image from flickr.com
Did You Know that…?
· 72% of adult Internet users are on Facebook, 62% of the total adult population (Pew Research, August 2015)
· 794 million users login daily via a mobile device (Facebook Investor Report, November 2015)
· 23% of adult Internet users are on Twitter, 20% of the total adult population (Pew Research, August 2015)
· 400 million registered users are on LinkedIn (LinkedIn, December 2015)
· There are nearly 200 million active Google+ users (Business Insider, January 2015)
· 59% of Instagram users are on the platform daily, including 35% who visit several times a day. This 59% figure reflects a 10-point increase from September 2014 when 49% of Instagram users reported visiting the site on a daily basis (Pew Research, August 2015)
Social media is, and continues to be a big part of our lives. Consequently, as a business owner it is necessary that you stay connected with your client base through social media. But, like everything else in life, social media is always evolving. So what social media trends should you be a part of in 2016?
Be more personal. Marketing research is showing that creating content that is more personal to the customer’s needs and interests is more important than ever. Today’s social media users are constantly bombarded with sales promotions and ads. Taking the time to create content designed to show the reader how you can help them while humanizing your product, is vital.
Think local. Seventy-eight percent of US Facebook users are accessing the site via a mobile device at least once per month. Social media websites, therefore, offer plenty of opportunities to generate mobile ad revenue. This means that the users are “posting on the go” and sharing their location. Be sure your page and posts are inviting and offer local deals, information, current events, etc. Pay attention to what others are posting about your location and find ways to build on that information.
In the moment updates. Though social media is “in the moment” by nature, some platforms are more in the moment that others. This is where platforms like Periscope should be used. Other in the moment platforms to start using (if you aren’t already) are Snapchat and Instagram. Hundreds of brands are using Snapchat and Instagram to target their audiences by creating engaging content. There are now tools that can help you automate the posting process and schedule Instagram posts so you can regularly post content for your audience.
Buy buttons. Facebook and Pinterest have already introduced this feature, and other social media experts believe it will be but a matter of time before other platforms do the same. Many experts believe that by the end of 2016 most major platforms will have some type of Buy Button as an element of their advertising options. Be sure to have these Buy Buttons set up on your platforms.
More videos. Thanks to improved video capability on Facebook, as well as other platforms that encourage streaming, video content is expected to be a strong contender in the creative promotions arena. Whether you are showing followers how your product can simplify their lives, showing off your new menu or giving people a look at your new accommodations, videos are going to be a must in 2016.
2016 is going to be a big year in social media use, and you don’t want to get left behind. Start working now on devising ways to make the most of these approaches to boosting your business in the year ahead. The Alpine Communications team is here to help you with your marketing needs so that 2016 can be your best year ever. Give us a call to get started now.