With the new year behind us, marketing managers are moving forward with new trends in digital marketing. Gone are the days of simple status updates as we look into (what feels like) never-ending features and updates.
With platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels bringing video content into focus in 2021, let’s see what the new year looks like for social media.
5 Social Media Trends for 2022
Creator Economy & Social Commerce
Worth over $100 billion, the creator economy is just getting started. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn are investing in creator marketplaces and tools.
These platforms have made it easier for creators to connect with their audiences and collaborate with big brands. By sticking with their niche, creators have gained millions of followers in just a year.
With the creator economy booming, so does the subset of e-commerce – social commerce. 60% of Gen Z use Instagram to discover new products, and social commerce is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2025 in the U.S.
As a result, platforms have created tools to make checkouts, browsing, and building online stores easier. Chatbots and automated responses are also growing to improve the general consumer experience.
Video Content
It’s no secret that video content has had a significant increase in the last few years, with the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels. Other platforms, like Twitter and Pinterest, have seen increased engagement with video content.
If you aren’t using video content, now is the best time to start. Creators use videos to share information from social issues to dessert recipes.
While creating your videos, it’s important to keep accessibility in mind. 430 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, and 85% of videos on Facebook are watched without sound. Integrate captions or subtitles into all videos when possible.
Memes
Memes have been around for as long as social media, and they are here to stay.
From job specific to astrology, some memes can resonate with even the most niche audience. As long as your brand is innovative and quick, your meme will perform well. They don’t even need to be fancy.
Memes are a simple and easy way for brands to connect and engage with their audience in 2022.
“No Filter”
Brands have really turned away from a perfectly curated feed and are becoming less filtered and “in-the-moment.”
Authenticity is on the rise regarding brands on social, and we don’t expect that to change in 2022. Brands are expected to spend less time editing and curating the perfect feed and more time creating and fostering deep relationships with their audience.
Brands Unhinge on TikTok
TikTok has really changed the social media game, and with 1 billion active monthly users, we can see why.
The platform allows for brands and creators to be more innovative, wild, and unhinged compared to other socials. Companies like Duolingo have shown their wild side, resulting in millions of views for each post.
Brands can be more experimental with TikTok, and we’ve seen that translate into other platforms.