Blog post by: Michelle Hofacker, Baer Performance Marketing Intern
Nothing changes faster in society today than trends on social media, and trying to keep up can be a daunting task for many businesses. With 99 percent of all businesses using some type of social media, staying on top of trends is more important than ever, especially if you don’t want to fall behind the competition. You may be asking yourself, “What social media trends should I focus on in 2021 that will help grow my business?” or “What can I do differently this year to gain a competitive edge for my business using social media?” Incorporating social media into your marketing strategy is great, but truly knowing where and how to dedicate that focus is the most important part. Here are three social media trends your business should implement in 2021:
- Commit to Values and Act on Them
Consumers love a brand that not only “talks the talk” but also “walks the walk.” As we learned in 2020, brands need to act quickly and be transparent when communicating their values via social media. These two qualities are still just as important in 2021 and help to create “digital trust” between consumers and the brand. Ultimately, consumers care about brands that care about them. Businesses must also commit to being socially responsible by showing their true colors, standing up for what’s right, and taking real action on issues (social, environmental, economic) with which consumers may be concerned. Brands that show they have values and a purpose, beyond just making a profit, will thrive in 2021.
- Quality Over Quantity
Many college students and marketing specialists have heard over and over again that when it comes to social media strategy, businesses should stick to a strict plan of making a certain number of posts per day, usually at specific times. While consistency is still important, consumers in 2021 care more about the quality of posts than the quantity of them. Instead of making posts just for the sake of making posts, businesses should put more energy into creating content that offers real value to their followers. Examples of quality posts include sharing customer reviews and posting videos instead of lengthy captions. Businesses that focus on the quality of their posts can have a real impact on their followers and boost their brand reputation.
- Create Shorter, More Helpful Content
While focusing on the quality of posts, businesses should also be concerned with creating shorter, more digestible content. The attention span of consumers is extremely short. Shockingly, data shows that when using social media, consumers are interested in captions that can be absorbed in less than two seconds, and 80% of the time, they will likely only read the first few words or line of a caption. No one likes to read a 500-word caption on a post or watch a five-minute video when they’re scrolling through social media. Businesses need to concentrate more on creating content that is both eye catching and attention grabbing to keep audiences engaged.
It’s not easy navigating the world of social media, but we hope focusing on these three social media trends will make your brand the best it can be in 2021! Feel free to reach out to Baer Performance Marketing for all of your social media needs, and don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter to stay up to date on the latest marketing trends.
