5 social media marketing trends to help you get on top in 2022
By Carolyn McMurray, SOCIATE’S Junior Copywriter & Blogstar
If there’s one buzzword that dominates the marketing industry, it’s “social media”.
It’s a bit like sand on a beach; it just sticks, and no matter how hard you try to shake it off, there’ll always be at least one grain left. The only difference is that social media is the sand of the online marketing world. It’s everywhere, and it’s going to stick around for a long time.
2022 is no exception, and with a new year comes new trends, new rules, and new strategies to follow. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top social media marketing trends and tips to follow, so you can get cracking with a strategy that actually generates leads.
Play around with Instagram Reels
If you thought Instagram was just a square photo-sharing app, you’re wrong. Creator, Adam Mosseri, recently hinted at upcoming changes to the platform’s video content production. With more and more people watching videos and snippets on Instagram, the shift will see the social media giant focus on Reels and video products. Want to get ahead of the curve? Make a conscious effort to regularly post Reels and video content to keep your audience engaged and entertained.
Instagram is all about “the swipe” and fast content, so make sure your Reels are just the right length. Hook your audience with a funny or interesting opening, and then follow into the rest of your content. Analyse trends, and if something is getting a lot of interest and is relevant to your niche, be sure to work it into your videos.
Mix it up with short-form and long-form video/audio content
When creating content, try to mix it up with a combination of short and long-form video & audio content. The past year has seen TikTok increase its video length to three minutes and Instagram increase its Reels to 60 seconds. This paradigm shift is evidence that users want an eclectic experience. They don’t just want short and snappy – they also want engaging and informative.
As well as creating a few longer videos on TikTok and Instagram, you could also try incorporating audio content into your strategy. Clubhouse is a great place to start and allows for longer-form content to be created naturally.
Join the TikTok bandwagon
Cheesy lip-syncing videos. Meme-worthy dances. TikTok is a bit like Marmite or licorice. You either love it or you hate it. Whatever your stance on the platform is, you should probably put your personal opinion aside if you’re looking to grow your business.
2021 saw a 61% increase in TikTok mentions and 3 million app downloads – that’s a big audience and one that can easily be tapped into with a solid marketing strategy.
The fact that Reels and “snackable” content have become more popular on other apps like Instagram and YouTube proves just how popular TikTok has become. Audiences want to be entertained with engaging and interactive content, and videos are a great way to present your brand’s personality (all the while subtly marketing).
Collaborate with influencers
Breaking into a new social media platform isn’t always for businesses. You have to get creative and scope out your ideal audience. Influencer collaborations solve this problem – they already have a trusted audience, so can get your brand in front of fresh eyes in a jiffy. It’s probably another reason why influencer marketing was so popular in 2021, and its popularity looks set to endure well into 2022.
If you haven’t used influencers before, now’s your chance. Customers are more likely to trust an influencer and their recommendations than a brand (after all, they don’t want to feel like they’re being sold to). This is why it’s so important to choose an influencer within a similar niche to your own – one that has the same interests and values that your brand embodies. This will ensure that your audience already has an interest in your industry, making it easier to convert them into paying customers.
Native advertising
Native advertising AKA social selling has blown up in a BIG way.
It’s all about making the customer experience as seamless as possible, and what better way to guide the customer through their shopping journey than on the very platform that they love the most? The popularity of social selling has led to the creation of things like Instagram Shop, where users can easily make a purchase without ever leaving the app. They can scan your content and if they like the look of what you’re selling, they can buy instantly.
Two of the other most popular native shopping experiences are:
- Instagram Shoppable Stories: Users can watch a brand’s Instagram story, and if they’re interested in the product that’s being sold, they can buy it instantly by clicking on a product sticker. Simple and seamless.
- Spark Ads: TikTok has caught onto the popularity of social selling, introducing their new Spark Ads feature earlier in 2021. This feature allows brands to create ads from original, authentic video content.
Still struggling to crack the social media marketing code?
We get you. It’s not always easy to make the shift into social. Where do you start? How do you scope out an audience? How do you work marketing into your content without coming across as salesly?
If you’re looking to supercharge your social media marketing strategy but don’t know where to start, SOCIATE’s Social Media Marketing services might just be perfect for your brand. We’ll work with you to create original content that sells, all the while adhering to your brand’s personality. Get in touch at [email protected] to find out more, or explore our Influencer Relationship services through SOCIALITE.