The future of social media marketing has arrived, and businesses are taking notice. As more and more businesses incorporate social media into their marketing strategies, there are new trends that are emerging in social media marketing that can help you to reach your audience and effectively compete with your competitors. With so many different platforms to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which platforms are right for your business’s needs—but understanding what the future of social media will look like will help you make that decision with ease. Here’s what the future of social media will look like in 2018 and beyond...
10 Reasons Social Media Is Just Getting Started
One thing that is becoming more and more apparent with each passing day is that social media as a marketing channel is just getting started. What started off as a small, niche communications medium has grown into an essential form of communication for most businesses—and it isn’t slowing down any time soon. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of reasons why social media will continue to grow and flourish, but here are 10 big ones
Social Media is Only Going to Get Bigger
The future of social media is bright, and it’s not going away anytime soon. It has permeated every part of society and serves as a means for people to communicate with one another on a global scale. Marketers have quickly latched onto social media and have found it to be an incredible marketing tool. Now that we’ve seen how well-received it is, marketers will never go back to traditional forms of advertising.
Embrace Technology and See the Benefits
Technology has a hand in nearly every facet of our lives and is only increasing its hold. In recent years, social media has taken off with businesses turning to Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms to help them promote their brands and interact with customers on a personal level. It’s time for you to take advantage of these tools and see what benefits they can bring your company. The future is now when it comes to using technology as a business tool—do not hesitate any longer.
The Need for Speed
With all of these channels available to you, however, it’s important to note that time is crucial. In a recent study conducted by WebpageFX, 72% percent of respondents said that they quit looking at a company website within 30 seconds if it takes too long to load. If you’re unsure about how quick your page loads on mobile devices and tablets, there are plenty of free tools out there that can help you gauge how fast your site loads from any location around the world.
Prepare Now For What’s Next
The future of social media lies beyond traditional advertising. Advertisers need to prepare for that shift and find ways to integrate social marketing into their overall plan, creating long-term value by going beyond a single campaign. When planning your marketing strategy, it’s best to think about how you can blend traditional with new strategies to help position your business for success—and stay ahead of competitors. Try using key metrics, like web traffic and engagement, as a way to measure campaign effectiveness.
Don’t Overlook the Little Things
While big changes are always exciting, don’t overlook some of those smaller areas that could use improvement. When it comes to social media marketing, remember that you don’t necessarily need an entirely new campaign; instead, look for ways to improve your current strategies.
Always Remember Why You Are Where You Are Today
Many people who are new to social media or marketing think they can replicate their parent’s success. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single piece of advice that works across multiple channels. Your parents might have been great at one thing, but it doesn’t mean that you will be too. The future of social media is why you are where you are today; don’t forget it.
Conclusion
Social media and marketing are inseparable. If social media isn’t integrated into a company’s marketing strategy, that company is likely to fall behind its competitors. With more than two billion people using social networks, how businesses use social media will make all the difference in their ability to reach customers and stand out among their competitors.