Companies currently use social media primarily as a means of building relationships with users. Where a channel is a place for finding inspiration, like Instagram, for example, social will increasingly play a role in the customer journey as a conversion channel. Thanks to the possible in-app conversions (and AR Commerce Ads), users are just 'one swipe away' from purchasing that cool sofa.
Storytelling
Making full use of content in feeds will increasingly shift to content in the form of stories. With the advent of stories, there is more room for 'snackable content' that entertains independently and undirected and together tells a transparent and authentic story.
More creative content
The beaten paths are now well-known, nevertheless, the creative potential to run branded content on social platforms hasn’t yet been fully utilized. More and more, companies are experimenting with creating extraordinary or noteworthy content. A good example of this is the 'Insta Novels' from the New York Public Library.
Kim en Simone - Creative duo from DotControl
Going down or yet another comeback?
It goes without saying that the Facebook scandal and subsequent drop in the number of active users have affected the spending on marketing budgets. Nevertheless, Facebook’s strategic acquisitions mean it has still retained the bulk of internet users, and risk is spread across the various brands. Companies and consumers aren’t going to lose interest in Facebook just like that
What’s more, the human need to stay in touch with one another isn’t going to go away. How that need is met, however, will be subject to constant change. It’s up to social media platforms like Facebook to keep evolving with those changes, without losing sight of norms and values (such as privacy).
Snapchat
What do you think will be the most popular filter on Snapchat this year?
User-generated filters from Snapchat's Lens Studio!
Take a peek in your crystal ball
Is there going to be another, completely new social hype in 2019? And if so, where can we expect it to come from?
Sure. The manner of online communication is gradually changing. And voice is going to play an increasingly important role in that.
Social media in 2019: what’s just not acceptable anymore...
Making your marketing strategy dependent on influencers and sponsored content: thanks to the massive and excessive use of influencers, the magic has gone and brands are more likely to be seen as ‘blatant’ than genuine or open.