The social media space has been, and always will be, ever-changing. As humans are constantly transforming, so does the way in which they consume content. New ideas flooding the digisphere have impacted the type of content they want and search for. And this means that online platforms will see themselves changing too.
For starters, the social space is always growing — due to technology advancements and the influence of big tech companies. Consider Facebook, for example (
you know, the whole metaverse thing).
Platforms have seen a lot of change in 2021, so what does 2022 have in store for the social scene?
But before we dive in, it is important to remember that each generation makes use of social media in a different way. Let‘s take a quick look through at the most prominent differences:
With these points in mind, your brand can be aware of where each generation will fit into the newest trends that await social media.
Let’s jump headfirst in and find out:
1. TikTok is the place to be
Now before you jump in and say, “
but TikTok is a place for GenZ or hip brands,” we are here to tell you that is
not true. Take, for example, a celebrity like Taylor Swift. She falls into the category of millennials and yet she is building a strong and loyal
millennial following on this particular platform.
On the other hand, “
TikTok is available in over 150 countries, [and] has over one billion [monthly] users,” according to CNBC. This just shows the number of people that a brand, influencer, or content creator can reach on TikTok.
This platform is sure to play a
huge role in the future when it comes to helping people reach their target audiences. Although there are other brands offering short-form video formats — such as Instagram’s Reels or YouTube Shorts — TikTok has built up a
massive user base. We reckon that this platform will continue to dominate in 2022.
2. Social selling will continue to rule
E-commerce has become a huge thing this past decade. We have seen influencers boasting about a product, which then leads to their followers purchasing it online. “S
ocial selling is becoming a cornerstone for e-commerce companies seeking real growth and elevated brand presence,” says Jenn Guidry, director of marketing at eclincher.
Consumers want to be able to see what products they
might want to purchase from your brand’s social media presence — right from their mobile devices. An example can be seen from Versace’s Instagram post below:
*Image sourced from Instagram
*Image sourced from Instagram
This is how the social commerce space will continue to grow — it will be finding new ways for brands to advertise and sell their products online.
3. Consumers want easy communication online
Although it is “
estimated [that] extroverts make up 50 to 74 percent of the population,”
Psychology Today says that it has been clear that consumers don’t want to pick up the phone and talk to your brand.
Ouch! Now before you take it personally, just remember that customers want it easy. And this is
exactly what a brand should offer with its social media presence.
Fast and effective customer services from a social media page’s direct messages (DMs) are
essential for building long-lasting relationships with your consumers. The same goes if you have a business WhatsApp number. Be sure to support your customer and make their experience with your brand fun and effortless. No more waiting until 08:00 sharp before getting customer service; brands
are able to respond to questions a lot faster on social media.
4. Short-form video content is the future
So, it is already evident that TikTok is the place to be —
but there are many other places for perfect short-form video content. These platforms include:
If you want your brand to reach a high volume of people, then creating short-form video content is definitely the way to go.
Why?
Well, this is because consumers want to be informed, educated and entertained all in
literally a few seconds. This is
especially true when it comes to branded content.
If a consumer sees clear advertising from a brand or influencer, they might just scroll past. And this is why it is essential to do it in such a way that will grab your audiences’ attention long enough to get your brand’s message over — before they see it as an advertising attempt.
5. The metaverse will influence social media
The way that people will interact with one another on social media will
definitely change in the next few years. This is thanks to stuff like virtual reality (VR), mixed reality and augmented reality (AR).
And while some have already invested in VR gear,
most of us already have a device that has a sense of AR to it.
Have you guessed what it was yet? Yes, it's your phone!
Examples of this would be when you downloaded Snapchat and tried on different filters or if you ever played
Pokémon GO.
There is already a lot of potentials for social media apps to focus on creating more AR content for consumers. And why wouldn’t they give it a go; it allows users to engage and enjoy a brand, so it’s already got that winning streak!
And who knows —
the next time you and your bestie are online shopping, it will seem like you are right next to each other. And yes, we will say it: We are
all for trying on different outfits without being confined in small dressing rooms with really bad air-conditioning.
Exciting times, right?
What are some other trends that you think the social space will see in 2022? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Vecteezy