With 2022 basically knocking at our door, brands and marketers are making plans for the coming year.

2021 brought plenty of disruptions to keep us busy, transforming how we work and where we focus our energy. And more and more people have opted to start their own brands and businesses.

As we look ahead and set goals for the new year, it’s important to keep an eye on what’s driving success in creative marketing. So, we’ve pulled together a list of the top creative marketing trends for 2022:

5 creative marketing trends to watch to win in 2022

Here are 5 creative marketing trends you’ll want to pay attention to as we look to the year ahead:

Get visual
Hit ‘Record’ on video content
Build trust
Connect with a larger purpose
Social or bust

Let’s get into it…

1) Get visual

Did you know that 40% of people respond better to visual information than text? Or that social posts with images get 180% more engagement? The fact is, good visual content is a marketing powerhouse.

If you’re not already creating stunning visual content for your audience, it’s time to start. Visualize impactful data with attractive, sharable infographics. Showcase products with elevated photography. Develop a visual brand identity that grabs people’s attention.

If you are already creating visual content, ask how you could make it even better. Consider some of these popular trends:

Minimalism or maximalism – Brands are leaning into the extremes of this spectrum, either embracing sophisticated, elegant minimal designs, or going the busy, bold, anti-design route of maximalism. By embracing the extreme, it increases the likelihood that your brand will stand out.
Bold, muted colors – Whichever visual direction you choose, bold and muted colors are trending. Maybe because they’re able to “draw the eye in while still creating a sense of calm, comfort, and familiarity.”
Nostalgia is in – From the psychedelic 1970s to the trendy Y2K aesthetic, brands are throwing it back in style. Take, for example, Burger King’s not-so-new logo, which is almost identical to their 1990s version.

2) Hit ‘record’ on video content

TikTok took the world by storm and now other social platforms (from Instagram and Facebook to YouTube and even LinkedIn) are embracing the power of videos.

Short videos are a great way to showcase your products and services, but they’re also an opportunity to reinforce your brand values and connect with your audience.

The good news? Bite-sized content (think: how-to’s and DIY hacks) are some of the most popular – and those don’t need to be hyper-polished. Bars may post how-to recipes for their most popular cocktails, or hardware stores may show how to properly handle home repairs.

Figure out what aspect of your brand lends itself to video content, and then make a point to build that into your content strategy for 2022.

3) Build trust

2021 shook up the digital marketing landscape with the announcement that Google will no longer support third-party cookies in Chrome. This, along with other regulations designed to protect personal data, means marketers need to find new ways to get close to their target audience.

Whether you’re scrambling to develop a first-party data strategy or not, these stricter regulations signal a larger trend in branding and marketing: the need to build trust with customers.

From being forthright about what personal data you collect to delivering orders when you say you will, following through is more important than ever.

4) Connect with a larger purpose

Brand activism has grown in popularity in recent years, with customers increasingly voting with their wallets. Younger generations especially prefer to engage with brands that share their values – and that includes environmental issues, social issues, and even how employees are treated.

But even beyond global-scale issues, brands that demonstrate a clear purpose will better connect with audiences in 2022.

Get clear about your brand’s mission and vision, and infuse it into your marketing and branding efforts. It will help distinguish you from your competition, and build deeper relationships with your customers.

5) Social or bust

Social media has become more dynamic in recent years, and with more people engaging with brands online than ever before, that trend is only getting stronger in 2022.

3.9 billion people worldwide are active social media users (that’s almost half the world’s population). So if you’re not making the most of your platforms, you could be missing a big opportunity.

Still using social platforms just to post static content, or promote marketing campaigns?

Here are a few ideas for how to boost engagement and make an impact:

Connect with influencers to promote your products and services. Influencers get your brand in front of a wider audience, and also help build your social proof, which is crucial for digital brands.
Sell on social. Social commerce has become increasingly popular, allowing customers to shop directly from their preferred social platforms. Instagram is especially suited for this, highlighting products and services with aspirational images and connecting brands with potential buyers.
Meme marketing, when done well, can be a fun, low-effort way to connect with your audience on social and promote your brand.
Once again, make it visual. We said it earlier, but it’s worth reiterating: prioritize visuals and short video content on your social platforms to drive higher engagement.

Hit the ground running in 2022

The new year is coming up fast. Are you ready to hit the ground running with your creative marketing and brand strategies?

If you answered, “Not quite…” – you’re not alone!

Reach out to let us know your goals for the new year. From design, to branding, to social, to content, to digital advertising, we can help you keep your 2022 business resolutions so your brand shines.

5 Creative Marketing Trends to Watch in 2022