Social media marketing has changed forever!
Digitalization has completely changed how we reach and connect with customers on social media. Before, marketing relied on traditional methods like print ads and billboards but now we use digital campaigns powered by data. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn give us detailed information about who our audience is, what they like, and how they behave. With this data, I can create content that speaks directly to them, spend money wisely and get better results. Marketing tools have also made life easier. Tools like Hootsuite allow me to schedule posts in advance, while platforms like HubSpot help manage customer relationships. These tools save time and let me focus on creative ideas and strategies instead of annoying repetitive tasks. Brands can now also talk to customers with quick engagement and this builds trust and shows customers that brands really care.
Cool technical advancements of the future
Digitalization will continue to bring new changes and opportunities to social media marketing because artificial intelligence, for example, is already helping marketers analyze data and predict trends and do so many different tasks. But in the future, AI will play an even bigger role and help to design better campaigns, create personalized experiences and improve customer service through chatbots, which is really cool.
Virtual reality (VR) will also change the way people experience products. Customers will be able to try products virtually, like testing out a piece of furniture in their home or trying on clothes online. This will make shopping more fun and engaging. In addition, voice-based marketing is also on the rise with cool tools like Alexa more people are using voice commands, so marketers will need to explore audio based advertising and content even more. At the same time, more advanced analytics help a lot because we will know exactly which strategies are working and how to get the best return on investment.
Are there risks in digital society?
Digitalization offers many benefits but also comes with risks which one of the biggest concerns is data privacy. In a digital society, peoples’ personal data is constantly being collected and stored and if it’s not handled carefully, it can lead to security breaches and hackers benefitting from it. On top of this, social media makes it easy for fake news and false information to spread quickly and as marketers, it’s our job to make sure the content we share is accurate and trustworthy. Another risk is becoming too dependent on technology. Automation and AI save time but they can make marketing feel less human. Finding the right balance between technology and human creativity is important
and that is something I’m still figuring out every day in marketing.
GDPR makes a difference
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), started in 2018, has had a big impact on how businesses use customer data because it requires companies to be more transparent about how they collect and use data. It help build trust with customers. Stronger security measures have also been put in place to protect personal information and for marketers like me, GDPR has been both helpful and challenging. On the positive side, it ensures that the data I work with is from people who have willingly shared their information. On the otherside, GDPR has made it harder to collect data and following all the rules can be complicated and time-consuming. However, GDPR is a necessary step to create a safer digital world.
AI’s potential
Artificial intelligence is one of the most exciting developments in digital marketing in my opinion. AI tools can analyze huge amounts of data and this helps marketers understand what works and what doesn’t way quicker than normally. We can now also improve targeting, so ads reach the right people at the right time. Tools like ChatGPT are good to ask stupid questions from instead of having to ask a real person. For this exercise, I asked ChatGPT a few legal questions regarding GDPR in Finland and the responses were accurate. However, it is always important to trace the sources of what answers AI gives to make sure it’s truly correct.
In addition, AI can save a lot of time and resources but it’s not perfect. Relying too much on AI can make campaigns feel robotic and take away creativity. There are also concerns about AI replacing jobs or producing biased results. Marketers need to use AI as a tool to enhance their work, not as a replacement for human ideas and emotions. I personally don’t think too many jobs are being replaced, as there are always new roles emerging with technical advacements in the society.
What I’ve learned?
I’ve learned that being adaptable is key because digitalization is always changing and staying updated with the latest tools and trends is important. I’ve also realised that while technology is important, it’s equally important to focus on human connections and potential. Good marketing is about understanding people, not just numbers and data or doing everything the easy way.
I’ve studied a lot of GDPR and it has shown me the value of being ethical and transparent when using customer data. It has made me more aware of the importance of privacy and trust but I’ve also started to explore the potential of artificial intelligence, but I know there is much more to learn. Understanding how to use AI responsibly and creatively will be crucial in the future.
So, digitalization has completely transformed social media marketing and it gives us new ways to connect with audiences and measure success. These changes bring many opportunities but they come also with responsibilities, like protecting data, being ethical and balancing technology with creativity.
Sanni S