2019 is looming on the horizon and so is your chance to start the new year with a fresh, updated social media strategy.
A lot has changed with social media in 2018. From platform updates that offered new tools for reaching your audience to Facebook’s data scandal and so much more, 2018 was a turbulent year for businesses on social media.
Now more than ever, it is important for businesses to stay on top of trends in order to continue to see success and grow on social media. Here is a quick rundown of some of the top trends we expect to see on social media in 2019 and how to update your business’s social media strategy to accommodate them.
Changes in your target audience
The newest generation to begin hitting the workforce, Generation Z is a completely different animal compared to those that came before them. Gen Z grew up using the Internet and social media, and they likely don’t remember a time without it, unlike Millennials.
To target this new audience segment and their buying power, your business needs to be able to grab their attention right off the bat. Your brand should utilize influencers, become market authorities in your industry, and be unafraid to comment on relevant topics. Use social media to create a virtual community, set trends, and give advice to the young generation. When you can gain and keep their trust, you will have their loyalty.
Changes in technology
Because technology is constantly changing, and social media platforms are always looking for new and (hopefully) better ways to update their user experience, it is crucial for businesses to be able to adapt to new technologies.
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point about catering to Generation Z because young people that grew up with technology that constantly changes will be more likely to adopt these changes more readily.
Next year, we are likely to see the use of AI, messenger apps, and chatbots continue to grow. According to Cagan Sean Yuksel (GRAFX CO.), AI and chatbots are the future. “It’s on the top list of 2019’s digital transformations. Many services can be provided without humans. Eventually, chatbots will give businesses the conception of how their clients talk, which will improve the response to their requirements.”
AI and augmented reality will likely play a huge part in social media marketing in 2019 and beyond. Business2Community estimates that the augmented reality and virtual reality markets will surpass $298 billion by 2023. Be ready to embrace the latest technology to reach new audiences!
Changes in where you get your content
You don’t have to create everything yourself anymore. While organic, branded content should still be a critical component of your social media strategy, it’s not the only way to curate anymore. User-generated content will likely be a key piece of your social media strategy in 2019.
User-generated content, content that is created by a business’s unpaid fans and followers, can be used to promote your products and services. Unlike hiring an influencer to promote your product, using user-generated content is a free and extremely useful way to get your current customers involved in your social media marketing!
When you share content that was created by a customer that already loves your brand, you are able to show your trustworthiness to others. Even in a technology-driven market, word-of-mouth referrals still have a significant role in growing your business.
New Year, New Goals, New Social Media Strategy
2018 was all about using social media to personalize your customers’ experiences with your brand. 2019 will be about adopting new technologies and new ways of doing just that in order to reach a broader, newer audience.
We can help you create an updated social media strategy to implement in the new year. Let us know if you would like to increase your chances of growing on social media!