The number of dollars spent on so-called interactive marketing is set to drastically increase, according to a recent report from a research firm.

The study, conducted by Forrester Research, found that by the year 2016 advertisers will spend $77 billion on email, social media display and mobile outreach efforts. The total will make up 35 percent of all advertising by that year, accounting for a major portion of money spent in the sector.

The study, U.S. Interactive Marketing Forecast, 2011 to 2016, also found that by 2015, the adoption rate for smartphones will increase by 150 percent and 82 percent of consumers are expected to own tablet devices.

"We expect this growth to help firms become adaptive, kill off daily deals, re-emphasize marketing's 'p's,' (product, price, place, and promotion) and turn consumer electronics into audience-targeting tools," said Forrester analyst and report author Shar VanBoskirk.

Small business owners who jump onto this growing trend will be able to get a head start on the competition by becoming early adopters. By establishing an online presence and gaining a loyal following, entrepreneurs may be able to make considerable gains on other firms.

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