The new year is finally here! One thing we know for sure that will remain constant in 2021 is our time on social media. It has become an integral part of our lives and daily routines. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have changed the way we consume content, therefore it’s important to stay ahead of the game with the latest social media trends and changes. These are the top projections and social media trends we think you will see more of in 2021 across all social platforms:
All about video: Video has already taken social media by storm, but there are no signs of it stopping. With new features such as Instagram Reels, videos are highly encouraged and generally perform well on all platforms.
Living in the moment: With time restrictions on displays such as stories (since they are only available for 24 hours unless you archive them), these platforms are encouraging content that is more day in the life and keeping audiences more engaged with that sense of urgency. Once travel restrictions are lifted, traveling and experience driven content is going to be through the roof.
Virtual events: Virtual Events took over in 2020, and they will continue on in 2021. Platforms such as Facebook released new features this year for events, such as selecting if an event is virtual or in person. There is also a plethora of apps to plug into Facebook and Instagram to create live streams and events for your online audience. Organizations have shifted and learned to become pros online, so we project these will still play a critical role in the new year.
Influencer partnerships: Brands, including our clients, are focusing heavily on influencer partnerships in 2021. When working with the right ones, this could be a game changer when it comes to brand awareness and marketing. We are finding more people are at home, thus they are scrolling away on these platforms- using this type of strategy brings a fun and playful side to your business as well, which is always welcomed on social, no matter what year it is!
Shopping online: No surprise to many, online shopping continues to lead the way when it comes to social media, and Covid-19 just enhanced this need. Instagram and Facebook continue to release new features for online shopping, such as Instagram Checkout and Facebook Page Shops. If you have a product to sell, get it online as fast as possible. That’s where shoppers are!
And that leads me to the final trend, or thing to keep in mind. Your client is online NOW! The pandemic and closures have really forced your ideal audience online. Average log in times, browse times, and interactions are higher than average in 2020, and we project to see this trend continue into the new year.
Ashley Richards is the owner of Phoenix-based E Squared Marketing.
