Category: io

Having been used as a free messaging and calling app for years, businesses are now considering how WhatsApp can be used to propel their marketing message forward. That said, with limited features and a hardcore focus on privacy, is WhatsApp a social media network or not? Let’s find out.

Definition of social media

Social media is defined as any type of online service or website that allows users to create and share content and connect and interact with other users in virtual communities or networks. Social media platforms are online tools that allow people to create and share information, ideas, and images with a wide network of connections. They serve a variety of functions, including business promotion and marketing, networking, and staying connected with friends and family.

When considering the somewhat strict premises of traditional social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, one can clearly see that WhatsApp, in fact, does not fall into the boundaries of “social networking”. 

But does that mean that we can render the number one messaging app in the world useless for marketing? Not at all!

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Advantages of using WhatsApp for marketing

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1. Massive user base

WhatsApp users are spread across every country, age group, and niche – which makes it incredibly easy to target your audience. 

2. Low cost

WhatsApp is free to use and you don’t need to buy additional equipment or hire staff. 

3. Easy to implement

There are no specific rules or regulations for WhatsApp marketing. Whether it’s setting up a WhatsApp business profile or cold-messaging prospective customers, everything’s game.

4. Easy to track Customer journey

With WhatsApp, you can easily track how many people engage with your content, how many clicks through to your site, and how many buy. 

5. Good for building a community

WhatsApp is excellent for building a community around your brand. It’s a great place for engaging with customers, answering questions, and providing regular updates. 

One of the most rampant and useful website development trends is the usage of the WhatsApp icon within the website. A lot of businesses incorporate the clickable icon on their website, which, upon clicking, directs a client to a WhatsApp chat box.

6. Provides a wide variety of tools

It has a built-in poll feature, the ability to send large files, live video, and basic analytics. There are no WhatsApp marketing tools per se, but communication features can be used for marketing purposes.

Additionally, WhatsApp status is one of the most commonly used features, and Statista estimated its usage to be half a billion in 2019 alone. The status message on WhatsApp can be text, pictures or even videos to promote a product, service or even inform users. 

A few local businesses indulge in the practice of reaching out to customers in their databases with promotional marketing messages on WhatsApp. Likewise, using the WhatsApp status feature, businesses also inform their customer base about the latest products and offers.

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7- Wide variety of uses

‍ WhatsApp can be used for far more than just marketing. It’s also a great tool for keeping in touch with colleagues, friends, and family.

As per the latest update, the platform can also be used to build communities. 

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Limitations of using WhatsApp for marketing

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1. Limited functionality ‍

WhatsApp is designed to be a simple messaging platform. As a result, it doesn’t have all the functionality of other social media platforms, such as blogging and lead generation tools. 

2. Not originally built for marketing

As mentioned above, WhatsApp is not specifically designed for marketing: In fact, an increasing number of businesses are being warned away from it due to its lack of effectiveness. 

The interface of the app essentially ties back to its purpose, i.e. calls and messages only. Though recent additional features like stories have been incorporated, the circle in which WhatsApp users engage is still limited.

3. Privacy concerns

The biggest disadvantage of using WhatsApp for marketing is privacy. Unlike other social media platforms, WhatsApp doesn’t make any money from advertising. As a result, it can’t be as generous with its user data. 

4. Difficult to scale ‍

WhatsApp is great for connecting with a small group of people, but can be fairly difficult to scale up.

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Comparison of WhatsApp to other social media marketing apps

Let’s take a look at how WhatsApp compares to other social media networks.

Mobile reach

All social media platforms now have a mobile app. Social media marketing has enabled businesses to reach the majority of people without them ever needing to visit your website.

Engagement method

All social media platforms have their own way of encouraging users to interact. Some of the most popular methods include liking and sharing, commenting, and using hashtags. 

User demographics

All social media platforms have a specific demographic in mind when they are designed. This helps them provide a tailored experience for each group. 

User experience

All social media platforms have unique designs and layouts. This can affect how users engage with the platform and could mean your content is not as effective.

Considering the multi-feature communicating approach that these hardcore social media networks could we really call them WhatsApp’s competitors?

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Final verdict: Is WhatsApp a social media platform or not?

While there are a few benefits to using WhatsApp for marketing, there are also many disadvantages. In fact, WhatsApp seems to be more of a marketing tool as opposed to a social media platform. This is because it lacks many of the features that are associated with social media, such as user engagement and demographics. 

Therefore, in our opinion, WhatsApp is not a social media platform. That said, there are a few ways you can use WhatsApp to market your business.

You can create WhatsApp groups and use them as a forum to answer customer questions and provide helpful tips. Alternatively, you could create a WhatsApp news feed and use it to provide regular updates. You can also use it to connect with your team and boost morale.

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Facebook still reigns supreme for exposing your content to a broad audience. Businesses from all niches can find or even curate a loyal following with the right marketing. 

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(Here are some key learning points to take home!)

Key takeaways:

• Posting content is simply not enough, it needs to be engaging! What better way to increase engagement than having your content interactive?
• Story games are immensely popular on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to make the most of the options available. We strongly suggest using the Poll and Questions feature!
• Video content does amazingly well on social media nowadays. Have your audience interact with your reels on stories or better yet, go live and speak to them in real time!

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Interactive Facebook posts ideas:

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1. Polls

The internet loves polls! Facebook in specific, allows you to gather insights from your audience with ease while giving you a good idea of what they’re interested in. With the amount of interaction, polls also have the added benefit of allowing you to track the success of your different content types, gauging which is most popular and useful for your audience.

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Tip: To create a poll on Facebook, you need to first create a poll question. Make sure that the question you choose is hooking enough to make your audience want to engage with it.

A limitation of Facebook polls is that you can only conduct them in stories.

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2. Quizzes

A quiz is one of the most engaging types of content on Facebook. It can also be a great way to get your target audience to interact with your brand in a meaningful way. Facebook users love quizzes because they can learn something new, interact with others and make new friends. 

Let’s not forget, it’s all about building a community around your brand.

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You can run quizzes for your business that allow you to engage your target audience with information about your products and services. Facebook’s native quiz tools create custom quizzes. 

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These tools allow you to create multiple-choice questions and also integrate with external services like Survey Monkey and Interaction. This can help you crowdsource your questions and quizzes.

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3. Fill-in-the-Blanks

A fill-in-the-blank post can be a great way to engage your target audience. It can also be a good way to gauge their interests and help you uncover the needs and interests of your customers. Facebook users love fill-in-the-blank posts because they give them a focus and guide through which to enter their thoughts and feelings. 

These types of interactive posts can also be a good way to connect with others as a business, especially to gather feedback. 

Social listening is key when it comes to sustaining and building relationships with your audience.

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You can create a fill-in-the-blank post in a variety of ways. You can use a free or paid tool to create a template, or you can simply type out your content on a computer and paste it onto Facebook. You can also create a fill-in-the-blank post using an iOS or Android app.

4. Video Contests

If you’re looking for a different type of fun interactive post that will engage your audience and get them talking, a Facebook contest could be the perfect fit. Internet users love to take part in contests, and they also enjoy watching videos. This means you can use contests to not only engage your audience but also to increase the traffic your content generates.

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You can create a Facebook contest using Facebook’s native tools. You can create multiple prizes and different contests. When creating your contest, be sure to include instructions and rules on how the contest works.

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5. Caption Contests

Like polls, caption contests can help you gauge the interests of your Facebook followers. They can also be a fun way to get your brand name out there and build some brand equity. Caption contests are a fun and easy way to spread your brand name, engage your fans, and also gauge their interests. 

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Caption contests are brilliant for audience involvement. 

A tip: post a fun brain teaser!

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6. Add-your pictures

The picture-adding feature is available on Facebook stories. The feature is shared by Meta-owned Instagram too and is one of the best methods to create a cycle of content. 

To have your audience interact with your story and take the time to share their take on the brief, make sure that you write something entertaining. 

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Likewise, the brief shouldn’t be too specific either. Everyone has a unique experience and Facebook is a platform with a diverse audience. To ensure high-level participation, your initial brief should be something that most people can relate to.

For example, “post a picture that sums up your month” or, “the 3rd picture in your gallery will be your mood for the week”.

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7. User-Generated Content

Facebook users love to share content from businesses and brands that they love. One way to boost your own content and get more likes is to ask your fans for user-generated content. You can create a survey or survey-style post asking your fans to submit photos, videos, polls or other types of posts that they would like to see from you. 

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Or, you can even use a Facebook app to create surveys. When creating surveys or other types of posts that include user-generated content, make sure that you’re not asking too much. If a post goes over the 30-second time limit, it will be less likely to be seen and viewed. In 2023 short and crisp video content does best on Facebook.

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8. Live Q&A

Facebook users love getting inside information from businesses and brands that they love. An effective way to increase engagement on your Facebook posts is to host a live Q&A session. A live Q&A post will allow you to create a direct connection between your brand and your audience.

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 You can do this by asking your fans’ questions and allowing them to provide insight into what they like and what they want to see more of from you. You can host a live Q&A session using a Facebook app, or you can do it by creating a custom post. When creating your post, include the right tags so that the right people see it and can see you.

Apart from asking what clients want to see more, you could also have them ask questions about your brand and answer them in real time!

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9. Live Events

Another great way to boost engagement on your page is to host live events on Facebook. Live events allow you to create an interactive experience for your fans, allowing them to get involved in your content and giving you real-time feedback and insight into how you can improve your brand and business.

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People love life events because they provide an interactive experience that’s outside of the typical social media posting. Also, Facebook users are more engaged during live events than when reading a mere post.

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10. Giveaways

Facebook users love giveaways, and honestly, who doesn’t! An audience is more likely to interact with your posts for giveaways, as opposed to your typical Facebook posting. A giveaway can boost engagement and shares on your posts, especially if it is great! 

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People love giveaways because they’re a great way to get your name out there and give your fans something to talk about. Many businesses also choose to host them on Facebook to boost their brand awareness.

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Conclusion

Verdict: are interactive posts for Facebook all that important?

Facebook is the largest social network in the world, and it continues to grow, attract new users, and garner more attention from businesses of all niches. Facebook post ideas can be challenging, but they don’t have to be. With the tips presented in this article, you can integrate creative and effective Facebook post ideas that will get your brand in front of your target audience.

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While these cover the ideas for Facebook, boost your Instagram engagement with Instagram story games. 

In the past few years, the world has seen a massive shift in social consciousness and attitudes towards social justice. From the #MeToo movement to Black Lives Matter, it seems like everyone is joining the cause to fight for a better world and a fairer society.

But what about the fashion industry? Is it time for fashion brands to put social justice first? This blog article will explore the concept of brand activism, how the fashion industry has embraced social justice, the benefits and challenges of incorporating social justice into fashion brands, and some tips for launching a successful social justice campaign.

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Photo by tiday on Pixabay

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What is Brand Activism?

Brand activism, or corporate activism, is a term used to describe the practice of companies engaging in social justice initiatives. This could include anything from donating to charities, campaigning for legislation, or launching their own social change campaigns. Brand activism is often viewed as a way for companies to show their commitment to social causes, as well as to demonstrate their corporate values.

At its core, brand activism is an attempt to establish an emotional connection between a company and its customers. By engaging in social justice initiatives, companies can demonstrate that they are not only profitable, but that they are also willing to use their platform to make a difference in the world.

How has the Fashion Industry Embraced Social Justice?

The fashion industry has been one of the earliest adopters of brand activism. Many fashion brands have long been associated with social causes, such as environmentalism, philanthropy, and animal rights.

In recent years, this has shifted to include more explicit forms of activism, with fashion brands taking a stand on social issues such as racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Major fashion labels such as Nike, Gucci, and Prada have all launched social justice campaigns to show their support for these causes.

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Source: Adidas

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These campaigns often take the form of public campaigns, collaborations with non-profit organizations, and the use of their platforms to raise awareness of social issues. Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign is a prime example of this, with its focus on diversity and inclusivity.

Benefits of Incorporating Social Justice into Fashion Brands

There are many benefits to incorporating social justice into fashion brands. For one, it helps to create a positive brand image. By taking a stand on important social issues, fashion brands can demonstrate that they are committed to making a difference in the world. 

This is one of the best branding and social media marketing techniques that can help to attract customers who share the same values and want to support companies that are making a positive impact.

In addition, social justice campaigns can help to boost a fashion brand’s visibility. By engaging in public campaigns, fashion brands can reach a wider audience and increase their visibility. This can be particularly helpful for smaller brands that don’t have the resources to launch big campaigns.

By taking a stand they can foster loyalty and trust in the brand, which can lead to long-term customer relationships.

Challenges of Incorporating Social Justice into Fashion Brands

While there are many potential benefits to incorporating social justice into fashion brands, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. For one, it can be difficult for fashion brands to balance their commitment to social justice with their need to remain profitable. Social justice campaigns can be expensive and time-consuming, and if not managed properly, can lead to losses in profits.

In addition, fashion brands need to be aware of the potential backlash that can come with taking a stand on social justice issues. If a fashion brand’s campaign is perceived as insincere or opportunistic, it can lead to negative publicity and a loss of credibility.

Finally, fashion brands need to be aware of the potential legal implications of their social justice campaigns. If a fashion brand is too vocal in their support of a particular cause, it could lead to legal issues. For example, if a fashion brand supports a political candidate, they could be seen as making a political contribution, which could be illegal in some countries.

Examples of Successful Social Justice Campaigns

One of the most successful social justice campaigns in recent years was the “We Are All Human” campaign by the fashion label H&M. The campaign featured a series of photographs of models from different backgrounds, with the aim of promoting diversity and inclusivity. The campaign was a huge success, with people from all over the world sharing their stories and showing their support for the cause.

Another successful social justice campaign was the “Love Your Body” campaign by Dove. The campaign aimed to promote body positivity and encourage people to accept and love their bodies, regardless of shape or size. The campaign was hugely successful, with Dove receiving positive feedback and praise for their efforts.

Examples of Unsuccessful Social Justice Campaigns

Unfortunately, not all social justice campaigns have been successful. One example is the “Choose Love” campaign by Nike. The campaign featured a series of videos of people from different backgrounds and cultures, but was widely criticized for its heavy-handed approach and lack of nuance.

Another example is the “Love Has No Labels” campaign by Pepsi. The campaign aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity but was widely derided for its inauthentic messaging and lack of substance. Many people felt that the campaign was merely capitalizing on the social justice movement, without actually making a meaningful contribution.

Source: Twitter

Key Success Factors for a Successful Social Justice Campaign

So, what makes a successful social justice campaign? Here are some key success factors to consider:

• Authenticity: Your campaign must be authentic and sincere. It must demonstrate that you genuinely care about the causes you are supporting and have a genuine desire to make a difference.
• Transparency: Your campaign must be transparent and honest. You should be clear about your goals and objectives, and make sure that you are not taking advantage of the social justice movement for your own gain.
• Engagement: Your campaign must be engaging and inspiring. It should be something that people can relate to and get behind.
• Creativity: Your campaign should be creative and original. It should stand out from the crowd and capture people’s attention.
• Impact: Your campaign should have a tangible impact. It should be something that people can see and feel, and that will make a real difference in the world.

Developing a Social Justice Campaign

Developing a successful social justice campaign requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips for developing a successful campaign:

1. Identify Your Goals: Before you start developing your campaign, it’s important to identify your goals. What do you want to achieve? What message do you want to convey? What action do you want people to take?
2. Choose Your Platform: Choose the right platform for your campaign. This could include a website, social media, or even traditional media.
3. Create a Strategy: Develop a strategy for your campaign. This should include a timeline, budget, and target audience.
4. Develop Content: Develop content for your campaign. This could include videos, photographs, or even stories.
5. Measure Results: Track the results of your campaign. This will help you identify what’s working and what needs to be improved.

Tips for Launching a Social Justice Campaign

Once you have developed your campaign, it’s time to launch it. Here are some tips for launching a successful social justice campaign:

• Build Partnerships: Build partnerships with organizations and influencers that share your values and goals. This will help to broaden your reach and amplify your message.
• Use Social Media: Use social media to get the word out. Post regularly and engage with your followers.
• Create a Hashtag: Create a hashtag for your campaign. This will help to create a sense of community and encourage people to join the conversation.
• Collect Feedback: Collect feedback from your followers. This will help you identify what’s working and what needs to be improved.
• Measure Results: Track the results of your campaign. This will help you identify what’s working and what needs to be improved.

Conclusion

It’s clear that the fashion industry is embracing social justice, and there are many potential benefits to incorporating social justice into fashion brands. However, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed, and it’s important for fashion brands to be aware of these before launching a social justice campaign.

With careful planning and execution, fashion brands can create successful social justice campaigns that make a real difference in the world. By taking a stand on important issues and using their platform to make a positive impact, fashion brands can demonstrate their commitment to social change and create an emotional connection with their customers.

The world is changing and it’s time for fashion brands to join the cause. Is it time for fashion brands to put social justice first? The answer is a resounding yes.

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Social media marketing trends are in constant evolution. A platform, a specific trend or a even content type that was relevant, a year ago might not be as popular now. 

To help businesses keep on top of the ever-changing fads, here’s a list of 6 trends that can be incorporated into their next marketing strategy. 

Include TikTok in your marketing platforms

The father of all social platforms to have a digital presence are of course Meta-owned; Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram. Instagram was one of the best platforms for businesses that had them experience some of the highest ROIs (depending on the industry) but the trend is slowly changing. 

TikTok was the most downloaded social media app on the Google Play Store in September this year according to Statista followed by Instagram. 

Why is business TikTok’s success crucial? To put it plainly, it is the only platform to see staggering and steady growth in the past few years. The short-form video app had only 689 million users in January 2021 and crossed the 1 billion user threshold exactly a year later. That’s approximately 45% growth within the year!

The users on the platform are primarily Gen Z and millennials (aged 10-29) but recent research shows that users aged 30-49 are steadily climbing the ranks. 

The search demand for TikTok has also grown by 173% over the last year whereas the growth has only been 22% for Instagram reels.

The app poses the perfect setup for businesses as they can:

• Showcase the fun, humanised and authentic side of their brand.
• The user-friendly interface makes short-form video editing a breeze.
• TikTok democratises content and gives all users an equal footing in going viral.
• The TikTok Business Centre provides ample support for organisations to seamlessly operate ad accounts with increased security.

 Maybe your next BTS work video on TikTok will be the next trend!

Jump on the short-form video bandwagon

YouTube undoubtedly is still the king of video but with the rise of TikTok, Instagram reels and the general short attention span of the average internet user, short-form content has proven to be a powerful tool for marketers and influencers. 

This not only increases brand awareness, traffic, and brand loyalty but sales as well.

A report by HubSpot revealed that 54% of marketers were employing short-form videos to reach their marketing goals. What’s interesting is that 85% of marketers surveyed believed that bite-sized video content was the most well-received format on social media in contrast to long-form content. 

These crisp and to-the-point videos rank highest when looking at marketing options for engagement and lead generation as they significantly increase the chances of going viral. 

Magnetic Marketing too experienced a surge of engagement when we posted short-form video content ranging from 8-20 seconds. 

Research has also shown that longer videos actually put off users from consuming content, especially on social media. It was also brought to light that the ideal content length for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok ranges from the 15-30 second ballpark.

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Offer shopping within the app with social commerce

Using a social platform to achieve marketing goals has been around the block for some time now. What’s new is that users can now purchase items without leaving the platform. Instagram and Facebook launched the Shops feature back in 2020 to make purchasing a frictionless experience for buyers. 

The prospect of selling and buying without leaving the platform is going to become immensely popular. Research by eMarketer predicts that by 2025, the social commerce industry would be worth $80 billion in the US only. 

The go-to method of vetting a business or its product is already social media for the modern buyer. About 54% of social media users use these platforms to find information about a product and check its reviews and the brand’s representation.

The fashion industry would be a great social commerce example of an industry that has successfully cultivated a loyal audience. 

By offering a shopfront and checkout option right there and then, businesses can capitalise by making shopping hassle-free for their audience. As of yet, the platforms that offer social shopping experiences are Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and TikTok.

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Have a social listening strategy in place 

Social media poses to be a gold mine for insights and analytics that companies can use to refine their social strategies. This is where social listening comes in. The activity pertains to identifying growth opportunities and then strategizing according to insight determined through monitoring.

While social monitoring is certainly the foundation for social listening, the two serve different purposes. Listening to conversations around a brand means that they engage with it in a way that dictates adjustments in their strategy based on insights.  

Businesses can join in conversations with customers or respond to questions in real time. Doing so can help them understand their customer’s preferences, take charge of the message being put out and avoid PR mishaps.

The market is full of social listening and social monitoring tools that offer marketers much ease to tap into valuable information. By attuning to a social conversation taking place around a brand, marketers can successfully gauge the efficacy of their efforts, get an understanding of the audience’s sentiment and ultimately increase the value of their organisation. 

BeReal by employing user-generated content

Did you catch the pun in our subheading just there? User-generated content is exactly what it refers to. Content created by users for the users. Along with the video, user-generated content keeps appearing on the list of social media trends. 

Modern consumers look for originality and authenticity over perfection now. Gone are the days when an overly edited image and a perfectly curated feed made a business reliable in the customer’s eyes. They now want content that is real and relatable.

The popularity of BeReal and TikTok can be attributed to exactly these. The need for real and filter-free content. Statistics show that campaigns that incorporated UGC in their strategies see 50% more engagement. Adding to that, 79% of social media users say that their buying decision is heavily impacted by user-generated content. 

UGC mainly has three characteristics.

1. It is created by the customer/user of the product
2. Is informational and creative in nature
3. Generally accessible 

Employing such content in a strategy can have a business appear authentic and the general market sentiment is that people want to work with real brands. The success rate is 29% more when compared to campaigns that do not use it.

Brand involvement and social justice

The modern consumer expects the brands they give business to chime into environmental issues, and political and social justice. This could be either sincere involvement or a marketing tactic only. 

One of the biggest markets, GenZ specifically likes to engage with “ethical brands”. This not only means being conscious of how a business presents itself online but rather how things work on the backend too. 

Only recently, Adidas was forced to drop Kanye, after the singer made antisemitic remarks. The show company lost $650 million after letting the rapper go. Nike, also engaged proactively in social issues as a part of its marketing.

Brand activism also in turn humanises a business and may result in increased brand awareness and customer loyalty. Nike’s initiatives bore fruit and the brand experiences a significant number in sales. Brands only need to be careful about how they take on a sensitive topic and need to align their approach to resonate with the sentiment of their target audience. 

Conclusion

Social media trends are always changing, which is why brands need to keep their ears close to the buzz. While it may be difficult to follow every trend on our list, we suggest starting slow and incorporating what seems doable in your strategy and focusing on it.

Also, paying close attention to what your customers say is an approach that goes beyond trends. 

Summary

1. Include TikTok in your marketing platforms
2. Jump on the short-form video bandwagon
3. Offer shopping within the app with social commerce
4. Have a social listening strategy in place 
5. BeReal by employing user-generated content
6. Brand involvement and social justice

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The abundance of data on the internet about any given topic means that there is a lot of inaccurate information too. Social media is one of those spheres where personal experience and factual information very commonly butt heads. Considering the number of narratives, it can become difficult to differentiate fact from fiction.

To tackle the issue, we present 7 social media marketing myths businesses need to leave behind for optimal marketing success in 2023!

     1. It’s important to be omnipresent on social media

One of the most common misconceptions businesses that are new to social media have is wanting to establish their presence on every social media platform. Don’t get us wrong, we understand how covering some fronts are important for most but it doesn’t mean that they should try to incorporate every website or app in their social media strategy.

Focusing on platforms where the target audience is predominantly present is the way to go. For example, fashion brands can look into having Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest accounts as these are most popularly used among the fashion folk. 

Narrowing down the approach can help brands better understand the platform, and their audience and create relevant content accordingly. 

A tip: Identifying marketing goals can effectively help a brand decide which platform to use.‍

     2. More Followers = More Business

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Increasing followers and engagement is undoubtedly a core part of any social media marketing plan. What can be an error is marketers focusing only on this aspect. Malpractices like buying Instagram followers or Facebook likes are common and can affect the strategy negatively in the long run. 

A healthier approach would be to check the quality of followers rather than the quantity. Having an influx of followers may not mean the best engagement or ROI whereas a focused and even limited pool of users may be the best to increase sales. One of the core practices of a successful marketing strategy is to identify and target the audience properly.

If confused, head over to a competitor’s profile to check out what they are posting. If the engagement is healthy, the brand will understand the type of content its target audience is attracted to.

     3. It’s okay to wing your marketing 

Many businesses jump on the social media marketing bandwagon by joining social media platforms without actually having a plan in place. To promote and grow their brand properly having a strategy and a dedicated team behind is extremely important. 

Without a plan of action, the content being released won’t be conversion-focused and may end up with the wrong audience too.

A set of goals and a strategy devised to achieve said goals will help the brand stay on track and also provide scalable growth opportunities. 

Things to do:

• Identify marketing goals
• Identify target market
• Create a content strategy
• Develop content
• Post at the right time
• Check what works and what needs to go

     4. Giving credit isn’t important because its social media

It’s fairly common for brands to land in hot water because of a “stolen” idea. We say stolen because they don’t give credit where it’s due. In today’s digital landscape, social justice is at an all-time high and users of a platform are quick to call out companies engaging in intellectual theft. 

This goes beyond intellectual property and encompasses feature posts, images, videos or even a phrase. Marketers may not think of giving credit as an important aspect but it can cost a brand significantly.

If re-sharing content, a great way to give credit to the creator is simply mentioning them in the comment or caption.

      5. Newer platforms shouldn’t be taken seriously

It’s a common misconception that social media apps like BeReal and TikTok shouldn’t be taken seriously. Well, TikTok is well on its way to becoming one of the most downloaded apps thanks to its predominantly GenZ and millennial audience that loves authentic short-form video content. 

If The Washington Post can join TikTok and include it in its marketing strategy, doesn’t that speak for the influence the app has? 

B2B and B2C companies alike are rushing to add it into their content strategies to put the human and light side of their brands to the forefront. While many new social media platforms may be pulling in numbers and it’s great to look into them, we’d still suggest researching platforms that house the majority of a brand’s target audience.

     6. Social media is only for the immature

Businesses that wish to target middle-aged or elderly people sometimes think of social media marketing as unprofitable because of the assumption that their target audience might not be internet users. The Meta-owned platform, Facebook, houses a whopping population of 35.9% of the entire audience with people aged 45 and above in the US alone. 

While there are platforms mainly used by GenZ users, apps like Facebook boast a much more mature audience too. The older generation may be a little late to the party, but business owners and users alike have realised the power of social media and are steadily inching towards it.

These websites are great to sell products and connect with people of all ages. Adding to that, brands can listen to what their consumers say about their product or service and provide better assistance too. ‍

     7. It’s best to play it safe and stick with old strategies

A survey of 1,000 marketers by HubSpot revealed that 80% of participants said they would change their social media strategies from 2021-2022.

While this may be a year ago, the sentiment holds true even more so. Consumer behaviour is always evolving and consequently, so do social media platforms. To be using the same approach in a completely different climate may be stunting a brand’s growth.

For example, Instagram introduced reels in 2020 to offer a TikTok-like experience. By 2021 it was announced that reels would be prioritised in the algorithm and pushed to a wider audience. Similarly, Instagram also introduced a dual-picture feature heavily inspired by the BeReal app in August.

The social media marketing world is always agile and it’s beneficial for marketers to tweak their strategies according to what’s new for optimal performance.

Now that you’ve read about some falsehoods propagated by word of mouth, it’s better to pay heed to research-backed methods and numbers. For things that you’d like to incorporate into your next strategy, look into the top social media marketing trends.

To sum up:

• It’s not important to be on every social platform.
• It’s better to focus on the quality of followers than the quantity.
• Always have a strategy in place.
• Always give credit if sharing content.
• New platforms have great marketing potential.
• Social media platforms have all age groups present. You only need to find the one most used by your target audience.
• Stay on top of changing marketing trends by modifying your strategy.

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