In 2023 marketing really seems to be the age of the future… we’re talking AI, the metaverse and bots…. am I sounding like a science fiction novel yet? It’s hard to imagine this but we really are living in the future. With trips to space a reality, cars that drive themselves – we are here!

But for small businesses, does any of this really have an impact on the way you run and manage your business? At a large scale, not really, but it does have small and important effects which you need to know about, adapt to and embrace – or else drop by the wayside to your competitors.

The Big Stuff That Seems Too Out Of This World

The Metaverse

The metaverse is being talked about everywhere. Big companies are investing into metaverse experiences, including brands like Nike, Samsung and Coca-Cola. It’s a real thing, and it’s getting bigger. It’s a virtual space where humans can act and interact in ways they cannot in the physical world. Big brands are able to create worlds where the brand ethos and lifestyle is paramount, they can build brand loyalty and ambassadorship through gamification and if we take it one step further in the world of marketing, it’s an immersive touchpoint that helps build, enforce and solidify the customer experience.

So, do you really need to worry about the Metaverse as a small business owner? At this point, no. It’s enough to be aware of it, even get involved personally if you’re interested in it. For early adopters, entrepreneurs and businesses with a big brand vision you may have a keen eye for opportunities for your own business, but it’s enough to keep an eye on competitors, look at different use cases and see if anything can apply to you.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A robot walks into your office with a warm cup of coffee it’s made for you. They sit down at the computer and start writing a blog post for you. One of these statements is possible, and a reality for you today. But it’s not the only way AI plays a part in digital marketing. Algorithms are hard at work in your digital ad campaigns, delivering your message to the right people at the right time. Your social media posts are seen by the people most likely to get engagement. The best thing is, it’s constantly learning and optimising to get you the best results.

As a small business owner, it’s hard to know and trust AI unless you understand how it works for you. If you're uncertain or uneasy about it, talk to a professional to find out exactly what the latest opinions are and how they can affect your business. We usually recommend using more automated strategies for Google Ads and Meta Ads campaigns because the technology is so far advanced when it comes to ad effectiveness that it usually outperforms manual adjustments (but not always!). As professionals, we know what to pick up on if the system isn’t delivering expected results, and steps to adjust to send it in the right directions.

Read more about bots and AI in this blog post.