How AI is changing consumer behavior

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly impacting various aspects of life, including consumer behavior. Here are three ways AI is changing how consumers interact with brands and make purchasing decisions:

  1. Personalization and Recommendations

    Impact: AI algorithms analyze a plethora of data points, from browsing history to past purchases, to offer personalized suggestions to consumers. This personalized experience makes consumers more likely to engage with a brand and make a purchase, changing the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to marketing.

Example: When you shop online on platforms like Amazon, AI algorithms recommend products based on your past behavior, seasonal trends, and what similar consumers have viewed or purchased. This kind of personalization influences not just what you buy, but also how you shop, making the experience more interactive and tailored to your needs.

  1. Enhanced Customer Service

    Impact: AI-driven chatbots and customer service tools are redefining how brands interact with consumers. These AI solutions can handle a wide range of queries and issues, offering almost instant support. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also influences consumer expectations for speedy and efficient service across all industries.

Example: Many companies now deploy AI chatbots on their websites or social media channels that can answer queries, solve problems, or even help with the purchase process 24/7. This level of service changes consumer expectations and can be a deciding factor in brand loyalty.

  1. Dynamic Pricing and Promotions

    Impact: AI algorithms analyze market trends, demand fluctuations, and consumer behavior to adjust pricing in real-time. This dynamic pricing strategy can affect when consumers choose to make a purchase, as they may wait for the most opportune moment or act quickly to take advantage of a promotion.

Example: Airlines and ride-sharing services often use AI to adjust prices based on various factors like demand, day of the week, and even current events. This can influence consumer behavior as people try to “game” the system to get the best prices, and it can make consumers more price-sensitive and strategic in their purchasing decisions.

In summary, AI is making the consumer experience more personalized, efficient, and dynamic. These changes are influencing consumer expectations and behavior, driving a shift in how brands need to interact with their customer base.

Why it is crucial for entrepreneurs to create short form videos on social media

Here are some reasons why it is crucial for entrepreneurs to create short form videos for these platforms:

Captivate and engage audiences: Short form videos are perfect for capturing and holding the attention of audiences who have short attention spans. They allow brands to communicate their message effectively and creatively in a short amount of time.

Increase brand visibility: Social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have millions of active users, and by creating short form videos, brands can increase their visibility and reach a wider audience.

Boost engagement and conversion rates: Short form videos have the potential to increase engagement and conversion rates by providing audiences with quick and digestible content that is easy to consume and share.

When it comes to creating short form videos for social media, here are some content ideas that work well for brands:

Product demos: Short form videos can be used to showcase products and demonstrate how they work. Brands can use this type of content to highlight the unique features and benefits of their products.

How-to videos: How-to videos are a great way to provide value to audiences while showcasing a brand’s expertise. These types of videos can cover a range of topics, from DIY projects to beauty tutorials.

Behind-the-scenes content: Audiences love to see what goes on behind the scenes of a brand, whether it’s a sneak peek at a new product launch or a look at the day-to-day operations of the business.

User-generated content: Brands can encourage their followers to create short form videos featuring their products or services. User-generated content is a great way to build trust and loyalty with audiences while also increasing brand visibility.

Educational content: Short form videos can also be used to educate audiences about a particular topic or industry. Brands can create content that provides valuable insights and information that their audience will find helpful and informative.

Overall, creating short form videos for social media is a great way for entrepreneurs to connect with their audience and promote their brand in a creative and engaging way.

The big shift in marketing for 2023

While the year has just started and I’d like to talk about trends in social media marketing, I must focus on the big shift happening right now.

This big shift is happening due to a change in the consumer behavior and since once one changes its behavior, there is no coming back. Companies either adapt to the new pattern or stay behind.

The consumer is less and less paying attention to any form of traditional advertising on social media or in other platforms. 

There is a huge need to grab the attention of the consumer in 3 seconds or less and use visual content.

The consumer is looking for what is called Micro-influencers on social media. People that are experts in niche content and can deliver content in an authentic and relatable way. 

Companies need to create video content regularly in an informal format but this content needs to be engaging and entertaining. 

No big production but relatable content is a must. 

We are likely to see more platforms and features focused on making it easy for users to buy products directly from social media.

Businesses and entrepreneurs need to focus on short format videos and distribute them constantly to TikTok, Youtube shorts and reels. 

It is also crucial to focus on good, to the point content and avoid trending songs, trending dances etc. People will engage with you if you provide good content that resonates on an emotional level with them. 

I don’t trust you!

I don’t trust you!

Your customers might not be telling you this but it is in the back of their minds: I don’t trust you!

We are living in a moment where we don’t trust media or brands. We believe or are lead to believe media is fake, companies betray us. Consumers feel ostracized and misunderstood. So you as a brand need to be thinking how to move forward and prove your trustworthiness to consumers.

Our environment is changing, our behavior is changing and our emotions are taking the forefront. As a marketer of your own business, you need to understand and adapt if you want to thrive.

Emotion is the new currency. You market to emotions. All the time.

Yes, people are angry and divided. They feel empowered to say what they feel even when it is a little bit too much. What do you do as a brand? You don’t want people talking bad about your business but you need to give them voice in a positive way. You allow them to participate!

People are looking for compassion, safety and privacy. How many people put a tape over their computer camera because they don’t want to lose their sense of privacy? I know my desktop does not have a camera either, just in case.

Because our level of trust is so low we are blocking cameras, news, e-mails. The younger the generation the worse it gets. Generation Z for example is really averse in sharing any personal data (even when they might get a 20% off coupon). So what will happen with those lead generation pages?

The approach will change drastically. Meaning and purpose will have to be there if they are to share anything with you.

So what is a brand to do? Understand what people want and give it to them. For example, people want to be respected, believed and heard. So having to walk a whole store to find one overworked employee to ask a question, does not work. Watching a video where the expert is telling them what to do, without their input does not work either.

You need to understand that if a customer came to you, he/she did it although he/she would rather be home, despite of day to day struggles, work etc. You should understand and respect that and give them the most personable and special experience. If you are just trying to sell them something, you are going to lose them.

Did I say they’d rather stay home? It is a safe place we trust. Now we just need to make it self-sufficient. Robots, technologies, machines that talk to us and make us fee special, delivery of goods (Why do I even need to go to a supermarket)? All these products and services are on the rise. As well as services that give us instant access to what we want: Netflix, Spotify, Curiousmondo.

Consumer now relate better with small. Small or local brands. Even if you are a big company, you can market as a personal brand with real people, with hobbies and purpose. Small gives us a perspective of control and in a moment where society is evolving, something that makes us all uncomfortable, we seek control and reach. The sense of small gives us that. If you look in the restaurant industry- portions are getting smaller too.

When we get out of our home, we want to do things in groups. Because we need human connection and validation and because the enormous amount of time we spend in social media is making us really bored. Companies that cater to this need are growing like Plantnite that partners with restaurants and bars. But going out in a group also means doing something together like spinning, knitting, making or cosplay.

 

You can say culture is the new media and if you empower culture with your customers you will be in the winning end. People don’t want to be advertised to but they do want to be reached. That is why you need to talk about them and their emotions and needs not about your product or service. You need to market to them in their groups, neighborhoods and social circles.

It does take more work but it works better than any ad out there, lasts longer and most of all increases the level of trust in your company.

The age of anxiety and your business

As a society we are stressed like never before.

We are stressed all the time.

You could say it is because we live in an unstable World, there are threats everywhere or we are just angry on how divided we are at the moment.

All part of the issue but we also need to take accountability and see that as a culture we chose to “Live Hard and Play Hard” to a point we cannot sustain this naturally anymore.

While this reality may stress us even more, it is on the other side promoting a new way of thinking and creating new businesses to help us manage this new phase.

The Centers for Disease Control predicts that by 2020, stress will be the most disabling condition Americans face, second to only heart disease.

We are all stressed but Millennials are known as being the most stressed out generation.

There is a bright side in the future of our anxiety!

I’ll show you some of new opportunities out there and maybe some will help you to innovate in your business.

Ahead of us is a spike in products to turbocharge the human body. Nootropics are an example design for this. They are a mixture of natural ingredients and lab-derived supplements. Also known as smart drugs which now have a following.

Scientists are also working on manufacturing new memories.

You have probably seen on TV about Rage Rooms. You pay a fee and throw things at the wall.

Many apps are showing in this segment like Headspace where you have meditation on the go with over 1 million downloads. Others like Mindsurf allows you to share feelings.

Saunas are bringing Infra red heat and custom soundtrack. These saunas are popping up in New York, LA and London, with the price ranging from $45-$55 for a half-hour bake.

Kava tea is known as the liquid Xanax. Drinking numbs your tonque and make you chill. They go from $13 to $25 a bowl.

Sensory deprivation has become a hyper-extreme alternative to meditation. So Pods are back to free you from distractions for 60 minutes.  Inside a small room or human-size clam called a pod, there is no sound and no light, just 1000 pounds of Epsom salt water and you. All for $99.

Spas with Cryotherapy Chamber are also popping up. I need to try this one because it is said they burn 800 plus calories in 180 seconds. Just $90 for a session.

Alternative options are a big trend too. Consumers are increasingly turning to gentler, more natural forms of healing.

Aromatheraphy and essential oils in general are in an all time high especially through multi-level marketing companies since they foster people to try the oil. There is even an e-cigarrete style device for personal aromatherapy called Monq.

Yoga, Reki, acupuncture are also seeing a revival.

Pay attention that solutions blending technology and natural components are the ones that tend to be more successful. Partly because Millennials are attracted to blended solutions.

Now it is time to think how your business could help people feel less stressed. From creating a new product to becoming a sleep meditation coach, there are many opportunities out there. Even bedtime stories for grown-ups’ – Sleep Stories – that aim to induce sleep by using a combination of “soothing words, music and sound-effects”.

When you need some support figuring out how to navigate this new World or create innovation, we are here. We have consult hundreds of businesses over the years and we are your pair of fresh eyes. Call us at 801-680-7220 or write to buzz@buzzbooster.com