2021 is just a few days away.

What a wild year we had in 2020!

Marketing, like most industries, was forced to adapt its traditional methods and strategies to keep up with the unexpected changes this year brought.

We saw increases in digital marketing as firms created or expanded their virtual platform. We saw advances in social media advertising to attract consumers online.

And we definitely saw companies working hard to keep their products and services relevant during this trying time by staying active and persistent with their marketing tactics.

What should we expect for the New Year? Unfortunately, we aren’t out of the woods from the COVID-19 pandemic yet, but this gives marketers the opportunity to continue expanding and building their virtual platform. The pandemic has taught us how important it is to maintain family and friend relations, even if they are only virtual. The same can be said for business relations. Social media usage is still expected to grow, providing an easy route to stay connected with consumers.

Another 2020 trend that is expected to carry into 2021 is increased action and interest in social issues. The Black Lives Matter protests of the summer are still fighting for racial justice around the globe. Younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Zers want to support brands that are in support of particular social issues. Having a social conscience and taking a stand on these issues (and proving that to the customer) is now more important than ever as these generations are entering the workforce and becoming key customers.

2020 has taught us a lot about how quickly the world can change. It is up to marketers to find creative ways to take advantage of the changing world to have a successful 2021.

Cheers to the New Year!