Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone is refreshed after a break and ready to take 2016 by storm!
I may be the exception here, but I love January. It’s a great month to take stock and plan the year ahead. It’s also a time to try something new. To think outside the box.
It’s so important in business to ‘step outside the building’ every now and again, and a new year is a great time to do this. We’re all guilty of complacency, especially when things are going well. But to continue to be successful in business, we must always look ahead and stay ahead.
This is especially true when putting together a marketing strategy for your brand and your product. How will 2016’s strategy differ from that of 2015? How will you ensure that you continue to reach your customer? And most importantly, that they connect with your message?
The best way to do this is to make sure your marketing strategy is current and relevant. Of course, creative content will alway be the best way to do this – freshen up your website, start blogging and use social media content to connect all your platforms together.
It’s also important to research what industry influencers are saying about future trends. According to the Huffington Post the following five trends will drive social media marketing in 2016:
Micro-Targeting Audience Segments – When consumers are faced with significant lifestyle events, like having a baby, moving house, or getting married, they are more open to changing their purchasing habits. This means if you can send the right message at the right time, you have a higher chance of gaining their loyalty.
Importance of In-The-Moment Content – The popularity of streaming apps, such as Snapchat and Periscope, is continuing to grow. A recent Comscore Report found that Snapchat is the 3rd most important social app among 18 – 34 year olds.
Consumer is now the Influencer – Thanks to social media, everyday consumers have built a follower base, giving them stronger voices and the ability to influence public opinion.
Micro-Video and Gifs – Young consumers are obsessed with immersive video and gifs as a means of expression. Cinemagraphs alone get 60% more engagement than static images.
Messaging Apps and Emojis – These are providing quicker, simpler and more engaging opportunities for social media users to connect and look set to grow in influence in 2016.
All in all, it looks like 2016 will see the continued growth of ‘less is more’ with regard to content, as well as a strong reliance on video and live streaming to connect with consumers. Snapchat looks set to capture even more of the commercial market, with more and more companies using the platform to advertise. There’s little doubt that Facebook and Twitter will continue to be valuable tools for business, but companies will need to be clever and fresh in their use of content.
