The essentially traditional print ads and TV spots have given way to innovative marketing
methods such as QR codes, co-branding, content marketing, and online advertising. While print
and television are stalwarts in the advertising industry, new technology is allowing advertisers to
reach out to new audiences. These trends might help firms remain ahead of the competition
when it comes to interactive advertising.
Online Advertising
Consumers utilise the internet to search for a variety of items, including businesses and brands.
Advertisers are using tools like Google AdWords to construct online advertising campaigns in
order to capitalise on reaching customers. AdWords is a Google product that allows small
businesses to target their primary clients by creating online adverts with keyword and budget
parameters. Marketing efforts such as search engine optimization (SEO — the process of using
keywords to get a website to rank higher in results rather than using AdWords); social media;
mobile devices such as iPads and other handhelds; display ads; and website banner ads are
among the other trends in online advertising.
Content Marketing
With the launch of social media websites like Facebook and Twitter in 2003, the phrase "social
media" gained popularity. Advertorials (editorially written newspaper or magazine articles that
promote your product), blogs, and any other type of material that is published on the web for
promotional purposes are all examples of content marketing. When it comes to brand
storytelling, content marketing as a kind of advertising is excellent at raising awareness. Content
marketing has reinforced consumer-brand relationships while also providing a new promotional
medium since the development of social media. By running advertorials or having a blog on
their website, small businesses may tap into the power of content marketing.
Co-Branding
Co-branding is a cooperative venture in which two or more businesses combine their advertising
efforts to develop a new consumer product. Isaac Mizrahi and Target, Crest Plus Scope, Ford
F150 trucks and Harley Davidson motorcycles, and Apple and Nike are all recent examples of
co-branding.These companies collaborated to develop new consumer products that increase
brand exposure while picking consumer interest in freshly released products. Small businesses
can follow in the footsteps of large brands by launching a co-branded ad campaign with another
well-known, locally-owned business. For example, a car service centre and a detail shop could
collaborate to produce reciprocal coupons.
QR Codes
A QR code (short for "quick response") is a two-dimensional symbol similar to the UPC code
(Universal Product Code, or "bar code"). When a QR code is scanned by a QR code reader, it
triggers a digital action. In advertising, it's become popular as an interactive technique that
allows customers to scan a code to get more information about a product or campaign. When
scanned with a smartphone, a QR code can perform a variety of tasks, like launching a
webpage, dialling a phone number, or sending an SMS message. Use the QR Code Generator
(see Resources) to create a free QR code and display it on your company's business cards,
brochures, coupons, print ads, and even TV spots.