Social media technology has been developing at a rapid pace over the last several years, but 2020 and 2021 have seen an explosion of creative new ways to use existing social media platforms and swift adoption of newer programs. All of this activity means that social media marketing can be both wonderful and frustrating if you are trying to make the best decisions for your company.
There is no question that social media channels open up new opportunities for marketing your product or service directly to the end-user. But with so much changing, how can you use the new tech and platforms to connect with the right audience? This post will help you answer that question and put you in touch with a professional digital marketing agency in Denver that understands the unique need of a small business.
Here are the trends to look for in social media marketing in 2022.
- Diversify Your Content Marketing Strategy
You have probably heard this before, but you should not put all your eggs in one basket. Social media marketing is part of your content marketing strategy. The last two years accelerated the move from in-person gatherings to virtual meetings. That trend will continue to drive social media sites to find the best technology to engage with their users. Almost all content is digital these days, and even most senior citizens are internet-savvy. Evaluate social media channels to discover which ones will provide the best interactions for your company.
- Micro-Influencer Marketing
We’ve all become familiar with traditional influencer marketing. Every day there are commercials on TV and streaming apps that feature well-known celebrities encouraging you to try some product or service. Micro-influencers are people who have fewer followers but have distinct niche audiences. You can find these influencers on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, or most channels. They discuss topics that are interesting to their niche market. However, if you can tap into that market because it is a good fit for your product, you will have customers who will enthusiastically engage with you: https://www.worldofchat.co.uk/ipad-chat-rooms/
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is no longer a part of the future. It is already here, and you might not even know that you’ve been interacting with it. For example, chatbots have been part of many websites for a few years now. They use rudimentary AI to converse with you. AI is only at the beginning stages of capability and will continue to grow in complexity and sophistication.
According to Socinova, artificial intelligence is already being applied in fields including:
- Customizable email marketing
- Keyword research
- Content optimization and seeding
- eCommerce transactions
- Product recommendations
AI can be used to deepen your social media engagements with your current customers and help you connect with new prospects.
- Social Media as Part of Daily Life
We are already seeing social media as part of daily life. With smartphones and tablets, people can check in on social media while waiting for an appointment, grocery shopping, or anywhere that has Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. People use social media for news, to stay in touch with family and friends, and entertainment. Facebook is a good example of a platform that has a wide range of tools to draw people in. You can post images, videos, stories, and text posts. For businesses, Facebook is a tool to reach people who are prequalified to match your target market. People can learn about your brand in several ways, including:
- Reviews
- Questionnaires
- Games
- Quizzes
- Interactive videos
- Surveys
- Contests
- Voice and Visual Search
People no longer need to type in a query for search engines. They can use voice or visual search to find what they want. Amazon’s Alexa searches the site for products with a voice command. In fact, it’s actually easier to search Amazon Fire using voice instead of text. Visual search is readily available for images on Google Lens. With Lens, you focus your camera on an object, and Google tries to match it with an existing image. These are only two ways to use voice and visual search. But what they prove is that businesses need to be prepared to add content that can be searched in this manner. And the image quality is important. Newer mobile devices have enough memory to process larger image files, and have powerful cameras to shoot photos.
- Live Streams and Stories
Live streams and stories are popular, and their use has increased over the last few years. As with virtual meetings, many influencers have embraced the concept of a live stream.[ You can also choose from a wide range of streaming equipment that will help you improve the quality of your streams. It might be worthwhile to see the Pearl Nano, which offers multiple storage options for storing, transferring, and backing up live streams. ] It’s fairly easy to set up a live stream using your smartphone while doing practically anything. Driving the car, going to the salon, or sitting in your favorite coffee shop. If you can’t connect in person, why not create a live stream to keep your followers interested? A collection of live streams gives new visitors the ability to pick and choose videos they like. Users feel like they are right there with you and send feedback to the live stream via likes and comments.
- Bite-Sized Videos
Have you noticed how short online videos are these days? We have become connoisseurs of the bite-sized video. What started on Twitter as a bite-sized text post has morphed into very short video content (which ironically, you can now post on Twitter).
Social media is full of short videos on just about every social media site. Users can also send videos in personal chat from one device to another, or they can connect on a messaging app to share videos. Since most phones record videos, it’s as easy as pie to record, then share. Online videos can be about any topic, but some of the most shared are funny or heartwarming.
- Shopping with Social Media
Social media is also emerging as a shopping platform. Some platforms allow you to post items for sale with a direct link in your post. These are often image or video posts on platforms including Pinterest and YouTube. Other platforms give you a space to learn more about an item or brand, and show others what you’ve already purchased. In essence, a group of people who all like the same thing.
- Data Protection and Security
With malware and ransomware attacks becoming more frequent, data security is an important factor for social media marketing. Many social platforms have added security features like double-factor authentication. Visitors will only continue to go to social sites that they feel secure on. If they aren’t secure on social media platforms, visitors will find another way to connect online.
Things to Consider
If you feel overwhelmed by the number of social media marketing issues, you are not alone. Unless you are a social media marketing expert, the changes are difficult to keep up with. That is why it is helpful to consult an expert. You can find out more about social media marketing by talking with a professional digital marketing agency.
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