Social Media Marketing Trends to Make the Most of in 2018

Social media is one of the most effective marketing tools you can use to promote your business. But when planning your social media strategy in 2018 what trends you need to pay attention to? Increasing your reach in 2018 is going to be a little different.

So what social media marketing trends do you need to make the most of in 2018? Let’s take a closer look at what we think you need to be concentrating on this year.

1. Tell a Story

Stories have become really popular across multiple social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat stories last for 24 hours; then they’re gone. Stories generate more engagement and make people take action quicker because they have a short shelf-life.

You need to be incorporating stories into your social media strategy. Your target audience will be able to connect with you and your brand more through stories. Show the world what’s behind the corporation and show them the heart of your brand. Do this and your social media content marketing will be on point in 2018.

2. Go Live

Live videos have really taken social media by storm. Did you know that live videos have 6 times more engagement than non-live content? In fact, a recent study by Social Media Examiner found that 61% of marketers plan to increase their lives. And 69% want to learn more about how to make the most of lives and incorporate them into their social media strategy.

Lives are more personal and show your target audience that you are relatable. It also gives you a place to demonstrate your product or service face-to-face. Lives create more engagement and engagement is what you need. Engagement boosts your chance of appearing on your target audience’s feed. Lives are a great place to start getting to grips with the new social media algorithms.

3. Get an Influencer to Market Your Products

Influencer marketing is huge in social media right now. Why? Because Influencers have trust with their viewers. If an influencer promotes your products or services, your brand will gain trust with their followers as well. Gaining trust is paramount to selling your products or services right now. Having a top influencer promoting your products with links will improve google ranking too when they link back to your website.

Having social media influencers post about your products or services is a simple and easy way to use social media to your advantage. By having an influencer back your products you’ll find a lot more people will follow suit and purchase based on their peers’ opinions. Look for influencers with 10,000 followers or more on social media for the best results.

4. Utilize Messenger Apps

Did you know that over 5 billion people worldwide use messenger apps? From Whatsapp to Facebook Messenger, messenger apps are becoming the new solution to customer service. Using messenger apps makes your customer service more personal.

Take your customer service onto Facebook Messenger. Let your customers know you can be contacted via WhatsApp. Using messenger apps build relationships and trust with your customers and makes you more accessible.

5. Get Your Customers Involved

User-generated content is a highly effective social media marketing strategy. Having customers sharing your products or services builds trust. If your customers enjoy your products or services so much then their followers will as well.

Have your customers post pictures of themselves using your product or services and share them. Post pictures on your own social media platforms of your customers using your products or services. Don’t forget to give them credit too. Linking back to your customers makes them feel special and more likely to be repeat customers in the future. Build relationships with your customer and potential customer base.

6. Make Your Reality Virtual

Virtual reality is set to take the world by storm. It’s no exception for social media marketing either. Virtual reality is a trend you need to be watching in 2018 as the Consumer Technology Association has predicted.

Virtual reality creates a super immersive experience. Immersive experiences create engagement and you know engagement is paramount in social media marketing. Try incorporating virtual reality into your lives so your customers can see and experience your products or services in VR.

7. Make the Most of Voice-Powered Devices and AI

Voice powered devices and AI like Alexa from Amazon are becoming really popular. With a lot of households owning one of these devices, you need to be thinking about them in your social media strategy. 72% of users use their devices as part of their daily lives. These devices even read out your twitter feed.

Utilize these devices to get your products or services across to your customers. Find out what your target audience wants to hear and tailor it to the devices. Make sure your social media strategy takes into account AI to stay ahead of the game.

8. Start Conversations

Social media is all about engagement. Getting into conversations with your customers and target market is one of the best ways to create engagement. Getting involved in conversations makes your customers and potential customers feel special. Having conversations shows your target audience that you’re a real person behind the company.

Start by commenting on your customer’s posts. Like photos by people from your target market. Reach out to your potential market and give them a personal experience. Show your customers and potential customers that you care.

Conclusion

The aim of the game with social media in 2018 is simple; create engagement. You need to be getting out there and showing your target market a more personal experience. Encourage your target market and customer base to get involved. Build trust.

Your target market wants a personal experience and wants to know about the people behind the company. Tell a story with your social media and let your target market see the real you behind the brand. Reach out to your customers and potential customers to join in and help promote your products. With these small strategies, you’ll take 2018 by storm.