For a business to grow and stay relevant, it has to keep adapting and changing with the times. As a small business owner, you wear many hats, as do the other team members, so adding to your already long list of to-do's can be challenging. Here are some of the trends that we are seeing in the small business world…
Reputation Management
The bar has been raised for many consumers; they have high expectations, and they will make a lot of noise if you don't meet that bar. If you aren't paying attention to your reputation via Google Business, Yelp, or wherever else your potential customers are getting their information, then you could be making a big mistake. Managing your reputation and your reviews in 2022 is essential to your business. Make sure to engage with all consumers, but especially with unsatisfied customers. Rectifying mistakes can be as powerful as providing great service in the first place, so make a plan this year to stay on top of customer satisfaction.
Influencers
The need to adapt your marketing strategies and campaigns is an essential part of your business every year. This year is the year of the influencer. Finding individuals who have a large social following on the right social platforms, who would represent your brand well, and who might influence and drive consumers your way is an effective marketing strategy and deserves some thought and consideration. They can help you tell your brand's story and give you, your products, and your services the endorsements they deserve.
Sustainability and Values
There is a social awakening towards products and companies that are making positive impacts or at the very least minimizing their carbon footprint. There is also a huge trend in consumers looking for companies and brands that share the same values regarding the environment and/or social issues. Making your values known, standing behind them, and positively impacting the world is important to consumers and influences their choices in spending and loyalty.
Partner Up
Any partnerships you can form with other businesses will help you and them grow! Find partners that have the same target market, similar values, and people that you want to do business with; work together to build each other's brands! Find companies with which you could have a symbiotic relationship and propose a collaboration. For example, if you are a soap, candle, and lotion maker, it makes sense to find a spa, a hotel, or a resort that might partner with you. If you are a bicycle repair shop, maybe you want to partner with a cycling club?
Videos
Yes, we have talked about it a lot. A video presence is needed to market your products and services. Whether they are videos that tell your brand's story or DIYs that help people use your products, videos are the hottest thing on social, like it or not.
Digital Presence
Digital is critical for all brands. With so many people shopping and ordering services online, a digital presence is key to being found and growing your business. Having a website and producing fully functional, easy to use, and high-ranking content is essential for all small businesses. At Anneomaly Digital, we'd love to help you evaluate and strategize ways to make your website and digital presence work for you. Likewise, if you can expand your brick-and-mortar business to eCommerce, this year might be the year too, like Nike, just do it!
Mobile, Mobile, Mobile
If you aren't already on board, you know that your digital content and services have to be accessible via customers' mobile devices. Any transactions your consumers can do with your business need to be accessible on their tablets and phones.
Artificial Intelligence
I still think of robots every time I hear AI, but it really is around us everywhere, and I have yet to see C-3PO's and R2D2's running or rolling around. USChambers defines it simply, "artificial intelligence is a machine's capacity to mimic human cognition." If you can add a chatbot to your existing website to help provide timely customer service and improve the customer experience, then it might be worth the expense. AI can also be used to improve and streamline your HR and onboarding processes. It can be used to beef up cybersecurity for your network, and customer relationship management tools with AI can provide better analytics of customers to segment your marketing campaigns and make them more effective.
Go Hybrid
If you can evolve your business in any way that makes sense, then consider it! Consider what your consumers want and need, how you can get it to them, and while you are at it, consider what your team wants and needs as well. If some of them can do their work more effectively at home, let them work from home. Whatever makes sense for your business growth should be thrown into the hat for consideration because if we have learned anything, it is to go with the flow! There is no new normal; there is only a lot of change, so evaluating what works and doesn't work for you and your business is really what should be on-trend.
Finally, Consider Mental Health
Brain health is a big concern for mental health specialists. An increasing number of people, maybe everyone, are struggling to keep their ships upright, if we are being honest. Providing mental health breaks, relaxing and stress-relieving activities, and helpful resources for your team and yourself needs to be a priority in 2022.
We know it is tough to think about changing and adding to your already full list of things to do, but we want to help you grow. At Anneomaly Digital, we hope that 2022 is your best year yet, and we'd love to help!