No one has to tell you it is essential to stay current on trends in your niche market or industry. The practice goes beyond hitting social media or Google News for what’s trending. You need to hone the skills for predicting the directions your chosen market is heading.
Ask Your Customers
Social listening and paying attention to reviews is an excellent way to get a bead on what your market wants. Pay special attention to comments that point out ways your product or service can be improved. Take them to heart, especially if the comment is echoed with agreements or likes. This is how a brand grows new and better products and services into what your audience wants.
Pick a Set Time for Research
It’s easy to kill hours on social media. Set a timer if you need to and spend a limited amount of time searching for the latest news, press releases, reviews, and social media. Make notes, find reliable sources to visit daily or sign up for feeds, and get on with your day. A compelling stat shows if you spend a solid hour a day reading about your industry, you have the potential to be an international expert in seven years.
Your Sales Reps Have Info
Ask your sales reps what they hear out in the field about the latest trends. What services or products are clients asking for or that a competitor is offering that you currently do not provide.
Can You Automate It?
Keep up to date on tasks and determine repetitive tasks that can be automated through AI or software. This frees you up to work on other vital aspects of supporting your brand, such as customer retention and quality assurance.
Use these tips to stay ahead of the curve for your industry. Make it a goal to get informed, and predict coming trends that affect your business and find a way to be ready when changes happen.
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