3 social media trends to watch in 2017

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Check out our Entrepreneurs Guide to Social Media

If you’re not already on social media, 2017 is the year to get started.  Social media has changed the way businesses promote their brand, interact with customers, and sell their products. As more businesses join online communities and new platforms emerge, social media is now an integral part of business.

We can’t predict exactly what will happen in the social media world because it’s constantly changing, but here are three trends we think you should look into in 2017.  

Promoted content

Organic content is still valuable, but it’s not enough. Our social feeds are becoming more and more cluttered and promoted content is the best way to cut through the clutter.

Native social media ads, such as promoted posts on Facebook or Instagram and sponsored tweets look like any other post. They can be highly targeted, easily shared and are easy to measure results. The best part is they’re one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising.

Search Engine Marketing is another kind of online marketing that’s worth looking into. For more information, check out our Google AdWords Plans.

Conversational commerce

Social messaging apps are now bigger than social networks. In 2017, we’ll see more and more brands migrating to social messaging apps because consumers turn to these apps when they’re looking for answers.

Conversational commerce will only be enhanced with chatbots. Essentially, a chatbot is an artificial intelligence powered virtual assistant that can have conversations with consumers and answer their questions. Chatbots are already helping businesses, so learn more in this complete beginner’s guide to chatbots.

Live content 

Live streaming was first made popular by Twitter’s Periscope, but YouTube, Facebook and Instagram have all introduced a live video feature since. We’re still in the early stages of live content and these platforms certainly won’t be the last to go live.

Live video not only means real-time engagement with your customers, but it also brings a whole new meaning to authenticity and transparency. Here are some ideas for how to use live streaming for your small business:

• Offer tips to other aspiring small business owners. In the small business community, helping each other grow and succeed is what it’s all about.
• Conduct focus groups. Live video can be great if you don’t have the resources to conduct extensive market research.
• Live Q & A. Answer questions live makes you give genuine answers, which will help create loyal customers.
• Give tutorials. This will be ideal for artisans and restaurant owners who can show customers the work that goes into the final product.
• Go behind the scenes. Customers are always curious to know what happens outside the frame.
• Offer flash sales. Exclusive sales are a great incentive to help build your follower base.

Whether you embrace these ideas or not, you should start thinking how you could incorporate them into your social media strategy.

Check out our Entrepreneurs Guide to Social Media

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