How Will the Internet of Things Affect The Future of Marketing?
The engine of modern marketing runs on the fuel of information. As on-line social media advertising becomes more prevalent, and search algorithms increasingly favor a content marketing approach that focuses on constantly providing customers with useful information, staying up to date with the latest and most accurate developments becomes ever more important. Moreover, this fast-paced and ever-changing landscape requires that businesses and marketers continuously monitor on-line customer feedback and track the performance of various marketing campaigns in real time so that they can give their customers what they want, when they want it. Content marketing firms like McCauley Marketing Services have a variety of different tools and techniques for accomplishing these goals, but some of the newest and most intriguing of these opportunities can be found in the emerging “internet of things.”
The “Internet of Things” (or IoT) is a term that refers to an ever-expanding galaxy of products that are equipped with electronics and network connectivity hardware that enables them to tap into the internet and communicate with computers and other internet-linked devices. As wireless networking technology becomes smaller, faster, and more reliable, every-day products like automobiles, refrigerators, and even medical devices have been designed with programmable sensors, allowing them to respond instantly and remotely to users’ needs and demands. Although this technology is still relatively new, the list of IoT devices is rapidly expanding. Overall predictions for the growth of IoT devices in general estimate that the number in use will explode from 4.9 billion in 2015 to 25 billion by 2020.
In the coming years, the Internet of Things will provide virtually limitless opportunities for companies to more directly interact with their customers, and even to tap into social media so they can meet and assist their customers in real time. However, in the short-term, its primary utility for marketers lies in its ability to gather data. These internet-connected products can provide a wealth of information about consumer behavior, including buying patterns, exactly where customers are in their decision making process, and even specific customer likes and dislikes. Once it has been thoroughly examined and interpreted, this data can be used in conjunction with various other tools that analyze website performance to inform decisions about everything from keyword search terms to new blog content.
The ways that we can use the connectivity and data from the emerging “Internet of Things” stretches as far as the imagination, and this brief overview is only the tip of the iceberg. The experienced team of professionals at McCauley Marketing Services works to stay abreast of all the latest innovations in social media and internet advertising so that our clients can avail themselves of every possible opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about how the changing marketing landscape can impact your business, or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our marketing specialists so that you can find a marketing strategy that is right for you, please contact McCauley Marketing Services today. Also, be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to keep informed about all the latest developments.