Z Connections | Edition #13 Jan 10 | DON'T MISS THE TRENDS OF 2010!
Article by Jacob Hunt

Emerging tech trends are changing the way we consume information, interact and relate to business.

The challenge is on: keep up with the changing needs of the market or drift to irrelevance.

Zadro is excited by the opportunities ahead. Capitalising on the digital revolution allows us to communicate in more direct and targeted ways than ever before!

It's time to brush up on basics and suss out the latest craze.

1. Redefine your value
 
Consumers will be bombarded with emails, tweets and Facebook messages this year. What genuine value can you offer to capture consumer interest? Identify the need you can satisfy and differentiate yourself from the mass.
 
2. Content is key
 
Unlock your audience with engaging content. Adidas produced a free app to guide iPhone users through the street art of Berlin - nothing to do with sports shoes, perhaps, but it sure got the attention of their target market and aligned the brand with a strong subculture.
 
3. Embrace the community
 
Online networks have established a collective intelligence that consumers trust - an Ebay seller is deemed reliable if they are rated highly and if a Facebook page has 10,000 fans, it's probably worth checking out. Don't underestimate the power of social media communities - like 'word of mouth' marketing on steroids, they can make or break your brand.
 
4. Get intimate online
 
Advertise on TV and you'll reach a huge audience, but are they actually interested in your brand? Online you can target your ideal customer. Google Adwords and Facebook Ads will connect you with the people who have already expressed interest in your product through a search or social choice.
 
5. Review, adapt, and repeat.
 
You may be wary of wasting time and money on digital marketing with no tangible result. Campaign verification is crucial to know whether your online efforts are actually having an effect. Fortunately, there are a host of tracking tools that make detailed analysis a breeze.
 
Review the results of your digital marketing, adapt your strategy and repeat the process until you've honed in on your ideal customer with an engaging offer of genuine value.