What’s hot now isn’t as important as what is going to be hot tomorrow. Trying to figure out what the new emerging trends are going to be is essential to marketing your business, unless you want to get stuck with a bunch of pet rocks!
Here are 3 ways to I.D. hot trends
1. Google Trends- Google Trends is a free service from google that lists the top 100 most searched terms throughout the day. Looking at the terms that are hot now can let you notice patterns that can give you an edge. Or at least give you popular keywords to use to drive traffic to your page.
2. Ask Why- When you see a trend in your own business, always ask why. Why are we always selling out of red items but not blue? Don’t be afraid to send an email to your customers asking them about it. Who knows, maybe blue has been deemed unhip by the powers that be and you need to stop making them completely.
Your customers are your best sources of information. Use them! Which brings us to #3.
3) Create your own focus group- A focus group? That sounds expensive and hard. The truth is that it is easier than it sounds. Do you have a core group of customers who love your product? Ask them to join a special club where they can try new products and get discounts in exchange for sharing their honest feedback with you. This is a great way to learn what motivates your best customers in order to improve your marketing.
