5 Social Media Trends to Focus on in 2021
The only constant with social media is change! It seems like every single day that we head on Instagram, an influencer is sharing about how the algorithm has changed and there are new things users have to pay attention to this year.
It can be overwhelming to stay on top of the changes, the trends and the next “new” thing to do on Instagram to gain fame and followers. But, don’t worry, that’s why BNL is here! We’ve brought all of our experience and knowledge together to determine the 5 social media trends of 2021 to focus on and pay attention to.
There’s simply no time to be wasted. Let’s get started!
1. Stories must become a focus.
More than 500 million users interact with Instagram Stories every single day. So, it’s super duper important that you turn a focus to Instagram Stories in addition to your grid posts. If you’re too scared to get on video, you’re going to have to conquer that fear starting today.
Video stories outperform photo stories. A study by Socialinside found that images in Stories had a 5.65% higher tap through rate compared to videos. Our tip for Stories is to show your face. People want to see videos of “behind the scenes” when it comes to businesses. Focus on the people behind the brand and make it a real-human experience.
We suggest people show up on your Instagram Stories daily.
The Instagram Shopping and Facebook Shopping features are a must for e-commerce businesses in 2021!
2. Shopping through social media will continue to grow.
Instagram shopping became a thing and it’s not going anywhere. If you’re an e-commerce business and aren’t using social media shopping, the time to get approved is now! Instagram allows you to shop directly on the platform, add to a cart and check out without ever leaving the app.
On Facebook, you can also create a storefront where people can browse your products and buy directly on the platform!
3. You need to do more than just post.
Gone are the days where you could just post once a week on your Instagram feed and continue to gain quality followers. There has been a huge shake-up when it comes to social media platforms, which means it’s so important to have your name and face on all of them.
TikTok is probably the most talked about platform right now. Peaking last March with almost 76 million downloads, it’s showing people a new way to get found and famous online. Since TikTok launched, Instagram rolled out Reels, giving creators a similar way to make videos within their own platform.
What does this mean exactly? It means that you need to utilize each platform effectively and take part in all of their different offerings. If you focus on Instagram, it’s super important that you post on your feed, story daily as well as show up on Reels! If you maximize your engagement on the platform, you’re going to see the best return on investment.
Are you active on all of the platforms? It’s important for your social media to show up online in 2021! From Instagram stories, Reels or even TikTok!
4. Inclusivity should be at the forefront.
People are paying attention to what companies post. They’re paying attention to the people they employ and the things they speak out about. Brands are making meaningful strides for inclusion inside their offices as well as in their marketing strategies.
Our tip for you is to consider what you post on your social media. Is it inclusive? Is there anything more you could be doing? A study by Accenture found that nearly 30% of all shoppers would switch to a brand that’s committed to inclusivity and diversity over one that isn’t showing any progress.
Users are also way more informed when it comes to performative activism. So, focus on showing your heart, being vulnerable and building the deepest connections possible with your customers and followers.
5. It’s worth advertising on Facebook.
Boosting your organic social media posts with advertising will help deliver your content to more eyes! But, it’s important that you’re advertising to the right eyes or your money is just going down the drain. Determine who your customers are. Where they live, what they like, what they purchased and their demographic. Base your Facebook advertising on this!
If you have an online business, it’s even more important that you’re advertising on social media. With the global pandemic, not everyone is comfortable heading to a store. Base your advertising copy on staying home, staying safe and shopping from the comfort of your own home!
It’s time to start advertising on social media! If you haven’t started advertising on Facebook yet, it’s time to do it this year.
Receive a different approach to social media with BNL.
Social media is not only an art but there’s also a science behind it too! When you work with BNL, we take all of our knowledge and expertise and tie in into your social media channels. We create engaging content and are there for you every step of the way when you start creating your own Reels and Stories!
Social media has such an important role in marketing in 2021 and we want to be there for you. If you're ready to see your social media grow this year, reach out to us and let’s discuss our different social media marketing plans!