Top 3 Social Media Marketing Trends 2019
In 2019, social media serves as a primary source of entertainment, communication, news, and much more for the nearly 2.77 billion users worldwide. We use this platform to keep up with high school classmates, learn valuable information, and check out businesses or brands we’re interested in.
With so many people scrolling through these platforms, it’s essential that your business is on social media. Whether you’re a big name brand or a small local business, these sites enable you to communicate with your audience in a more intimate and authentic way than you are able to through your website alone.
To increase your organic outreach and build a strong online presence for your business in a cost-effective manner, your social channels should include:
- frequent posts
- original images
- messaging supporting your practice
- comments and interaction
- and reviews from current clients
Marketing on these popular sites is anything but static. Each year, we see a new flurry of innovations and trends that change the digital marketing landscape. And each year, we learn how to adapt to this new terrain.
As audiences and algorithms evolve, businesses have to learn how to best approach marketing in this space. Don’t worry, though. We wouldn’t let you go into the new year without briefing you on the top social media trends today.
The top three trends are:
- Video Content
- Influencers and micro-influencers
- Stories and live videos
Let’s take a closer look at each of these trends.
1. Video content is king
Video content is set to be the star of social media and content marketing this year, driving a whopping 80% of all online traffic. This key player is known for its ability to drive traffic, keep users on a web page longer, and increase audience engagement.
It’s no surprise that YouTube has become the second-largest search engine in the world, behind Google, of course. That’s right, YouTube is no longer strictly for fail videos and makeup tutorials. Users now search YouTube for news, current events, and general information.
Video is also incredibly popular on other platforms as well. Videos shared on Facebook have 135% greater organic reach than posts that feature photos alone.
The advent of smartphones has made video content accessible to both individuals and businesses. While professional equipment is preferable, there is no reason you can’t create short videos on the newest Android or iPhone to begin using this highly effective content medium.
Post videos on your social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, that show off snippets of your business. This could be a walk-through of the first visit with you, a play on a current trend, or a series that enables your audience to better get to know your business.
2. The influencer take over
Even if you haven’t heard the term “influencer” before, there is a good chance that you know one or two of these internet personalities. An influencer is a person who has a large online community that she or he has the power to influence. Usually, these people are able to make money by partnering with brands and promoting their services or products online.
Many of these individuals are a part of a niche community and promote brands within a particular industry. Influencers work to gain the trust of their followers over time, so businesses benefit from an influencer’s perceived authority on a particular subject.
For example, last year a popular group of influencers made a video of each of their visits to a certified chiropractic sports physician. This viral video had thousands of web users commenting, “I need to try that,” and rushing out to their local chiropractic office.
B2B companies may rely on micro-influencers within their industry to spark interest in their products and services. Micro-influencers are essentially smaller scale influencers that appeal to a narrow but loyal community. This may be a veterinarian that makes viral online videos or an optometrist that promotes useful products to other eye care professionals.
Whether you aim to use influencers to drive traffic to your social pages or hope to become one yourself, this type of social media marketing is something you should have in your arsenal.
3. Stories and live videos
When you open Facebook or Instagram, you may have noticed the circles of friend’s faces at the top of your feeds telling you that they have recently posted a story. In 2012, Snapchat made its public debut, and within a year gained an impressive 10 million users.
This social platform allowed users to post videos and pictures that would remain up on their profile for 24 hours.
Amidst its growing popularity, other social sites decided to create their own versions of “stories”, or short, real-time photos and videos posted to a user’s profile. In 2016, Instagram launched its version of stories, quickly followed by Facebook in 2017.
Silly videos sent to friends and Sunday brunch posts are no longer the only use for social media stories. Today, brands post behind-the-scenes looks at their business, company updates, social media giveaways, and other types of content to directly onto their stories.
The digitally native Generation Z and millennials value the authenticity and transparency of brands. Stories and live videos are a way to provide an honest look at your business and better engage your audience.
If you’re unsure as to what kind of stories you should post, take a look at what others in your industry are doing. Note things that you like and things that you don’t. Brainstorm with your team about the best ways to show off your practice’s brand and give your clients an inside look at your business.
Social Media Marketing for Small Business
Stories, live feeds, social media schedules, oh my! It can be hard to keep up with the changing social media landscape sometimes, which is why we try to provide the best resources for your practice and industry.
Stay tuned as we tackle the topics that you care most about and share the best ways to grow your business in 2019.
Check out other helpful tips for social media
Why Fake Social Media Followers Are Bad for Your Page
Your Business’s Facebook Profile Checklist
What Happened to Google+?
