Identifying Social Media Trends in Marketing: 2021 Edition

With more than 30 million different small businesses throughout the United States, one thing is certain: competition is everywhere.

No matter your industry, no matter your niche, it's crucial that you have strategies in place to help your business stand out from the crowd - but the truth of the matter is that this is easier said than done.

One reliable way to do this is through social media marketing. Keep in mind, though, that what worked in 2010 isn't going to work today.

Stories Are Key

A few years ago, Instagram Stories were a new feature used by a small percentage of users. Today, more than 500 million users interact with Instagram Stories every single day.

For you as a business owner or marketer, this means stories are an amazing opportunity to connect with potential and current customers. Based on trends, stories aren't going anywhere so 2021 is a great time to integrate them into your social strategy.

To take full advantage of stories, spend time creating a separate content strategy for them. Don't simply repost tagged stories. Instead, create a calendar backed by strategy.

Also, keep in mind that video stories tend to perform better than still images. When possible, integrate video content for better engagement.

Social Commerce Boom

Social media and purchasing have been connected since the beginning of the platforms, but as the years have gone on, they've grown closer and closer together.

In 2021, this will continue to increase. Social commerce is here to stay. 

This means that social platforms are continuing to add features to support quick and simple shopping experiences. On Facebook, for example, brands can set up a shop right inside the platform so that users don't have to leave to purchase.

Any time you can simplify the buyer's journey, it's a good idea. Instead of having to go to your website and search for a product, a follower can purchase right inside the social network. For you, this means fewer cart abandonments and an improved bottom line.

Want to grow your business with social media this year? Contact me today. I have years of experience helping companies increase sales, boost revenues, and build winning marketing strategies.

Customer Service via Social Media

Another trend to watch out for this year is the growth of social media in the world of customer service. As we all know, treating customers well during their entire purchase experience is essential for growing your business.

The truth is that mistakes happen. Problems arise.

And when this happens, you want to take care of them promptly and correctly. In order for this to happen, customers need to be able to contact you.

Typically, this has occurred via phone or email. While these are still the dominant methods of customer service communication, social media is another way to offer stellar service.

Many large brands have set up customer service profiles on various social media networks where upset customers can message directly with a representative. This can be a great way to provide fast, reliable service.

This is happening often on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Rise of Virtual Reality

Another one of the biggest social media trends in marketing? The rise of virtual reality (VR).

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying stay-at-home orders across many parts of the world, many people are looking for ways to interact with people virtually. VR is a great way for this to happen.

Facebook, for example, is working on a VR feature that will allow people to connect with others anywhere, playing games and talking.

While this won't be applicable for every industry or company, many businesses will be able to take advantage of VR as it continues to grow in popularity.

Alternative Platforms Thrive

It's no secret that Facebook is incredibly popular, boasting hundreds of millions of users. And it has been for years.

While Facebook is still a great option for social media marketing, 2021 will see the rise of alternative social platforms. This is especially important as younger social media users continue to turn to different platforms.

One of the biggest examples of this is TikTok. While it's been around for 5 years, it has soared in popularity during the pandemic and doesn't show any signs of stopping.

Using TikTok can be a great strategy for brands trying to reach Millennials and Gen Z. Another reason to try TikTok, both organically and from a paid standpoint, is that there is less competition than the major platforms.

Clubhouse is the latest platform with lots of buzz. Keep an eye on this one as the year progresses.

At the end of the day, it's a good idea to think about the alternative platforms you could use to your advantage. Consider your target audience and where they spend their time online. Then see if you can design a social strategy on one of these lucrative alternative platforms.

Social Media Trends in Marketing

There you have it: 2021 social media trends in marketing you should try. Now that you've read through them, it's time to think about your specific situation. Which of these tactics makes the most sense in your market?

Next, it's time to implement your plan. The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll begin to see results.

For more guidance about the Social Media, get in touch today. Feel free to contact me to keep the conversation going!