Happy New Year! We hope you had a fantastic break and are back ready to tackle 2018 head-on.

Each New Year brings a new set of marketing trends and predictions, so we have summarised what we think will be ‘hot’ this year…

1. Clean Data

Ok, so we realise this probably isn’t what you’d describe as a ‘hot trend’, but it is hugely important. The GDPR deadline is looming (25th May) which means your data needs to be squeaky clean.

You need to be able to prove where your data has come from, what it is to be used for, and that you have permission to use it.

If you get caught out, you’ll get just a little more than a slap on your wrist – you’ll get fined either 4% of your global annual turnover, or €20m – whichever is greater.

How productive have your preparations been so far? If you’ve not started looking at it, make it a priority! Know your database and what GDPR allows you to do with your data.

2. Bravery

2017 was a challenging year for some companies for many different reasons, but in the wise words of Hassan Akkad, ‘When the world goes mad, bravery is the safest option’.

2018 is going to be the year of taking risks and ensuring that you stand out in these crazy times. This applies to your marketing strategy – be bold, be brave and be creative – it’s time to have some fun and stand out, not blend in.

3. Brand Purpose

According to thegeniusworks.com, 88% of consumers want brands to be more purposeful. How can your brand really make a difference to people’s lives? Take a look at your brand strategy and see what you can incorporate where. Give your customers another reason to choose you over your competitors.

4. Personalisation

We always talk about the attention span of people, or should we say the lack of… So this year personalisation of your content is crucial. Talk directly to your customers and show them that you understand their likes, dislikes, wants and needs.

Personalisation could come in the form of Virtual Reality, facial recognition and unique content.

Selfridges send out the below email campaign to new subscribers, then personalise their marketing based on their customers interests:

If you’d like to discuss any of these trends and how they can apply to your business, why not book in for a FREE Juicy Marketing Kickstarter 1-2-1 to get your year off to the best start?