As digital marketers, we are always looking for new ways to reach our target audiences. With the rise of smart speakers, we now have a new way to connect with consumers. In this article, we'll explore how smart speakers can be used as a channel for digital marketing.

The Rise of Smart Speakers

• As digital marketing evolves, so do the channels through which companies can reach their target audiences. Smart speakers are the latest addition to the digital marketing mix, and they offer a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with consumers in a new way.
• Smart speakers are voice-activated devices that allow users to interact with technology using natural language. They are becoming increasingly popular, with sales of Amazon Echo and Google Home expected to reach 24 million units in 2017.1

As smart speaker ownership grows, so does the number of opportunities for businesses to reach consumers through this new channel. Here are some ways that smart speakers can be used for digital marketing:

1. Voice search optimization: Since smart speakers use voice recognition technology, businesses need to optimize their content for voice search. This means using natural language and long-tail keywords that people are likely to use when speaking to a smart speaker.

2. Skill development: Companies can develop skills or actions for smart speakers that allow users to interact with their brand in a variety of ways. For example, Domino’s has developed a skill that allows users to place an order by simply saying, “Alexa, open Domino’s and place my Easy Order

How Smart Speakers Work

• Smart speakers are a new type of digital marketing channel that allows businesses to interact with consumers through voice-activated assistants. These devices use natural language processing and artificial intelligence to understand and respond to questions and commands.
• Many smart speakers are equipped with virtual assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google's Assistant. These assistants can perform a variety of tasks, such as playing music, providing weather updates, and answering questions.
• Businesses can use smart speakers to interact with customers in a number of ways. For example, they can create skills or actions that allow customers to purchase products or services using voice commands. Additionally, businesses can use smart speakers to provide customer service or answer frequently asked questions.
• Smart speakers offer a number of advantages for businesses. They provide an interactive and convenient way for customers to interact with businesses. Additionally, smart speakers allow businesses to collect data about customer preferences and behavior. This data can be used to improve marketing strategies and target customers more effectively.

The Potential of Smart Speakers for Digital Marketing

• As digital marketing evolves, so do the channels through which companies can reach their target audiences. Smart speakers are becoming an increasingly popular way for people to access information and entertainment, and they present a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with consumers.
• Smart speakers are Voice-First devices, meaning that they are designed to be used primarily through voice commands. This hands-free interaction makes them ideal for use in the home, where people are often engaged in other activities while using them. According to a report from eMarketer, nearly one-quarter of US adults say they use a smart speaker at least once per day.
• This widespread adoption presents a significant opportunity for businesses to reach consumers through this new channel. Smart speakers can be used to deliver targeted messages and content to users based on their location, demographics, and interests. For example, a business could use a smart speaker to deliver coupons or special offers to users who are nearby their store. Or, they could target ads to specific demographics, such as parents of young children or pet owners.
• Because smart speakers are still a relatively new technology, there is still a lot of potentials for businesses to experiment with and innovate in this space.

How to Use Smart Speakers for Digital Marketing

As digital marketing continues to evolve, so do the channels and tools that marketers use to reach their audiences. Smart speakers are the latest addition to the digital marketing toolkit, and they offer a unique opportunity to connect with consumers in a new and interactive way.

Here are some tips for using smart speakers for digital marketing:

1. Use targeted keywords: When optimizing your content for smart speakers, use keywords that are specific to voice search. This will help ensure that your content is picked up by the right people.

2. Keep it short and sweet: Since people are generally multitasking when they use smart speakers, you'll want to keep your content concise and to the point.

3. Make it interactive: Take advantage of the interactive features of smart speakers by incorporating questions and other call-to-actions into your content. This will help keep people engaged and increase the likelihood of them taking action.

4. Use data to track results: Smart speaker platforms offer data that can be used to track who is listening to your content and how they are interacting with it. This information can be used to refine your strategy and ensure that you're reaching your target audience.

Examples of Smart Speaker Advertising

Digital marketing is always evolving, and smart speakers are the latest new channel. Here are some examples of how companies are using this new technology to reach their target audiences.

1. Amazon Alexa: Coca-Cola created a skill for Amazon's Alexa platform that lets users find out the calorie counts for popular Coca-Cola products. This is a great way to reach health-conscious consumers who are interested in making informed choices about their food and beverage intake.

2. Google Home: T-Mobile created a Google Home action that lets users pay their bills and check their account balances. This is a convenient way for T-Mobile customers to keep on top of their finances, and it's also a great way for the company to upsell its other products and services.

3. Apple Siri: Domino's Pizza created a Siri shortcut that lets users order pizza with just a few taps. This is a convenient way for Domino's customers to get their pizza fix, and it's also a great way for the company to boost its sales.

The Future of Smart Speakers and Digital Marketing

• As digital marketing evolves, so do the channels through which companies can reach their target audiences. Smart speakers are the latest example of this, providing a new way for brands to connect with consumers.
• Though still in its early stages, smart speaker adoption is growing quickly. In 2018, nearly one in five U.S. adults owned a smart speaker, and that number is expected to rise to one in four by 2019. This presents a significant opportunity for marketers to reach consumers through this new channel.
• There are a few things to keep in mind when developing a smart speaker marketing strategy. First, because these devices are voice-activated, search engine optimization (SEO) is even more important. Ensure that your content is optimized for voice search by using natural language and long-tail keywords.
• Second, keep in mind that smart speaker users are often multitasking and may not be giving your content their full attention. Make your message concise and easy to understand so that it can cut through the noise.
• Finally, consider how you can use smart speakers to create a more interactive and engaging experience for your audience. For example, you could develop a skill or game that users can access through their smart speaker. 

Conclusion

Smart speakers are a new and exciting channel for digital marketing. With their help, you can reach out to your target audience in a whole new way. If you're not sure how to get started, our guide can help you get started with using smart speakers for your business.