January 17, 2023
What will social media look like next year? Here’s a look at what will be trending in 2023
Video. This trend is not going anywhere. From TikTok to Instagram Reels, short-form video is here to stay. Feed algorithms are prioritizing videos, so marketers take note. And no need for fancy production values; audiences are looking for authenticity. Or at least the illusion of authenticity.
Close captioning your video. For those scrolling through videos when we should be paying attention on a Zoom call, captioning is a must so you can mute the sound. About 85% of social media videos are watched sans sound. Oh, and viewers are 80% more likely to watch a video to the end if it has captions.
TikTok. Not even security concerns seem to be able to slow down this juggernaut. This platform will continue to muscle its way into your life during 2023. Important note: A group of lawmakers in the U.S House of Representatives and Senate have introduced legislation that would ban TikTok in the U.S., following warnings from the FBI director and cybersecurity experts who have said China could use the social media platform for spying. If that bill becomes law, all bets are off.
User-Generated Content (UGC). As mentioned above, authenticity beats slickness and production values these days. Social media scrollers would rather see a shaky selfie video of someone putting a product through its paces than a high-end production. What's this mean for medical device marketing? Don't be afraid to do some product demonstrations with an iPhone on the fly, just keep it authentic. (If you'd like help with this, drop us a line.)
LinkedIn will get more personal. Remember when LinkedIn used to be where you added people to your business network, advertised open positions, looked for jobs, and occasionally shared an article from a business magazine? Well, it's getting a little more personal and loosey-goosey. Folks are sharing more personal anecdotes, speaking more colloquially, and even telling the occasional joke. We like this new trend. Like we've always told our clients, you don't lose your sense of humor when you put on a tie.
Say goodbye to GIFs. This remnant of the old-school Internet looks like it's headed for the boneyard. Updated operating systems only sometimes gibe with them, and the younger set doesn't find them cool. Buh-bye.
SEO gets social. Using keywords in social media posts is a great idea. More and more people are using social media (looking at you, TikTok and Pinterest) for search. Get those keywords in your posts if you want more eyeballs to see them.
Commerce. Social Media platforms will continue to look for ways to sell. If you see a product being used on TikTok or in a Reel and it piques your interest, wouldn’t it be great to buy it with just a click?