Social media is a fast-paced industry with ever-changing trends (seriously, they seem to change every other day).
But do these trends matter?
Yes, friend, they do!
And staying on top of them is crucial to making the most of your marketing efforts, so we’ve put together 6 of the top trends for this summer.
The value of staying on top of social media marketing trends
Social media is like a moody girlfriend/boyfriend. Kind of like a moving target, but when you hit the sweet spot, there are some serious rewards!
Instagram and Facebook, for example, reward accounts that use their latest features with better results, eg. followers, likes, comments, shares, etc. Since that’s what we’re all chasing, it’s critical to know which features are being released and what’s the flavour du jour so you can reap the benefits of pleasing your rollercoaster of a digital love interest.
6 of the top social media marketing trends for 2018
1. Taking advantage of the social media boom
Social media is bigger than ever. In fact, the number of users worldwide grew 13% over the last year. That’s part of why one of the biggest trends we’re seeing is businesses pumping more of their dollars into social media marketing.
Now, while it’s great that there are more and more eyes on your social media content, that also means your business needs to do more to separate itself from the ocean of other businesses in the e-space.
The best way to do that? Us! Working with a social media agency helps you cut through the noise to take full advantage of the social media boom!
2. Multiple accounts/platforms
Most people have eight – count ‘em, eight – social media accounts. That means they aren’t just on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
This summer, it’s all about connecting with clients and potential clients on a variety of platforms. Just make sure that the ones you’re on are relevant to your business! There’s no point in putting in all that time and effort on a platform that doesn’t attract the clients you’re hoping to connect with!
3. Stories
Stories are on the rise right now. In fact, the Zuck (AKA Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg) has claimed Stories will soon be more popular than posts!
What are Stories? They’re quick videos or photos that only last for 24 hours on Instagram or Facebook (a copycat of the Snapchat model). Add emojis, text, links, @s and #s to your Stories to join the ranks of the pros!
The idea is that they aren’t pre-shot but a taken live, but you don’t have to use them that way.
What’s awesome about them, though, is that they are generally at the top of the social media page or app, meaning they’re often what users see first. So, if you want all eyeballs on your content, start sharing some stories!
4. Influencer marketing
This is a social media marketing trend that’s been around for a while, but it shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.
In case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard about it, it’s about using people with strong platforms to make posts about using your product. Big brands are doing this with influencers like the Kardashians. But it’s not just a social media marketing tool for brands with deep pockets. Even small business owners can get in on the fun, using local influencers, who are more affordable and accessible.
5. Video content
If you are doing social media marketing, it’s all about video, video, video!
In the past, photos were the big draw; but, now, if you want to be noticed, video is the way to go.
And we’re not just talking about pre-shot video either. Live streaming is a growing tool, especially for small businesses. It allows you to connect with new and old customers in real time, as well as to build excitement about any events or launches you have coming up.
Get creative with this, doing things like hosting Q & As or taking viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of your operation!
6. Moving beyond organic reach
“Organic reach”… It’s a term you may have heard. But it’s basically dead now! It means having your posts seen by people who like or follow your social media accounts, and their friends. Now, since Facebook and Instagram are a for-profit business (owned by Facebook), they want YOUR business to pay them to have your content shown.
That’s why it’s important to work with a social media agency like Legendary. We not only know which posts to promote, but we also have a variety of social media tools to help ensure that your posts and business get the attention they deserve!
At Legendary, we keep up-to-date on all the social media marketing trends. That allows us to make the most of them – and to tailor our services to the current social media marketplace, which gives our clients the best results for their businesses! But you don’t have to take our word on it, you can see what our clients have to say!
