The evolution of social media has been fueled by advances in digital technology and the human impulse to connect. It’s the story of how we’ve been able to create personal connections on a grand scale. Merriam-Webster defines social media as “forms of electronic communication and online communities where individuals share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.” According to a Pew Research Center survey, 72% of American adults are using some form of social media.
Influencer marketing
The influencer marketing industry has exploded in recent years, largely because of the low barriers to entry. All you need is a phone with a camera and an internet connection, and a willingness to put yourself out there. In this day and age, with smartphones and internet-savvy teenagers, it’s easy to get started and start earning in no time. The best part is that influencers can monetize their content even with low follower counts.
Video
Despite the growing popularity of video in social media, most marketers are still unaware of its power. Video has been an effective marketing tool since 1941. Its ability to capture consumers’ emotions and stimulate their psyches makes it a great way to build brand loyalty. Compared to reading text, viewers retain 95% of the message that is portrayed through video. This trend is only set to increase as the culture of social media evolves.
Earned media
Earned media is content that inspires engagement with a brand. It should inform, entertain, and encourage its audience to share their experiences. Earned media strategies can include content like videos, infographics, and interactive quizzes. The ultimate goal is to build long-term relationships with the community. To create a successful earned media strategy, develop a content strategy that combines paid and owned media.
Word-of-mouth marketing
It’s no surprise that word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful marketing strategy. Studies show that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family. Word-of-mouth marketing is a natural form of viral marketing that spreads information through more organic channels. It’s a free form of advertisement that a consumer is likely to believe in because it is prompted by a positive experience with a business.
If you’ve ever wondered how to increase your visibility on Pinterest, read on. Earlier, content would appear chronologically. But thanks to an advanced algorithm, content appears in the right order. Today, users have more time to look at content and engage in long-term activity. Experts suggest that you should pin around 15 to 20 times per day. The more often you pin, the more likely your posts will appear in front of your audience.
Snapchat
If you’re interested in using Snapchat as a direct response marketing tool, you can start by registering for a free business account and setting up your first campaign. Once you have a business account, you can customize your advertising campaigns and choose audience types. You can also choose to use a Snap Pixel for direct response products, which tracks the customer’s journey and helps you understand the effect of your advertising efforts.
TikTok
It’s not hard to see how TikTok could disrupt the traditional social media marketing landscape. Facebook, for example, has recently made the decision to focus more on short videos and algorithmic recommendations to attract younger users. The company also made changes to its algorithm to show users the best content, even if they aren’t friends with the author. In other words, Facebook is adopting the TikTok way of doing things and creating an entirely different type of entertainment platform.