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There are few fields that evolve quite as quickly as social media. Social media remains arguably the best tool for businesses to engage their target market and it is at the forefront of today’s culture, but it can be hard to keep pace with the latest developments and trends when they seem to change so quickly. The end of the year is always a good opportunity to examine the last 12 months to see how social media has evolved and what businesses should focus on heading into 2024. Here are a few of the most notable ways we have noticed social media has evolved this year.
Rise Of Live Streaming
Live streaming has become hugely popular all over social media in 2023, and this is something that brands can certainly take advantage of. Live streaming allows businesses to create a sense of urgency, engage their target market, and humanise the brand. There are all kinds of ways to use live streaming to engage your audience, including:
Q&A sessions
Behind-the-scenes content
Product demos
Live event streaming
Dominance Ephemeral Content
Following this, you do not have to be a social media expert to recognise that ephemeral content (content only available for a limited time) is a major trend. Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms all have content that typically is only visible for 24 hours, again creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity that can be highly effective. You can create a real-time connection with your target market and increase engagement with interactive elements.
Popularity Of Short Form Videos
Short-form videos have also dominated this year. Instagram Reels, Facebook Shorts, TikTok, and YouTube shorts have all become immensely popular, particularly with the younger generations. During a time when people do not have long attention spans, you can use short-form video marketing to captivate your audience and demonstrate your fun side.
Content That Starts Conversations
Brands are also focusing on content that starts conversations. You want to build a community for your target market on social media, so you should create and share content to get people talking. High-quality content that your target market will find interesting, valuable, and/or entertaining can make a big difference to your success on social media and improve your brand reputation.
Sophistication Of Influencer Marketing
Influencers seem to have taken over the world in the last few years. However, people are becoming more wary of influencers and aware of the partnerships that they have. Therefore, influencer marketing has had to become more sophisticated with long-term partnerships and a focus on authenticity. The key to success is finding a relevant influencer who has a dedicated following and regularly engages on social media.
These are the main ways social media has evolved over the last year. It can be hard to keep up when social media changes so quickly, and you must avoid falling behind the times in such a culturally important arena. By embracing the above areas, you can stay current and find the best ways to engage your target market (for now!).
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