The Malta Independent on Sunday
5 Ways Technology Has Changed Marketing Forever
Marketing has long been a cornerstone of business, and many principles developed hundreds or thousands of years ago are still relevant today.
Ever since the first craftsman put up a sign, advertising as a way of sales enablement has been a part of society, and it has only become more common since then. However, marketing has always kept us with technology, and various technologies have had dramatic effects on marketing. Here are five ways technology has changed marketing forever.
Printing press
Before printing presses were available, few people could read. In addition, the only way to have a large volume of text available on paper was to rely on people who wrote information by hand. This meant that the cost of printed documents could be quite high, and only governments and religious organizations had the funds available to distribute text. The advent of the printing press changed this, and modern marketing relies on text as much as ever before. As long as people still read newspapers and magazines, text marketing will remain important.
Early mail systems were used primarily for sending personal letters and communications between businesses, but adventurous marketers soon found that mail could be a great way to market a company and its products. While many people com- plain loudly about junk mail, there are still ways to use mail advertising effectively, and it can be a great way to build a customer base when starting a business. Mail marketing is not the cheapest marketing method available, but it can be tremendously effective if used correctly.
Video and audio recording
The popularity and regulation of radio gave marketers a brand new way to reach out to potential customers. Because it was impossible to charge for access to a radio station, early stations relied on advertising, and radio ads are still the primary means by which radio stations generate revenue. Even online radio stations still rely on audio recordings for advertising. Television advertising came a bit later, but it remains as popular as ever, and all ad-supported video distributors will continue to use video advertising for the foreseeable future.
While email doesn’t get the attention it once did, it is a leading means of communicating online. Used correctly, email marketing can be powerful, and many of us don’t even realize how effective it is. Companies generally use email to encourage further engagement from existing customers, and consumer mailing lists are powerful tools when used appropriately. While unsolicited emails will continue to be blocked, email is a great way to engage customers and encourage them to visit your website more frequently.
Website ads
Soon after early web browsers began allowing images, website operators began running advertisements. These ads were typically banner ads, and operators would charge for each ad shown. Later, only ads that users clicked resulted in charges. Today, many ads are based on text, and advertisers only pay when users click on them. On popular platforms, advertisers compete based on price for better ad placement. While social media and other modern platforms have changed how people use the web, web advertising has changed little, and there are no technologies on the horizon that appear to be threats.
Technology has long changed how we live our lives, but some of us fail to realise how profound the changes it brings are. When it comes to advertising, businesses can no longer create a sign and hope that others will spread the news. Fortunately, there are a number of effective and affordable options for businesses of all sizes, and those who take advantage of what advertising can do using modern technology stand to make tremendous strides.
For more information, please visit www.deloittedigital.com.mt/online-marketing