Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday celebrated on July 24. On this day, we commemorate the arrival of the first group of Latter-day Saint pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. In that instance “pioneer” means “a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.” But in that same spirit, we want to talk about pioneer as a verb: “to develop or be the first to use or apply a new method, area of knowledge, or activity.”

In marketing, things are constantly changing, and usually for the better. New tools improve our ability to target audiences and produce cost-effective outcomes. To prepare for the ever-changing world of marketing, let’s take a look at a few of the pioneering marketing assets available today.

1. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality used to just be a tool that was available to the bigger brands, but the advancement in this technology has made it accessible to even the smallest brands. Virtual reality is still emerging and growing, so jumping in now and exploring all the ways it could benefit your business could put you ahead of the curve.

2. Artificial Intelligence

Integrating Artificial Intelligence with your site’s chat box or Facebook page has proven to increase user engagement. The one thing to keep in mind when using artificial intelligence is that it oftentimes requires a thorough understanding of your brand’s target audience.  This will create a more effective customer experience.

3. Voice Search

Voice Search has greatly changed the way that many people interact with the world around them. Having the power to just ask your device a question and receive a prompt answer is a game changer. Utilizing this power can be very beneficial to your business. However, you must make sure that you have the correct facts about your business so you can provide the correct answers.

4. Google Ad Words

This is one of the tactics that we utilize often here at UMG. There are many benefits, but one of the most popular outcomes of Google ad words is obtaining a faster result than SEO.  The higher visibility on Google is incredibly valuable in terms of driving customers to your site and often results in increased sales.

These are just a few pioneering tactics to consider adding to your advertising arsenal. Some of these could be a flash in the pan among marketing tools, and some could have some real staying power. Regardless of what appeals to you, it’s worth consulting with a marketing professional about which tools fit your goals and budget. Start with the basics, think outside the box, and you might come up with your own pioneering ideas along the way.