“It’s like trying to find gold in a silver mine.” Honky Cat, Elton John
In today’s rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape, finding valuable insights can feel like searching for gold in unexpected places. Where can marketers go to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive? Events like DigiMarCon Southeast Atlantic conference, held in Charlotte, NC in June 2024, provide the answer. These gatherings bring together industry luminaries to share cutting-edge strategies, innovations, and insights. As both a DigiMarCon marketing digital PR masterclass keynote speaker and an engaged attendee, I’m thrilled to share key takeaways that can elevate your marketing game. Join me here and on my podcast, Growing Social Now, as we explore the golden nuggets of wisdom mined from this exceptional event.
Seven Top 2024 Digital Marketing PR Strategies
The Evolution of PR and Digital Marketing with Barbara Rozgonyi
The big message here? Integrate PR with your digital strategy for maximum impact by:
- Developing a panoramic PR [personality + reputation] approach. Blend your brand’s personality with its reputation in all communications.
- Creating social news releases. Transform those dry press releases into engaging social media content.
- Leveraging AI for PR. Use AI tools to enhance SEO, automate content creation, and track PR outcomes.
According to Cision’s 2023 Global Comms Report, 71% of PR professionals now use AI tools in their work. If you’re not on board yet, it’s time to catch up!
In my session, “PR in the Digital Age: Amplifying Your Brand’s Voice Through Integrated Marketing” we reviewed a case study that showed a digital marketing PR speaker press release landing on page one for a top keyword within 24 hours of the press release. You can get on Google ASAP!
The AI Revolution in Digital Marketing Strategy
Takeaway: Embrace AI to streamline processes and enhance personalization. Here’s your action plan:
- Use AI for content creation. Experiment with tools like ChatGPT for generating ideas and drafting content.
- Implement AI-driven personalization. Use AI insights to tailor marketing efforts to individual consumers.
- Upskill your team. Focus on developing AI-related skills like prompt engineering.
A recent McKinsey study found that 50% of companies have adopted AI in at least one business function. Are you part of that 50%?
The Power of Emotional Customer Experience Connections
The key? Focus on creating emotional bonds with your audience to drive brand loyalty. Try these:
- Develop core memory campaigns. Create marketing initiatives that tap into nostalgia or personal experiences.
- Craft emotionally resonant content. Use storytelling techniques that evoke strong emotions in your audience.
- Establish brand rituals. Develop consistent, memorable touchpoints in your customer journey.
Here’s a stat that’ll knock your socks off: According to a Motista study, customers with an emotional connection to a brand have a 306% higher lifetime value. That’s huge!
Short-Form Video Digital Marketing Dominance
If you’re not prioritizing short-form video content, especially for younger audiences, you’re missing out. Here’s what to do:
- Create platform-specific video content. Tailor your videos to the unique features of each social platform.
- Experiment with various video formats. Try tutorials, behind-the-scenes clips, or user-generated content.
- Optimize for mobile viewing. Ensure your videos are easily viewable on mobile devices.
TikTok reports that 73% of users feel a deeper connection to brands they interact with on the platform. That’s a connection you can’t afford to miss.
Community Management and Social Media Engagement for Brand Relationships
Active community management is crucial for building strong customer relationships. Here’s how to nail it:
- Develop a community management strategy. Set guidelines for engagement and response times.
- Encourage user-generated content. Create campaigns that inspire your audience to share their own content.
- Use social listening tools. Monitor conversations about your brand to identify opportunities for engagement.
Sprout Social found that 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them on social media. Are you meeting that expectation?
Authenticity and Social Responsibility to Build Consumer Trust
This one surprised me. Demonstrate genuine commitment to values and social causes to build trust with consumers. Here’s how:
- Clearly communicate your brand values. Share your mission and the causes you support across all channels.
- Implement sustainable practices. Take concrete actions to reduce your environmental impact and share your progress.
- Engage in meaningful partnerships. Collaborate with organizations that align with your values.
A 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer report shows that 71% of consumers trust brands that put society and people ahead of profits. It’s time to walk the talk, folks!
Data-Driven Marketing Strategies to Focus on Higher ROI and Closer Customer Experience
Finally, use data analytics to inform and refine your marketing strategies. Here’s your game plan:
- Develop detailed buyer personas. Use data to create comprehensive profiles of your target audience.
- Implement A/B testing. Regularly test different elements of your marketing campaigns to optimize performance.
- Utilize predictive analytics. Use AI-powered tools to forecast trends and consumer behavior.
According to Salesforce, 78% of marketers say their customer engagement is data-driven. If you’re not in that 78%, it’s time to crunch some numbers!
Content developed in collaboration with AI based on Barbara Rozgonyi’s notes and insights.
2024 Digital Marketing PR Conference Speakers
- Chad Petersen, Lead Story Catcher, The Story Catcher LLC
- Austin Armstrong, CEO, Syllaby
- Michael Tucker, Founder, Conversion Store Inc.
- Julie Murphy, VP – Marketing, Commercial Credit Group Inc.
- Sunny Dublick, Owner & Chief Opportunity Officer, Sunny Dublick Marketing
- Fernando Angulo, Senior Market Research Manager, Semrush
- Barbara Rozgonyi, CEO, CoryWest Media LLC
- Christina Garnett, EMBA, Chief Customer Officer, Pocket CCO
- Nisha Kashyap Creative Director, Sociallyin
- Dennis Yu, CEO, BlitzMetrics
- Jedediah Jenk, Venue Operations Manager, DigiMarCon
- Beth Magee, VP Marketing, GSI
- Lorenzo Morales, Senior Manager, Digital Marketing, Electrolux
From AI-driven strategies to the power of emotional connections, the conference provided a goldmine of actionable insights.
As we navigate the ever-changing digital landscape, events like DigiMarCon remind us of the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. By implementing these strategies and staying attuned to emerging trends, we can lead our industries to a brighter future as we positively impact our world.
About DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2024 Charlotte Digital Marketing Conference
Each year, DigiMarCon holds Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conferences & Exhibitions in 40 international cities, across 18 countries worldwide plus seven dedicated virtual conferences. DigiMarCon South Atlantic 2024, in Charlotte, NC, is the region’s premier digital marketing conference. DigiMarCon features cutting-edge presentations from industry-leading speakers, showcasing emerging strategies, innovative technologies, and best practices in digital marketing. The conference is designed to help attendees enhance customer loyalty, boost sales, improve lead generation, and increase consumer engagement through effective digital marketing techniques.
About Barbara Rozgonyi: Digital Marketing Trailblazer and Keynote Speaker
Barbara is the founder of CoryWest Media, a creative consulting, coaching, and training services. firm. CoryWest honors two legendary storytellers, Barbara’s mother [Cory] and grandmother [West]. As an innovative creative engine for clients, Barbara empowers businesses and individuals to light up their 4D PR presence to engage key relationships, grow thought leadership, and accelerate success.
Barbara’s diverse expertise in marketing, communications, and technology equips her as a trusted advisor for organizations ranging from Fortune 50 companies to the Federal Reserve to global small businesses via the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. One of the world’s original social media thought leaders, Barbara’s social media presence goes back to 2005. Her award-winning blog, wiredPRworks.com launched in 2006 and houses over 1200 marketing, communications, and PR articles.
In 2008, Barbara founded Social Media Club Chicago, which grew to be the third-largest club in the world. Nokia chose Barbara as one of two social media experts to represent the U.S. at Social Media Week Berlin. Her third podcast, “Growing Social Now,” features interviews with Barbara’s friends in high places about what’s going on now and what’s next in digital communication. In 2023, she completed Positive Intelligence PQ coach training. Barbara is passionate about showing individuals and teams how to integrate mental fitness into life’s many challenging applications by installing a new operating system.
An author, Barbara contributed the LinkedIn chapter to “Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars,” and the PR chapter to “Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars.” An international speaker and global sales trainer, Barbara presents live and virtual programs to teams in Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Barbara lives in Charlotte, NC where she loves getting away to hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, swim in the Atlantic Ocean, and soak up nature on backyard trails with her dog, Holly Wood. An avid photographer and adventurous naturalist, Barbara loves capturing everyday life in pictures. Discover how to power up, speed up, and lead up with Barbara and the CoryWest Media team at https://BarbaraRozgonyi.com.
