This Week's Herman Trend Alert

Cyberbullying---a Growing Problem
 

  The Herman Trend Alert

December 23, 2009

Near-Term Future of E-mail Marketing

As we move into economic recovery, marketers are optimistic---optimistic enough to maintain or increase their online marketing spending. Based on a recent survey of 1,057 business executives, online marketing spending will be up in the coming year.

According to the StrongMail "2010 Marketing Trends" report, 89 percent of respondents answered they will either maintain or increase the amount of their marketing spending in 2010. Fifty percent of the executives said they will allocate "additional dollars" to their marketing efforts.

The top two areas that will benefit from this increased spending are social media and e-mail marketing, with 69 percent responding they will increase e-mail spending; 59 percent saying they will increase social media efforts, and 69 percent reporting they will integrate both areas. Moreover, 68 percent of marketers will also work to make better use of the data that is already available to them.

StrongMail's director of corporate marketing Kristin Hersant points out marketers are becoming more sophisticated and "leveraging the viral aspect of the Web". "For example, using targeted segmentation to create a referral program with their top influencers, …[those] most active with their brand", says Hersant.

Better tools are becoming available to help marketers identify their most active customers by examining engagement metrics. (Engagement metrics measure the degree of customer involvement.) These companies can also scan lists to determine which people are involved in social networks, including the networks in which they participate.

Not surprisingly, 46 percent of marketers reported a desire to increase efficiency by adopting segmentation and targeting. "Marketers will also increase relevancy is by using video in e-mail", added Hersant.

Marketers will use video more often to promote opportunities like webinars, training, and product education. There's also a developing technology that turns video into animated GIFs that look like a playing video. A new technology ("Relevance Engines") that makes it easier to test alternative versions of artwork and copy will become more important in 2010.

Our forecast, wise marketers will begin by looking at their current missed opportunities to better target current customer segments. More sophisticated marketers will embrace the new technologies to make their marketing investments go farther.


© Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."


DISCOVER WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON...
in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html.

MOM ALWAYS TAUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO SHARE
You have probably subscribed to The Herman Trend Alert for a while now and you know how valuable it is to you. Why not suggest that your friends sign up at http://www.hermantrendalert.com? Join the thousands who subscribe in 87 countries around the globe. Are there particular topics you'd like to see covered? Let us know and we will research "The Future of. . .". And let us know how else we may serve you? E-mail: joyce@hermangroup.com.

YOUR EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR LEADERS MORE THAN EVER
Help your leaders to excel. Thousands have used our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help their supervisors and managers remember how to hold onto top talent. The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Carol at carol@hermangroup.com. Order today at: http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3.


Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers.

New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert.


Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert
View this week's Herman Trend Alert
Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


[ Home · About · Products · Resources · Media ]

 
7112 Viridian Lane
Austin, TX 78739
Voice: 336-210-3547
Toll Free in US & Canada: 800-227-3566
E-mail: info@hermangroup.com

  © The Herman Group. All rights reserved.

Web site design by WebEditor Design Services, Inc.