5 Social Media Trends To Take Advantage of In December

As South Africans shut down for the year, switch off their laptops and relax after another year, it doesn't mean they're completely off the internet. They'll use a lot of that downtime to spend time on social media during this time, and with increased attention on these sites, businesses will do well to tap the growing user engagement during this time and tap into that additional disposable income consumers have to spend at the end of the year.

Since we're entering the festive season, many businesses are going to have to jump on social media trends that will make them stand out from the rest, primarily if they aim to get consumers interested in what they have to offer.

Here are a few social media trends worth incorporating into your strategy this festive season.

Consumer connections

One would think that social media is the perfect place for businesses to connect with their customers, and to be honest, it can be if done right.

Connecting with your customers is about a bit more than the back and forth communication about what you can offer them. It's also about the kind of experience they can get from your social media platforms.

This festive season, you're going to need to engage with your followers more than ever before. Although it's important to humanise your brand and make consumers feel like they're a part of your story, you also need to remember that social media chats don't always guarantee a purchase.

Consider finding a strategy that gives your customers what they need before they ask for it and allows them to provide feedback, rather than one that gives them no choice but to start new conversations that are going to take up a lot of their time and yours.

Genuine Influencers

Many brands have opted to find influencers who can give their brands some exposure, but popularity isn't the most important thing when choosing influencers.

When choosing an influencer for your brand, be clear about your brand's goals and image. Choose someone who's most likely to use your products or services.

The main goal of making use of influencers that best represent your business and what it's about, so consumers understand the benefits you provide. Your business's goal could be brand awareness, while for others, it could be reach, engagement or even increasing brand love and loyalty. Whatever your goal is, your influencer should be able to help you reach it.

Find your platforms

You can have some great content as a brand, but if it's not on the right platforms, it won't reach the people that it's meant to-, which defeats the whole purpose.

We've seen how social media space has evolved throughout the years and how different social media platforms cater to different demographics and interests. Once you understand your target audience, you'll be able to identify which social media platforms to put most of your effort, time and money into getting the best return.

To make sure that you choose the right platform for your business, do some research. Don't be afraid to introduce your business on new platforms, especially if your target audience is using them. This doesn't mean neglecting your current audience on existing platforms, but be open to trying out a fresher and trendier approach.

Get your employees involved

You can attribute a lot of your brand's success to your clients, but the same can be said for your employees. If your employees are empowered, they're able to grow the brand and take it to greater heights.

Luckily, brands can show off how their employees are feeling and what their thoughts are around the brand they work for, especially after such a difficult year. You can do this through blog posts written by the employees themselves, and social media posts centred around the employees' personal experiences with the brand.

Get creative

It's never easy for brands to step out of their comfort zones due to the fear of losing their current target audience or losing sight of what their brand stands for-, both of which are valid concerns.

Traditional holiday marketing can get a bit played out over time, however. A great way to tap into your creativity could be to have occasional competitions - nothing creates a buzz around your brand like a fun giveaway. These aren't only great for buzz and engagement, but they can make customers feel appreciated and build brand love.

Being creative with your digital marketing doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. You can use some of the products your business offers as giveaway prizes, this way, your followers are aware of some of your products, and they may feel motivated to make a purchase next time.

Moving theory into practice

Now that you've seen some of these tried and tested methods, it's important to remember that this is your playing field as far as marketing goes. So, invest in the relevant platforms, give your clients what they want and promote your brand in the most authentic way possible.

If you need help with spicing up your social media platforms and finding social media trends that will work for your business, get in touch by sending an email to hello@arcinteractive.co . You can also follow Arc Interactive on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About the author

Oratilwe Moneoang is a Copywriter and Community Manager who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, from the University of Johannesburg. She's pro-education and empowering young women to be the best versions of themselves.

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Tags: Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Guest Post