With over 53 million active users on social in the UK* it’s no wonder platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn are an integral part of daily life.
But what does the future have in store for social? Here’s some of the key trends we think you should watch out for in 2022.
Selling through social
Social is having a massive impact on buyer behaviour. Since the pandemic catapulted online retail, shoppers are turning to social media not only to discover, but to make a purchase too. Now you must consider the user experience of both your website and social platforms. By implementing shop buttons, investing in paid ads and engaging with influencers you can champion a successful social selling strategy.
Investment in social commerce removes any barriers to purchase, making it easy for your audience to do everything – all in one place.
Engagement with Influencers
Following on from social commerce, influencers will remain an important social selling tool for 2022. According to recent research, people are more than twice as likely to trust product reviews from people they follow versus the company itself!** Engaging with influencers can be a cost-effective way to raise brand awareness, grow your social following and ultimately increase sales.
Influencers don’t have to be people with millions of followers either. Micro influencers (under 5,000) and macro influencers (up to 50,000) can have just as much impact and often have loyal fanbases, making them a great opportunity for businesses to test out influencer activity.
TikTok Domination & Short Video Content
Since its launch, TikTok has already seen colossal levels of growth and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. What many first assumed was a platform for teens, since launch it has evolved into a powerful tool for businesses to share engaging short-form video content. You should continue to invest time and money into creating inspiring, thumb-stopping video content as it’s estimated to account for 82% of all internet traffic in 2022***.
Augmented and Virtual reality campaigns
Technology is growing at a rapid rate and we should expect to see some significant advancements in tech in 2022. Whilst augmented reality has already been introduced across many social platforms via filters, this is just the tip of the iceberg. 2022 will bring more augmented and virtual reality campaigns that take experiential marketing to a new level.
This could include more virtual events, such as product launches, which will encompass a global market, rather than limiting it to a single physical location. Companies can reach more audiences and have a chance to diversify by reaching more people with an inclusive approach.
At Cogent, we can help you maximise the opportunities presented by social media and influencers by building engaged communities and creating savvy social content to amplify your marketing. Get in touch to find out more.
References:
* Cyber Crew - Social Media Statistics
**Micro Biz Mag - Influencer Marketing Statistics