Welcome to the MRKT - Hey Rhody Marketing Roundup Newsletter, brought to you by Hey Rhody Media Co.! This newsletter is your go-to for small business insight, including the latest trends, resources, and success stories in marketing and the small business community, hitting your inbox every other week.

We're looking forward to helping your business grow!

In Today’s Email:

What to Know:

What Digital Audiences Want in 2024: 5 Key Trends to Guide Your Strategy

Curious about what digital audiences are craving in 2024? We’ve got the inside scoop. From immersive experiences and nostalgic comforts to niche communities and guaranteed value, here are five key trends that will shape your marketing strategies in the coming year.

1. Creating New Worlds: Audiences want immersive, multi-sensory brand experiences that capture their imagination and provide a holistic journey, both online and offline.

2. Less Stress, More Rest: Nostalgia, comfort creators, and analog simplicity are key. People are tired of doomscrolling and crave content that soothes and reassures.

3. Close Friends Only: Smaller, niche communities, DMs, and private chats are replacing open social media platforms as people seek safer, less overwhelming spaces.

4. Feeling the Feels: Authentic, raw experiences like sports and fandoms are taking over. Shared moments with real emotions resonate deeply.

5. Guaranteed Value: Consumers want meaningful products that reflect their values. Brands need to be transparent and deliver quality to earn their trust.

Keep Your Instagram Reels Under 90 Seconds for Better Reach

Instagram has shared some valuable insights for creators:

• Reels Duration: Posting Reels longer than 90 seconds can reduce your reach. CEO Adam Mosseri highlighted that Reels exceeding this duration might harm distribution.

• Content Quality: Focus on authentic content. Avoid low-quality material or engagement bait to maintain your audience's interest and trust.

• Post Timing: Sync your post times with other platforms to boost branding and spark more discussions.

• Longer Reels: While you can upload longer Reels, Instagram's data shows that shorter Reels perform better.

• Monetization Challenges: Mosseri discussed the challenges of establishing a fair creator monetization program.

• Subscriptions: Currently, subscriptions have limited relevance for most creators.

To sum up, keep your Reels short and sweet, focus on quality, and align your posts across platforms to maximize your reach and engagement on Instagram.

Hey Rhody Weekly: May 16

What’s Trending:

Are you ready to stay ahead of the curve in 2024? Understanding the latest trends is crucial for small business success. Here are the key trends shaping the small business consumer sector this year:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

- Adoption of AI: More small businesses are using AI for marketing, customer service, and logistics. AI boosts efficiency by cutting down manual errors and saving time.

- Customer Concerns: Despite AI's benefits, consumers worry about its rapid growth and potential misuse.

2. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR):

- Immersive Experiences: Sectors like retail, real estate, and hospitality are using AR and VR to offer virtual try-ons and 360-degree property tours, enhancing customer engagement.

3. Digital Marketing and Analytics:

- Upskilling Teams: Businesses are enhancing their digital marketing skills. Free resources like Google’s Digital Garage are popular for team training.

4. Personalized Customer Experience:

- Tailored Interactions: Customers expect personalized interactions and services. Businesses are focusing on customization to make customers feel valued.

- Customer Education: Providing resources to help customers understand product benefits is becoming crucial.

5. Support for Local and Family-Owned Businesses:

- Conscious Spending: Consumers prefer supporting small, family-owned businesses due to financial constraints and a desire to make impactful purchases.

6. Sustainability and Ethical Practices:

- Environmental Responsibility: Businesses demonstrating strong environmental and social responsibility, like sustainable practices and transparent supply chains, are favored by consumers.

7. Remote Operations:

- Flexible Work Environments: The trend of remote and hybrid work continues, enabling small businesses to access a global talent pool and reduce overhead costs.

8. Data-Driven Insights:

- CRM Systems: Investing in CRM systems to gather and analyze customer data is essential for developing personalized marketing strategies and improving product offerings.

9. Social Proof:

- Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Positive reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content are key in influencing consumer decisions.

10. Increased Digital Integration:

- E-commerce and Social Media: Integrating e-commerce platforms and social media is crucial for expanding customer reach and boosting sales.

These trends underscore the importance of technology, personalized experiences, sustainability, and robust digital marketing strategies for small businesses in 2024

What to Try: Video Trends

1. TREND: “A croissant won’t solve all of your problems”: Perfect for bakeries and coffee shops, but versatile for any product-based business, capture this trend with just one clip featuring your product alongside the phrase "A croissant won't solve all of your problems." For non-croissant items, customize the text overlay. And for "But two might do the trick," showcase a second product.

2. TREND: “It's about time”: Looking for a fun way to boost your product or service? Try this trending sound! Just lip-sync the first clip saying: “It’s about time you fell in love with something that will love you back.” Then, for the second clip, use a transition that keeps the reveal under wraps. When it says “is house music,” unveil what you're promoting instead of "house music."

3. TREND: “Is the Boston Marathon longer than the LA Marathon?”:  Use this trending sound to answer a very common question people ask that has an obvious answer. You can record it with another person. Person 1 lip-syncs, “Not to be stupid but is the Boston Marathon longer than the LA Marathon?” Make sure to add an overlay of your question. Then person 2 can answer by lip-syncing, “No, all marathons are the same length.” For this clip, add the answer to the question as an overlay.

To view an example of each trend, click on the corresponding image:

Join the Essential Community for Marketers

Stay ahead of the curve and join the thousands of marketers shaping the future of marketing with the American Marketing Association. As the largest community-based marketing organization, you’ll find award-winning content, professional certifications (PCM®), industry-leading training events, and vibrant local chapters. Members get access to an abundance of resources, on-demand courses, and the most essential community in marketing.

Get exclusive benefits when you become a member today!

What to Use: Digital Consumer Trends Strategies

Discover fresh content inspiration with these digital consumer trend-based content examples:

B2B Strategies

B2C Strategies

Hospitality Strategies

Please answer the poll below to help us tailor this newsletter to your interests in social media and marketing

What to Try:

• Utilize this infographic for Reel ideas

• Use these templates for your next Instagram post to find trending songs

• Grow your skills with these FREE courses:

  1. How to Use Instagram: A Beginner's Guide

  2. Instagram Marketing for Small Businesses