The Internet of Things is Upon Us.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the Internet of Things (IoT) is defined as “a proposed development of the internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data.” Nest, Apple’s smart watch, and Fitbit are well-known examples of connected devices making up a very small portion of the IoT. Homes, cars, retail stores, health care, and entire cities are just a few areas the IoT is having an impact on.
The IoT is Growing FAST.
Intel estimates that by the year 2020, there will be 200 billion connected devices (26 smart objects for every human being on Earth).
With all of these connected devices come boatloads of data, and smart marketers LOVE data.
The IoT already is and will continue to give marketers the data they need to make smarter decisions, create better content, and communicate with their audience more effectively no matter where they sit in the buying cycle.
What Will the Future Look Like?
Based on predictions and projections, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed by the IoT and the impact it can have on your day-to-day.
To help, here is a roundup of nine resources from around the web that will give you a better understanding of the Internet of Things, examples of how it’s already being leveraged, and a look into what the future of the IoT holds for marketers.
1) “What is the Internet of Things?”- The Guardian
“At its core, IoT is simple: it’s about connecting devices over the internet, letting them talk to us, applications, and each other. The popular, if silly, example is the smart fridge: what if your fridge could tell you it was out of milk, texting you if its internal cameras saw there was none left, or that the carton was past its use-by date?”
2) “A Guide to the Internet of Things” – Intel
“Computers smaller than a grain of sand can be sprayed or injected almost anywhere to measure chemicals in the soil or to diagnose problems in the human body. Fixed and mobile sensors dispersed throughout the city of Dublin are already creating a real-time picture of what is happening, and will help the city react quickly in times of crisis. Intel breaks down how billions of online objects are making the web wiser.”
Click here to read more.
3) “The Marketing Power of the Internet of Things” – Marketo
“Smart, connected devices are ringing in a new era for marketing. The Internet of Things (IoT) is providing endless opportunities for marketers and advertisers to listen and respond to the needs of their audience.”
Learn more about connectivity for better customer interactivity on Marketo’s infographic.
4) “Marketers Put Internet of Things Data to Use—and It Works” – eMarketer
“Marketers are leveraging the internet of things (IoT) to track and reach the cross-everywhere consumer. In a July 2015 study by 2nd Watch, nearly six in 10 US IT and business executives said they leveraged machine data/the IoT for digital marketing.”
5) “What are the Opportunities for Digital Marketing and the Internet of Things?” – Econsultancy
“In a recent report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, IoT was the top trend that senior marketers worldwide believe will have the biggest impact on marketing by 2020 (followed by a cluster of technology trends that are all intimately related to IoT, such as real-time mobile personalized transactions, customer experience and big data).”
Read Econsultancy’s interview with Andy Hobsbawm, CMO of Internet of Things smart products platform EVRYTHNG.
6) “Building a Content Strategy for the Internet of Things” – The Guardian
“The idea of content is changing. It’s no longer just about videos, social posts and websites. Our fridges, washing machines and watches are serving us recipes, news, entertainment and advice. It’s all part of a new, encompassing, connected world – the internet of things (IoT).”
Learn more about creating a content strategy in a connected world on The Guardian.
7) “The Next Great Social Marketing Opportunity: The Internet of Things” – Convince & Convert
“Expand what you would traditionally consider social data and realize that the Venn diagram between social marketing and digital innovation is rapidly increasing as the two converge at an exceedingly quickened pace. Inside that Venn exists brand new human experiences, waiting to be created.”
Read more on Convince & Convert.
8) “5 Ways the Internet of Things Will Make Marketing Smarter” – Salesforce
“One of the most valuable commodities to any business is its sales data. By having access to information regarding how, where, and why your products are being purchased and used, you’ll be able to better tailor your marketing efforts towards your specific clients.”
Read what Salesforce has to say about the IoT’s impact on sales and marketing.
9) “How the Internet of Things is Disrupting Marketing” – Adobe
“Over two-thirds of consumers say they will buy connected technology for their homes by 2019, and half plan to purchase wearable technology. Several tech leaders have forecast unprecedented growth in the IoT market, anticipating as much as $19 trillion in added global revenue by 2020.”
Read more on Adobe’s digital marketing blog.
Expect much more IoT coverage, developments, case studies, and best practices in the coming years. In the meantime, it’s never too early to start thinking of ways to leverage this technology and the data it offers marketers.
Well said Craig. The IoT may reach into every area of our lives very soon. Will we be ready or accept this ‘intrusion’ or will there be some bumps along the way. Done well, the IoT can make our lives easier, done poorly it may add unexpected headaches and compounded problems. I am sure we will get it right eventually. Thanks for the article.
zotabox1 Thanks for chiming in! I think we’ll see / experience just about everything you mentioned there. All in all, it’ll pan out for the better in my opinion.