Key Social Media Trends To Watch Out For In 2014

I have recently asked to one of my friends at free-online-business.com about what the key Social Media trends to watch out for in 2014 may be. Here are her thoughts.

Considering that pretty much everyone has an account on the major social networks, it’s clear that social media has grown exponentially over the past several years. What was once an obscure network used by college students has dramatically evolved into a highly efficient customer engagement and marketing tool. The ascension of social media was gradual and during this time, a lot of changes have taken place.

Moreover, all signs indicate that its growth and integration into people’s and businesses’ lives is not over yet. In fact, all major social networks intend to release additional exciting new developments and implement changes in 2014. Here are some of the important key trends to watch out for in the upcoming months.

All major social networks have the monetization mode ON

Marketers have always displayed an affinity for social networks, particularly given the numerous tools at their disposal. After all, bear in mind that creating an account on any social network is free and this translates into no-cost social media marketing. While it is true that you could appeal to potential customers via developing networks and by creating brand pages in the past, it appears all that is about to change. From Facebook and Twitter to LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest, all major social networks intend to reach their full-profit making potential by introducing sponsored advertisement.

Pay-to-play and play-to-see

Closely linked to increasing monetization, more and more social networks have already begun charging for the use of social marketing. Take Facebook for instance; after their altered the newsfeed algorithm, the organic reach was hindered to the point where companies needed to pay in order for their ads to reach the targeted audience.

You need to start listening

Perhaps the most appreciated innovation with respect to social media is the fact that advertisers and marketers now have a chance to listen to what the customers are saying. Furthermore, they have the possibility to answer their users’ needs and concerns in real-time. The significance of taking advantage of this huge opportunity and interacting directly with your customers cannot be stressed enough.

If you want to truly engage with your audience, increase brand awareness and create an overall positive impression, you need to listen to what your customers are telling you, consider the context they express their suggestions or concerns and respond in thoughtful manner. If customers are trying to reach out to your brand with problems, then you have to show them that you read, understood and have a solution for them.

Graphic software gets a lot more attention

Every social marketer knows these days that a picture will innately get more attention and consequentially, more likes, clicks and comments. Moreover, don’t forget that the specialized social networks out there – Pinterest and Tumblr for instance – managed to take pictures and graphics to the next level. In the light of these facts, it becomes obvious that the success of a marketing campaign in the near future will mostly depend on creating outstanding visual advertisements. Even if the ads are tailored for your target audience, remember that excellent visuals constitute the means of reaching a wider public.