Social media officially eclipsed 3.6 billion users globally in 2020 with no signs of slowing down. Brands have been trying to keep up with social media trends to capitalize on the brand exposure opportunities that await them. With a wild 2020 coming to a close and 2021 well underway, here are some of the top trends that are emerging and should be implemented into your social media strategy for 2021.
The Less Is More Strategy
This past year saw many brands focusing less on consistency and more on quality content that provoked thoughts, displayed value, and was in touch with the world around their audience. This less is more trend will continue in 2021. The pandemic had brands question themselves about if their audience really wants to see them so consistently or would they rather see more value. There will be more thoughtful postings and ad buying that is less about timing and more about the content being used.
Conservations Within Marketing Channels Will Change
Brands will start putting a different spin on conversational marketing. With more social media messaging channels than ever before and consumers requiring more information to make a purchase, the conversation will shift to product education and hearing out concerns rather than pushing promotions and sales. Brands are striving to be more human and in touch with their audience rather than appearing to be a corporate machine. Your content should display more emotion than ever before.
Utilization of the Live Feature
Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, Twitch, and Twitter all offer a “go live” feature for accounts where they can communicate and produce content live for their audience. Brands have been starting to implement this tool into their strategy to engage better with their audience. Live streaming events have surged during the pandemic and seem to be here to stay. Live Q&As, tutorials, and other forms of content allow for great real-time engagement and data to be uncovered.
Social Media Channels to Include Shopping
Social media channels are starting to add shopping features to allow for checking out to occur directly off their applications. Facebook Shops and Instagram Shoppable posts are allowing consumers to purchase products seen within a post without leaving the app. This is a great tool for businesses to make the transaction process easier for their target audience. A post can include tags of particular products which allow you to see the product in action and easily click the tag to proceed to check out.
