Social Media Trends

Last year surfaced the value (and shortcomings) of social media as a marketing tool. Usage was higher than ever, and new kids on the block like TikTok cemented their place in the engagement ecosystem. With attention spans shortening, bandwidth opening up, and user habits shifting, it’s a great time to re-evaluate what role social media plays in your business. It’s important to stick to what works while also keeping your eye on the future. So, here are 3 predicted trends to look into and embrace as you strategize for 2022.

1. Social customer service: Companies like Comcast have a years’ long history of good customer response and outreach over Twitter. They became famous for it. The need to provide good support online is only going to get more important over time. If you’re not employing a “listening” program across multiple platforms, you’re missing an opportunity to meet your customer in real-time to solve their problems.

2. Micro-influencers: We already know the exposure opportunities if a big-name celebrity mentions your product on Instagram, but the truth is, almost no one can really afford that type of product placement deal. On the flip side, influencers with just a few thousand followers on Facebook, for example, can be a great way to reach a niche audience and get your product highlighted for just a few hundred dollars. And you’ll get street cred to boot.

3. The Metaverse: Mark Zuckerberg renamed his company for a reason. Augmented and Virtual Reality are innovations in the space that – while prone to slow adoption rates today – could reach a tipping point into mainstream sooner than later. Studies show consumer buy-in is limited, but if you sell your ware online, this is likely your future. Don’t get caught flat-footed as your competition soars into the sales stratosphere.

While it’s impossible to master each and every social channel, it is important to know where your customers visit most and do your best to post and advertise strategically in those spaces. And with the complexities of an ever-changing Internet landscape, it’s also just as critical to be fluid and ready for change as users’ fickle nature will surely lead us down a new path shortly.