As technology evolves and the world adapts, social media marketing also changes. There are always new trends and subsequent practices that accompany technological advancements. As was the case in years past, there are social media marketing trends that you should know about in 2019 if you want to remain competitive. Given the link between sales revenue growth and social media marketing, these are trends that should definitely be implemented into your social media strategy. 

Video Content on Social Platforms

Uploading video content to YouTube has continued to grow in popularity, and it’s not slowing down. A trend that is accelerating is the use of video content on other social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. In fact, many influencers are shifting their focus to a greater concentration on social media platforms where they are more likely to receive brand sponsorship. Studies have shown that an increasing amount of content is now consumed by video. Additionally, more people are live streaming to boost their following and build brand recognition. Viewers find live videos more engaging and they tend to increase trust and foster brand loyalty because videos are more authentic. When you’re live streaming, it’s not possible to re-record or fix mistakes – you just go with the flow; viewers appreciate this level of authenticity.

Increased Use of Social Listening

The term social listening was derived from the process of monitoring data on social media platforms. It’s a method of collecting information to analyze keywords, including what has been mentioned about your brand, and whether you are tagged or not. There are technologies that facilitate this process across social media platforms, as well as forums, blogs, and news websites. It’s an important aspect of social media management. While it was initially proposed to manage the reputation of a brand, social listening is now used to boost marketing outcomes. 

Social listening in 2019 is used to identify new customers, boost engagement and drive consumers to your website. It’s of significant value when it comes to boosting lead generation outcomes. In fact, an increasing number of companies are leveraging the power of social listening to develop strategies focused on demonstrating the value of their products and services. You can essentially use social media platforms as part of your marketing strategy to communicate how you can meet the needs of consumers based on the data gathered through social listening.

Micro Social Media Influencers

A few decades ago, few would have believed that a person could become a millionaire by posting videos online, yet that’s exactly what has happened – repeatedly. Subsequently, there are social media influencers with the primary focus of building a large following and sharing information about brands online. Whether it’s a post, tweet or video, they influence the way people think and what they buy. There was a time when traditional advertising was the only option; these days, social media influencers have amassed followings that exceed the reach of any TV commercial or billboard ad. As the following of an influencer grows, their prices for sponsorship skyrockets. The solution for a brand developing a social media campaign is to use micro influencers. Although a micro influencer doesn’t have millions of followers, they are still experts in their industry with thousands of followers. Advertisers also appreciate smaller influencers because they tend to be more relatable.

Customization and Personalization

There was a time in the world of marketing and advertising when spam was commonplace. Unsolicited messages were often received that had nothing to do with your needs or purchase habits. While spam still exists for a variety of reasons, legitimate companies with a solid marketing plan focus on customization and personalization when developing their marketing campaigns. There is a wealth of data available about consumers, which means you can customize the message and ensure it’s personalized to address the needs of your target audience.

In 2019, marketers are increasingly monitoring the purchase history of consumers, the links clicked, and the social media posts liked, among other behaviors. There is now an expectation among consumers that you will customize your offerings to their specific needs. Whether you are looking for a movie to watch on a streaming service or buying an outfit from a clothing retailer, personalization will influence your decision at a much higher rate. There was a time when consumers found personalization unsettling because it means marketers have gathered personal information about you and your life. Despite any privacy concerns, most consumers now view personalization as a convenience.