I think if I say that most people spend a good part of their days on social media this would be true, although I am a great believer in a digital detox whilst doing the research for marketing of our new space Three Sixty Workrooms (www.threesixtyworkrooms.com) the true reality of the impact on social media has hit me. Social media has become an integral part of people’s lives and daily routines.
Some people are addicted to it so much that the first thing they do after waking up is to check their social media feeds, and for some turning to social media gives them validation that they are getting things right.
From the consumer perspective, marketeers (is it just me or does anyone hear this word and automatically think D’Artagnan, Porthos and Aramis in swashbuckling outfits aka the three musketeers) and businesses flock to social platforms in the hope of connecting with their target customers. However, undeniably there is a content overload on social media, and the competition is remarkably high. I have learnt that it can be challenging for the BEC to stand out unless we have a clear social media marketing strategy. The big learning is that this could not be the same strategy for Three Sixty Workrooms. This place needed a different vibe and feel and to be honest we struggled for a while.
I realise now that staying up to date on the latest social media trends has become a key element of my role, not so easy for a 50+ person who must ask her son what things mean. I recognise now that our strategy needs to help us to stand out in what is becoming a more crowded market than we have experienced before. I did some research on trends, and here are five things I have learnt and hopefully they may resonate.
- TikTok
If you didn’t already know it TikTok will become huge, during the last couple of years, TikTok has also launched several useful tools, like ads and business profiles, aimed specifically at businesses. So, it’s no longer just a platform where young creators can show off their dance moves embarrassed by the parents copying in the background. Overall, it’s set to become one of the main platforms that brands can use to reach millennials and Gen Z.
2. Social Commerce Will Continue to Expand
If you are unfamiliar with the term this is ads on social media that have a link on them that you can click through to the product and buy immediately. Rather than trawling through the website to find what you saw on a platform. Brands have long used social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to sell their products. Nowadays, the ability to buy products directly via social media will become a norm. Gone are the days that it will be used only by innovative brands even Marks and Spencer do it!
3. Video cContent Will Continue to Dominate
Unsurprisingly video content remains one of the most engaging formats. I am not just talking about the crazy cat videos! I read somewhere that 82% of all online content will be video, wow! More work for us all in getting over the uncomfortable in front of a camera vibe. Just have to do it, as this clearly shows how important it is to start utilising video content to stay relevant in the social media domain.
4. Social Audio Will Become More Popular
Since Clubhouse launched in 2020, it has become increasingly popular. In June 2021, Facebook followed suit by officially launching its Live Audio Rooms and podcasts. However, this format presents challenges for small businesses as it is not the most affordable form of content marketing, it might just be an audio clip but there is still back-office time and expertise that go into creating audio content. However, there is value in hosting a live audio stream, but again courage and confidence are the main ingredients and the key to this is authenticity.
5. User-generated Content Will Continue to be popular
Businesses and brands leveraging user-generated content is not a new trend but is a trend that is still going strong and will continue to do so. There are so many brands motivating their customers to create content and tag the brand for a chance to be featured in a campaign. Some businesses completely rely on user-generated content for their social media. However, we may feel we should all have a place for this in our content mix. After all its free and considered widely to be more authentic than branded content.
I hope you have found the tips of use and if you want to help us at Three Sixty Work rooms with Tip 5…then please reach out to us via our social media channels! We would love to welcome you!
