It’s the start of the year, and, indeed the start of a decade, and if you’re looking to plan your social media campaigns for this year (and you so should be), you may well want to know what the future of social media looks like.
And 2020…sounds pretty futuristic, right? Well, some of the trends for next year will follow that futuristic feel but with a bit of understanding and forward planning everyone can jump on board and make social media work for their business. Boooooom.
1. Stories will continue to create excitement
The growth of Instagram and Facebook Stories in recent years is incredible and will continue to grow well into the new decade. Everyone loves a bit of behind the scenes action and the more authentic insight that content created on the spot can give, so it’s easy to see why so many social media users are enjoying Stories.
Why not use Stories to your advantage this year? Often the pull of watching stories is the classic FOMO feeling (Fear Of Missing Out), so why not tease your followers with a little ‘blink and you’ll miss it’? They’re a great way to give your loyal followers – who will learn to regularly watch your stories – both an insight into your business’ personality as well as any offers which are only available for a certain time.
We’ll be running another Instagram Stories workshop next year. Don’t get all FOMO on us – register your interest by email.
2. Brand discovery via social media will grow
There has been a definite rise in people using social media to research brands in recent years. Hands up those of us that stalk follow certain brands on social media ready to get the first glance of any new products, or to get a feel for the company and products before buying? This is definitely going to continue, and indeed, grow, in 2020.
In order to sell on social media in 2020, aside from having a clear, consistent look and feel to your feeds, make sure that you’re also using product tags in both Facebook and Instagram, as well as the in-built product galleries. In a world where you don’t have to leave your favourite social app in order to buy a product, if you rely on social media to sell your product, you need to make sure that you’re pulling out all of the stops – and pulling out all you can in terms of social media shops – in 2020. How’s that for futuristic? (Ed’s note: Indeed.)
3. Customer service via social media will improve
When it comes to customer service via social media, you need to ensure that you’re on it. This means replying to comments and messages in a timely manner and using chatbots where applicable. For most people nowadays, the first port of call when they have a complaint is social media. As customer service shifts more and more towards social, a brand who can handle comments well will always fare well in the eyes of its customers.
Read our top tips to online customer service here.
4. Video will be king (and queen)
Video has grown and grown in recent years and will continue to do so into 2020. With 80% of social media content predicted to be video-based next year, it’s time to release your inner Steven Spielberg.
Whether you’re looking to deliver information to your customers via Facebook Live, or are more interested in a YouTube or IGTV video, the variety of options available on social media will mean that there will be a format to suit you and your business needs.
We’ll be hosting a workshop showing you how to create engaging videos for social media soon. *Watch* this space.
5. Social networking will become more meaningful
There’s a definite move away from people using social media to share the minutiae of their everyday lives and seeing it as more of a leisure pursuit, sharing things that connect them with friends over everyday details. Yes, people still share photographs and big moments aka morning cappuccino but you only have to take one look at your Facebook memories (Ed’s note: cringe) to see that the things we used to share on social media years ago, well, we just wouldn’t even entertain posting now.
Make 2020 the year that you discover your brand’s social media personality and use this to create shareable content which actually means something and provides value to your customers and new prospects. They’ll love you for it. Actual fact.
Whatever your social media style is in 2020, the future of social is bright. And if you need some extra fingers to point you in the right direction? Step into the 24fingers’ time machine and hang onto your laptops: we’ll happily take you into the future of social. Book your free discovery call and tell us what’s got you all fingers and thumbs.
