May: Endings, Beginnings & the Latest in Marketing Trends

In today’s overcrowded digital marketplace, standing out is essential to staying alive. With access to more businesses, services, and options than ever before, today’s consumers are pulled in so many different directions every time they log onto a computer or open their phones. From dynamic social media campaigns to personalized email outreach strategies, businesses are doing all they can and pulling out all the stops to level up their marketing and be the next big thing. 

As we approach the midway point for the year, it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of your marketing strategy and make changes where necessary. What’s working? What’s not working? What’s trending in marketing and what are consumers responding to? These are a few questions you should be asking yourself when evaluating your annual progress and how you can boost performance in the months to come. I’ll go over specific seasonal events to incorporate into your marketing this time of year as well as broader trends that are recently catching fire in the digital world. Let’s dive in and learn how to make your brand the next example of digital marketing prowess. 

‘Tis the season for celebrations

While May and June mark the start of the midway point for the year, for many these months are also full of endings and new beginnings. This time of year marks the end of another school year, brings on graduations, welcomes new chapters, and ushers in many life changes, such as wedding and moving season. While many are getting ready to welcome longer days, warmer weather, and more celebratory events, it’s key that your marketing materials reflect the same buzz of excitement and new beginnings. 

While it may not be necessary to run campaigns for every seasonal trend, you should consider which trends you can incorporate into your brand’s marketing strategy, and how you can capitalize on these events to differentiate yourself. If you’re feeling stuck about updating your materials for a new season, start with something as simple as refreshing your call to actions (CTAs) across your digital materials. Instead of the usual “Sign up” or “Subscribe today,” explore fun, creative ways to generate clicks and buzz around your brand. 

Another way you can revamp your digital presence for this new season is to audit your online materials and make sure everything, from your website to your social media profiles, reflects the light, summery vibes people want to see around this time of year. Consider using lighter colors from your brand’s palette or experimenting with bold, fun copy that speaks to the good vibes of the season. 

Don’t miss out on these marketing trends 

With the rise of AI tools like Chat GPT and Jasper, many professionals in the marketing world predicted that AI would play a huge role in content, strategy, and operations in 2024. While AI has certainly impacted the way we do work, the craze around bots running the world has died down a bit, allowing us to focus on other trends and ways we can better connect with and engage consumers. 

With an increase in digital competition comes an increase in content. Today’s digital world is overflowing with content across all platforms and industries, all with the goal of getting, and keeping, your attention. While it can be overwhelming trying to stand out, this attention economy has shown us that less is more and shorter is better. Try cutting your video content and ads to under 10 seconds. If you can’t translate the message in this timeframe, it might be time for a new message! Master short-form video skills and creative editing for a bigger impact on your audience. 

As consumers are increasingly presented with more and more options to choose from, they start developing higher expectations – especially when it comes to user experience. Don’t let someone rule your brand out simply because of a clunky consumer journey. Invest the time and resources into a frictionless user experience, start to finish, and give your business the chance it deserves to succeed. 

Another trend that is becoming more important in an oversaturated marketplace is personalization – and I’m talking about more than just a “Hi, {first name}” automation in your email service provider tool. In today’s competitive online space, marketing professionals should be going above and beyond to personalize the journey of every community member, from first-time users to recurring subscribers. Are you identifying points of differentiation between your audience segments and how you market to these groups? If not, you could be missing a key way to grow loyalty and trust with your consumers.

Above all, remember to create an exciting journey for your consumers. Your marketing materials should reflect the feel-good vibes of the upcoming summer season and make your audience excited about any celebrations and summer plans ahead. There is already tons of content promoting products and services – try promoting a lifestyle instead.

Conclusion

We’re approaching the midway point for 2024, but this time of year is also an era of endings and beginnings. Many are celebrating new phases in their lives and looking forward to fun times ahead in the summer season. While your marketing strategy and content should reflect this season of celebration with an uplifting tone, design, and copy, it’s also key to follow today’s trending practices to fully engage with your consumers and build a loyal community behind your brand. Remember to create a delightful, personalized journey while also respecting your audience’s time and attention.