THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL MARKETING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Digital marketing is always evolving. It's why staying up to date with the latest developments is essential if you're going to remain relevant in your field. Whether it's your goal to work for an agency or some of the world's biggest brands, the right digital marketing course is everything. At Vega, a leading brand of The Independent Institute of Education, SA's largest and most accredited private higher education provider, we deliver an IIE Digital BCom Marketing degree that provides the foundation for a dynamic career in a fast-evolving industry.

What trends are paving the way for the future of digital marketing in today's world? Here are a few that stand out for us:

Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

How many times a week do you talk to Alexa or Siri? These virtual assistants are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the way that AI powers digital marketing. From communicating with customers to recommending associated products and tailoring services, the options are endless. This allows businesses to grow, get ahead and even reduce their staff overheads, something any digital marketing course will tell you is absolutely essential.

The rise of Micro-influencers

The use of wildly popular influencers has proven too costly for many brands to consider. Enter micro-influencers, a more affordable and relatable way to market. For smaller entities, choosing a select number of micro-influencers with a following of around 30 000 to 40 000 means access to a niche market. It also delivers a more sincere message as their profiles won't be bursting at the seams with sponsored content.

Shopping via social media

Also known as social commerce, this refers to people purchasing via their social media apps. What first started as brands using social media to promote themselves and drive brand awareness, soon became one of the world's biggest online malls. With consumers being able to purchase and pay without leaving the app, social commerce has really changed the e-commerce game. 

More personalised content than ever before

In today's world, we want personalisation at every level. We want to know that our products, experiences and results can be crafted specifically to suit our needs and preferences. It's why we seek out brands who can provide this and make us feel seen and heard. We want to see content that we resonate with, given information we can use and shown ads for things we'd actually buy. It's why targeted adverts in the digital space can and should be used for maximum impact on a smaller audience. This is opposed to targeting a larger audience for number's sake and only achieving minimum impact.