It would not be an exaggeration to say that most people spend a huge chunk of their time every day on social media. Why? Because social media is an addition to the numerous marketing tools brands use in today’s time to increase their revenue, boost brand engagement and improve their reputation. The importance of social media in marketers’ and consumers’ lives is undeniable.

However, the rising competition makes it tough for marketers and brands to stand out with their efforts. But a strong social media marketing strategy can help, given it includes the latest trends!

Social media trends have the power to fuel your marketing strategy and set you apart from the rest! Learn about the top 6 social media marketing trends of this year to take your business to a whole new level.

Social Commerce Will Grow Exponentially

Brands have relied heavily on the likes of Facebook and Instagram to sell their products. Consumers are now able to purchase products directly via social media and we’re only expecting to see the social commerce industry continue to expand significantly in the next few years. Social media platforms are evolving and transforming into retail platforms allowing marketers and brands to include social commerce in their sales strategies.

From introducing Instagram Storefronts to Shoppable posts and marketplaces, social media platforms are truly fueling the growth of the social commerce industry and providing a seamless shopping experience.

The Rise of Video Content

Content comes in all forms and video content is crowned as the most engaging form of content. It’s predicted by a Cisco study that by the end of 2022, more than 82% of the content found online will be video content. This number tells us how crucial it is to leverage video content to stay relevant in the industry.

Your next content strategy should include creating and sharing videos. It’s time to block the narrative that long-form content is the way to go. Video content will dominate the future. Take inspiration from Reels, TikTok, and Stories and understand the importance of short-form videos.

Augmented Reality Will Become Mainstream

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are two technologies that social media will adopt and normalize in the coming years. Every social network wants to create an engaging and better experience for its users and the adoption of AR particularly can make it happen.

Instagram and Snapchat are already using Augmented Reality filters that add bunny ears, glasses, or makeup to your face which the audience loves. The purpose is to boost visual content shared on the platform.  Brands can also leverage technology to create better shopping experiences for their customers. AR can be used by consumers to visually try the product before purchasing it. AR has a lot of potential applications that social media platforms can use in the next few years.

Ads Will Be Run On Smaller Platforms

Pinterest, Snapchat, and TikTok aren’t considered ‘small’ platforms. But compared to the platforms that most brands use for marketing, they can be called small. But these ‘small’ platforms are powerful. They are capable of producing twice the revenue on ad spend compared to other platforms.  Snapchat has a huge advertising audience and TikTok has some of the most powerful influencers. Running ads on such platforms will only benefit brands in return.

Influencer Marketing Will Continue to Rise

Influencer marketing isn’t a relatively new trend, but it will stay for a long time. Influencers are dominating the social space and getting paid tons of money to promote brands. There’s an influx in the number of influencers bracing social media networks, and also a boost in the amount of money spent on influencer marketing by businesses.

Investing in influencer marketing is cheaper than investing in paid ads. It’s reliable, promises good results, helps accomplish marketing goals, and generates leads! It’s a trend that will continue to grow in the coming years for sure.

Social Media Will Be Used for Customer Service

Social is more than just a place for people to connect. It has transformed into multiple channels, from retail and product discovery to a customer service platform now, brands are recognizing social media platforms to deliver excellent customer service. Many customers try to reach brands on social media because of slow or lack of response in other indirect ways. Brands can communicate and interact with customers, plus answer questions, and address complaints through social media.

To Wrap It Up

Building a brand and promoting it isn’t easy when the competition is high. But a strong social media strategy can help you. Learn and understand these 6 social media trends to stay relevant in the industry. Make sure you have a strong internet connection to remain active on all your social media platforms. Sign up for AT&T Home Internet or check out AT&T bundle deals to get the fastest speeds in your budget!