The start of a new year always brings predictions of what will dominate the marketing landscape. While staying ahead of trends can give your business a competitive edge, blindly following every “hot” idea can be a recipe for wasted resources and lackluster results. At Chartis we believe that the best strategy is to start smart, small and scale your successes. Here’s our take on how to navigate 2025 marketing trends.
- Don’t chase every AI tool
AI is everywhere, but which solution is right for your business? Knowing why, where and how to start smart with AI will lead to better outcomes for your customer and bottom line. Our biggest tip - don’t start with the tool, start with the need. Start with you customer relationship to define use cases of value. Learn more about the Why, the Where and the How to Start Smart with AI here. - Don’t panic over the shifting search landscape
Search is constantly evolving, shaped by shifting customer behaviors, new capabilities, and external disruptors that introduce innovative ways for people to discover information, products, and answers. Over the past 12 months, we at Chartis have partnered with many clients navigating Google’s latest developments, the impact of OpenAI, Perplexity - ultimately all the different ways audiences discover new things. This evolution has prompted a mindset shift: from solely prioritizing search engine rankings to adopting strategies that drive brand building, overall performance, customer acquisition, and digital maturity.
Brands that have embraced these principles are well-positioned for scale. On the other hand, those that have deprioritized SEO—and its associated elements—should refocus their efforts on accessibility, technical performance, post-click user experience, and building brand association with their products or services. By doing so, they can expand their digital footprint, not just in search, but across the broader digital ecosystem, paving the way for sustainable growth.
The key is not to panic but to stay agile. Evolve your digital and SEO strategies in tandem with changing audience behaviors, as the search landscape is poised to transform dramatically in the years ahead. - Don’t worry about 100% Automation
We agree that automation is a game-changer, but it can also be a drain on your time and resources to get started. Consumer behavior is dynamic and good automation requires personalized solutions. These solutions require a keen understanding of your audience and what they respond to. Thinking big but starting simple with Micro Flows can allow you to scale your automation work while testing what resonates with your audience.
Final Thoughts: Play your game
In marketing, it’s tempting to believe every headline and bold prediction. But knowing which trends to ignore is just as important as spotting the ones to embrace.
While it’s true “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”, it’s important to be strategic and know which shots are going to work best for you. Starting smart, small and learning what and where to scale will deliver the win.
By staying grounded and focusing on strategies that deliver real value, your brand can succeed in 2025—and beyond.