2020 was a year quite unlike any other. Businesses faced unprecedented challenges and everyone had to adapt to a 'new normal' almost overnight. The effects of Covid will be felt by many for some time to come and will undoubtedly affect the way we do business in 2021.
2021 Prediction 1:D2C
The rise of the Direct to Consumer (D2C) market was exacerbated by the surge in online shopping following the Covid outbreak. This along with suppliers who found their usual routes to market were gone, meant businesses began to think creatively about how to get their products in front of consumers.
2021 Prediction 2: Authenticity
Although Influencers (and Micro-Influencers) will still have an important role to play in 2021, consumers will increasingly be looking for authenticity. Get ready to see a trend for Key Opinion Leaders i.e. trustworthy authority figures in a specific sector. These KOLs will often be in the guise champions' and 'Ambassadors' throwing their klout behind causes and products.
Consumers will demand more information about where their purchases, whether clothing or food, come from. Provenance and producer stories will become increasingly important. We can help your story be told.
2021 Prediction 3: Voice Search – Hey Siri, why should I optimise my website?
According to a 2018 report by Google, 27% of the online global population is using voice search on mobile. When you consider the rise in popularity of voice-assisted tech and wearables, it's hardly surprising that this figure is set to increase.
This increase will necessitate a change in SEO, the way our websites are optimised for search engines. Voice searches tend to be more conversational than typed queries so it's more important to adopt a naturalistic tone in your content.
Why should voice search matter to you? Customers may find your competitors more easily if you don't adopt a voice search strategy. Speak to us about making sure your rural business can be seen and heard.
2021 Prediction 4: Experiences
As we've all essentially had a greatly reduced social life recently it's no wonder that some are predicting 2021(covid permitting). to be a boom year for experiences.
Farm holidays are nothing new and used to be very popular with families with young children. Nowadays, however, the popularity of Instagram has made farm experiences: from yoga with goats to trying your hand at cheesemaking, to a sheep shearing experience (yes, people pay for the experience!), the country life has a massive appeal for Millenials and Generation Z. If you have a farm diversification project in the back of your mind, talk to us!
What are your predictions for 2021?
Anna Davies: Email: anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
Ross (Monty) Montague: Email: monty@sceneandherdpr.co.uk
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