Since its inception, social media has always been one of the most exciting and fast-paced industries to operate in. However, with 2020 massively shaking up the world, social media was just one of the areas that changed quicker than anyone could imagine. 

But what will 2021 bring for social media? 

Baby Boomers Turning Digital 

The Baby Boomer generation and cutting-edge social media trends have rarely been closely associated in the past. Yet, we have seen a drastic rise in those aged 55+ joining and becoming an active part of social media platforms in more recent times. 

This trend presents a unique opportunity for marketers to reach out to a new and engaged audience on social media. 

TikTok Rise in Popularity

TikTok has taken the social world by storm over the last few years. This growth has been fueled by the pandemic and resulting lockdowns, providing bored teenagers with a way to express themselves and interact with others in a similar situation. 

Although many businesses are intimidated by the idea of using TikTok, using it to give insight into your business, such as your manufacturing processes, can be a powerful way to grab a younger audience’s attention. 

Social Integration with eCommerce

Online businesses like Amazon saw massive growth in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. However, there is no denying that eCommerce is a big business and is set to grow even further in the coming years.

Social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have spotted eCommerce opportunities and are already releasing new functionality to tap into this. For example, businesses can now create shops directly on Instagram and Facebook, reducing the friction from engagement to sale. 

Video Content Consumed More 

Video is arguably the most engaging form of content out there. One of the significant benefits of this content type is communicating a large amount of information relatively quickly. 

As attention spans shrink, the video will continue to provide marketers with the opportunity to communicate messages quickly and engagingly. 

AR & VR Changes Content Interaction 

Augmented and virtual technologies have been around for some time. However, it is only recently that they have become a crucial part of the marketing toolbox. 

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook invest in this technology to increase engagement on their platforms. This will provide early adopters a unique opportunity to earn their audience’s attention in the coming years. 

Brands Resonate with their Audience

Consumers are increasingly seeking out brands that represent the same values as them. This leads to the brands using a more casual and approachable tone in their social media engagements. 

One platform where this is becoming more common is Twitter and the interactions that brand accounts have with their audience, shying away from the more formal tone instead of relating to them on a human level. 

Biggest Social Media Trends 2021

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