Social media has become a staple part of many people's lives as it takes on the role of educator, entertainer, communicator and everything in between.
It is now the first place many people go to for news, entertainment and shopping, so it’s vital that brands using it to advertise keep up with the changes to ensure they are continually producing engaging and relevant content. Here are Curtis Gabriel’s top 5 Social Media predictions as we move into 2019.
1. Content Creation and User Generated Content
Forget about spending hours creating carefully designed artwork for your brand – instead focus on what is real and what is already there. We have recently employed 3 new regional Content Creation Managers because the need for real images of our clients is so high – it’s what people want to see on social media. There is also a second side to this – user generated content. The best advert and spokesperson for your brand is someone who has been there, used your product and loved it. Make use of these images to help give your brand greater authenticity and realism online.
2. Listening
Whilst engaging with your audience is a marketing basic, many brands forget to go that one step further on social media when it comes to listening. Social media listening is an incredibly valuable, yet often underutilised, tool which can give you a real insight into your brand and even your competitors social media pages. It really enables you to identify patterns and collect meaningful data which can give you the edge over others. In 2019 we predict that more and more businesses will make use of the listening tools currently available.
3. Product Discovery
Stats from GlobalWebIndex suggest that almost half of users follow or like brands they are thinking of buying something from on social media. In 2019 we predict that social media will continue to be used for product research and social media influencers popularity will remain. Why? Because people buy from people and the same goes on social media. Users want to see the products in real life situations, whether it is the chair in your living room or the outfit being worn. Make 2019 the year you get your product out there in a way your audience and followers can relate to.
4. Chatbots
Chatbots were one of the most talked about developments of 2018 and are a feature of social media that is set to go from strength to strength in 2019. For straightforward customer service requirements, they can be a fantastic option however at Curtis Gabriel we truly believe that the real value for your audience comes from service that goes above and beyond and the personal touch that chatbots simply cannot recreate. We predict that whilst they will be popular amongst brands in 2019 their novelty will wain amongst users who want to see authenticity, personality and a realness that chatbots simply cannot offer.
5. Dynamic Ads
Paid social media advertising is now common practice for many businesses and an essential tool to reach new audiences. The last thing you want to do to new audience members, though, is lose their interest with impersonal invasive ads. With targeted dynamic ads, you can personalise paid ad content and foster more authentic communication. Personalising content from the beginning breaks down trust barriers early enough to make an impact.
We’d love to hear from you and discuss your 2019 social media plans! We have offices in Newcastle, London and Leeds and look after clients from all over the UK, Europe, and the U.S.
