Social media is a constantly changing industry that offers unmatched opportunities for marketers. In 2020, social media will be more important for marketing strategies than ever before. With a captive audience and incredible insights into audience data, social media strategies should be authentic and tailored for your audience. Keep reading to learn more about social media marketing strategies for 2020.
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Likes are leaving Instagram, so plan accordingly.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges for social media marketing will be the lack of likes on Instagram. The social media platform is hiding likes for many users and testing the impact of the change. Instagram made the change due to increased scrutiny over the impact of social media on mental health.
Users will still be able to see the number of likes on their own posts but not on the posts of others. This change will greatly impact marketers who use likes as a metric for success or a way to judge influencers and their reach. Incorporating additional metrics, such as comments and shares will be crucial to maintaining campaigns on Instagram.
Short-lived content remains popular.
Social media has become a place for quick bites of content that disappear in just a day or two. These short videos have become considerably popular over the last year and will continue to be a staple on social media platforms. This format is addictive and engaging with users watching countless videos and scrolling through posts for hours.
Marketers can take advantage of this popularity by incorporating ephemeral content into their social media strategies. Instagram Stories, Snapchat videos, and similar content are a great way to share product updates, a look behind the scenes, and exciting announcements.
Don’t discount the niche platforms.
The heavy hitters in the world of social media, like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, are obvious places for marketers to focus their attention and social media strategies. However, there are several niche platforms that have increased in popularity in recent years, and marketers can take advantage of these platforms to reach their audience. TikTok, Twitch, and WhatsApp are just a few examples of platforms to keep an eye on in 2020.
Niche platforms will not be the best marketing options for every business, but they can be a great chance to reach your audience if they use that platform. For example, if you are targeting teens or young people, TikTok may be a valuable opportunity. If your audience consists of gamers, Twitch is a viable platform.
Video content should be a focus.
Video has already been a trend for social media marketing and it will only grow in 2020. Engagement with video is consistently high, and video is expected to take over as a dominant form of content online. In fact, apps driven by video content are growing in popularity, like TikTok or Lasso.
There are a variety of tools available for marketers to create video content without breaking the bank. Drag and drop video editors and easy to use video tools are great resources for marketers to scale video production and create social media content that is engaging.
Consider investing in influencer marketing.
Influencers are not new, but they will be an important strategic point for social media marketing in 2020. The number of influencers on social media platforms is increasing and so is influencer marketing. Marketers can stretch their social media budgets by investing wisely in influencers over paid ads.
You do not have to pay the biggest and most expensive influencer to see results. In 2020, niche influencers will be more popular, and companies can build a network of influencers to promote their brand. Influencers are also a great way to engage with your audience through content that feels more authentic than branded marketing content.
Use social media as a form of customer service.
In 2020, customer service will be all about going where your customers are, and that includes social media. Word of mouth marketing is alive and well on social media, where customers share their opinions on your brand, products, and services. Being able to respond to questions, provide resolutions, and interact with customers is crucial for social media strategies in 2020.
Social media is used by 28% of consumers to communicate with a brand. This is an excellent opportunity for marketers to reach their audience and improve customer satisfaction. Ignoring social media can result in negative reviews or opinions of your brand circulating without your knowledge as well as a lack of engagement.
Boost engagement with a social media contest.
Hosting a contest on social media is an increasingly popular method for marketers to connect with their audience and attract new followers. This is a great social media strategy for attracting new followers to your brand’s channels and getting audiences to remember your brand. If you are on a limited social media marketing budget, prizes can be simple and still effective.
The important thing about hosting a contest on social media is to make sure your content matches your target audience. The contest rules and prize should make sense for your audience and fit within their lifestyle or regular behavior on social media. Your incentive should feature something that your audience considers valuable, and you should continue to engage your audience after the contest.
Conclusion
There are countless ways for marketers to be successful on social media in 2020. Some trends will continue from previous years, such as videos, ephemeral content, and influencers. Marketers should continue to invest in these strategies to stay on top of the trends. New trends like niche platforms, customer service through social media, and contests are definitely strategies to test in the new year. Above all else, remember to be true to your brand identity and audience to create authentic social media content that engages your consumers.
