Social media is a key factor in any business. The growth, importance, and relevance has been on the rise for years. In 2020 social media has proven to be one of the most important elements needed for a business to be successful.
Organization and being ahead of the game are important elements when managing social media. It’s good to know what trends and platforms are up-and-coming or changing. For instance, Facebook has soft-launched its new platform, “Watch”, which will play a major role in changing the game for how do you watch videos and gather information and entertainment on Facebook. As for organization, a great way to set your self up for success is to be as on top of your social media game by planning and then executing content from a social media calendar. This alone can set you apart from the rest.
With 2018 quickly approaching, it’s important to know ahead of time what is going to be hot in social media. Being aware and planning for these trends will help companies be more prepared. It will help you attack your social media marketing strategy full force and with the confidence of what your company needs to bring to the table.
So, what is the forecast for 2018? These four social media trends are what you need to know and start planning for, in 2018!
Social Media Is Focused on Mobile
It’s no secret that everyone is on their phone nowadays. In fact, people do more from their phone than they do on their desktops and that is going to continue to rise over the next few years, making desktops only necessary for work, not for anything else, really. More and more apps are geared solely for mobile already, like Instagram and Snapchat. Currently, Facebook makes 84% of its revenue from mobile, showcasing that yes, most social media users are scrolling it from their phones. When planning, creating and posting on social media in 2018, companies need to remember that their calls-to-action have to have mobile users in front of their mind.
Chatbots Are Here to Stay
Chatbots have arrived and are already gaining traction in the social media marketing world. Facebook Messaging has become insanely popular for business and customer relationships. Consumers can reach out to companies to ask questions, make comments, etc. It has become a new line of customer service interaction, instead of phone or email support. The problem is that customers want an instant response and companies can’t always meet that need. This is why specific customer service numbers and emails were created.
Now, Chatbots have transformed and become the new customer service interaction. The sooner you can reply, the better. Meeting clients and potential customer needs are a high priority, which is why Facebook Messenger bots have become so popular. The most attractive aspect of utilizing a Chatbot is the ability to provide instant engagement that feels personal. Chatbots are there for your customers around the clock,” says James Memije, founder of AccuServ Heating & Air Conditioning.
The video is Where It’s At
Videos started to become the trend for your social media marketing strategy for 2017 and it’s still going to play a major role in 2018. Facebook ads that feature a video, are attracting way more engagement than an ad without one. This helps to build your organic audience as well, which is what businesses aim for- authentic customers they can gain and keep. Instagram and Snapchat Stories are on fire right now, especially Instagram for Business. You can tell a story, showcase news and products and just connect with your audience through video content, helping boost and aid in your social media success. It’s a quick and easy way to provide content to your customers, get right to the point and it’s really an inexpensive way to target your audience.
Keep Platforms Even If They Are Similar
It’s no secret that Snapchat came out with Stories first and that Facebook and Instagram then created something very similar. However, just because they feature the same concept of what they do, doesn’t mean they aren’t different. In 2018, it’s important to remember that just because social media platforms are similar doesn’t mean you should get rid of them that easily.
You must make sure that you are broad with your online marketing strategy. Each platform is different and can cater to a different audience. Snapchat is great if you are looking to target the younger generation, where Facebook is great to connect with an older audience, but that everyone is still on in the end. Instagram, well that’s the platform that is really hot with Millennials right now, so that is a key one to be focusing on, especially in the new year. Do your research and see where your audience and clients are most likely to be focusing on and do that. Don’t just get rid of platforms because they all seem the same.
2018 is the year that will enhance social media marketing even more, especially on mobile and through video. Watch for the latest trends and plan according to what your clients and potential clients are looking for, wanting and engaging in.