Social media marketing is one of the most influential tools businesses have today. If you have $10 and an internet connection, you can show your content to thousands of viewers with the click of a button. But while this platform makes marketing more accessible than ever, there is still a fine art to good social media marketing.
LIVE VIDEO
In addition to pre-recorded video content, live video has become very popular in recent years. Live videos give viewers a real look at their internet icons, creating a spontaneous and original atmosphere. Live videos can also be a great way to engage viewers as they have a unique character that touches on the FOMO that many viewers experience.
Planning live video events can be a great way to increase your engagement with content in 2022. You can host live Q&A with followers, show viewers around your company headquarters, or showcase new product features. You’ll also need to Livestream part of your in-person event to increase its reach.
BRAND FILTERS
Filters are another social media revolution that started with Snapchat. This photo overlay can be anything from an interactive lens that makes the user look like a dog to a simple banner message at the bottom of the screen. Some filters even change the shape of the face or add virtual makeup.
Smart brands have started creating custom filters that customers can use to show their brand loyalty. These filters can be geotagged, which means that only users within a certain location radius can see and use the filter. They can also be combined with interesting photo effects, such as MAC or Sephora filters that give the user a full virtual makeup look.
SHORT VIDEO CONTENTS
It should come as no surprise that video has been, and will continue to be, one of the most important content types for digital marketing. Experts estimate that by this year more than 82 per cent of all consumer internet traffic will come from video. This year is the duration of popular video content.
Platforms like Vine and Snapchat surpassed the short video format a few years ago, but today TikTok is at the top of the list. Users love the instant gratification and message efficiency of these videos, which typically last less than a minute. Businesses looking to keep up with the times in social media marketing need to reduce clutter and keep their video content short and sweet.
INFLUENCERS
Influencers are another social media trend that continues to gain momentum this year. Influential people on social media are content creators who have huge platforms with followers. Businesses can sponsor these influencers or send them free products in exchange for creators promoting their brand to their followers.
By 2022, influencer marketing will take a bigger lead in many companies’. Unlike traditional paid content, influencer marketing leverages the parasocial connections and trust followers have in their favourite influencers. Most marketing contracts with influencers include indicators that are guaranteed upon achievement.
AUDIO CONTENT
In recent years, audio content has exploded. Platforms like Spotify and Audible have started to emerge and at the time of this writing, there are over 2 million podcasts. Social media platforms and marketing teams are looking for creative ways to leverage this interest to drive post-publication engagement.
Twitter recently added a new Moments format that allows users to create audio-only content. Spotify is also expanding beyond the realm of music to include audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content that users can enjoy on the move. Social media marketing teams need to focus on audio formats that are easily accessible to users wherever they are.
SHOPPING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media platforms have increasingly evolved into one-stop shops in recent years. Social media sites have become platforms for organizing events, sharing information, and staying up to date. And in recent years, this platform has started to dive into the world of e-commerce.
Ecommerce on social media has recently expanded to include more B2C functionality. Small businesses can now offer and sell products directly through social media platforms. Using this convenience can help increase conversion rates for their social media marketing plans.
PAID ADVERTISING
There’s a lot to be said for organic social media coverage, but there’s no substitute for paid content. A viral video may seem like the key to success, but the truth is, the chances of you winning the lottery are as great as the post itself going viral. Paying for ad placement ensures that you are showing your content in front of an interested audience.
When creating your paid social media ads, try to make the content appear natural and valuable to your subscribers. It’s also a good idea to narrow your audience down to your target customer profile. By limiting this audience, you can get a higher return on advertising investment because only potentially interested users will see your ad.
MEME CONTENT
Memes are one of the biggest and most opaque parts of life on social media. New memes appear, go viral for about five minutes, and then disappear quickly. Jumping on that meme train can be a great way to connect with your followers, but it can be very tricky to manage.
One of the key aspects of a good meme is that it should feel spontaneous and organic. Focus on memes, but generally don’t post anything you don’t feel comfortable posting on your personal social media pages.
INTERACTIVE CONTENT
While mindless scrolling can be fun, viewers want the content to engage. Social media platforms offer viewers more ways to interact with content. In particular, quizzes, polls, and Q&A sessions are a great way to keep viewers engaged with your brand.
This type of interactive content not only engages your audience but also provides excellent data retrieval opportunities. You can use the information you get from seemingly random content to get a better picture of what your customers are connecting with. You can even run a poll to ask customers what they think of a new product they’d like to see before you start developing the project.
AI OPTIMIZATION
Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting areas of computer development today. While we’re far from Star Trek-level computer intelligence, AI has made excellent strides in recent years. AI can be a powerful tool for predicting customer behaviour, identifying retention patterns, and optimizing your content.
Many social media platforms have started to incorporate AI into their data analysis tools. You can see what post types are performing well and when to post to get the best response. Use these analytics to target future posts and develop content for future campaigns.
As 2022 kicks off, consumers are looking for more accountability on their social media. Remember to listen to the feedback you receive from your community and respond appropriately when conflicts arise. Admit when a mistake has been made, take steps to correct the injury caused, and apologize before starting work to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
WRAPPING UP – DISCOVER MORE TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Social Media Marketing is a fast-growing industry that seems to change every day. This year we will see the continued growth of influencer marketing, short and live video formats, and meme culture. Focus on the quality of your publications, connect with a dedicated community, and don’t underestimate the value of paid marketing.
If you want to learn more about social media marketing trends, check out our other blogs. Discuss your goals with us today and start looking like a rock star to your boss and clients.
