Digital Marketing Trends for 2013
Digital marketing is ever-evolving, and as we move into the year 2013, it is evident that the technology to deliver the enterprise with digital at its core is here now. The challenge is to lead and marshal the talent and innovative culture needed to make it a reality. Given below are a few trends to watch out.Increase in the number of Digital Marketing Agencies or ConsultantsThe digital revolution has forever changed the balance of power between the customer and the organization, putting customers in charge of the relationship. The pace of decisions and deployments for marketing automation software and services is booming. However most marketing teams are not yet ready to deal with the complexity of marketing automation nor are they capable of fully leveraging the digital transformation that is required. Due this and the unprecedented demand is contributing towards the increase in the number of Digital Marketing agencies or consultants.Small and medium businesses are also realizing the power of content marketing and need consulting services to help with the proliferation of the marketing tools and technology available, so more and more organizations are turning to digital marketing agencies to preside over these efforts.CMO and CIO Departments to strengthen their partnershipTechnology is rapidly remaking marketing departments; marketing campaigns are morphing into enterprise digital media projects that encompass. Marketing budgets are growing to meet IT demand, it is critically important for Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to collaborate in new ways and transform their organizations to drive business growth.The Year of MobileConsumers are spending more time and money on their mobile devices than ever before; there are encouraging evidences which support consumer engagement via mobile. Brands are keen to leverage location technology, social media and other behavioral data to orchestrate their mobile marketing as it is generation lot of attention.Integrated Marketing CampaignsAs marketers aspire to leverage cross-channel digital campaigns to deliver real-time results at a lower cost, integrated channel campaigns will take dominance. An integrated tool set that can convert unknown traffic to known traffic will leverage competitive advantage to most companies.Data Driven MarketingData driven marketing will take prominence in the year ahead. An average B2B company uses, on average 6 different Marketing automation tools to manage a single marketing campaign, and all these tools provide the bulk of actionable data. Moreover, a company’s social network can now range into millions of potential unique contacts. The sheer number of people, accounts, and permutations in the data make engaging with that audience very daunting. At the same time, companies are under intense pressure to drive revenue, and tight budgets are forcing marketers to make informed data-driven decisions. Tools that will enable marketers to extract the insights from the detailed bulk data will actually serve modern marketing needs.Optimized Cross Channel Customer Experience This is what all marketers’ are focused on delivering. The customer journey should be seamless across channels and each should play to its strengths. To achieve this all your digital platforms must talk to each other and in sync with the overall marketing strategy.Content marketingThe trend in Content Marketing is to focus less on preparing content that will sell and more on content that will educate. Instead of pitching products or services, delivering information that makes your buyer more intelligent will work. Content writers and bloggers will be distinguished by the content they create and their influence reaches, not by their titles. There are a host of new decision engines, social curation platforms, content provisioning and production technologies and services emerging (e.g. Story stream, Smartology, iTrigga etc). The demand for content curation rapidly increasing, there is an interesting new set of platforms and services appearing that will enable new content models enhance content delivery by enhancing existing CMSs.Other trends:· email marketing will continue to growing at astonishing rates· Paid search for B2B companies will become less popular as new ad platforms will emerge· Google will continue to dominate the B2B search market· The big four of the internet will be Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon.
Adventure to the 3 Multi-coloured Lakes – Mount Kelimutu, Flores
If you are a nature lover and love trekking, then Mount Kelimutu should definitely be on your bucket list. Located on the island of Flores in Indonesia, Mount Kelimutu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. What makes this mountain unique is its three crater lakes, each with a different colour.
The three lakes, Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched Lake) are located at the summit of Mount Kelimutu. The colours of the lakes change over time due to chemical reactions caused by volcanic activity, which makes it even more fascinating.
To reach Mount Kelimutu, visitors need to travel to Ende or Maumere, two cities located on the eastern part of Flores Island. From there, visitors can take a bus or rent a car to Moni Village, a small village located at the foot of Mount Kelimutu.
Trekking to the Summit
The trek to the summit of Mount Kelimutu is not an easy one. It takes approximately two hours to climb up to the summit, and the path can be steep and rocky. However, the trek is definitely worth it. The view from the top is breathtaking, with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Visitors are advised to start the trek early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. It is also important to bring enough water and food as there are no shops or restaurants on the way up.
When to Visit?
The best time to visit Mount Kelimutu is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. During this time, the weather is clear, and visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views of the lakes and surrounding landscape. However, it is important to note that Mount Kelimutu can get crowded during peak season, especially during August and September when schools are on break.
What to Bring?
Visitors are advised to bring warm clothing as temperatures at the summit can drop to below freezing point, especially during the early hours of the morning. Comfortable hiking shoes are also a must as the trek can be challenging. Visitors should also bring a camera to capture the stunning views from the summit.
Is it Safe?
Mount Kelimutu is considered safe for visitors. However, visitors are advised not to go off the designated paths and to follow the instructions of their local guides. It is also important to listen to any warnings issued by the authorities as volcanic activity can sometimes cause closure of the mountain.
In conclusion, Mount Kelimutu is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Its unique three-coloured lakes and stunning views make it an unforgettable experience.
Tag: Travel Adventure Trekking
FAQs
1. Are there any accommodation options near Mount Kelimutu?
Yes, there are several accommodations options available in Moni Village, ranging from budget homestays to luxury resorts.
2. Can visitors swim in the lakes?
No, swimming in the lakes is strictly prohibited as it can be dangerous due to the acidic nature of the water.
3. Is a guide necessary for trekking up Mount Kelimutu?
While it is possible to trek up Mount Kelimutu without a guide, it is highly recommended to hire a local guide for safety reasons and to learn more about the history and culture of the mountain.
