Maryland Social Media

Social Media Monday (Vol. 7, No. 1)

January 4, 2016

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Top Story

The world of social media is endlessly changing and with new platforms and apps arriving weekly it makes social media marketing a challenge. Some recent trends can be used as an indication of what we can expect in 2016 to impact the social media landscape.

Video Content is King

Snapchat had more growth in 2015 than any other social platform and most likely will continue to grow in followers and popularity in 2016.With its ability to attract Millennials and younger audiences more than any other platform, Snapchat illustrates the importance of video in advertising. Though many agencies are still figuring out what kind of videos users best respond to, they still need to start swimming in these waters to be relevant in 2016.

Video also is the easiest way to offer native advertising and is usually seen as a less invasive form of advertising over more traditional forms like Facebook or AdWords campaigns. Finding easy ways to communicate your message over video can help your reach and adoption in 2016.

Is virtual reality?

With the prevalence of so many virtual reality (VR) products coming out at the end of 2015 it is hard to believe that this will not become a powerful tool for marketers in 2016. Along with VR is augmented reality (AR) which can offer options for gamification and other powerful forms of message delivery in a time where consumers are endlessly bombarded by ads.

There are two major concerns related to VR and AR advertising. First is the cost for creation which can be significant for most companies. Second is that these ads may provide no true value beyond “coolness” and “hype”. Until these products are in everyone’s hands, not just early adopters, this trend may be paused for a time. With that said, VR and AR will become powerful weapons for all marketing professionals in the future.

Messaging as you go

With over 2 billion smartphone users worldwide mobile has been an important component in advertising for many years. But now with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, and more coming, it is important to find ways to integrate these apps into your digital strategy.

According to eMarketer, 1.4 billion users used a mobile messaging app at least once a month in 2015. Further they predict that by 2018, the number of chat app users worldwide will reach 2 billion and represent 80% of smartphone users.

Though most agencies don’t offer products to be sold via mobile messaging apps these tools can be a powerful and low cost way to interact with customers in real time. Companies like Bank of America have been offering similar support through their Twitter account for many years.

Tips for Leveraging Social Media

Timing is everything.

For agencies trying to reach users during traditional business hours, try posting 5 minutes before or after the hour. Most business professionals that check on their accounts during the day will login just before or after meetings or appointments. By posting then you have more of a chance of hitting the top of their feed right as they pop in for that important social media connection.

When does your community respond best to posts?