Marketing is very similar to a chameleon. It keeps changing and evolving. It’s up to you as a business to stay abreast of the future of marketing and keep adapting to the evolving trends and tech.
Today, that means brands need to be more authentic, personalize their messages, and stay flexible to keep up with the ever-evolving demands of consumers.
Whether it's through immersive experiences, voice search, or conversational marketing, the goal remains the same: to create meaningful connections with customers.
In this article, we’ll talk about the evolving marketing trends, see what other businesses are doing to stay ahead of the curve, and show you how to keep up with the change.
Imagine walking through a virtual store from your living room or trying on clothes without touching a physical garment.
Or strapping on a headset and being transported to a concert.
Or test-driving a new car.
Remember, you’re doing all of this from your living room.
That’s Virtual Reality (VR) for you. VR transports users into a wholly digital environment, offering a 360-degree sensory experience.
It’s all the rage right now, especially with the new sensation in the tech world: Apple’s Vision Pro. But the concept isn’t completely new.
Back in 2015, Tommy Hilfiger brought their fashion shows to life with VR headsets in stores, allowing customers to feel like they were front row at New York Fashion Week.
Tommy Hilfiger in-store virtual reality experience (Image Source)
Tommy Hilfiger in-store virtual reality experience (Image Source)
On the other hand, augmented reality (AR) adds digital overlays to your surroundings in the real world. Remember the Pokémon GO craze? That's AR in action. But it's not just for catching virtual creatures.
Brands like IKEA use AR to let customers visualize how furniture would look at a specific spot in their homes before making a purchase. L'Oreal allows users to try on makeup virtually with their AR app, making online shopping a breeze.
IKEA’s AR app helps their customers virtually place furniture at home (Image Source)
It’s not just a passing trend. According to Statista, the AR and VR market is projected to generate revenue of $38.6 billion in 2024.
More and more brands are adopting VR and AR to keep up with the competition and make the shopping experience convenient, interactive, and memorable for their customers.
The future of marketing is not just about what we see—it's about what we say. As we increasingly turn to virtual assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri, voice search is becoming a game-changer.
It's the convenience of asking your device a question and getting an immediate answer. No typing, no scrolling, just talking.
Brands are going out of their way to integrate voice search into their marketing strategies to provide seamless customer experiences.
For instance, all your favorite pizza chains — from Domino's to Papa John's — allow you to order your favorite pizza through Siri.
Not just that, more than half of consumers on the internet are using voice search to find local businesses like "best sushi near me" or "dentist open on Sunday."
The increasing popularity of voice search poses an opportunity for brands to create more engaging, human-centric interactions. Imagine asking your virtual assistant for a recipe, and it not only provides the steps but also suggests products from your favorite grocery brand.
Chatbots and smart assistants are like your helpful friends at the party, ready to answer questions, personalize experiences, and even crack a joke (hopefully a good one).
In the online marketing context, they’re valuable lead-generation machines. The moment potential customers visit your website, the virtual assistant is ready to help them navigate, make recommendations, or even complete a purchase.
For example, Sephora, a leading cosmetic platform, revolutionized chatbots and smart assistants in the beauty industry. Their chatbots are like personal beauty advisors, giving tips and suggesting products that suit the customer’s style while making their online shopping experience more fun and personalized.
Sephora's interactive chatbot example (Image Source)
Smart assistants — which are often integrated into devices like smartphones and smart speakers — are the next level of chatbots. They can perform a range of tasks, from setting reminders to controlling smart home devices.
Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri are leading the charge, becoming household names in the process.
A report by Grand View Research found that the global chatbot market size might reach $1.25 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.3%.
What makes these chatbots and smart assistants so sought after?
Once upon a time, personalization meant inserting a first name into an email. Fast forward to today, and it's a whole new ball game.
Brands are utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze behavior, predict needs, and deliver content that makes customers feel like it’s made just for them.
Netflix's recommendation engine is a prime example, curating watch lists based on your viewing history.
Another name that comes to mind is Spotify. The music streaming giant takes your listening habits and turns them into personalized playlists—like the Discover Weekly, the Daily Drive, or Year in Review—making every user feel like they have their own personal DJ.
Spotify's deep personalization example (Image Source)
To take things further with hyper-personalization, businesses are also turning to account-based marketing, which involves targeting specific high-value leads with tailored messages and offers.
Remember the Facebook privacy scandal of 2018? That was a wake-up call for brands.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about how their data is collected and used. Brands that are transparent about their data practices and give users control over their information are winning hearts (and minds).
For example, Apple's "App Tracking Transparency" feature gives users the option to opt out of being tracked by apps. This commitment to user privacy has been praised by consumers and industry experts alike.
Aside from data tracking, new-age customers are also looking for ethical brands that align with their values. According to a new poll of 2,000 US young adults, when shopping, 51% of participants claimed that they prioritize eco-friendly brands, while 49% look for brands that use naturally sourced ingredients. Nearly 44% of participants also prefer brands with a strong social media presence.
Brands like Patagonia are taking charge by giving explicit information about their ethical manufacturing process and focusing on environmental sustainability.
Patagonia's environment and footprint information (Image Source)
Whether it’s a startup with a small marketing team or an international enterprise, everyone has the challenge of staying relevant and keeping up with the ever-evolving marketing trends.
That’s why you need to create a future-proof marketing strategy. Here’s how you can go about it:
The future of marketing is intertwined with technology. Brands like Nike and Adidas are leading the charge, leveraging augmented reality to enhance the shopping experience.
How will you keep up with the latest trends? Here are some quick tips:
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep an eye on emerging tech trends and assess their relevance to your business to stay ahead of the game.
The customer journey is no longer linear. Users now use multiple channels to interact with brands, both online and offline. An omnichannel strategy helps you meet your customers where they are, allowing you to offer them a seamless and consistent experience across all touchpoints.
A unique example of an omnichannel experience comes from luxury fashion brand Burberry. In their flagship stores, Burberry uses RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) tags embedded in their products.
Burberry's omnichannel experience (Image Source)
When customers pick up an item, nearby screens display its craftsmanship details, personalized recommendations, and runway appearances, creating a seamless checkout process and connection between online and offline shopping.
The only constant in marketing is change. The ability to adapt quickly to market shifts and consumer trends is crucial for long-term success.
Netflix's transition from a DVD rental service to a streaming giant is a testament to the power of adaptability. If you keep a pulse on industry trends and are always ready to pivot your strategy, you’ll likely stay ahead in the game.
Merely publishing blog posts or sending out emails without complementing them with other forms of marketing is a content marketing mistake. Gone are the days when brands could solely rely on content marketing to engage their customers.
Customers are more keen on one-on-one interactions today. Enter conversational marketing — which is all about engaging with customers through real-time, one-on-one interactions, typically using chatbots, messaging apps, or live chat.
No wonder the worldwide chatbot market is slated to reach $454.8 million in revenue by 2027. This is up from $40.9 million in 2018.
Establishing yourself as a strong brand is no longer just about having great products or services. It's about creating an interactive and memorable experience that resonates with your customers.
88% of customers now say the experience a company provides is as important as its products or services—the highest it's ever been.
How will you build a strong, memorable brand? Here are some quick tips:
The future of marketing is about embracing immersive experiences, adopting omnichannel strategies, leveraging data for personalization, and maintaining brand authenticity. Technologies like VR, AR, voice search, chatbots and AI marketing tools are transforming how brands connect with consumers. As marketers, staying agile and adapting to these evolving trends is crucial for success.
For those looking to keep abreast of the evolving future of marketing, MentorCruise offers a valuable resource. It's a platform where you can find experienced marketing mentors to guide you through modern marketing strategies. Whether you're seeking the latest marketing trends or how to scale your marketing efforts, MentorCruise has something for everyone.
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