Social media has always presented a wide array of opportunities for marketers and brands to reach their audience and distribute content, making it convenient and essential when it comes to business. 2017 has been huge for different social media platforms: Facebook enticed Snapchat users to Instagram with Instagram stories, Twitter has upgraded its character limit up to 280; and livestream videos have now become mainstream.
With 2018 just around the corner, it’s time to get your game face on and start working on your social media strategy to generate better engagement and increase brand loyalty. Here are five social media trends that will have a huge impact in the coming year. Better be prepared.
#1 Incorporating Augmented Reality
When Apple introduced the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, they also presented the A11 bionic chip that allows the phones to provide its users with stunning augmented reality experiences. Augmented reality elevates the mobile experience by integrating reality with digital information. With this, apps and games alike will reach a new level of fluidity and realism. While this new technology was initially introduced for mobile gaming, social media platforms will surely find a way to incorporate this to their marketing by 2018.
#2 More Focus On Content Personalization
The last thing anyone wants is irrelevant content that doesn’t speak to them, especially online. Online content that are aligned to consumers’ interests are more likely to be consumed and shared. Meanwhile, unrelated ones are more likely to be ignored or even blocked.
According to John Hall from an article on Inc., social media platforms’ analytic tools and business-specific features will become more detailed and valuable to brands as they evolve. Marketers will have better insights to create and distribute personal content to engage audience.
#3 Rise Of Chatbots
As technology advances, we grow more accustomed to wanting things in the next five minutes—something quick and instant for our impatient selves. A chatbot basically provides a quick response to their audience with a more personalized feel into it, despite being digital. For businesses and brands that have a huge following, leveraging the power and efficiency of social chatbots for customer service will surely win the hearts of their audience and potential consumers. With this, companies can build more meaningful and lasting relationships with their customers.
#4 Videos Will Grow More Valuable
Video content has always been important in every kind of social media platform. By streaming compelling content, a video can quickly capture attention and amass a following. By 2018, videos will only get more valuable for producing content and building an audience. Businesses and brands will surely need to produce videos to capture their target audience’s attention.
#5 Investment In Social Media Marketing
According to Brookings, 89 percent of millennials find it hard to trust traditional strategies when it comes to advertising. In 2017, the rise of social media-based influencer marketing strategy has proven to connect and improve engagement, making it successful. By next year, other brands and businesses will have ditched the traditional strategies and finally employ social media influencers in order to improve their marketing.
