Social media trends for 2021
How to elevate your socials this year
A new year is well and truly here, who can believe it’s almost March? And while we’re all so excited to be moving on, we can’t deny that 2020 did change life as we know it. From how we live our lives, how we communicate and how brands represent themselves on social media. So much has changed.
So what do these changes mean? We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the top social media trends that brands need to be focusing on this coming year.
#1 QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Remember the days when you were told you needed to be posting 3 times a day on Instagram to get results? Those days are long gone with audiences favouring content that adds value, educates, and entertains. Take a less is more approach to your content and think about how your posts serve your audience.
#2 CONVERSATION IS KEY
Now more than ever people are looking to connect. Therefore, entering meaningful conversations with your audience is so important. Take the time to respond to DM’s and comments, and open up conversations on stories with questions boxes and polls. At the end of that day, we’re all human, and your audience wants to see that. So don’t be afraid to show emotion, and be helpful and empathetic at all times.
#3 KEEP IT SNAPPY
Collectively our attention spans are shrinking. Think of how quickly your thumb scrolls to the next post on Instagram, or video on TikTok. Brands now have less time to engage their audience, therefore, short-form content is key. Content such as quote tiles, memes, infographics, and GIF’s have the power for lots of information to be processed in a short amount of time. We also recommend ensuring your images are high quality and interesting to make people stop scrolling, as well as keeping the first line of copy short and sweet to draw people in.
#4 DON’T NEGLECT STORIES
Only 51% of brands currently use Instagram stories, but with 500 million people interacting with stories daily, if you’re not already you need to be posting stories too. We recommend planning out stories for the month to ensure all key messaging is covered, then get creative! Your audience wants to see more than just the more polished content, they want to get to know the people behind the brand. Use stories to introduce yourself, show how your products are made, answer FAQ’s, introduce your team and more.
#5 THE POWER OF VIDEO
In 2020 we saw Instagram scramble to add Reels to their platform to compete with TikTok. And with all platforms increasing their video capabilities, don’t expect to see video content slowing down anytime soon.
#6 GO LIVE
One of the biggest changes to come out of 2020 is the rise in live video. With people unable to leave their homes and desperate for human interaction, we saw a huge surge in live digital events, concerts and more. We saw top political figures all over the world like Jacinta Arden addressing her country on Facebook Live, and more brands than ever using live videos to connect with their audiences. This won’t stop in 2021 as consumers still seek that connection with brands and influencers.
#7 SHOP UP A STORM
By now you would have seen the new Shop tab featured on Instagram, and while a lot of people weren’t happy about it, it’s very good for brands. With Facebook and Instagram investing in shopping capabilities, it makes it easier for your audience to find your products and checkout. No more ‘head to the link in our bio’ where they have to search your whole website for one product, now it’s just a click away.
#8 BE HUMAN
We saved the most important for last. The year 2020 saw us battle a global pandemic, so much financial and emotional hardship, and events that stopped the world and saw us come together to help people in need and fight for change. There is no going back to what life was like before, and brands need to be aware of this. Connecting with your audience is key, but that won’t happen without authenticity, transparency, accountability and inclusivity. No one is perfect, and your audience knows this. Be honest about the areas of your business that need to improve and actively make changes. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Your audience will love you more for it.
