As 2014 starts winding down, it’s important to look forward and capitalize on the latest trends coming down the social media pipeline. For marketers and bloggers alike, social media networks can be a veritable springboard for great products, services, and ideas. In case you missed it, here’s a list of the biggest social media stories that are going to make a splash in 2015.
1. Wearables
Image courtesy of Giuseppe Costantino. Used in conjunction with Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
As if we couldn’t get more attached to our smartphones, the increasing popularity of wearable technology now allows us to stay connected all hours of the day. From Google Glass to Android Wear and the Apple Watch, these ultra-portable smart devices afford new ways to post, share, and check in seamlessly.
How might this affect the social media savvy? Most important, these devices bring a new sense of immediacy to social media. With sharing that’s even more instantaneous, more visually-driven content will be critically important. As devices become smaller and more integrated “in the moment,” you can forget reaching your audience with pages upon pages of text.
2. Paying to be Seen
For the folks looking to market their personal brand or startup using social media, the need to truly compete for a user’s attention is getting a little out of hand. As new social networks continue to crop up and more content is displayed in smaller and smaller places, the tendency to stop and consume information is diminishing. With that said, expect a greater emphasis on paid social media advertising in 2015.
Paid social media advertising isn’t new, but the outlook for 2015 is clear. Social media ads on the major platforms are more likely to be seen and engaged with by users. Through advanced targeting and new measurement tools in tow, these ads can also be evaluated and optimized based upon performance. Some studies have even shown that paid social media posts lead to 25% more conversions than unpaid interactions on certain networks.
3. Privacy
As everyday users become more entrenched in their online communities-of-choice, they will invariably become more cognizant of their right to privacy. In the past, backlash has resulted from content ownership, security vulnerabilities, and what’s actually contained in the policies used by the most popular social networks to “protect” their users. The bottom line? Your followers and customers are wising up.
What does it mean? First, these issues stress the importance of staying up-to-date on the turbulent social media environment. In some cases, the rules may change overnight. It’s up to you to make the right adjustments to stay in compliance. Second, it’s important to recognize the fine line between effective marketing and privacy violation. While many users may give up certain bits of information without a second thought, they’re also far more likely to see through attempts to capture information for advertising purposes.
Social media is a great place to build meaningful connections with fans and customers alike. But it’s also got it’s ups and downs. The most important social media tip for 2015? Stay informed and use that to your advantage as you continue “riding the wave.”
What do you think is the top social media consideration for 2015? Share your thoughts below!
RELATED RESOURCES:
- Facebook Vs. Google – Privacy and Security Infographic
- Blogging, Privacy and the New Facebook
- How Google Glass Can Benefit Content Creators with Sarah Hill
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