We’re nearing the end of 2022, and what a chaotic year it’s been for social media platforms. From TikTok’s continued rapid rise to Twitter’s tumultuous management shift, it’s difficult to predict what social media trends might be coming next. Despite this uncertainty, RED Marketing’s social media specialists will give it a shot. With the new year fast approaching, keep your finger on the pulse with the top social media trends for 2023 and beyond. Let’s get into it.
Social media trend #1: Brand authenticity
It’s no secret that social media’s impact on consumer behaviour is ever-evolving. Companies can’t just “talk the talk” anymore – consumers nowadays demand brand authenticity. This refers to whether or not consumers believe a brand is genuine about their brand values and promises to customers. In 2023, brand authenticity will be a key component in building a cohesive brand and social media marketing strategy. When brands work toward fostering transparency and trust, they’re more likely to enjoy deeper connections with their audience on social media, too.
Social media trend #2: Short-form and bite-sized video content
Bite-sized content, like short-form videos, will be big news for brands in 2023. Video content that’s less than a minute long is nothing new. In fact, it has a long history on social media platforms that are now defunct. So, what’s causing this social media trend in the current climate? The average human attention span, which now clocks in at eight seconds. Despite today’s shorter attention spans, high-quality short-form video content – think Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts – still has the power to drive engagement and hold your audience’s attention.
Social media trend #3: Nano-influencers and micro-influencers
While brands used to use one big-name influencer for campaigns, they’re now thinking beyond that. Nano-influencers (those with 1,000 to 10,000 followers) and micro-influencers (10,000 to 100,000 followers) are relatively new breeds of influencers. Despite their smaller followings, they’re seen as more credible, they connect brands with niche audiences and they often have higher engagement than macro-influencers. In 2023, we can expect to see these influencers take centre stage as more community-led brands scale back on influencer marketing budgets.
Social media trend #4: Interactive ads
Interactive ads with extended reality technologies have opened up new opportunities for user engagement. Creative and successful examples include interactive banners, interactive video ads, 360-degree video campaigns, Facebook Instant Experience Ads, playable ads, augmented reality ads, in-game advertising, interactive voice ads and interactive quizzes or calculators. In 2023, interactive ads that invite users to participate in such an “experience” can be used to drive brand awareness and recall, better shopping experiences and a higher number of conversions.
Social media trend #5: Social commerce
In 2022, we witnessed the steady rise of social commerce, which is what happens when marketers take the best of ecommerce and combine it with social media. In 2023, the use of social media platforms as shopping outlets is expected to continue to become popular. If you’re a business with products to sell, social commerce can make shopping much more interactive than a typical ecommerce spree. Moreover, if your target demographic is the 18-34 age range, there’s serious money to be made – social media is where millennials and Gen Z like to shop.
Are you ready to supercharge your success on social media in 2023? From mapping out your strategy to designing your graphics, RED Marketing’s team of category specialists in South Africa and the United Kingdom offer everything you need. Let’s find out if we’re a perfect fit!
