Keeping up with the trends (in social media)

Social media changes rapidly. In just the blink of an eye, you could miss an entirely new feature on Instagram that nobody knows how to use. Platforms are changing every single day and it could be hard to keep up if you’re not paying close enough attention. As a brand, it is so important to stay up-to-date with social media trends. When you have clients relying on your expertise to promote their product, you cannot simply just hashtag and post anymore. There is much more to it. Below is a list of the daily trends in 2021!

1. Stories that tell your story The Story feature on various social media platforms is not a *new* trend, however, it continues to triumph. More users are inclined to visiting a person or company's profile and viewing their current story or highlighted stories to get a better feel for the account they're viewing. If you're trying to sell a product, showcasing that product in your story proves to boost sales and engagement with your audience.

2. Socially selling It's like an e-commerce platform but on social media. Social media platforms are going to continue to enhance their selling features for brands in order to allow them to properly make sales efficiently and straight from the app. If you're selling products on your social media pages, I definitely recommend setting up your social media storefront! It is so beneficial and amplifies your services to the consumer making it so easy for them to purchase directly through the app instead of having to go on your website or DM you for more information. It's a one-stop-shop and most likely will reduce the amount of times the consumer abandons their shopping cart.

3. Campaigns with a purpose will continue to thrive Spreading awareness for a cause you're passionate about is something that has always connected people on social media. Now more than ever due to the pandemic, that awareness factor is heightened. Brands are now even taking an extra step to advocate and help causes they believe in and causes that matter. Inclusivity is so important and it's refreshing to see brands jumping on board with joining the movement for whats right.

Brands like McDonald's are using their huge platform to reinvent their brand promoting delivery to advocate for people staying home and staying safe.

4. Be transparent! B-E transparent!

Everyone behind their screen wants to see that the brands they're supporting are authentic and transparent. People want to see people. People want to ensure the operations behind making their favourite products are real. Honesty boosts engagement and that's why its so important to showcase your staff and not focus on the selling aspect of the business as much. The more human you are the more trustworthy you are. The more trustworthy you are the more people want to purchase your products over your competitors.