Life at 24 fingers towers moves fast, and that’s how we like it. December is no different, but the Christmas holidays give us, and everyone else in the business community, a bit of a breather. 

As we stand on the brink of a new year – a glass of Prosecco in one hand and a half-eaten mince pie in the other – what better time to look back at 2023 on TikTok? 

UK users spent more time on the social media platform than any other country in the world this year. If you’re still unsure about TikTok, talk to us and we’ll get you started. 

But which videos went viral? What trends did everyone embrace, both here in the UK and around the globe, and which content creators became social media sensations? 

Pour a glass of something bubbly, pull up a chair and find out as we look back at 2023 on TikTok.  

(Em)powering small businesses

All the social media platforms have their bits that drive us all mad, but we reckon there’s a lot TikTok gets right. 

In 2023, its hashtags #SMB, #SmallBusiness and #TikTokShop helped put a rocket under hundreds of UK-based businesses, covering every sector you can think of. 

Trust demi-diabetic Scheenagh to pick @sosweetshopuk as one of her faves from this year. She’s got good taste: it has more than 924,700 followers and has racked up 14.3 million likes. 

Proving she’s got an eagle eye for ones to watch, Emma plumped for @lovendu. They make planners for mental health and self-empowerment, and have over 101,000 followers and 1.2 million likes. 

You may be thinking “ah, but it will never happen to me”. Trust us – TikTok’s hashtags can pay off. If you want proof of how they can push a small business into the global spotlight, watch this:

@lazy_butt_club Were gonna be in the NYT?! Like whaaaaat?! #smallbusiness #retro #80s #90sthrowback #dadsoftiktok ♬ original sound – LAZY BUTT CLUB

Education, education, education

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action” said philosopher Herbert Spencer. Not only did he rock some kick-ass sideburns, we think he would have loved TikTok. 

In 2023, #BookTok made reading cool again (though Anne swears it never went out of style), while #ArtTok lifted the lid on all things… um… art. 

What both hashtags did was bring them to the widest possible audience. In August, the winners of the first-ever TikTok Book Awards UK and Ireland, as voted for by the #BookTok community, were announced. 

#BookTok is not to be sniffed at. The community has racked up 167 billion views, is driving record book sales, supporting independent book shops and launching careers of up-and-coming or previously underrepresented authors and genres.

#ArtTok is set to go the same way. Creators from across the country flocked to the platform in 2023, and gave Instagram a real run for its money. FWIW, we recommend posting on both. 

But there’s more to learning on TikTok than books and art. Want to learn the basics of British Sign Language? Then @hipster_sunshine, with their 170,000 followers and 5.4 million likes is for you. 

Alternatively, learn more about science with @big.manny1, who has 1.7 million followers, racking up 27.6 million likes (including us). 

If your business involves specialist knowledge, or offers a service that helps people, share it on TikTok. You won’t regret it. 

Fool-proof food

Millions of people love cat videos. Millions of people love music clips. At 24 fingers, we are fans of food. We (almost) don’t care what nosh it is – film it, put it on TikTok and we will drool all over it. 

This year was a bumper one for UK food influencers on TikTok. Movers and shakers in 2023 include the lovely @nannabea, who has 1.7 million followers and whose epic Yorkshire puddings no doubt added to her 51.5 million likes. 

Emma went in search of cooking hacks and ended up with culinary whiplash (she’s 100% fine), thanks to @ollie_eats, who has over 498,600 followers and 13.5 million likes.

Anne went all continental on us this year and spent a lot of time in the company of Italy’s @chefmaxmariola. After clapping eyes on his tasty tutorials, we can’t blame her… 

If you’re in the business of creating delicious dishes, and you haven’t showcased them on TikTok, make 2024 the year that changes. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to us. 

Viral videos we loved

If there is one thing social media, and TikTok in particular, does very well, it’s providing a constant stream of entertaining content that keeps us glued to our screens. 

In 2023, there were so many creators who made us laugh, cry and think just a little more deeply, it was hard to pick just a few. But we managed it. 

Who would have thought a video, shot in a muddy, foggy field would be so captivating? We and 111 million (and counting) others could not take our eyes off @seanthesheepman’s speedy sheepdog. 

@seanthesheepman Kate #fyp #fypシ #foryou #bordercollie #amazing #viral #trending #tiktok #beautiful ♬ original sound – Sean the sheepman

We lost hours in the 24 fingers office to the @guinnessworldrecords page, even if it was to wince at the limbo skater, which has racked up an impressive 199.5 million likes. 

@guinnessworldrecords Fastest time to limbo skate under ten bars ⏱️ 1.69 secs by Shrishti Sharma 🇮🇳 Shristi is proud to be a Guinness World Records title holder as it gives her the platform to bring attention to ‘Save the Girl Child’, a charity close to her heart which seeks to fight for gender equality in infant females. #rollerskating #rollerskate #guinnessworldrecords ♬ original sound – Guinness World Records

If you’ve ever wanted to know what a well-groomed pooch looks like, join 5.7 million followers and head over to @carlcunard. More than 172.6 million people have watched that fluffy tail pop out of those trousers… #suchagoodboy 

@carlcunard Weekend ready 👱🏼‍♂️✌🏼🦁What’s everyone up to? #fyp #mensfashion #dogsoftiktok ♬ Made You Look – Meghan Trainor

More than just entertainment…  

TikTok in 2023 has been brilliant for business, but it’s also been amazing for advocates. 

Creators have worked hard all year to bring the causes they care about to our attention, and for many it has paid off in style. 

One of Emma’s faves is Toby Addison, or @blindtobes, who has 284,500 followers and gained 15 million likes for his posts about living with blindness. 

We’ve all been alternately inspired and left sobbing by posts from @tyreeceinheels. The Queen of SLAYification has one million followers and racked up 45.7 million likes – and we are here for it. 

As a chunky lady, Scheenagh has been shouting all year about influencer @rosiebreenx. She has 585,300 followers and 12.1 million likes, and her posts about mid-sized fashion put a smile on all our faces. 

The 24 fingers’ jury is in: if you have a message that needs a wide audience, TikTok is one of the most innovative platforms to help spread it. 

Going live and aiming high 

At 24 fingers, we work hard for our clients, but we also make sure that we play hard too. In 2023, there were lots of ways for everyone to let off some steam, and TikTok got in on the fun too. 

Live events covered on the platform included Eurovision (Mae Muller was robbed), and Glastonbury, as well as charity extravaganzas Children in Need and Comic Relief. 

#BookTok made its presence felt with The Hay Festival racking up 38,300 followers and one million likes. 

We know all too well that 2023 was a World Cup year, so it’s no surprise the England Women’s football team, @england, ended up with 7.7 million followers and more than 125 million likes. 

Whatever your business is up to in 2024, make sure to advertise, document and analyse it on TikTok. Not sure how to get the best out of the platform? Let us guide you. 

TikTok’s music makers 

Emma is always down with the kids, and she was front and centre when the Glastonbury crowd lifted up a struggling @lewiscapaldi. 

The emotional video added to his 8.4 million followers and swelled his likes to 181.9 million. 

@lewiscapaldi♬ original sound – Lewis Capaldi

Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones may have been around since god was a boy, but it seems you can teach old dogs new tricks. 

The veteran band and their lead singer joined TikTok at the start of 2023, gathering more than one million followers and 8.5 million likes between them. 

If Mick ever wants a quick 24 fingers TikTok tutorial, let us know and he can teach Anne how to boogie. 

Meanwhile, Emma was hooked on everything from @annemarie, happily adding to her 7.9 million followers and 108 million likes. 

Rising stars on TikTok

There’s an argument for popping Mr Jagger in this section, given he is a relative TikTok newbie, but Anne wisely pointed out that he’s older than some trees, so sorry Mick, you didn’t make the cut. 

One who does is the model, influencer and all-round amazeballs person Fats Timbo, AKA @fatstimbo. This talented woman has racked up 2.9 million followers and more than 51 million likes for her insightful, authentic videos. We love her. 

On a different plane altogether is @2girls1bottl3. Better known as Mixie and Munchie, this silent, hilarious duo have amassed a near-cult following by having a drink in all sorts of places. Their oddly addictive videos have attracted 813,400 followers and 15.9 million likes. 

Two more women who made a splash on TikTok in 2023 are @brookieandjessie. They’ve racked up 3.7 million followers and 164.2 million likes with clips of them dancing to everything from Barry Manilow to Abrina (ask the kids). 

These creators are proof that authentic content, no matter how niche, will find an audience on TikTok 

The best of the rest

Which brings us neatly to our final category, which features one of Anne’s absolute faves: girl dinners. 

The #girldinner hashtag has attracted a truly staggering 2.8 billion views, and is packed with fun, silly and sometimes downright outrageous videos of women telling us what they eat. 

As an example of a trend that does what it says on the tin, they don’t come much better. Solid choice Anne. 

Next up is a hashtag that had Scheenagh alternately baffled and amused for weeks: #romanempire. Make of that one what you will, but it’s had three billion views. 

Emma chose one of the most influential hashtags of the year (no, not #wesanderson, or #redflag, #greenflag or #beigeflag). She went with #datebark, a weird combo of chocolate, peanut butter and dates that has amassed 28.4 million views.

So, there you have it – the trends and hashtags that made 2023 one to remember on TikTok. If you’re curious about what else is in store for social media in 2024 could have in store, check out our blog. 

PS if you want using TikTok to be your New Year’s resolution, we’ll make sure you keep it. Guaranteed.

As the temperature drops and we find ourselves huddled under blankets and glued to our small screens in the comfort of our ‘working from home’ homes, we might ponder over what could be next on the horizon for social media in 2023?  Zoltar, take it away…

Chatty Business Messaging 

E-commerce paved the way for social media selling in 2022, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. Instagram and TikTok have become established go-to platforms for e-commerce in the last 12 months, and for 2023 we will be able to add WhatsApp to the mix.

At the recent WhatsApp Business Summit in Brazil, Meta announced that it was working on ‘bringing a whole shopping experience’ to WhatsApp chat. This will include features such as searching for a business by category, and allowing businesses to create ‘click-to’ messaging ads, so expect to see updated business-friendly WhatsApp features on your mobile very soon. 

Keeping it Reel

No surprises here, but it looks like short-form video content is here to stay for 2023 and increasing in popularity. TikTok is still king with over 1.5 billion active monthly users in the last quarter of 2022, and Reels on Instagram are still getting prime-time with the algorithms.

YouTube have recently clocked on and launched their own ‘Shorts’ platform. ‘Shorts’ is proving lucrative for influencers as YouTube pays top-performing videos a percentage of all ad intake based on views, unlike TikTok’s less profitable Creator Fund.

Could YouTube take the crown from TikTok in 2023 as the top short-from video platform by attracting the most talented creative folk? 

The Designer Avatar

2023 will also see the rebirth of the avatar. Avatar integration is high up on Meta’s priority list as it envisions avatar identities as the key proprietors of the Metaverse. This digital form of identity has no limits and will incorporate sponsored items, customised costumes, and new ways to connect digitally. Luxury fashion brands are already selling designer avatar clothing in the Meta Store.

Gone are the gimmicky basic caricatures of 2020, and in their place are more sophisticated, multi-dimensional characters with interchangeable features. Apple has already done this with their Memojis, and WhatsApp have just launched theirs following on from Facebook. Meta’s reasoning behind the new feature is both fun and privacy. Eliminating the need for one to share a personal photograph, but also a fun way to create an expression, a step up from the standard emoji.

Expect to see avatars popping up on all Meta platforms in 2023 at a screen near you.

AI Creativity

Following on from the emergence of avatars is the rise of Artificial Intelligence on social media. With a focus on creativity, new tools for generating mind-boggling landscapes, sensual selfies and even cuter pet portraits will soon have full integration onto social media platforms with an aim to increase engagement.

Only last week the Lensa.ai app caused a storm through the creation of dreamy selfies and ‘Magic Avatars’, though not without its criticism. AI editing programs such as Midjourney enable the creation and sharing of digital art on an incredible level that would give Salvatore Dali a run for his money, and can be an impressive way to attract attention for your business or brand.

Virtual Reality will also be making an appearance, alongside Augmented Reality functionalities. Keep an eye out for Meta’s Ray Ban Stories AR-enabled glasses, which are due to be released at the end of 2023. Hopefully they will be more stylish than the cardboard red and blue 3D-TV specs from the nineties.

Multi-Sensory Multi-Tools

Multi-sensory experiences in general seem to be the flavour for Social Media in 2023, and aside from the aforementioned entertainment platforms, LinkedIn will be having its moment by creating and integrating video connection tools such as introduction video snippets, video chat features and Zoom-like meetings. It also plans to enable users to host professional audio events in the form of interactive podcasts.

New for LinkedIn in 2023 will also be a focus on allowing more data insights for jobseekers, building on its learning platforms for upskilling, and creating intelligent pathways for landing that  ‘dream job’. After having record levels of engagement for 2022, we are excited to see how LinkedIn continues to thrive in 2023. 

Whether or not these predictions manifest into reality remains a mystery, but we hope we have given you some sparks of marketing inspiration. Now time for eggnog. 

We can hardly believe it’s time to look ahead to the social media trends of 2022 as 2021 draws to a close. It’s been a busy 12 months, from lockdowns at the start and Freedom Day in the middle, to Omicron at the end. 

During it all, countless small and medium-sized businesses hitched a ride on the e-commerce rocket, fuelled – of course – by social media. 

That trend, at least, doesn’t look set to change any time soon, as over 50% of customers in a recent survey said they wanted local businesses to use social media more, with 58% keen to hear about offers via their favourite platforms. 

That’s great news for business owners, but what else can we expect for the coming 12 months? Let’s take a look at what we think will be the social media trends for 2022… 

Social selling – what is it and does it work?

Social selling is a buzz phrase for good, old-fashioned customer service, and it’s all about building a relationship and trust with your customers. 

Social selling is a growth sector, particularly for businesses or entrepreneurs looking to elevate their brand presence, and Instagram is the social selling marketplace. 

If you’re planning to launch a new business in 2022, it’s crucial you connect your online store and your social media presence to create an unrivalled marketing tool. Talk to us about how to become a master social media marketer.  

Craft your content to entice and excite potential customers, then engage personally with them to create a rapport and watch those conversions skyrocket. 

Make it easy for customers to communicate online 

We’ve all lost minutes (in some cases hours) of our lives hanging around on customer service phone lines while trying not to listen to the worst muzak in the world. 

E-commerce has the potential to change all that. In 2022, consumers will be looking for direct, online communication methods for support and after-sales service. 

It’s up to you to make it as easy as possible for your clients to get in touch, whether via a WhatsApp number, sliding into your DMs on Twitter, or messaging you on Facebook. 

Ensure your customer experience is as stress-free as possible and, if it’s appropriate, don’t forget to add a dash of fun. 

TikTok: one of the biggest social media trends for 2022

In the past couple of years, we’ve watched TikTok blossom from a teenager’s toy to becoming a fully fledged business platform. It’s added profiles, ads and a creator marketplace. 

Search demand for TikTok grew by 173% in 2021, compared to 22% for Instagram Reels and a 33% slump for Stories. 

A recent survey found 24% of respondents thought TikTok was the most effective for reaching their business goals, a massive 700% increase on 2020 figures. If you don’t have a TikTok presence, make 2022 the year you get one. 

Short videos will be king in 2022

The king is dead, long live the king. If YouTube is the home of the longer-form video, 2022 will see the rise and rise of bite-sized video content popping up across a range of platforms. 

While ephemeral content – ahem – such as Twitter Fleets and LinkedIn Stories came and went in 2021, TikTok’s popularity fed consumer appetite for video snippets that were smart, eye-catching and informative. 

With almost 40% of businesses preferring short-form videos too, the stage is set for a boom in the ad form. Start brainstorming now for ideas or read on for more social media trends for 2022. 

Take social media trends for 2022 and make them yours 

Social media is awash with all kinds of content, and nothing makes us smile more than when we come across something really smart or original. 

That’s why, in 2022, keeping an eye on what’s trending on social media will be crucial for entrepreneurs and business owners, because they’re brilliant bandwagons to jump on. 

If a trend lighting up social media fits with your brand message, what better excuse to hop on and use it to amplify your business? It’s a fuss-free way to generate potentially viral content. 

Should I pay for social media ads?

It’s a very good question, and something we can help with if you’re not quite sure. Business-to-business (B2B) ads are a potential growth area for paid social media ads in 2022, and Facebook is still the daddy when it comes to getting the best return on investment. 

Partner up with an influencer in 2022

Relationships are the glue that binds society together and it’s no different in business. The pandemic years have demonstrated that the UK’s small and medium sized businesses are a resilient, innovative bunch, and even more so when we join forces. 

In 2022, that trend will expand as increasing numbers of businesses partner up with influencers to spread their brand message to the widest possible audience. 

For example, teaming up with a top TikTokker could open up a whole new customer base, or partnering with a local Instgrammer with a solid following could boost your brand no end. 

The creative and revenue possibilities are endless, and you don’t even have to pay for a Kardashian (thank goodness). 

So there you have it – our pick of the social media trends for 2022. As always, we’ll keep our fingers on all the platforms’ pulses. In the meantime, all that remains is for us to raise a glass and wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year. 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

Fans of superb 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will be familiar with the line: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Even the smartest of American teenagers would be hard-pressed to keep up with the comings and goings of social media, particularly Linkedin’s Stories shenanigans. 

In case you haven’t heard, the platform will be suspending the feature from 30th September. If you’ve bought ads that will run between Stories, they will be shown on the Linkedin feed, but in slightly more irritating news, an business owners promoting or sponsoring Stories directly from their page will have to remake them. 

Linkedin Stories just about lasted a year, and was launched at the same time as Twitter’s equally ill-fated Fleets, which were kicked to the kerb almost as soon as they were launched. 

In a blog post, LinkedIn’s senior director of product Liz Li said: “In developing Stories, we assumed people wouldn’t want informal videos attached to their profile, and that ephemerality would reduce barriers that people feel about posting. 

“Turns out, you want to create lasting videos that tell your professional story in a more personal way and that showcase both your personality and expertise.”

Li also revealed users wanted more functionality in Stories, as well as “more creative tools to make engaging videos”, not just stickers and prompts. Who said social media doesn’t listen? 

The good news is that Linkedin looks set to follow Instagram and Snapchat in taking inspiration from TikTok, and create its own feed that’s strikingly close (but not too much) to the ByteDance-owned platform. 

Given there are growing numbers of users on TikTok posting hints and tips about putting together CVs, interview and career advice, as well as kick-ass dance moves, we can see where Linkedin’s heading and why it would be a smart move for small businesses to stay ahead of the short-form video curve.  

Will we see the corporate equivalent of TikTok’s epic editing popping up on Linkedin? If Emma can find some dancing shoes that may well be a yes… 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

“I would have gotten away with it, if it hadn’t been for those pesky kids”, said almost every Scooby Doo villain ever. Those clever boffins at Facebook might be muttering something similar into their chai lattes at the latest social media bombshell – they’re no longer the world’s number one downloaded app. 

According to 2020 data from analytics platform App Annie, that honour now belongs to Chinese upstart TikTok. It has one billion users worldwide, including more than 100 million in the United States alone. 

So, what is the secret behind TikTok’s sudden boom in popularity? Well, it has proved massively popular among younger users, with some truly eye-popping content doing the rounds. 

Like Facebook, it’s proved itself to be a relatively easy platform for businesses to post content and grow their brands among a receptive and fairly affluent audience using nifty engagement solutions and immersive formats. 

It’s also given even the oldest social media hands a chance to flex their creative muscles. Who knew razor-sharp editing could be so much fun? 

Add into the mix last month’s move allowing post videos up to three minutes in length, tripling the previous cap, and we reckon Facebook will have to do a bit of work to catch up – which means more goodies possibly coming our way. Naturally, when they drop, we’ll make sure you’re the first to know. 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

The world of social media never stands still, not for one second. It’s part of the reason we love it, but the speed of change can take some business owners by surprise. Take the international launch of Instagram Reels ads, for instance. 

Reels has only been around since August 2020, but it’s already expanded to include features including Insights, Remix and Live, all so it can keep up with rival platforms (we’re looking at you TikTok). 

It migth all be enough to make your head spin but the addition of ads to Reels is a sweet opportunity for business owners to widen their audience and expand their reach. 

Instagram Reels ads look just like any other post, so they’re looping videos, full screen and run for up to 30 seconds. The slight difference is they will have a “sponsored” tag below the advertiser’s account name, so anyone viewing it will be aware it’s an ad. 

The global launch follows testing in Australia, India, Brazil and Germany, and there may be tweaks as it goes along, as Instagram’s Adam Mosseri said the firm was not 100% happy with the format. Luckily for them, we’re always on our toes at 24 fingers and ready for the next change social media throws at us. 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

Blur vs Oasis. Microsoft vs Apple. Coke vs Pepsi. They are among some of the greatest rivalries the world has ever known. Now you can add Instagram Reels Insights vs TikTok. 

Trust the kids to show the old hands how to make the most of the rapidly evolving social media landscape. Instagram has been playing catch-up with its Chinese-owned rival for months, rolling out feature after feature to woo users and business owners. 

The Reels feature was great for in-app shopping, but when it came to breaking down who was doing what, where and when, Instagram users were left twiddling their thumbs and shuffling their feet, while TikTokers lapped up data about their types of traffic sources, performance by geographic location and videos’ average watch time. 

Now, the Facebook-owned site has enhanced its Reels tool with Insights, allowing users to access crucial information such as Accounts Reached, Saves and Shares for their Reels, as well as being able to share the number of Peak Concurrent Viewers watching their Live videos. 

Even better, in Instagram’s Account Insights section, there will be all kinds of goodies to analyse, including the kinds of accounts users are reaching, and which content formats produce the most engagement. 

The rivalry between the two platforms has been great for business users and the development of Instagram Reels Insights is no exception, but it won’t be the last. Expect more changes as TikTok announced it is set to partner with specific brands in a trial of in-app sales.

Will Instagram follow suit, or beat them to the punch? Stay tuned to our blog posts to find out. 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

Just when you think you’ve got to grips with the latest video-sharing technology on the web, they go all Etch-a-Sketch on us and give everything a good shake, this month’s being the launch of Instagram Remix. The social media platforms have been falling over themselves to copy each others’ services, from Linkedin finally realising video is A Good Thing, to TikTok’s nifty Duet feature. It’s the latter that prompted Instagram to give its Reels tool, which is barely out of short trousers, an overhaul leading to – drum roll please – the Remix video editing feature. 

Re-re-re-remix 🤩

Now you can use the Remix feature in Reels to create your own reel next to one that already exists 🎭

Whether you’re capturing your reaction, responding to friends or bringing your own magic to trends, Remix is another way to collab on Instagram ✨ pic.twitter.com/eU8x74Q3yf

— Instagram (@instagram) March 31, 2021

It gives Instagram users the chance to create and post their reaction to a Reel, and while it might have a lot of comedic value, it’s also got great potential for business. 

Picture the scene: a small or medium-sized company posts its reaction to content from a bigger company, which then goes viral, bringing customers to their door and putting their brand on everyone’s lips. Talk about lights, camera, action… 

You can Remix any Reel, as long as the original poster has enabled access. The great thing is, the feature can be turned on and off, either by using the Privacy Settings, which would affect all Reels, or after you share each individual video.

To Remix a Reel, choose the video you want to react to and tap the three dots. “Remix This Reel” should appear if the original Instagram poster has enabled the feature. 

Record or upload your new Reel, which should appear on the right side of the screen. Now’s the time to merrily edit and get creative, adding stickers, a voiceover or change the soundtrack. When you’re happy with your content, write a caption and choose your video settings, then share – easy peasy. 

We reckon Remix Reels could give TikTok’s Duets a run for its money, but we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, it’s time for our close-up… 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

Last year was… how can we put it politely? Ah yes, a hot mess, what with all the disruption, stress and grief caused by the Covid-19 virus. 

Yet 2020 also saw some big changes in the social media world, whether it was LinkedIn getting with the 21st century programme and discovering video, to Facebook doing its level best to shove Instagram into everything. 

The new year has got off to an equally bumpy start but, like the US President’s desk, we are resolute when it comes to maintaining a positive outlook. With that in mind, here’s what we think will be the top social media trends for 2021: 

Instagram Reels and Searchability

Chances are if Alexa or Siri aren’t a part of your household (other smart speakers are available) then you’ll know someone who can’t remember how they managed without them. 

Voice search is tipped to be one of the biggest social media trends of 2021, so make sure it’s a solid part of your social media marketing strategy. 

Likewise, visual search is set for big things. Customers take a smartphone picture of a product and ask the internet:  “where can I buy this?” Pinterest is one place to be to get the most out of this trend, likewise Instagram, with its shiny shoppable features. 

Sustainability

It’s been a quietly growing trend for several years but sustainability – the business version of being environmentally friendly – will be more important than ever in 2021.

Supply chains were tested to their limits during the pandemic and some businesses turned to local alternatives, in some cases reducing their carbon footprint. As more customers call for eco-friendly items or demand to know more about the origins of products, being able to demonstrate your green credentials through marketing will be a boon to your business. Boom.

Brand Values, Diversity and Inclusivity

Any talk of sustainability is inevitably followed by that of diversity and inclusivity (and not before time!), and we think both will play a big role on LinkedIn.

The professional platform, which gave us Live, Events, Polls and Stories in 2020, will also become a place where business owners can approach, discuss and shed light on important political, social and economic issues.

LinkedIn’s recently added features will be powerful marketing tools in 2021, as business owners, professionals and brands use the platform to demonstrate their values and stand up for important issues. Expect some fireworks – if you’re not already starting them.

Let your customers do the talking 

Remember the days when, if you were really impressed by a product you bought, you told the world and his or her wife? In the 21st century, social media has replaced the garden fence, and user-generated content (UGC) is the new gossip. 

It’s not to be sniffed at either. Ads including UGC have an impressive 400% higher click-through rate than those without, so it’s crucial to get your customers talking about your products and services. We can devise a social media marketing strategy to help make this happen. 

Video content is king 

You don’t have to be Kim Kardashian to woo consumers to your brand, but adding video to as many of your social media posts as possible will keep you bang on a big 2021 trend. 

There’s no shortage of platforms to choose from either: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok and, of course, YouTube – the video world’s your oyster, Rodney. The real trick is making sure you’re posting in places where your audience is watching… 

Let’s get interactive 

Any social media marketing strategy worth its salt includes some sort of interactive content. It’s a great way to engage customers and can be a neat way to find out what they’re thinking or looking for. 

This year didn’t get off to the best start, thanks to yet another lockdown, but it will fuel a need for less passive content. Rack your business brains and come up with quizzes, interactive infographics, or calculators, to entertain that captive audience. 

A sense of social media community 

The vast majority of small and medium business owners are part of at least one social media group. They’re the lockdown version of going to the pub: private places to share success stories, swap ideas and have a general grumble about the general state of the world. But have you ever thought of creating one for your brand? This type of social media community, set to be hugely popular in 2021, is a place where you can engage current and potential customers, launch products and get instant feedback that can help shape and drive your business. 

Check your metrics

Every social media marketing strategy will have results, and analysing that data can be a rollercoaster ride. But are you looking at the right metrics?

Having lots of followers might make you feel feel great, but it may not be a true measure of success. In 2021, a big social media trend will be stepping away from ‘vanity’ metrics and a shift toward a broader range of criteria, including awareness, engagement, conversion and consumer. If it leaves you baffled, drop us a line and we’ll make sense of the chaos. 

So that’s it – our top social media trends for 2021. There’s a lot to get your teeth into so if you don’t know where to start, give us a call and we’ll help you dive right in. 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.