As social media continues to evolve and users continue to experiment with different tools and resources, marketers need to have a clear understanding of which platforms are generating the greatest return on investment. There are always trends that are fading, and simultaneously new trends are shaping businesses. It is critical to keep an eye on the future.
Companies ought to find a balance between making sense of their social data while also finding new ways to engage with customers. Knowing what matters can make all difference. Marketing is not simply creating ads, it is more of creating experiences that attract audiences.
So it is time to re-evaluate what’s working and what is no longer working for social media. The good news is you will not be starting from scratch, it is just about evolving your content strategy to fit the current trends to reach your goals.
Here are the 4 emerging marketing trends that can help you fuel your social media strategy for 2021.
1. Niche Social Platforms
Each platform has its own type of audience. It is important to take the time to monitor who the audience are in each platform. For the longest time, Facebook and Instagram have been dominant in social media. However, recently some other platforms have risen to fame. For example, TickTock is a platform that became even more popular during COVID-19, especially among females. Using our tool, we were able to track TickTock mentions; 42% of mentions were by females, while 38% were by males. Businesses mentioned it at 20% which indicates that it is gaining popularity as part of their marketing strategy.
It is important to always be aware of the number of users in each social media platform, and in what ways they are being used. Social media users thrive on consuming media that is built for them. Not every social media platform is the right fit for every business, so you should invest your time and skills in the platforms when you’re most likely to reach and engage with your target audience.
2. Artificial Intelligence Tools
AI tools are perfect for everyday marketing needs like crisis monitoring, campaign performance tracking, demographic analysis, and competitive benchmarking. It is powerful in answering questions about what to do or predict what will happen in the future. AI is fundamental to interpret millions of social media conversations. It is the future of marketing and it is beneficial for companies to quickly adapt to avoid falling behind.
Social media listening, using AI, is crucial. Social media has become more than a place to hang around and connect with friends; it is a place for brands to observe social media behavior. It is almost impossible to carry out such a task manually at an efficient level. So this is where an AI tool such as Crowd Analyzer comes in.
3. Content is King
The value of content marketing is continuing to grow. You have to go beyond the simple audience research, you have to create detailed personas. The content must be relevant and consistent. Consistency in tone and style is respected by the audience. Relevant content reaches your audience on a more personal level; it is the way to connect with your target audience
It is no secret that video is taking over as the most engaging content. It is in its gold era. People consume video now more than ever, meaning it pays to be aware of the rise in visual storytelling. Video is the perfect form of storytelling. It is how people start conversation, and engage with content. It is estimated that people will spend more time watching videos in the future, more than any other type of content. Moreover, users are looking for platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels to create fun, engaging content. Such platforms are about creating short videos that appeal to the short attention span associated with social media users. It is time for brands to capitalize on that and focus on producing more videos, but this also means there will be more competition. Marketers will need to step up their game and stay ahead of completion to deliver the next video at the right time in the right way.
4. Customer Experience
Social media revolutionized the customer experience landscape. It is a key pillar for sharing content with customers, engaging with them, and receiving feedback. Customers hold more power; they get to share their opinions in public through technology. They demand accountability from the brand. Now customers are the ones speaking for the brand. The approval or disapproval of your target audience is what can make it or break it for a business.
Transparency is key. Customers are eager to tell their opinions about products and services. Not only that, but customers could become ambassadors for your brand. Recently, customers trust word of mouth marketing more than any paid form of advertising.
Crowd Analyzer’s Insights & Reporting experts are here to support you with extensive data and industry expertise. They will provide you with accurate insights, reports and recommendations that will help you identify the best marketing tactics that would be the right fit for your brand as you get ready to prepare your content and marketing strategy for 2021.
