Social media and influencer marketing: what are the trends in 2021?
What digital acquisition levers should you prioritize in 2021? Like every year, this is THE question on the minds of all influencer and social media marketing professionals. And everyone offers their own analysis. At So Bang, we also have our perspective on the matter. For our social media agency, here are at least three trends that should offer brands great opportunities to succeed with their social media marketing strategies this year.
The proliferation of chatbots
This is a trend that is certainly due to the very particular context of 2020. Long predicted but without really taking off, the proliferation of chatbots on social networks could finally have its moment of glory this year because even more interactions with customers are expected to take place online.
Of course, ordering a pizza via Messenger or simply following an account via a chatbot has been possible for a while, but the change in customer relations (due in particular to the closure of physical stores) will certainly favor chat platforms.
Furthermore, the technology is becoming increasingly mature. Thanks to artificial intelligence, chatbots now make it possible to establish genuine proximity with users through increasingly personalized interactions. This opens up new possibilities for brands in terms of order management, product information requests, customer service, and more.
Live content on the front line
With lockdowns and curfews in place, online events are also expected to benefit from the current health crisis. Following the example of Instagram Live (or YouTube and Twitch), content creators are likely to rely even more heavily on live streaming to interact with their communities.
Many influencers already used this tactic in 2020 with varying degrees of success. It's worth noting that, like TikTok, many platforms offer live streams visible to everyone, including those without subscribers.
In fact, live streams require considerable skill and preparation to be successful, but we can be sure that influencers, increasingly adept at content creation techniques, will produce high-quality live streams this year. At So Bang, in partnership with them, we also offer to help brands develop this type of format.
The rise of micro-influence
We at So Bang have been saying it for a long time: on social media, the reach of a message doesn't depend on the size of the community. It's the personality of the person delivering it (the influencer) that counts.
Already strong in 2020, the trend towards micro-influencers (fewer than 50,000 followers) is certain to intensify this year. Highly profitable for brands, it allows for the creation of very effective marketing campaigns.
The reason for this success? In the eyes of users, micro-influencers appear more authentic, closer to their needs and values. In short, these content creators seem more credible and sincere. Brands understood this well in 2020 and should therefore continue to turn to them to generate audience and engagement.
Social media trends 2021: what you need to know
As the latest indicators show, advertising investments on social media will continue to grow this year, despite the health crisis. Online sales through these channels represent one of the main opportunities for brands.
As we've seen through three trends, acquisition strategies on these platforms will also require upfront support and expertise. This is precisely what our social media and influencer marketing agency has been offering for several years. So, ready to boost your sales and online reputation in 2021 on social media?