The Upcoming Future of Social Media Marketing: Key Trends and Strategies
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, social media marketing remains a critical component of any modern marketing strategy. With the rise of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and social commerce, the future of social media marketing is set to change dramatically. In this article, we explore the key trends and strategies that marketers should consider to stay ahead in the game.
Error 404: Brands' Journey in Social Media Notoriety
Over the past year, we have witnessed a significant shift in how brands use social media to promote their products or services. As social media user numbers surge – with over 3.6 billion users globally by 2020 – brands are not only looking at how they will connect with massive social media audiences in the future, but also how they can effectively maintain their presence and engagement.
Master Patterns to Watch for 2021
According to a report by Sprout Social, here are six key patterns that social media advertisers should watch and utilize in 2021:
1. Live Streams Will Stay Mainstream
The global health emergency of 2020 saw many businesses move online to comply with social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Virtual meet-ups became Zoom meetings, and live streams transitioned into artists playing from their homes. Therefore, there is a consistent rise in the use of live streaming features on social media. For example, the number of views on Instagram and Facebook Live nearly doubled in some COVID-19 hotspots like Italy within a week.
2. Stories as a Content Format
Instagram Stories are already dominant in content format, with over 500 million users engaging with them daily. Brands should adopt a more planned approach to Stories as part of their content strategy. It's particularly crucial to increase the utilization of video as Stories, given the superior engagement rates compared to photos.
3. Augmented Reality Will Gain Popularity on Social Media
Amid the stay-at-home requests and the need for social distancing, people are seeking more meaningful interactions. Augmented reality (AR) is one of the current technological trends that can provide those interactions. Collaborating with individuals through VR can give the sensation of being together, no matter how far apart. This kind of experience is exactly what people want when they need to socially distance. 2021 is likely to see AR gaining traction on social media as platforms continue to integrate this technology.
4. Increased Reality as a Media Trend
AR has seen an accelerated adoption spike due to recent events, making its presence in the social sphere more prominent. Unlike VR, AR does not require additional equipment beyond a mobile phone, making it significantly more accessible. It is also different from previous image recognition experiences that have been a feature on many social platforms for years.
5. Social Commerce Will Continue to Grow
The social media industry is constantly adjusting to enhance the user experience, and we are seeing more features and tools that facilitate quick and convenient shopping. For example, Instagram allows you to add product tags and enable one-click buying without leaving the platform. On Facebook, you can set up a Shop where users can browse and purchase directly from the platform.
6. Authenticity and Transparency Will Be Priority
Consumers value authenticity. Brands need to maintain genuineness and transparency about their products and actions. This builds trust and makes consumers more willing to engage. It's hard to beat the effectiveness of social media in this regard, as per the 2020 Sprout Social Index, where authenticity and connection with the audience are the leading factors that make a brand’s social performance stand out.
Conclusion
The future of social media marketing is exciting, but also challenging. By embracing these key trends and strategies, marketers can better engage with their audiences and build lasting relationships. For more information, interested parties can join us at DigiGrowHub.