12 Small Business Marketing Predictions for 2015

What’s in store for small business marketing in 2015? At ReachLocal, we asked a dozen of the industry’s top experts to share their predictions for what small businesses can expect this year. From technology enabling better business and marketing capabilities for SMBs to the impact of consumer trends in social and mobile to the demand for content marketing, these experts share some of the top trends for small businesses to start thinking about as we head into 2015. Take a look at their insights:

Many thanks to the following experts for sharing their insights and predictions!

1) Technology and data will empower SMBs to better know their customers, resulting in better marketing strategies and more ROI.

— Adam Toporek, Founder, CTS Service Solutions

2) SMBs integrating across systems will help reduce complexity and increase effectiveness.

— Steven Jacobs, Deputy Editor, Street Fight

3) Software with service will help SMBs get more out of their digital marketing and technology integrations.

— Sharon Rowlands, CEO, ReachLocal

4) Consumer behavior will drive more SMBs to invest in mobile and differentiate themselves with online scheduling and payments.

— Greg Sterling, VP Strategy & Insights, Local Search Association

5) Mobile marketing will become the new “must-have” for SMBs.

— Melinda Emerson, Quintessence Group Consulting & Author

6) Social will be more about paid than organic, forcing SMBs to adapt.

— Anita Campbell, Founder, Small Business Trends

7) SMBs will adapt to shift in social by investing in advertising and building their own channels.

— Ramon Ray, Publisher, Smart Hustle Magazine

8) The changing consumer buying journey will require SMBs to do more comprehensive digital marketing.

— Laurie McCabe, Co-Founder & Partner, SMB Group

9) Great storytelling will power better, more effective marketing.

— Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer, MarketingProfs

10) Adapting content for multiple platforms and uses will boost effectiveness.

— Jerod Morris, Copyblogger Media

11) Reputation monitoring will help SMBs better manage their brands online.

— Gini Dietrich, Arment Dietrich, Inc. & Spin Sucks

12) Technology will enable SMBs to track true marketing ROI and get more out of their budgets.

— Todd Ebert, Chief Marketing Officer, ReachLocal

What would you add to this list? Feel free to share your small business marketing thoughts in a comment.

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