Social media continues to play a part in people’s everyday lives and routines. When it comes to marketing and advertising, brands now have countless ways to reach their consumers.
But in order to stand out from the crowd, it’s important for marketers to stay up-to-date on any new trends popping up on social platforms.
So what’s in store for 2022? From Instagram Story likes to the ever expanding platform that is TikTok, we’re sharing with you some social media trends to pay attention to this year.
Instagram offers new engagement feature
Getting lost in Instagram stories is easily done. Now the company is trialing private likes on its stories, offering a whole new form of engagement for both brands and individuals.
Although Instagram already offers eight reactions to their stories including the laughing, and teary-eyed emoji, the new feature will allow brands to have a numerable way to record their reactions, allowing them to measure their engagement the same way they would their posts.
Brands look to hit the TikTok hype
TikTok really became the cool kid in the playground last year reaching more than 1 billion users. And, between you and us, we don’t think they’re going anywhere anytime soon.
Short videos, including Instagram reels boomed last year, with people having a lot more time on their hands during lockdowns. Quite rightly, brands are jumping on the bandwagon and using them to optimise their reach, especially the Gen Z market.
With Gen Z and millennials making up 62% of TikTok’s audience, if this is your target audience, seeking opportunities to expand to this platform will be beneficial in 2022.
Podcasts continue to flourish
Due to the nature of podcasting and the ease to inform and engage with an audience, they have become a great option for businesses to connect with their customers.
Although not specifically targeted to driving new traffic or customers, the growth of podcast listeners makes it a perfect opportunity for marketers to reach a larger audience on a more relatable scale.
Micro influencers set to soar
Although influencer marketing is already big, this year it’s only going to get bigger. But, there’s a new kind of influencer marketing which is appealing to brands all round.
Micro influencers allow businesses to work with a larger network of small, more relevant and niche influencers.
The appeal to this kind of marketing is that brands can target higher numbers of influencers with higher engagement levels, for a whole lot cheaper.
Social commerce continues to expand
Social commerce is by no means a new concept, but one that continues to expand each year.
More and more consumers are buying products directly from where they first see it. As a result of this, 2022 will see a year of even more shoppable functions on platforms, ensuring that social commerce is at the forefront of many businesses’ social strategies.
And with the aftermath of the pandemic, many platforms are already starting to take advantage of the e-commerce boom:
- Instagram Shop = Allows you to create a custom storefront to showcase specific products with direct links to buy.
- Chatbots = Allows businesses to gain a personal connection with the consumer by asking simple questions about their buying habits. Not only does this enhance customer experience but also builds trust between B2C.
- TikTok Shopping = TikTok have also delved into the world of social commerce. December saw a 2 day event which allowed their audience to buy directly from the platform. Could this be a sign of things to come for them and many other platforms?
8848 are currently working with a number of clients, including Selco Builders Warehouse, Persimmon Homes and Travelworld to help with their social media activity. Whether it be B2C or B2B, we can help. Get in touch with us today.
