In today’s world, having a strong presence on social media can make or break a brand. It’s one of the fastest ways to reach consumers and it is constantly changing. New applications are coming out every day, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends of social media to know exactly how to reach your target audience in the most efficient way possible.
Let’s jump into the top three social media trends of 2019:
People Want Authentic Content
If one thing is for certain, it’s that consumers live and breathe authenticity when it comes to brands that they support. Being able to produce high-quality content is amazing, but being able to connect to your consumer on a more personal level is even better. According to Brian from BufferApp.com, he says that “Mobile usage and even shorter attention spans will continue to increase the popularity of short-lived content in 2019, especially with Millennials and Generation Z’ers, who thrive on their relationships with brands being authentic and meaningful.”1
Build A Brand Narrative
Having a brand that can tell a story about itself is something special. When you think about the brand Toms, for example, you think about a company who strives to help people in need and also showcases what they do on their social media platforms. That’s a story. 2019 is the year of connecting. Deep Patel says, “Narratives capture moments and experiences shared between a user and a product; they’re the conversations that are occurring, and they’re often about trying to create a broader, more positive change.”2 Think about what sets you and your brand apart from the rest and how you can use social media to send that message out to your target audience.
Going Live Is Where It’s At
Let’s face it: consumers love to put a face to a name. Live streaming took 2018 by storm with Instagram releasing their version of live and multiple apps like Periscope becoming popular. Of course, we cannot forget about Facebook Live and how successful that has been for companies. It’s important to be able to figure out which channel is the right channel to reach your target demographic. Is your target demographic predominantly teenagers? Instagram Live might be your best option. Is it adults over the age of 60? You would probably do best on Facebook Live. Your audience gets to connect with you in real time. They can interact with you in ways that a post simply cannot do. In 2019, live streaming will be more impact for companies than ever before.
So, there you have it. 2019 really is going to be the year of connecting with your audience on a more personal level. With all of the controversy that social media brings, it is important to stay transparent and authentic with your consumers. Be sure to know your platforms and know which is right for the target audience you are trying to reach. Stick with these trends and 2019 will be a successful year for you and your brand.
Sources:
https://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-trends-2019
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/324901
