2010 Marketing - Why WIll Interactive Media Trump Traditonal Marketing Efforts? Part 2

Are you aware of the marketing trends for 2010 and beyond? Awareness of these trends will position you to define a marketing strategy that is profitable for your business.

I base the facts provided from Forrester Research who conducted a survey of 204 marketing executives across multiple industries for US Interactive Marketing Forecast - 2010-2014 report.

Visit Forrester Research at: www.forrester.com to access this report and beyond as they have a wealth of information.

Bottom line: Social Media (Interactive) Will Grow At The Expense of Traditional Media

Part 2 - What Specific Changes Will Be Seen?

1. When asked how funding increases will be targeted for a social media marketing budget - According to Forrester, 60% acknowledge that they will increase budget for social media by shifting money away from traditional marketing. 15% acknowledge that they will increase budget for social media marketing with no change to traditional marketing. Finally 14% acknowledge that they will increase budget for both social media and traditional marketing. This indicates the recognition of the importance that social media plays in an organizations marketing strategy. In addition, it further indicates that while there appears to be a decrease in traditional marketing, it by no means indicates that traditional marketing principles are no longer applied. As always a strong marketing plan aligned with the overall business strategy should be strongly considered while factoring in target market and industry.

2. When asked which of the traditional marketing budgets will be decreased in order to fund increased social marketing. According to Forrester, the surveyed group indicated the following: 40% decrease in direct mail, 35% decrease in newspapers, 28% decrease in magazines, 12% decrease in television, 11% decrease in yellow pages, and an 8% decrease in radio spots. This trend is showing a more conservative approach to traditional marketing and perhaps targeting that approach with a more defined outlook as it pertains to an organizations target market.

3. When asked about the next three years and how marketing effectiveness will increase in terms of mediums, these mediums were targeted in terms of preference in the following order: social media, online video, search engine optimization (SEO), mobile marketing, paid ad placement in social media applications, email marketing, followed by online display of ads. These options for marketing prove to be affordable and effective.

As I write this blog I am in Las Vegas, and as I walk through the various casinos, I am amazed at the advertisements to connect via Facebook or Twitter. Connect to win, download coupons for free offers and beyond. Further, I observe the amount of users who are in constant contact via their mobile devices (not at the table of course) but the amount of contact, not just to have a conversation, but to find a location, a great restaurant or tickets to a show. Social media marketing and mobile marketing are a trend to watch, follow and strategically participate in.