2021 has seen unprecedented changes in social media usage and behavioral factors due to COVID-19 that may remain after lockdown. Let’s look at some of the most in-vogue marketing trends that you can expect and should apply this year.
Stay Flexible and Watch Consumer Spending
There’s a sweet spot between the reduction in market competition and the decline in consumer spending. For example, after Christmas, fewer people will spend money, but they may reconsider if your product is tied to a goal they set for their New Year’s resolution. Flexible advertising will keep traffic high on your websites and advertising spending low.
SEO Continue to Drive Organic Traffic
Search engine optimization has always been a leading force in driving organic traffic to websites, but social media tends to fall short in this matter. Unless someone looked up your actual business or name, you might not appear on search engines. Now, Instagram and other platforms are starting to take note of captions and hashtags to promote accounts.
To help social media websites like Instagram categorize your account, you have to consistently post content relative to your niche. For example, if you have a dog walking account, you need to post dog-related content with dog hashtags. To keep your posting consistent, use the help of a social media marketing platform to remain relevant in your niche and promote growth.
Humanizing Brands
Social issues are becoming more and more critical to Millenials and Gen Zers, and they want to know if the brands they support are promoting human and environmental rights. People connect with people, not brands, and young consumers can tell if you’re insincere. Be up-to-date with social issues to reveal you’re well-researched and empathetic.
Short Video Content on the Rise
TikTok is the most used social media platform on the Internet. While Facebook has more created accounts, TikTok is used for longer periods, and therefore contains more marketing potential. It’s largely assumed that TikToks’ popularity is due to the short, catch videos that grab the viewer’s attention with music, text, and movement just enough to leave them wanting more.
Instagram Reels is also using the short video format to its full potential, but instead makes their Reels only available for 24-hours. This creates urgency in the consumer who must see a business’s content before it’s gone forever. The options are endless for creative and exciting videos as long as you’re comfortable on camera and have mild editing skills.
Have a Personality
Most of us have some aspect of ourselves that we like to express, but not all of us have the personality of confidence to become a successful brand. If you have that extra something that makes you different, inject personal touches into your business model through your branding voice to connect with your audience. You need to be different to stand out from the competition.
Switching to Online Store-Fronts
Brick and mortar stores aren’t irrelevant, far from it, but they realize the importance of having an online store equivalent for marketing and convenience. You don’t need to sell a physical product to have an online storefront. Gyms and yoga studios have found a way to give their audience online classes that are engaging and personable from the comfort of your home.
Contactless shopping is especially relevant right now as governments are trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but more industries realize that the switch to online is beneficial. In the future, it’s likely doctor appointments, and university classes can be done via a Zoom call post-pandemic. Businesses can stay financially stable through online accessibility.
Positivity is Becoming More Effective
Click-bait articles are becoming a thing of the past as more consumers are becoming aware of the manipulation tactics businesses will use to drive clicks. Most of your customers are becoming sick of the prevalent negativity in popular culture and want to see positive experiences, happy faces, and products that promote mental wellness and rejuvenation.
Image Source: Pexels
