The holiday season is kicking off, and we’re making note of some important trends in social media and digital marketing. As we move into the anticipation of the year-end holidays, many consumers are in holiday shopping mode. That’s why we’ve found an opportune moment for you to leverage the latest trends and captivate your audience!
From short-form content tips to the futuristic opportunity to use AR to display insurance products in customer’s homes, these tips will revolutionize the way you think about social media and digital marketing.
1. Social Media Marketing is for YOU
Social media marketing isn’t just a trend – it’s the future of sales. Why? Because that’s where everyone’s attention is. Billions of people scroll through feeds, check out stories, and engage with posts every single day. To make sales, you need to be where they are. Social media has become the place to discover new products, learn about services, and connect with brands. If you’re not in their social media feed, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity.
HOW TO GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
The first step to social media marketing is to get on social media. We know it can be intimidating to navigate these social platforms. Our support team at Carroll Media is happy to help you cultivate a digital presence for your agency. But even if you’re a DIYer, don’t be afraid.
We’ve collected a short guide from each of the current most popular social media platforms about how to create a profile. Check out the links below:
2. Get The Most ROI for Your Effort
Short-form video is the highest ROI format and will see the most growth of any trend in 2023. They are the most effective use of your time when it comes to getting the most out of your social media efforts. If you’re thinking about showing off a new product, teaching something cool, or just getting your agency noticed in general, making short videos is a super effective move.
HOW TO MAXIMIZE ROI:
Sit down and record yourself. That’s the hardest part. Once you’re in front of the camera, it gets easier. You can teach something cool, tell a story, share an experience or break down an industry myth. Whatever gets you talking about industry relevant topics. You can be creative! The aim is to capture the attention of current and potential customers, and engage your audience in just a few seconds. And try not to overthink it. Ultimately, it’s less about the content’s length and more about how effectively it captures attention and resonates with viewers in today’s fast-paced digital world.
3. Use Edutainment to Your Advantage.
“Edutainment” is the intersection of entertainment and education, and on social media it works. Providing value driven content is essential to your business’ success, but the way to win on social media is to entertain people. You should aim to provide potential customers with your coveted industry knowledge in an entertaining way.
HOW TO USE EDUTAINMENT:
Make short videos or fun infographics about useful topics related to your industry. Think about doing live sessions or Q&A sessions where you teach something cool or answer questions. Break down complex ideas or facts into easy-to-understand nuggets. Use storytelling to make your points – share real stories or anecdotes that teach a lesson or provide insight. The key is to keep your audience entertained and engaged while providing value.
4. Social Search is More Relevant than Search Engines.
People are using social search over search engines, which means SEO matters much less than your social media footprint. Instead of using traditional search engines like before, more people are turning to social media. Because of this, your social media presence – the stuff you put out there, the posts you share, and how you connect with people – matters a whole lot more than just getting ranked on a search engine.
HOW TO LEVERAGE SOCIAL SEARCH:
Make sure your posts, your pictures, and your general brand on Facebook, Twitter, etc. properly convey the message you want them to. Do they tell your customers that you’re knowledgeable, trustworthy, engaged with your community, or respectful of your customers? Your social media presence and customer reviews will speak for you before you get the chance to.
5. AI and AR Continue to Grow on Social Platforms
AI continues to become integrated in your favorite apps. In September 2023 Facebook introduced AI Experiences for personal profiles, which includes the ability to create AI stickers and share collaborative AI. Meta AI, a “conversational assistant” is now available in WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Augmented Reality (AR) is being implemented in ads on both Facebook and Instagram to showcase products in 3D, giving someone the ability to display a desired product in their own offices or homes.
HOW TO USE AI & AR FOR YOUR AGENCY:
Use Meta’s conversational assistant to offer prompt customer support and provide valuable information to clients. AR in ads is a game-changer for showcasing insurance products in 3D, products that otherwise are not physical and therefore difficult to convey in an ad. AR ads can demonstrate how insurance policies or specific coverage options fit within clients’ real-life environments, offering a tangible visual representation of the product a customer can purchase.
