Three Techniques To Rock Social Media Marketing In 2018
HI FRIENDS.
It’s already a month into the new year and guess what - you’ve survived! If this is your first time on our blog, WELCOME. We’re guessing you could be a curious marketer on the lookout for what trends are in store for social media marketing in 2018 and the good news is - we’re here to help.
At Work It Social, it’s our job to stay in-the-know on how social media is being used by brands to expand their reach, connect with their audience, and grow their business. And if we’re being honest - we collaborate with our clients in hoping to achieve these goals, too.
The big thing is: we all know how fast social media is changing. Let’s take a walk down memory lane. Remember Snapchat? Many active users all switched to Instagram Stories the moment Facebook launched it. Next, do you still remember the 140 character limit on Twitter? It recently doubled, and users haven’t looked back.
The competition on these channels is getting tougher as brands are always aiming to expand their reach using social media - all circling back to the need to stay on top!
Here comes the juicy part. As marketers ourselves, we understand the desire to get ahead of the competition without wasting time and money on ‘experimenting,’ so we researched and identified the hottest trends in the world of social media marketing for 2018 ourselves!
Take a deep breath because we’re starting right here..
1. Dive into Instagram Stories
If you haven’t tested out Instagram Stories, you sure are missing out! BUT - if you’ve used Snapchat before, there are many similarities that will help you transition smoothly. In fact, Snapchat was the first social media platform to let users share short videos and pictures that disappear after 24 hours. This is where Facebook ‘borrowed’ the idea and incorporated it on Instagram, too.
If you are a brand who tries to connect with customers on Instagram, now is the time to get on board with Stories. You can showcase your company’s culture, how you go through with your day-to-day processes, and those exciting behind-the-scenes activities. Your creativity will be tested because you are allowed to add filters, hashtags, and text. Use these tools to attract viewers! In case you didn’t know, Instagram Stories are discoverable, meaning you can be found by people outside of your direct followers. Things keep getting better and better, so get ready to dive in!
2. It Really Is ALL About Influencer Marketing
If you've read our post about The Rise Of Microinfluencer, you’ll see that this is where we are leading you. Remember how you were lured to buy something simply because your favourite actor or actress endorsed it on television? That was an old-fashioned advertising and marketing strategy that cost FAR too much. This year, social media influencers are deemed celebrities in their own circles. As consumers seek authenticity from them, brands use influencer marketing. It is now considered it to be the fastest, and easiest public relation tactics used by brands today.
3. But Don’t Forget About Video!
Have you noticed that we are now living in a mobile-first culture? Videos can be accessed anywhere, and anytime. To prove it, in 2017, almost 90% of content shared in social media were videos. Now, the real challenge here is how you can capture your audience’s attention in those integral first few seconds. Tough, huh? Video marketing is known to be the fastest growing ad format, but it’s important to know the right strategy to incorporate it into what feels right for your brand. Do your research first and know what your target audience really wants to see. Make clear objectives, and not just for the sake of using videos. Lastly, make sure that you’re only providing high-quality, engaging content.
The time is now to start putting these social media marketing trends in action. Don’t know where to start? Contact us for your free 20 minute consultation for some guidance!
We know that what we discussed here is just a tip of the iceberg, so anything else that we should keep an eye on? We love to read your thoughts, post them in the comment section!