There is no question that social media has come a long way from its early beginnings, and it’s definitely here to stay as one of the most effective marketing tactics. You can’t afford to stick only to the tactics used in several previous years. Yes, they might have been efficient, but the social media landscape is ever-changing and it is important to keep introducing new ones. Now, let’s see what we can leave behind in 2018 and what needs to be implemented as soon as possible in 2019 in order for your company’s social media presence to stay intact and continue to grow and develop.
The Video/TV shift
Of course, there are a lot of trends from 2018 that we will continue to see in 2019, but some will have an additional twist. For example, in 2018, the video made a great impact, with many businesses streaming live videos to promote their brands. It has become apparent that audiences would rather watch something live if it grabs their attention straight away than read a lengthy blog on the exact same subject. They simply don’t have the time for that. The video form will continue to be present in 2019, but we will also see the rise of Instagram TV, more as more brands use IGTV to reach their audiences. This is just another way of using this platform in a far more efficient way.
The continual rise of influencer marketing
This is one trend that just keeps gaining momentum, and there are no indications of slowing down in 2019. Not only is this a great way for brands to get their services and products out to their customer base. By paying bloggers to promote their products they are getting not only the readers of that blog interested in their product but also all social media followers that influencer has to offer. Depending on the importance of the influencer, they could be writing the reviews themselves or opting for various forms of freelance marketing, where they outsource the writing to experience writers so that they get the best possible result. The benefit of influencer marketing lies in the organic following these individuals have since their followers value their opinions and points of view. This means, that if the blogger likes a product, their followers are more likely to buy that product.
Unique filters for video content on various social media platforms
We all know about Snapchat filters and how popular they are, especially with celebrities. Now there is an option for sponsors to develop their own filters for Snaphat users to try. Personalization is one of the key aspects of marketing today, everyone wants to feel that the brand or company they are choosing has gone far and beyond to personalize their experience. It is not always easy to achieve this aspect but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. And the augmented reality offered by these various filters might be just the way in your brand needs to access a whole new pool of customers.
These are the three main trends that we can expect to see in 2019. Maybe it is better to say that they are variations on the already existing ones. But still, even the smallest changes to accommodate your customer base can make a huge difference in your long term social media strategy. Finally, don’t forget to do your best to keep up with the ever-changing trends, if you fall behind you risk being trampled by your competitors and forgotten by your followers.
