The internet is a fast-changing and continuously developing marketing channel. It empowered end-users by giving them the power to set current social media trends trends influencing brand promotion and purchasing decisions of individuals. It has been continuously changing since then.
The newest social media trends are consistently at the top of every business’ watch list. Advertising on social media has always been effective in helping brands reach their target. Arguably, these trends are also behind the prominence and progress of social networks as a useful platform for communication, producing public information, and sustaining businesses. It gave rise to stronger branded communities and the need for skilled social media content moderator to fortify their audience reach and impact to target users.
Thus, making social media presence an integral part of a company’s marketing plans is a great way to be a step ahead of their competitors. For those who want to strengthen their social media plans, here are some of the 2020 social media trends to watch out this year!
- Video and Image Stories
Short-lived content is now a thing. Brief “stories” in the form of images and videos are some of the latest social media trends on Facebook and Instagram. It is used by approximately 500 million daily users on Facebook alone. These types of posts or story are those that go away after a certain period of time, usually after 24 hours. It’s been used by influencers and ordinary people to share new and up-to-date news to their followers. These posts are information that is not necessarily needed to be posted on their timeline but still deserves a spot on their accounts as an update.
Stories are appealing because short content is easier to digest, more engaging and addictive. It suits the character of today’s consumers where people have relatively shorter attention spans and are visually inclined.
Stories have also reinforced the practice of adding polls, questions and answer boxes, and other engaging features that made it an instant hit to end-users and even brands. Some companies use fleeting content to build audience anticipation on upcoming promos or showcase their unique company culture.
- Video Content is King!
If you are looking for the perfect time to shift from the usual text-based content and be creative, then now is the perfect time to do so. Businesses have reached the point where creativity is the key! That said, producing visual content is one of the perfect choices to make when attracting new customers.
Short and attractive videos explaining your services and GIFs that your audience can relate to are some examples of a winning visual content. It is already proven that video content is the most engaging marketing medium compared to images and texts. It also explains the fast rise to fame of other social websites like YouTube and TikTok.
Digital marketing experts predict that by 2022, around 82% of all online content will be video content. Thus, if a brand’s objective is to exceed competitors in social media marketing, then incorporating videos into your strategy is a good choice.
- Social Media as an eCommerce Platform
Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many online stores have already been utilizing social media platforms as a virtual shop. Small online sellers are emerging almost every day. eCommerce businesses on various social networks are even strengthened as lock downs and quarantines were simultaneously implemented in many parts of the world.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are used to post photos of a product that a company offers. Businesses operating through social media are now slowly gaining authority over the eCommerce industry, fiercely competing with online shopping websites and other retail shops with physical stores.
- Niche Social Media Platforms
These are platforms that cater to a particular target group sharing the same characteristics or interests. LinkedIn is specially made for business groups and professionals while TikTok is for creative trendsetters and performers.
Facebook has long been the top social media site for end-users due to its unique capacity to handle all types of content and cater to different target audiences. Although, people are now gradually utilizing platforms designed for more specific forms of entertainment and use. It might take a while to surpass the achievements of the networking app giant that is Facebook, but these Niche social platforms will continue to dominate present-day digital communities as one of current trends in social media.
- Influencer Marketing
Along with the rise of social media platforms is the emergence of different influencers with both big and small numbers of followers. These internet celebrities remain to be a huge part of social media trends for 2020. They are people with content creation skills that led them to be successful in creating their own community of followers. They know their market well and they can bridge gaps between brands and people.
With the prevalence of using a strategy that involves getting close to the target market, influencers are now deemed as one of the more effective marketers for a specific company or product. They usually identify themselves with their followers and empathize with them, thus creating a feeling of being understood and represented. It is the sense of being relatable that is hard to come by in TV personalities, actors, and commercial models. Many companies are now trying to utilize the benefits that they can get from influencer marketing, and this includes lesser costs than paid advertisements and overpriced talent fees.
- Social Media as Customer Service Platform
Social Media has long been used for communication and information sharing among its users. But, businesses have also found their way to make use of the platform for their own benefit. These beneficial uses include maximizing their customer service.
Now recognized as part of the current trends in social media, online help desk in social media began with the influx of small eCommerce businesses online. Companies noticed the flock of users trying to ask for help through social media messaging platforms. The trend is not just because social platforms cater to faster customer service. It is also because it enables more personal and direct communication between a company and its customer and leads. Compared to the long process of calling and sending emails, personalized and accessible communication is what most people prefer.
- Social for Local Targeting
There are still several companies that have not realized how social media is an effective engine to use for targeting specific groups and locations. For those who have, they are now diverting their strategy into local targeting. Businesses purposely pick out specific locations of their market for a localized selection.
Local targeting is available on Facebook and Instagram, although doing so is easier thought-of than done. After deciding the geographical location of a company’s target market, they shall now set their posts to a specific area to be able to reach their audience and the people nearby. By doing so, the selected group will easily find their product. This feature is particularly available on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
- User-Generated Content
Using user-generated content in marketing strategy is not a breakthrough discovery, but it is still just as powerful and effective. It continues to dominate social media trends in 2020, because it lets companies encourage their loyal consumers to be part of their expansion campaign.
Usually, a business asks for feedback or personalized content from the users of their products or services to encourage other potential customers to do the same. For instance, having an actual user discuss how their personal experience with a product is an effective way to persuade others to try it as well. User reviews and content compels you to be spontaneous in your social media marketing! Studies show that consumers believe more in what other actual customers say than in what companies assert about their services.
- Creating your Own Social Media Community
Out of all the latest trends in social media, this particular tip may not be applicable for all. Still, it is an excellent goal especially for startups and small businesses. Once a company starts their own social media community, followers and leads share their thoughts and personal opinions, eventually leading into the formulation of a good marketing strategy.
Platforms like Facebook groups are a perfect alley for users to exchange ideas and relate with each other. Having people with the same interest in one group will make reaching a target market easier and faster. It is also helpful for brands to gain direct and genuine reactions from people who want to do business with them.
Conclusion
For a business to thrive in the present world, social media must be embedded in their business development and marketing strategy one way or another. You may not realize it earlier but in the long run, effective social media planning will increase customer leads and dramatically boost sales.
Handling social media is not an easy endeavor, but there is also truth to the saying,“you get what you work for.” Some might find it arduous and time-consuming . Luckily, there are content moderation experts who are willing to extend their helping hand in warding off detractors on your social media pages for a continuous business growth. Chekkee is a one-call-away moderation service for safer, secure, and better social media pages and websites.
