What’s next in marketing? Let’s get real.
Ah, digital marketing. The love of our lives, the bane of our existence. If you’re feeling like the digital landscape is giving “it’s not you, it’s me” energy lately, you’re not alone. Remember the good ol’ days? Back when spending 30 minutes engaging with people on Instagram could skyrocket your following? Or when a hyper-stylized flat-lay product photo was the ultimate #contentgoals?
Now? It’s a whole new world out there. One viral TikTok can blow up your follower count overnight, but does it move the needle? Is it just me, or is getting actual results harder than ever before? If you’re frustrated, same. If you’re confused, also same. But here’s the thing: the game is changing, and we need to change with it. So, what’s next? Let’s dive in.
The era of relatable content (and the struggle it brings)
Overly produced content is officially out. No more drone shots of avocado toast or perfectly arranged flatlays that took three hours to style. These days, it’s all about relatable, everyday content that feels real. That means blurry selfies, behind-the-scenes chaos, and a “just hit record and go” vibe.
This shift has democratized content creation (yay!) but also made it harder to stand out. Everyone with a phone and a personality is now a content creator. Add in platforms like TikTok, where the algorithm seems to have a mind of its own, and things get tricky.
Sure, your video might hit a million views—but will it lead to sales?
You can rack up thousands of likes on an “authentic” post, but does it actually build brand loyalty?
Sometimes, it feels like we’re all chasing clout without a clear strategy for turning it into conversions.
Where did the results go?
Let’s be honest. We’re not getting the same results we used to. Social media algorithms are more fickle than ever, ad costs are rising, and attention spans are shrinking faster than a cotton T-shirt in the dryer. The old playbook doesn’t work anymore.
And here’s a hot take: I don’t trust any marketer who says they have the formula for success. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy that magically works for every client. If someone tells you they can guarantee results? Run. Fast.
This isn’t to say digital marketing is broken—it’s just evolving. And we need to evolve with it.
What’s next? Experimentation, creativity, and adaptability
Here’s the truth: I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is this: we adapt, or we die.
Heading into next year, I’m embracing a mindset of experimentation. We’re not going to rest on the same tired strategies and hope they miraculously work again. Instead, we’re going to get creative, try new things, and double down on what works.
Testing New Strategies and Platforms: We’re exploring fresh approaches to how we engage audiences, connect with communities, and showcase brands. The goal? To uncover untapped opportunities and redefine what success looks like in this evolving landscape.
Data-Driven Insights: It’s time to go beyond vanity metrics like views and likes and focus on what actually matters—conversions and ROI.
Owned Marketing Channels: SEO, email marketing, and website content are more important than ever. If social media goes haywire, these channels are our safety net.
Content That Connects: Instead of chasing virality for the sake of it, we’re focusing on storytelling, community building, and creating content that resonates.
The bottom line
Digital marketing is hard right now. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t paying attention. But that doesn’t mean we throw in the towel. It means we work harder, smarter, and more creatively. It means we embrace the chaos, try new things, and stay nimble.
I don’t know exactly what’s next for digital marketing, but you can bet your ass I’m going to figure it out. Because that’s what we do as marketers. We adapt. We innovate. We keep going, even when the algorithms, trends, and results make us want to scream into the void.
So, here’s to next year—to getting creative, getting scrappy, and figuring out what’s next together.