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Trends and Strategies Shaping Social Media Marketing in 2020 (#SMTLive Recap)

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The first #SMTLive Twitter chat of 2020 (and the new decade) was one to remember. 

Our topic of conversation was “Discussing Social Media Marketing Goals for 2020″. We had a lively chat about personal growth, professional goals, current trends in social media and helpful marketing strategies. As promised, I’m here to share some highlights from our conversation.

We covered a lot, but there were two conversation topics, in particular, that stood out to me as noteworthy.

I asked:

  1. What popular social media marketing trends do you expect will impact your business in 2020? 

  2. What are best practices for improving engagement and brand awareness in 2020?

Everyone responded by sharing current and popular social media strategies that they care about and are using to increase their social engagement. Among this list of 2020 trends and strategies, you most likely will find at least one that applies to your business. Continue reading to see what methods marketers are using to shape their social media marketing plans and reach their goals this year.

Social Media Trends & Smart Strategies for 2020

Video > Still Image

When something works, keep doing it. Video content is no new trend, but it continues to be highly relevant and helpful in boosting audience engagement. 

Both long and short-form video content are being heavily consumed on social right now. If you are able to make engaging videos, now’s a great time to focus on building that content.

Leveraging LinkedIn’s New Capabilities

LinkedIn really is stepping up their game. A few recent updates include new features in groups (such as recommended posts), made hashtags relevant on the platform, created tools for marketers to better utilize the platform, and most recently they merged with Elevate to bring employee advocacy tools to company pages.

There are plenty of new options for us to explore on LinkedIn.

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Micro-Influencers

Again, not a new trend but micro-influencers continue to become more sought after as the macro-influencers become less idolized. The challenge will be to find and scout out your micro-influencers, but your marketing budget will thank you.

Being Active, Engaging and Social

I’m sure you’ve never been advised to be passive on social, but many brands think that all they need to do is post pretty pictures and they will gain a loyal following. Ignoring your audience is never the way to go.

Making a plan to be more engaged is the first step. You just need to do the research to figure out where your audience likes to spend time on social. Make a list of where, when and how you will engage with them and add those “engagements” to your calendar.

Joinative shares a great example of a brand with a plan to engage.

Another important element to engaging with your following is to be an active listener. If you need to invest in social listening software, do it. You’ll understand your audience better and will gain more control of how your brand is viewed and spoken about online when you are there to participate.

Other Trends

As marketers, we need to be creative and constantly thinking of ways to wow an audience. These are a few examples of popular trends and strategies to take advantage of this year, but there are so many more to choose from. Look at what’s trending on social right now among your audience while you continue to plan to experiments and social campaigns in 2020.

Hope this was helpful. 

If you want to be part of the next conversation, check out our #SMTLive Twitter chat calendar to see what we have planned for you.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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