Although no one could have predicted what 2020 had in store for us, it is safe to say that the “social” in social media took on a whole new meaning. With the global pandemic restricting in-person socialization, many turned to their devices for that much needed social aspect. As a result, the already prominent integration of social media in our daily lives was strengthened and that is not likely to change in the upcoming year. Social media is here to stay.
So what does that mean for us? Well, naturally, you want to be where your audience is. Although it can be tempting to put out a mass amount of content to reach consumers, there is already an overload on social media, as well as high competition for attention. Staying up to date on the latest social media trends can help you develop a strong social media strategy and help you stand out in the crowd.
Here are three top social media trends you can expect to see in 2021 as well as some tips to help you get started.
It’s all about the videos:
2020 saw the emergence of TikTok as a major social channel, and with that the usage of video content has skyrocketed. Highly engaging, video content reigns supreme over all other content types. Whether it is through short-form videos like those found on TikTok or long-form content like what you can find on YouTube, video content provides tons of opportunities to grow your audience and boost engagement.
Tips:
- Start small! You don’t have to create a mini production in order to get your feet wet with video content. Try posting a few short videos on Instagram Stories to get familiar and comfortable with creating video content.
- Creating video content can seem overwhelming, but keep in mind that it doesn’t always have to mean more work. A lot of the time you can repurpose this content from one platform to another.
- Don’t underestimate Instagram Reels. Although not as big as TikTok (yet), Instagram Reels offers a lot of potential to get eyes on your content. This platform is less saturated and since it is still fairly new, Instagram is providing a lot of prominence to users.
One-stop shop:
Welcome to the year of social commerce. It comes as no surprise that online shopping also saw a big boom this past year. Although the growth of social commerce has been slow to start, new features on our platforms make it even easier for consumers to go from discovery to purchase without even having to leave the app. This is great news for businesses as it opens up another way to secure revenue during COVID-19, and beyond.
Tips:
- Get familiar with these new online social commerce spaces. As new features continue to come out it is important to stay up to date on what is available, and how it works.
- Choose the right platforms. To figure out the right platforms to utilize, you’ll need to analyze your target audience. Who is your audience? What platforms do they use most? You want to make sure that you are reaching your audience in a space that makes sense for them.
- Put in the work now. Taking the time to optimize your profiles for social commerce (be it Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or even TikTok) will serve you for years to come.
Storytime:
The introduction of stories on various social channels has gradually been expanding over the past few years, a trend that is set to continue in 2021. The “stories format” has proven quite popular since it was first rolled out by Snapchat back in 2011. Since then, it has been adapted for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and, most recently, Twitter and LinkedIn. That’s not all, Spotify Stories and Pinterest Story Pins are reportedly being tested, as we speak, for wider release. Safe to say, the stories format is only going to continue to grow in popularity.
Tips:
- Focus on one main stories channel and really nail down a strategy. Even with all the new stories-like features coming out, Instagram remains top dog, so it is worth it to thoroughly develop a content strategy there first.
- Repurpose your content! The nice thing about stories is that the interface looks very similar across multiple platforms. Once you have one nailed down, it is quite easy to take that content and reuse it across multiple channels.
- Schedule your stories in advance. Much like main posts, stories can be scheduled, and doing so can help save a ton of time! That said, when it comes to picking a scheduling platform, the options are plentiful. To help you not get stuck in option overload, we recommend checking out Hootsuite or Sprout Social as a good starting point.
This is just a look at some of the trends that will dominate social media in 2021. Be sure to keep these in mind as you continue to develop your social media strategies for the year.
Why are we on social media? To make a conversation happen and build community. We’re obsessed with creating inspiring, authentic content that builds a meaningful connection with our audience.Just because we are still social-distancing doesn’t mean we can’t stay social online! Need help? Get in touch with us. We would be happy to assist you!