Trends to Track: Get a Jump on These Trailblazing Social Media Marketing Trends in 2021
Arguably, 2020 was a year of unprecedented circumstances with new and unique challenges. While the Covid catastrophe played out in every aspect of our lives- such as transforming the way we worked, shopped, and entertained ourselves- businesses were forced to adapt to the ever-changing needs of current and potential customers through social media. Find out how to give your business’ social media marketing a much-needed reboot for the year ahead.
The digital revolution has sped up trends in all aspects of business and communication. New ideas are constantly being introduced and just as quickly considered antiquated. If you’re a business owner, brand innovator, influencer, or looking to break into entrepreneurship, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these up-and-coming social media marketing tools to grow your business.
The Comeback of the Written Word and Monetizing Written Content
You’ve read it here first. The written word is not dead – yet. In fact, it’s making a welcoming comeback. Spot Instagram Stories with slides featuring longer, informative, more catchy captions of products and services. Also, blogging is bigger and better than ever before with innovative, pro-grade platforms, like WordPress, offering a one-stop-shop of marketing tools, analytics, hosting, and more. Game-changing platforms like Substack allow writers and journalists to own their content’s dissemination, giving readers/consumers options to pay more for exclusive content. Most of this revenue goes back to the writer, eliminating traditional publishers.
Get Your Finger on the Pulse with Podcasting
Arguably one of the biggest growing social media marketing trends of last year, podcasting sees no signs of slowing down with an ever-increasing demand for audio-based content. The versatility of podcasts allows listeners to consume information, news, and entertainment while multitasking – commuting, cleaning, walking, working out, and even as a way of winding down at the end of the day. Businesses are beginning to use the fun format as an innovative way to reach a wider audience, increase brand awareness, and boost revenue through informative, expertise-driven audio content.
Making Room for Micro Influencers
Just a year ago, brands paid big bucks to household-named celebrities and social media stars to sponsor and promote their products and services. Now, they’re extending affiliate initiatives to influencers on a smaller scale and on a per-project basis. With rising marketing costs, businesses will be forced to seek out other revenue-friendly avenues, resulting in ala carte influencer marketing. Influencers can promote just a few pieces of content – or even less – with multiple brands.
Live Streaming
Aside from the everyday Zoom call, interview, or meeting, live streaming has disrupted the way potential customers shop for products without leaving their home. It is the updated, makeover version of the Home Shopping Network, as major retailers are looking to live streaming major shopping events. You can even set up a bank account through live stream!
Video Content Continues to Dominate
Clicking on a compelling video will become even more irresistible for social media users. A Cisco study showed that by 2022, 82% of all online content will be of the video variety. Using short-form video features like Instagram Stories or TikTok for social media content, as well as advertising, will give you an edge on the competition.
Customer Service Shifts to Social Media
Expect to inquire about the status of your recent order directly on a brand’s Facebook or Instagram accounts. This goes hand-in-hand with social media platforms offering shopping features to businesses.
Maximizing on Micro Content
Succinct, digestible, and swift snaps of compelling content, like Instagram Stories and Reels, TikTok, and Snapchat Spotlight are in high demand to attract potential customers. With an on-the-go culture that craves instant gratification, micro content creation is key to keeping brands relevant and unforgettable.
One thing is for certain, all the original social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will continue to grow, expand, and disrupt the system with newer, nicer, bigger, and better tools, features, and more. With the competitive nature of social media marketing and content continuously flooding our feeds, utilizing any of these foreseeable trends can help embolden your marketing strategy, giving you that competitive edge. What are some of the emerging social media trends you’re using to build your business? Be sure to share your ideas and experiences with our Social Attraction team!