While your competitors are still processing everything that happened this year on social media, it’s time for you to turn your attention to what lays ahead for 2021.
Zoom calls, authentic content, and TikTok (of course) reigned supreme in 2020, but what do the next 12 months look like for social media marketing?
We’ve broken down the biggest anticipated trends and how you can use them to stay ahead of the curve in the new year.
1. Nostalgia marketing
While we were all going through some tough times in 2020, a lot of brands found the use of nostalgia an effective way to get our attention.
In fact, mentioning nostalgia in marketing increased by a whopping 88% during the first lockdown. If history is anything to go by, when times are uncertain, audiences love the comfort and warmth that comes from remembering ‘the good old days’.
Expect to see old trends, old music, and even old celebrities make a resurgence with brands capitalising on nostalgia to draw in an audience who are living through an increasingly uncertain time.
2. The Face Behind The Brand
A more human feel for businesses is going to be a big social media trend going forward.
People connect with people, especially after a year where human connection was put under the spotlight more than ever before.
Creating an authentic and real relationship with your audiences is no longer optional for success, it’s a necessity.
We’re talking more behind the scenes videos, more raw content, and more faces attached to the brand for people to recognise and relate to.
3. Socially Conscious
Brands who ignore the state of the world in this current climate run a real risk of being labelled as tone-deaf and insensitive.
No more excuses, it’s time to join the conversation.
Younger audiences like millennials and, especially, Generation Z, are fuelled by social change and expect the same from the brands they interact with.
Expect more conversations surrounding mental health, inequality and climate change coming from businesses with more focus on their core values and dedication to positive change.
4. LinkedIn Live
Virtual events were a defining feature of 2020, and LinkedIn pivoted to cover this market flawlessly.
They introduced event tools and live-streaming functions to cover the demand, creating fantastic opportunities for thought leaders to reach their audiences in a whole new way.
While in-person events are slowly (but surely) coming back, the appeal of lowcost and international virtual events will stick around.
LinkedIn remains the most appealing platform for such events, and we can see their video functions becoming even more popular. More businesses, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders will be utilising the platform to promote their own events to large audiences.
5. The Rise Of The Micro-Influencer
Micro-influencers are killing it!
Defined as an influencer who has less than 10,000 followers, micros are experiencing powerful engagement levels.
The best part of micro-influencers is that they can be very niche. This means that even though the following may be smaller, the audience is far more dedicated and enthusiastic towards the products you’re promoting.
We expect more brands will be working with influencers and creators across platforms based on their content creation and authenticity, not just on their follower count.
Want to kick start your 2021 social media marketing campaign? We want to help!
We’re dedicated to helping you break boundaries and surpass the competition – get in touch today.
