https://www.socialchamp.io/blog/twitter-marketing-strategy/
It’s time to rethink the future of social media with some throwbacks & predictions.
“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards.”
― Søren Kierkegaard
Whether it’s super creepy or fantastically entertaining, but the fact is that every single click, view or sign-up you do on social media or let’s say in a big picture “The Internet” is recorded somewhere. With the end of 2018 & start of a whole new year of opportunities 2019, you have seen different types of recaps & predictions. All those impressive stats, numbers & yearly reviews make you realize that the world is full of data nerds.
Recaps, Year in Review, Everywhere!
For marketers, analyzing the stats & numbers behind social media networks benefits them in getting a picture of the future of social media to develop a better strategy. It allows them focused targeting of their users — the one who is most likely to engage & generate revenue for their brands. For curious geeks, those series of numbers are another bumper facts list.
There are many social media happenings that 2018 gave us. Recaps can be motivating, ominous, happening, overwhelming depending on how the year went. Overall, it is an excellent way of showing your social media marketing efforts. What can be fun & gives hope is predicting the future of social media. Social media predictions for 2019 are a fantastic way to describe “The past is always tense, the future perfect.”
Predictions are but guesses – when they come true, they are prophecies; when they don’t, we salvage the situation by calling them allegories.” – Mike Klepper
The Future of Social Media: Grim or Bright?
Social media has now reached the final quarter in a strong position in marketing. User commitment & engagement has also fueled confidence in the future of social media marketing.
What would be “IN” for Social Media Networks
According to the statistics & research,
“In UK, marketers are predicted to spend £3.3 billion on social network advertising in 2018, a 24% increase on 2017”, which will grow further in 2019.
Let’s start with the social networks that gained the most attention in 2018.
#1. INSTAGRAM OVER ALL OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKS
More than 25 million businesses already have Instagram accounts, and 2 million of them are advertisers. Four in five Instagram users follow at least one business.
The future of the social media platform Instagram seems quite promising. After launching its video platform IGTV in 2018, it has open a whole new world for content creators & influencers. Experts are predicting that in 2019 Instagram will be highly investing in IGTV.
A brand new collection of functionality & features is going to make IGTV more popular this year. All the brands, social media influencers, digital creators should be looking forward to adapting IGTV to rule the digital world.
Instagram Stories, Instagram Stories Everywhere!
Instagram Stories also have an extraordinary potential to rule the future of social media. By far, there were many creative features added to stories in 2018 & it can be seen everywhere. Fonts, Stickers, GIFs, Music, you name it! In 2019 & ahead, it is going to be more interactive & happening.
The Future of Social Media Stars is on Fire
Social media influencers were a massive hit in 2018. Just have a look at a few years back, when all brands wanted was to have some highly paid actors to endorse their products/services. But with the latest concept of digital influencers that game had a shift too. Now, people are more interested in personalized influencer marketing. Getting your product an endorsement from the “Social Media Stars” aka “Instagram Bloggers” can give it a significant boost.
Getting these little tags from Instagram Bloggers (lifestyle, food, tech, you name it!) with reach, can give your product a cost-effective coverage. Giveaways, unboxing PR packages, reviews, collaborations, Instagram bloggers do this all time. This is going to provide some serious tough time to competition to the TV commercials in the future.
Of consumers who follow digital influencers, 35% were engaged with a cause due to an influencer’s recommendation. – Allison+Partners’ 2017 Influence Impact Report
If you haven’t tried getting a helpful review or shout out from any Instagram celebrity, you’re missing a trustworthy source! Try it now & witness the difference yourself. Instagram bloggers can help you introduce your business to a new audience.
Scott Disick (@letthelordbewithyou) has 21.2m followers on Instagram.
Just imagine how many people have actually tried this thing. You can’t ignore the impact! Whether it’s positive or negative.
Hello, Shopaholics!
Before we move on, have you heard of “IG shopping” yet? If not, we would love to have the honor of breaking the news to you! According to the sources, “Instagram is working on a new standalone app in 2019, dedicated to shopping named as IG SHOPPING.” Brace yourself for more online shopping this year on INSTAGRAM!
#2. THE ART OF TAKING YOUTUBE SERIOUSLY
With all the civil war on YouTube’s 2018 rewind video & the whole subscribers’ battle between PewDiePie & T-series, 2018 gave an interesting end to YouTube. Let’s just say, we got an amazing “diss track” of all the time.
The whole drama between YouTube & its creator ain’t new! What is the future of social media, when it comes to YouTube? Well, one hearty social media prediction for the future will be to see more of that drama.
Don’t Underestimate The Power of Vlogging!
With the past few years, Vlogging has been the central business for YouTube. People love to see the random daily activities of their favorite YouTubers aka Vloggers. Whether it’s preparing breakfast or riding on a skateboard to work. Going on vacation (the “Travelogue” culture) or daily makeup routine. Unboxing or product reviews, people are spending quite a lot of time on YouTube.
In 2019, you can expect the businesses & entrepreneurs to adopt this practice to be in the game. Vlogging is a fantastic way to give your viewers a peek into what’s happening behind the scenes & form a better connection with your audience.
Honestly, Vloggers’ definition for 2019 will be “Anyone who has the confidence to tell a story in front of the camera. Video editing skill comes as a plus point.”
YouTube Live Will Be More Than Your Favorite Game’s Live Streaming
YouTube live streaming also has the potential to grow more prominent in 2019. Companies should take advantage of using live videos for webinars, tutorials, product demonstrations, workplace tours, interviews & Q&A sessions.
ProTip: Add more personalized & engaging content to encourage viewers to stick around!
You Can’t Ignore YouTube Ads!
Even if you clicked “SKIP THE AD” just on time in 2018, chances are that the future won’t be giving you that decision anymore. Businesses are going to focus more on reaching YouTube ads than putting their money on prime time TV ads.
In 2019, ads are going to move in from your living room TV screens to your IPad screens.
According to a Google-commissioned Nielsen study, “On mobile alone, in an average week, YouTube reaches more adults 18-plus during prime time than any cable network does.”
#3. TWITTER IS THE NEW HOME FOR STARTUP PITCHES
Nothing can be more evident than having more fake Twitter accounts when predicting the future of social media!
Twitter is definitely expected to face the political propaganda tweets in 2019 too. In general, people will call it a “Dark Scary Place,” compare it with hell & will continue using it.
That being said, it does have a devoted user base. Many brands & marketing maharishis are using this platform effectively. So you better watch this space in 2019, especially micro-brands.
62% of global consumers want companies to take a stand on issues they are passionate about and 64% find brands that actively communicate their purpose more attractive. – Accenture’s 2018 Global Consumer Pulse Research
And we know this might hurt you a lot (COZ SAME), but let’s just get this straight for the sake of future!
TWITTER IS GOING TO MUDDLE ALONG MANY PROVOCATIVE UI CHANGES IN 2019, AND NOT A SINGLE OF THEM WILL INVOLVE AN EDIT BUTTON.
#4. FACEBOOK TO FACE MORE TROUBLE & BUSINESS
2018 wasn’t really a startling year for Mark Zuckerberg or Facebook. With all the data scandals, congress testimony, my team will get back to you soon, it was rough!
But when it comes to Facebook Marketing, 2019 has got a whole new world of opportunities.
More Decline in Organic Reach
Most of Generation Z has already declared Facebook as Old School. One of the modest predictions for the future of social media can be further declined in Facebook usage. 2019 won’t be the year for Facebook, especially if you’re looking for the organic reach of your content. Yet for businesses, people are going to take Facebook marketing for even more seriously in the future.
Paid Facebook Groups
Facebook groups acquired a lot of limelight in 2018. Brace yourself, as this year they might introduce “Paid Facebook Group Memberships.”
Honestly, all we can predict for Facebook in 2019 is, with further intricate changes in the algorithm, the feel & the look, the tabs, Facebook Business it will be hard to keep up with it. *Fingers Crossed*
#5. LOOK OUT FOR YOUR LINKEDIN MARKETING STRATEGY
LinkedIn has been a fantastic platform to grow your business network. In 2018, LinkedIn introduced many new changes & features. The biggest of all was the “Video Feature for Company Pages.”
In the future of social media, LinkedIn is going to rise again! With further AI integration, healthier online communication, customized UI & better business opportunity, in 2019 LinkedIn is going to witness more traffic than ever!
#6. CONNECT WITH YOUNGER AUDIENCE THROUGH SNAPCHAT
According to investingdaily, “In the 2018 year to date, Snap has fallen by 62.7% compared to a decline of 5.5% for the S&P 500.”
The SnapChat vs. Instagram debt will continue in the future. But who is going to acquire Snapchat in 2019 is the real question!
For brands to connect with the more young & immature audience, Snapchat is the right option for you.
For the future right now, all we can say is, SnapChat will have more rising memes & “Slang Terms” for the cool kids.
#7. TIKTOK ON THE CLOCK
2018 gave us a lot of rising “TIKTOK STARS.” And no matter if you secretly wish that app to get banned, seeing where it’s going right now, that’s not going to happen any soon. The future of social media video app TikTok will not just be entertainment! Marketers need to take advantage of this unquestionably mounting platform in 2019.
It’s A Tough Road Ahead!
Interestingly enough, marketers haven’t taken this platform seriously to date. With all these senior citizen apps, is the future of TikTok in 2019 just a mystery? Or is it going to prove itself as the rising social media platform for digital marketers?
Here is what @bvatere, founder and CEO of Mammoth Media, claims “TikTok will become the #1 social app for teens, surpassing older apps like Snapchat and Instagram.
However, in other news, Facebook is definitely going to copy TikTok in its uncut world of “New Apps.”
#8. SOCIAL MEDIA SCHEDULING TOOL: A HIT OR FLOP?
One thing is for sure. You’re going to spend more time on social media in 2019 than you did in 2018.
Brands are going to be more active with social media marketing.
Financiers are going to invest more.
Social media managers won’t be interns anymore.
People will share pictures of their food with #foodporn even more.
Life would be all good in the future of social media in 2019. Wait, what?
Does Copy/Pasting Manually On All Social Media Make Sense in 2019?
Well, a social media scheduling tool ain’t a decorative entity to have, anymore. It will be a NECESSITY this year.
Getting all your things fixed & scheduled in a single tab makes a lot more sense. You might have enjoyed Facebook’s scheduling post feature if you are a social media manager. Well, it’s time to level up your game this year! Think ahead of time.
Honestly, GET A LIFE. Save your time & effort.
#9. WHAT ABOUT “CONTENT IS THE KING?”
FUN FACT: If Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal was post GDPR, Facebook could have been fined up to £1.4bn.
With brands dropping all over the social media channels, marketers need to focus more on producing relevant content. More realistic, personalized, visual-based content is going to let you win the future of social media. Cute pet videos will still be in a viral thing tho! A great marketer & genius of his time, Albus Dumbledore once said,
“There will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right.”
Which gives you the exact motivation to work on a better content marketing strategy in 2019.
“Nearly two-thirds of millennials and Gen Z express a preference for brands that have a point of view and stand for something.”- Kantar’s 2018 ‘Purpose 2020’ Report.
Dreams For Future of Social Media!
“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.” – James Allen
Apart from who is going to host Oscar 2019, or will Selena Gomez finally release her anticipated album SG2 in 2019?
The future for social media can be riddled with more suspicion & distrust. There needs to be more authenticity in the influencer landscape. More transparent consumer data handling is the dream. When it comes to consumer interest, the hope is that the brand remembers ethics.
Here’s a quick review of what we can expect in 2019, future of social media:
- More investments on IGTV.
- Instagram stories, everywhere!
- More apps & algorithm changes on Facebook.
- Influencer marketing will be on fire.
- A further decline in organic reach.
- You will need more Facebook sponsored posts.
- You will shop on Facebook & Instagram too.
- Video marketing will be everything. More power to visual content!
- Still NO EDIT BUTTON in Twitter.
- Vlogging is soon going to replace Blogging.
- No choice to skip YouTube Ads.
- Marketers benefiting from TikTok.
- Live streaming getting more authenticity.
- Chatbots taking over the messaging apps.
- Brands getting more personalized with the content.
That’s all from us! What do you think some of the future of social media in the coming months or years? Do let us know your social media predictions for 2019.
