5 Social Media Trends of 2018 – TSI Article

To say that social media is a small part of our lives is an understatement. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are now integrated into our lives like never before. But what’s next? Can social media’s involvement go any further? These upcoming trends certainly point toward it. Read on to learn more.

1. The boom of Augmented Reality

   The launch of the new iPhones — both 8 and X —  brought with it an under-the-radar change to the devices. The incorporation of a new chip provides iPhone users with extraordinary augmented reality (AR) experiences. While most conversations about AR focus on the mobile gaming experience, social media platforms will likely find a way to integrate the new technology as well.

2. Influencer marketing

   Influencer marketing has proven to be the best way forward for companies to connect with younger audiences. Titanic companies like The North Face, HubSpot and Rolex are great examples of profiting heavily from social media-based influencer marketing. Companies that opt for traditional strategies struggle to connect to social media users. This indicates that influencer marketing is here to stay and blossom in 2018.

3. All eyes on Gen Z

   The oldest Gen Z-er is 22 years old and just heading into the labor market. They’re going to start spending more money for sometime to come. Brands recognize this and are aiming to shift their social media strategies to appease the newest customers on the market. Investment in platforms like Snapchat and Instagram is expected to grow exponentially this year.

4. The growing importance of messaging platforms

   A recent study pointed out that over 2.5 billion people use messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Kik to connect with companies. Rather than simply publishing marketing content to profiles and feeds, companies should focus on making it easier for customers to start one-on-one conversations.  It’s more than likely that artificial intelligence, voice assistants and chatbots will all be integrated into messaging platforms for a more personalized user experience.

5. Digital hangouts go mainstream

   In 2017, video content — including live broadcasts and chats platforms — was more prominent than ever. Live videos were definitely a successful part of it. Digitally hanging out with friends and colleagues will become a social norm, as evidenced by the video hangout platform known as Houseparty, which boasts of over one million daily users.

As a result of Gen Z-ers becoming a larger part of the buying marketing, companies will utilize social media platforms to their fullest. They can do this by incorporating a wide variety of targeted methods to capture their attention. These methods involve technologies that were unimaginable only a few years ago, such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Moreover, investments in optimizing messaging platforms and influencer marketing also signals the start of a newer, more interconnected era between businesses and customers.

Social media marketing is the future. Get in touch with our experts for advice on how you can make 2018 your year. Call us today at 336-776-0060.