Top digital trends for 2018
2017 saw Instagram prevail, augmented reality grew in popularity and sponsored ads became a huge brand priority. What digital trends will we see in 2018? We want you to be ahead of the curve so here are some digital trends we think you should keep an eye on in 2018:
- Video
Video content is huge. It was last year and it will be this year too with most consumers preferring to consume content in video format. All social media platforms are investing in video content to help generate engagement and increase followers. It is expected that by 2020, 80% of consumer internet traffic will be made up of video content, so if video isn’t already in your social plan, put it in there folks. You’ll thank us later!
- Messaging apps (chatbots)
A chatbot is a software application built to stimulate human conversation. Many brands are utilising this software to assist in responding to consumer enquiries. Some consumers prefer this form of communication over email and phone calls because you get instantaneous updates and answers. But proceed with caution! Automated chatbots can take away from the connections you're building with your fans on social media and can make your brand appear less genuine.
- Augmented reality (VR)
Augmented reality is a fascinating trend. From Google Glass and Pokémon Go to face filters, consumers are intrigued by the idea. Snapchat and Instagram have capitalised on this trend, with consumers loving their AR capabilities (most in the form of face filters). You’ve no doubt seen Snapchat’s dancing hot dog too...1.5 billion other people have too. With new phones like the iPhone X using facial recognition and augmented reality technology, there’s no doubt that this trend will continue to grow.
- Live streaming and ephemeral content
Live streaming started its surge in 2017 and will continue to grow this year. 82% of consumers would rather watch a live video over reading a blog or written social media update. Instagram and Facebook both support the format with their ‘live stories’ making it easy for your brand to jump on board the trend. Ephemeral content is also growing in popularity. This is short-lived content that disappears (usually after 24 hours). Audiences like ephemeral content because it’s more authentic than planned content.
- Influencer marketing
Influencer marketing is one of the fastest growing marketing channels and it’s not hard to see why. Did you know that 49% of Instagram users rely on recommendations from influencers? Building relationships with influencers is something brands should be focusing on in 2018 as influencers become more selective about who they work with.
Before you start addressing these new digital trends and implementing them into your digital plan, it’s important to take time to reflect and learn what worked and what didn’t last year. If you’d like some help analysing your digital performance last year or would like to set up a new digital plan for 2018, shoot us an email, or enquire about a consulting session.
Why Facebook Live should be part of your digital marketing strategy
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Facebook Live is one of key digital marketing tools for 2017 and if you haven’t already started using it for your business now is the time!
Facebook Live can help you take your social media marketing to the next level, by helping you create an engaging conversation with your followers, reach new audiences in new ways and connect with your current audience in a more personal and interactive way.
Ready to join the trend and get started?! Here are a couple of ways you can use Facebook Live as part of your business’s digital marketing strategy:
Showcase your product or service in action:
Sometimes the hardest job for marketers is to explain to their audience exactly what their service is or specific product features. That’s why Facebook Live is a great tool for showcasing these unique characteristics and benefits, in an engaging way that doesn’t rely on just imagery or text.
For example, if you offer a beauty service, why not use Facebook Live to demonstrate the beauty service in action? If you have a food or beverage product you could use Facebook Live to show off a great recipe.
Make it personal:
Facebook Live is a great tool for sharing behind the scenes content to show a more personal side to your business. You could host an interview with key members of your staff, share some great behind the scenes content of a photoshoot, live auction or tour of your office. People love seeing the ‘real’ components (and people) in your business!
Encourage interaction:
As a business owner, chances are you’re an expert in your field. Share your knowledge, showcase your expertise and answer common questions through Facebook Live and while you’re doing that, encourage your audience to interact with you!
Ask them to comment their questions and answer your commenter by addressing them by name. This is a great way to build a relationship with your consumer and keep them hooked!
Ready to get started? Here are a few top tips to try now:
- Tell fans you’re broadcasting ahead of time: Post 2 – 3 sneak peeks or previews to encourage people to tune in when you go live
- Always do a practice run
- Film in a professional setting
- Be creative!
Do you need help developing a Facebook Live strategy for your business? Contact your expert team of digital marketing gurus at Melbourne Social Co today!
Call us on: 1300 386 165 or send us an email at: [email protected].
The rise of video marketing
If there’s one social media trend your business needs to tap into in 2017 it’s video marketing! From Facebook Live, Instagram stories to the cute and quirky Boomerangs on our Instagram feeds, the options on how to engage with your consumer on social media with video content are endless.
Ready to start including video in your digital marketing strategy? Read on below for more insight into how video content will lead the way this year:
Facebook Live:
Facebook Live is a great way to captivate your audience, create an engaging conversation with your followers and connect with them instantly. Facebook Live gives you a range of options to market to your customers, from demonstrating a product or service, answering FAQs or showcasing some great behind the scenes content. The trick? Prepare in advance, you only get one shot at going live!
It’s all about the stories:
From Snapchat to Instagram stories, businesses now have the opportunity to continue to give their customers updates on their business in ‘real time’ with content that only last 24 hours. These stories are a great way to showcase some engaging behind the scenes content including the day-to-day running of your business or an event or photoshoot. As the stories aren’t permanent, you can be as ‘real’ as you like and don’t have to focus on aesthetically perfect imagery, rather on uploading content that keeps your fans interested.
The power of multiple platforms:
Perhaps one of the best things about video content for businesses is that you can share it across all of your social media platforms! Recent statistics have shown that 85% of adults aged 18-49 use multiple devices at the same time, meaning you have the opportunity to share your video content to someone on your YouTube channel, who is also scrolling through their Instagram feed and checking Facebook all at the same time!
And the best part? Your consumers want to watch it:
There’s a reason video content is becoming so popular, and that’s because your consumers actually want to watch the content. Four times as many consumers would prefer to watch a video about a product than to read about it, which means your consumer is already open to looking at your content, you just have to captivate them!
Are you ready to start including video content into your social media marketing plan this year? Contact your team of content creators at Melbourne Social Co today.
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165
2017's Social Media Trends
It's the beginning of a brand new year, which means it’s the perfect time to evaluate your current digital strategy and include new social media trends into your plan for 2017.
As the social media space is ever-changing and new trends are emerging every day, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest social media trends to leverage in 2017, so you can take your business’s social media marketing to the next level!
Read on below for the top trends:
Live video
There’s no denying that video played a vital role in marketing in 2016, from Facebook Live to Instagram Stories, Snapchat and the continued growth of YouTube and its ‘mega stars’.
In 2017, expect to see more brands tapping into the power of video, through live-streaming events and seminars on their social media networks as a way to boost their social media reach and consumer engagement.
This will be predominately posted through Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, which means if you haven’t started using these great features, now is the time to integrate them into your social media marketing strategy.
One stop shop:
As consumers are spending more and more time on social media, it’s no surprise the our favourite social media channels are slowly turning into a ‘one stop shop’ for everything from accessing great content to purchasing products or services.
This is signaled by Pinterest’s buyable pins and Instagram’s newly formed shopping platform which will soon give consumers the opportunity to view pricing information on products and click a link to purchase the items of interest.
The aim is to give consumers everything they want all on one site, so they don’t have to veer away from the platform for anything else.
Facebook isn’t going anywhere!
There has been increasing doubt over the past few years about the relevance of Facebook in the digital marketing space, especially thanks to the rise of platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. However, statistics are showing that Facebook is still the most used social media platform around the globe for both end users and B2B brands which means you shouldn’t discount it from your marketing strategy.
While it’s true that consumers are using new platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, they are not replacing Facebook, rather using it in conjunction with the other platforms.
The decline of organic reach:
In 2016 we saw the increasing decline of organic reach on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with greater preference given to accounts that use paid advertising along with producing great, authentic and quality social media posts.
This means in the New Year it’ll be even harder to get your content ‘out there’ without putting a bit of money behind your social media content. Your budget doesn’t have to be large, but any money you can put towards Facebook/Instagram advertising will really make a difference.
Do you need help tapping into these social media trends in 2017? Get in touch with your digital marketing experts Melbourne Social Co today!
e: [email protected] – P: 1300 386 165.