In today's business world you will frequently discuss techniques that are "trending" or socially popular but what happens when a trend fades out of style or looses popularity? This isn't to say that the "tried and true" methods won't suffice and by no means implies that what is currently trending is ineffective. In reality, when brainstorming ideas for your current marketing project you should utilize current trends, just do not use this as an excuse to limit your ideas.
It's Not Trendy.....YET
Just 20 years ago social media was not yet a trending marketing tool. Today, social media is considered not just trending but imperative to a successful marketing campaign. Consider this, marketing has progressed through 5 distinct eras with 2 more in transition currently. The "trending" marketing styles have transitioned every 20 years since the early 1900's. In the mid-19th century marketing efforts were focused on production and the availability of mass quantities of products. The turn of the industrial revolution during this time had a significant influence on the techniques business's used to push quantity over quality.
Move forward to the economic boom created by WWII and you will find the Marketing Department Era. Increase in the socioeconomic status of average consumers led to higher expectations. This forced companies to change their focus from quantity to quality thus creating the in-house marketing departments many larger organizations still maintain today. During this era it was nearly unheard of for an organization to have an entire department designated with the sole responsibility of creating and implementing outbound marketing campaigns.
Currently the market is mid transition from the Relationship Era to the Social/Mobile Era. At the start of this transition it was unimaginable that marketing and advertising would be at the touch of a button and in our back pockets. It took some outside the box thinking to create the techniques being used today.
Bank All of Your Ideas
No idea is too creative or unique. When brainstorming your next marketing project you will come across creative ideas that may not be right for your project or for the times. Do not give up on those ideas altogether. Simply set it aside for when the time is right. You my find that your seemingly over the top idea today is tomorrows marketing trend.
Tip of the Day
Keep a marketing journal handy. Creative thinking will keep you relevant and creative thoughts can strike at any moment. Have your handy journal readily available so you can track those ideas for later use. Keep your thoughts organized by logging when and where you had your idea as well as what inspired it.
Happy Marketing
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