Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have been around for more than a decade now and continue to add new features all the time, offering marketers more ways to promote their products and attract customers. With 2022 around the corner, social media marketers are most likely wondering what trends they will need to look out for to stay ahead of the curve.
4 Exciting social media trends for 2022 marketers should look out for include:
More targeted content
The rise of micro influencers
An avalanche of video content
User-generated content and social proof build trust
In this post, I’ll describe the social media marketing trends that are likely to see widespread adoption in 2022. Read on for additional information on these and tips on improving your organization’s social media outreach in the years ahead.
4 Predictions for Social Media Marketing in 2022
Arguably, 2022 will redefine the world of social media marketing.
In this regard, it would help to ensure your organization is aware of the trends that will dominate in the coming years.
Here are four predictions for social media marketing in 2022:
More Targeted Content
With the addition of algorithms that predict what users would like to see and when, platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will tailor content even more than they already do.
This means that only relevant ads will reach customers, increasing conversion rates while saving time for marketers who no longer have to sift through irrelevant data.
The Rise of Micro Influencers
In a time when scandals have shattered trust in big brands, people are looking for more authentic sources of information from those who have earned their persuasion, persuasion through work ethic, and dedication rather than flashy ads.
With the rise of micro-influencers who have high engagement rates instead of celebrities with millions of followers but low engagement, businesses can be assured that spending money on influencer marketing will translate into improved brand awareness and higher customer conversion rates.
An Avalanche of Video Content
Over the past few years, video content has replaced imagery as the preferred marketing medium across all social networks due to its highly visual nature and since most people are more likely to share videos instead of still images.
With the increased availability of video in social networks, more brands are expected to use videos to boost their brand awareness whilst also increasing sales.
According to statistics released by Biteable, 94% of marketers expect to use video in 2022.
This will translate into an avalanche of video content being posted on social media over the next few years, with more marketers opting to use this form of promotion instead of still images as a way to reach their audience.
User-Generated Content and Social Proof Build Trust
Social proof is a powerful tool for marketers as it is an efficient way to convince would-be customers that they are making the right buying decision.
In 2022, this will be more apparent than ever since most people now assume that brands exaggerate their claims about their products. In order to convince users that they are offering high-quality products or services, businesses will use social proof to assure people that their claims are true.
5 Ways To Ensure Your Social Media Strategy Succeeds In 2022
As marketers look forward to the near future, there are some pretty big changes coming up.
Notably, these changes will be so big that they will give marketers a great opportunity to improve their social media marketing campaigns.
If you want your business to stand out from the competition, consider using the following ways to ensure your social media strategy succeeds in 2022:
Target Your Audience Better
A successful social media campaign relies on first understanding the nature of your target audience and where they can be found online.
With more than 2 billion active social media users worldwide, it's easy to see why it would be beneficial for companies to embrace this new form of digital marketing as a way to reach potential customers.
The key is finding out which social media platform will work best for your business as there are several such as Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat that appeal to different demographics.
Once you've decided on the platform that works best for you, create a user profile specific towards those who would be interested in your products or services and begin promoting yourself by posting interesting content related to what you offer and watch as your following grows over time.
Increase Your Engagement Rate
If you want to increase your social media engagement rate, then it's important that you post content at the right time.
As with traditional marketing, timing is crucial on social media as well.
So make sure all of your posts are shared during peak hours since more people will be browsing their feeds around this time.
It's also worth bearing in mind that there are different times when people will be using social media, so make sure you know who your target audience is and where they can be found online to get ahead by reaching out to them at the right time.
If you don't have analytics set up on your account already, it's worth doing so to see which times of the day your audience is most active.
Create Content People Want to Share
When it comes to content, the more appealing your post is - the more likely people will want to share it.
But what does this mean for businesses?
This means that you should create content around topics that are relevant and useful to your audience so they can benefit from them.
Once you know who your target audience is, you can create content they would want to share with their friends and family.
If there is an opportunity to include humor in your post, go for it, as this will increase the chance of people clicking on it since they are more likely to share this type of content due to its entertaining nature.
Here’s a video that describes ways to create good content:
Be Creative and Stand Out
As we've already mentioned, the social media space is getting increasingly crowded, with more and more brands vying for attention.
So if you want your business to stand out from the competition, then it's important that you come up with unique ways to promote yourself online.
For instance, if you're selling products such as jewelry or clothing, why not create a video tutorial on how to best wear these items and incorporate them into your outfit?
By doing so, your audience will be able to directly see what they would look like in real life, which could inspire them to purchase the product.
With so many people fighting for attention on social media today, it can be hard for brands to get noticed.
But if you try to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience, it's clear to see what types of content they may want to share with their friends and family.
By creating relevant posts, you'll be able to reach out to them in a way that feels natural, which can help you build rapport with your customer base over time.
Use Influencers Strategically
While having an influencer promote your business is beneficial, it's important not to be blinded by these so-called "superfans".
As helpful as these respected users are when it comes to promoting sales for brands since they have access to a wide range of their own audience, one should also consider whether or not this influencer is a fit for their business.
For example, if you're a large company with an established fan following looking to expand into new markets, you wouldn't want to choose an influencer with a smaller audience as this won't help your brand reach a wider demographic.
With this in mind, consider carefully who will be the best fit for your business and what type of relationship they have with their fans.
If you can't find someone perfect for your business goals right now, focus on those willing to collaborate and work out an agreement that benefits both parties - such as cash incentives or product giveaways.
That said, here are a few examples of brands that have succeeded with the mentioned strategies:
● Nike: The sports apparel and footwear giant has succeeded in growing its following over the years by embracing social media and encouraging followers to share the company's content.
Even though the company has a large following, they know that it's just as important to connect with every follower, so they take the time to reply to comments and direct messages.
● Aeropostale: The fashion retailer does a great job understanding which social media platforms their customers use. For example, they know that Snapchat is the go-to platform for those interested in fashion and beauty, so they post content that will be interesting for this demographic.
● Uber: The ridesharing service has done an excellent job building their following on social media over the years. For example, they have a strong presence on Twitter by offering early access to special deals and promotions.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of exciting changes in the social media space for marketers to look forward to when it comes to 2022.
With more people using these sites each day and growing competition from brands since they all want their voice heard, this year is set to be a competitive one with plenty of opportunities for business owners, so they will need to be on their A-game.
By focusing on creating content that is relevant and useful for your target audience, you can not only increase the chance of people sharing your posts, but it will also feel more personalized, which can greatly benefit your business in the long run.
Sources