Social Media Speculations 2017

The snow indicates it's definitely December, so as the year end quickly approaches it's a great time to learn about upcoming trends and prepare your company's digital engagement to be inline with trends speculated to emerge during 2017. 

Businesses use social media for a variety of reasons, though online engagement, customer support and brand awareness tend to be the most common. Small businesses and big businesses each leverage different channels in different ways depending  on their goals - be it lead generation or building up distribution numbers - pushing presence online has been a priority for many companies the past few years.

Video 

More personal than YouTube and more recent than Snapchat, a variety of social outlets are capable of hosting and sharing live video feed - and few of them were only introduced this year. Facebook Live, Instagram Stories and Periscope pro have each created a buzz surrounding their arrival. 

Though video is time consuming and expensive, brands are focusing on customer experience which is best shown in 360 degree images and in video.

Video is about to hit its online peak, with more brands and people sharing video it will be hard to get yours noticed so be sure be creative when filming. 

Messaging Applications 

Though there are a variety of messaging applications to reach audiences and potential clients, there is always competition in the marketplace with which messaging application is the best. Messaging takes up most of our time on our cell phones, so simple and fun features are best to consider. For example, around boxing day items were being added to my Google calendar / invites extended to / for sales which I didn't search or sign up for.

Social Commerce

The ability to purchase an item with the touch of a button in applications while online aside from just banking, has been convenient and appreciated by all types of audiences. Social commerce is becoming more common as  if you haven't already noticed people are purchasing products directly from social media channels. 

Due to the constant desire to be online, brands need to take advantage of the opportunity to have customers pay for products they like at the click of a button. 

Amazon and EBay aren't the only sites selling stuff - more and more brands are thinking about how to simplify the payment process online. 

Evolution of Social Apps

 Though I just mentioned it, and only signed up in the past year, Snapchat is my favourite application - especially after seeing they way it has transformed. Even FaceBook and Instagram have incorporated many of Snap’s features over the past few months. 

Applications need to be effective and engaging to compete in the marketplace. Apps also need the ability to evolve. 

It is impossible to predict which applications are going to evolve and how, but staying current with trends and updates, then deciding which channel best suites you and your customers needs to be present on. 

IoT

IoT has been around and in 2017 we will notice it even more as we are connected to many things and are inspired and influenced by living in the moment. This type of real-time marketing is an amazing way to interact in the moment and remind your audience of your presence. 

IoT is a great way to connect with customers and prospects, and possibly even preferred. People love reminders or information that is specific to them that they do not have to search for. 

Mad Takeaways 

• Social platforms will be chosen according to the fittest (most reach, largest audience)
• 360 degree images and video will be prominent 
• Twitter is tired

As you prepare your company to head into the new year, consider placing even more priority on platforms that allow you to reach your customers and incorporate video. A still image isn't the solution to lure people to your product, you need to show them how things move, or are moving. 

Check out how Starbucks intends to digitally transform over the next few years here.