10 Marketing Trends to Look Out For in 2024

10 Marketing Trends to Look Out For in 2024

Illustrated graph chart for social media growth
Illustrated graph chart for social media growth

Marketers live for the newest products, innovations, and trends. These new and innovative techniques help brands engage their customers and stay at the forefront of what’s popular. But sometimes, it can be challenging to predict where the industry will shift. 

Will VR allow for more immersive programs? Should the company invest in chatbots and integrate them into other marketing channels, such as email and social media? How can marketers use branded links and campaign analytics to understand their target audiences better and achieve desired results? 

Looking toward the coming year, marketers should consider these 10 digital marketing trends as they create their 2024 calendars and roadmaps.  

Note: Brands discussed in this article were found during our online research.

1. More personalization with data

Marketing has been trending toward personalization for years now, and 2024 will be no exception. As data analytics improve and consumers have to part with more and more information to get what they want, it’s no wonder consumers expect a 1:1 customer experience

Marketers who embrace CRM systems, AI algorithms, and predictive analytics will have an easier time segmenting their customers. In turn, they’ll better understand better what individuals and groups are looking for. 

However, this is a somewhat tricky time for marketing campaigns. Consumers may value personalization, but they also value privacy. As we head toward a cookieless future, the key is to use tools that meet compliance standards and provide valuable insights about the person behind the engagement. 

Future trends in marketing are likely to take data-driven personalization a step further. For instance, real-time customization will tailor the content to the customer based on their interaction with the brand. Once the algorithms interpret why the person visited the platform, it can show them what they need to make the next decision. 

Companies like Starbucks have enjoyed extreme success by constantly revamping their personalization strategies. In the Starbucks app, customers can reorder their favorites and get personalized recommendations based on their preferences. It comes down to whether the customer feels seen by the brand they’re purchasing from. 

2. Emphasis on influencer marketing

Influencer marketing has long been a popular tactic, but in the last few years, savvy brand strategists have upped their game. While Instagram and YouTube remain strong contenders, predictions expect TikTok to come out on top in 2024 as consumers crave more transparency from the people they follow. 

The latest trends show that companies continue shifting their focus from macro-influencers to micro-influencers. People with small but devoted followers may deliver better returns than bigger names. 

Tracking is also starting to change—affiliate links are now only one tool in a company’s arsenal. From vanity metrics to coupon codes, there are more ways than ever to see who’s bringing in the traffic and what their audience does once they’re engaged with the brand. 

Coca-Cola, Lululemon, and Sephora have all worked with influencers who promoted their products with resounding success. The secret was that these influencers had no problems touting a product they already knew and loved and could convince their followers that they might just love it, too. 

3. Short, snappy video content 

Short-form video is checking off so many boxes for attention-strapped consumers today. In just a few seconds, your audience can get an overview of your latest marketing efforts and then decide if they want to learn more. 

It’s not always easy to cram your most important messaging points into TikTok or Instagram reels, but the people who do will have a running head start in 2024. 

For better videos, we recommend you:

  • Jump right in: This is no time for preambles about what you’re up to. Immediately discuss what you’re doing and how you’re different to make an impact. 

  • Know your audience: You need to grab your audience’s attention right away, and you can’t do that without knowing exactly what they’re looking for.

  • Invest in equipment: Video is an effective marketing tool, and that’s unlikely to change any time soon. We recommend investing in quality lighting, cameras, and editing tools for the best results. 

  • Incorporate storytelling: Storytelling can do more than entertain—it can leave a lasting brand impression. From Gen Z to Millennials, everyone can appreciate a compelling narrative.

Short videos can drive traffic to your brand in a way that long commercials can’t. For instance, Sassy Woof created a funny, cute brand introduction reel showcasing their products and their team members (including a few precious pups). This was more than just a cute reel—it was a clip that could stick with the audience long after the video was over. 

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4. Visual storytelling 

Visual storytelling is a way to impart your values and brand messaging using images rather than words. Photos, infographics, animations, logos, and videos can all help convey how a brand originated and evolved. 

Even if your customers can’t quite express it, the consistency and vibrancy of visuals can significantly impact the associations they form with your brand. For instance, Toyota’s logo is a loopy version of the letter T. It’s a creative way of representing the brand, even if you don’t consciously catch the connection. 

We recommend extending your visuals to product packaging for a more enhanced brand experience. From simply adding your logo and brand colors to designing a brand mascot to feature on your packaging, visual elements can create a more memorable unboxing experience.

5. VR and AR integrations through transmedia 

Transmedia storytelling is the art of telling a story across multiple platforms—like when Marvel releases a Netflix series and a movie about the same character. Brands can take this concept to new heights in 2024 with new technology like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools.  

With augmented reality and virtual reality technology, marketers can connect with different kinds of people interacting over other mediums and channels. There are multiple tools that marketers can leverage for this tip. 

QR Codes are especially useful here, as they can bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences. For example, you might use a QR Code on your product packaging to link to an immersive AR product demo. 

Companies like Kinder have created apps where children can scan toys to bring them to life. In doing so, the company fosters a deeper connection to the products and the brand. 

6. AI-powered content 

Artificial intelligence (AI) can generate more than just a few paragraphs on well-worn subjects. From photos to personalized content, AI is changing how marketers approach their jobs. In 2024, there will be numerous opportunities to integrate the technology into chat features, blogs, social media marketing, website updates, and more. 

However, some marketers have already fallen prey to the pitfalls of AI. Not only can it devalue some of the contributions of human beings, but the technology is far from perfect. 

AI is only as good as the content that feeds it. If everything becomes a copy of a copy, it can be more challenging to stand out from the crowd. Still, AI will continue to evolve in content marketing, likely becoming more attuned to individual customer needs. 

Nike is already using AI-driven algorithms to generate custom footwear, allowing people to get exactly the shoes they want. There will be endless opportunities next year to leverage the best parts of AI and leave the rest behind. 

7. Live streams

Live streams have been on the rise because they’re an exciting, real-time way for brands to reach their audiences. TikTok, YouTube shorts, Dacast, Twitch, Instagram, and Vimeo Livestream are just a few platforms that will receive countless visits in 2024. 

To appeal to both current and potential customers, we recommend you:

  • Interact with the audience in real time.

  • Invest in a quality camera, microphone, mixer, and video encoder.

  • Choose a platform that will resonate with your audience.

  • Create a content schedule and stick with it.

  • Back up all of your work so you can repurpose it later.

The best way to monetize your content is to provide value to the viewer. You might have a product demo for a customer segment that shows them exactly how to use the product to improve their personal or professional lives. 

For instance, when Aldo debuted its spring line in 2021, they paired a celebrity stylist and TikTok influencer to discuss which clothing items were their favorites. It turned out to be a fun way to get people talking about the newest additions. 

8. Focus on social value

Brands that stand firm on their social values have a way of connecting with their customers. Social value can be a way to distinguish your brand from your competitors and cement your story into the public consciousness. 

However, this marketing trend is not about performing for the customer or parroting back their words. Genuinely committing to a cause, whether that’s easing poverty or saving the environment, will go much further than simply posting a few comments about the latest headlines. 

BOBS by Skechers has done a fantastic job integrating their charitable work into every purchase. In addition to donating a pair of shoes for every pair purchased, they’ve also partnered with Petco to generously support animal welfare organizations. 

Whether it’s a corporation or a small business, choosing the right social causes can improve a brand’s sustainability and drive more exciting content creation.

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Get started with custom short links, QR Codes, and Bitly Link-in-bios.

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9. Mix-and-match content

No matter how niche a brand is, chances are marketers have a more extensive array of audience segments than they may initially realize. 

Mix-and-match content allows marketers to reach out to different potential customers without compromising their brand message. Whether it’s interactive content (like polls or quizzes), digital ads, or podcasts, you can tailor the content of each campaign so it lands with your target demographic. 

This marketing trend will be highly dependent on the company’s analytics. When teenagers want user-generated content and young adults crave a more direct approach, the right campaign tracking tools can reduce waste across the board. 

This is a highly malleable trend in that there are endless potential strategies, but one that’s worth taking the time to get right. 

Social media search functionality has become far more sophisticated over time. Today’s algorithms personalize results by leveraging social connections and data to generate results that align with the customer’s interest. To achieve better search engine optimization (SEO), marketers have to keep up with the changes. 

For a better chance at rising above the competition, you should:

  • Switch it up with new content: Everything from live streams to photos can help you improve your reach. 

  • Research keywords: They tend to change fast on social media. 

  • Include a call to action (CTA): People are busy and can be distracted. If there isn’t a clear next step, they may scroll right past a digital marketing message.

Voice and visual search capabilities are also becoming more popular. So 2024 is an excellent time to learn how social media helps people find what they’re looking for regardless of how they begin their queries. 

How Bitly can boost your marketing strategies in 2024

If you’re looking for an advantage in 2024, Bitly has several tools that can give you a competitive edge. 

Data-driven insights for personalized marketing and influencer strategy

Bitly’s analytics give you a better understanding of your audience: how they think, what they need, and where they are. Bitly links don’t simply track the source site—they show which campaigns, keywords, and messages resonate with your customer segments. 

If you want to gauge how personalized content or influencer strategy drives revenue, you can do it through Bitly’s digital marketing solutions. Plus, we offer full-scale support if you have questions along the way. 

Enhancing content engagement across formats

Bitly can help you optimize a variety of content formats, whether you’re making short videos or telling an interactive story. When you integrate short, branded Bitly links into your content, you can improve how people engage with your brand. 

From offline marketing to Instagram stories, custom short links increase brand awareness and recognition and make it easy for audiences to engage with your content. 

Customers will sooner trust a short, branded link than a long URL full of UTM parameters. With Bitly’s advanced analytics, you can track the performance of every link to see exactly what’s working and what’s not and tailor your campaigns accordingly.

Bridging the digital and physical worlds through QR Codes

QR Codes can be a portal from the real world to the digital. With Bitly QR Codes, customers can find additional information about your products, services, brand, initiatives, sales, charitable contributions, and so much more. 

These codes can be the key to creating more seamless connections. If a customer has questions or they’re just curious about what your brand is and what it can offer, you can link to more information using a URL QR Code.  

Streamlining content strategy with analytics 

Bitly can refine content strategies across platforms, whether you’re targeting Twitch, Facebook, or YouTube. The tracking features and reports from Bitly go far beyond just raw data. 

You can optimize your mixed-content strategies when you can see how people react, especially if you want to understand consumer behavior in real time. The reports aren’t just easy to read (thanks to our user-friendly interface and custom prompts); they also give you the kinds of insights that make for more profitable decisions. 

Boosting visibility through targeted campaigns

For brands that need to rise above the noise, marketers can use campaign management analytics to target people who identify most with their values. You can use Bitly links to drive traffic and analyze the results as you develop your campaigns.

By creating short branded links with Bitly, you can seamlessly use your links in more places and enhance your brand awareness. People are also more likely to follow a branded link that shows them exactly where they’re going. Plus, Bitly offers powerful analytics to help you get granular insight into how each link performs. 

Targeted campaigns can be particularly useful for small businesses having trouble making their mark. When marketers can see which keywords, videos, and promotions drive interest, it can take the pressure off. 

Build a stronger marketing strategy with Bitly’s tools

Now is the time to think about all of next year’s potential. The year 2024 will likely see the rise of video content, influencer marketing, AR/VR integrations, and AI-powered content. 

Some of these trends are relatively established in the marketing world, while others are just getting started. As with all trends, brands that plan ahead will have the advantage—and Bitly has tools that can help. 

From link management to QR Code integration, you can look to these tools to devise better campaigns and get a handle on how each performs over time. 

If you’re a marketer ready to hit the ground running in 2024, find the best Bitly plan for you today!