just how important it was and had to quickly adapt.
The growth of TikTok this year is especially noteworthy. Coming into 2020, TikTok was already quickly gaining steam as the most popular app for Generation Z. But it’s popularity increased enormously during the pandemic as we looked for fun diversions while we stayed at home. By May, TikTok topped 2 billion downloads worldwide. As more companies started joining the platform, TikTok even launched a new brand and platform called TikTok for Business.
In-Person Events Move Online
All in-person gatherings came to a halt, including conferences, trade shows, meetings and interviews. As a result, companies learned how much could be accomplished via email. And when there was a need to meet face-to-face, Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms rose to the task. Since large in-person gatherings are still unlikely to happen anytime soon, marketers are continuing to discover what works best for their business, like virtual fire-side chats, live-streams on Facebook and Instagram virtual workshops and more.
Consumers Expect More
COVID-19 guidelines changed every day, especially in the early weeks of the pandemic. Businesses had to maintain a high response level in keeping customers updated on protocol and operations. Likewise, if a business closed due to an employee testing positive for the virus, full transparency was critical in alerting customers.
The other defining moment of 2020 was the social justice movement. Brands were forced to come to terms with their identity and what they stood for and could no longer stay silent on certain issues.
Creating Content on The Fly
Working from home brought on a new host of challenges when it came to creating content. Scheduling professional video and photo shoots was not as easy as it once was. As a result, many of us became home photographers and videographers. While some of the digital assets in 2020 are certainly less polished as a result, it also saved businesses’ money and demonstrates that creating photos and videos doesn’t have to cost a lot.
Are you ready to develop your marketing plan for 2021? The Social Ape team is here to help you navigate the challenges! Contact us today to get started.
