// BLOG
Social Marketing Trends for 2021
December 21, 2020
2020 is FINALLY almost to its end and what a year it’s been. This past year changed the world. It also changed how businesses and marketers operate, as well as how consumers interact with them. Things that previously worked in social media marketing work less well now, while new and previously underused ways have become better suited to this new world. Here we’ll take a look at the trends that will influence social media marketing in 2021.
- Video Remains King: In early 2020, HubSpot’s Not Another State of Marketing Report found video was the most commonly used – and second most engaging – marketing content found on social media. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and more continue to amp up video capabilities (especially after this past year), so expect video marketing to be a backbone for online marketing in the new year.
With consumers unable to visit stores, brands will need to engage them through video. Particularly LIVE video. Did you know that in 2019 YouTube users spent 284 hours watching live videos? How many hours do you think they and other social media users spent in 2020 watching live video? As brands were forced to move events and more online this past year, one can assume those hours rose exponentially. Live video keeps your followers engaged with your brand by bringing something they couldn’t otherwise attend or see directly to them. No matter you’re service or products, you can incorporate live video into your marketing with tutorials, events, webinars, and more. Even with a Covid-19 vaccine now available, it will be a while before enough people have received it to get life back to normal, meaning video will continue to reign.
- Learn to Listen: In 2020, the world changed so abruptly it left people reeling, and brands who jumped to insert themselves into online conversations without paying attention and providing needed value missed the mark. A 2021 Social Trends report found that around 32% of Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers said their main reason for going on social media this year was to find funny or entertaining content. Too many brands missed this angle, however, by rushing to release social media campaigns before finding out what consumers were truly wanting. Taking the time to listen to audience needs means you’ll produce more impactful campaigns at the right time, leveraging your social media marketing.
- Embrace User Generated Content: UGC is any content (video, image, reviews) created by customers rather than brands themselves and should be an important part of your 2021 marketing strategy. Approximately 86% of companies & brands currently use UGC as it has been shown to far outperform brand content, and after a year of quarantine, there’s been a huge increase in UGC as more companies moved online and looked to consumers to find out their interests. The appeal of UGC? It’s authenticity and relatability. With so much of social media portraying sponsored posts or unattainable ideals and after a year of crisis, people are more drawn to the authentic representation of ordinary people and experiences. By using UGC in 2021, your brand can connect more with customers and nurture a sense of community.
- Snackable Content Rules: People’s online attention spans continue to get shorter and shorter (especially after a year of quarantine where more time was spent online and on social media than normal). Hence the rise this year in “snackable content” – TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook/Instagram Stories, etc. Even with the potential for life to start returning closer to normal in the upcoming year, people will still prefer shorter pieces of content that give them information they need quickly. Snackable content includes memes, quote graphics, gifs, infographs, short videos, etc. Find out more about the 4 you should definitely be using in 2021.
- Be Authentic: 2020 was the year when EVERYTHING seemed to happen and most of it seemed to be bad. People are tired. People have felt more alone. Right now, your customers want more than just a great deal – they want brands that are authentic, whose values align with their own, and whose actions pay off as promised. So, in 2021, work on connecting with your audience by being transparent, being honest, and even a little vulnerable. People connect with people, not faceless corporations. Get the faces of the people who work for you out there, incorporate more video showing how your business process works, and talk about what matters.
2020 was a wild year that changed the face of online marketing. Some of those changes are here to stay, while others will revert back to the norm. Incorporating the above trends into your 2021 marketing plan will help you stay ahead of your game. Happy marketing in the new year!
Halloween Marketing in the Time of Covid-19
October 1, 2020
Halloween is fast approaching – the second-largest commercial holiday in the U.S. after Christmas. Normally, your business might be gathering Halloween decorations or stocking up on candy for trick-or-treaters, but this year due to Covid-19 things will be more than a little different. This year businesses will need to get creative with their Halloween marketing.
Recent studies by the Halloween Industry Association show that the majority of consumers get their Halloween products and services via the influence of social media. Given the already vital importance of online marketing in the current climate, this means you should be taking advantage of the results of these studies. Even if your business isn’t directly Halloween related, you can still take advantage of social media to create Halloween opportunities – both creating fun for families and kids and showing your community spirit.
People are coming up with ever creative ideas for this Halloween season. One example includes Zoom-o-Ween which would have kids virtually sharing their costumes online with others. Tweak this idea a bit to incorporate your business’s Facebook page – hold a virtual Halloween costume contest with people submitting photos of themselves in order to win. By letting people vote for their favorite costumes by liking photos, you create a bigger sense of community. Plus, by offering a prize from your business (whatever that may be) you’ll be getting your brand out in front of more people.
Another example is the trunk’or’treat, an idea that has already been growing in popularity over the years. This is when a group of people park their cars in a parking lot, decorate their car trunks, and hand out candy there, thus making trick-or-treating a bit safer. If your business has a parking lot you can offer the use to a local group looking to do this, then create event pages on Facebook and tweet out the date & time to your Twitter followers. Afterward, you can post photos of the even to your Instagram to share the fun with everyone.
You can also simply use social media to participate in getting people into the Halloween spirit. Update your page’s headers and profile pics to Halloween related photos or use the month of October to post Halloween related images and content (back in 2013, Tide created a spoof of the movie “Carrie” on Vine using the tagline “stains better be scared”). You can also use Instagram or Snapchat to post short videos of your store’s Halloween decorations or your staff’s costumes. The sky’s the limit when it comes to social media. All you need is a little imagination!
Finally, consider creating a Halloween guide on your social media channels. For example, a hotel could put together something like “The Spooky New Jersey Guide” and include spooky landmarks, any events that might still be happening, a list of movies that are set in the local area, and more. Restaurants could create “The Ultimate Halloween Foodie Guide” with links to recipes, short videos showing how to make Halloween treats, and more. No matter your business (seriously – hardware store? You have the material for “The Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide”), this is one place you can seriously shine.
Covid-19 has changed the world – it’s changed how we do things, how we interact, and how we operate our businesses. Online marketing is more important than ever in this new reality and it will continue to become ever more important as we all recover from the past year and get back to the new normal. All you really need to succeed is a little creativity and consistent messaging. Spread a little spookiness (and a little happiness) this Halloween season with these ideas and comment on our Facebook page with your own. And if you need a little help this holiday season, reach out and give us a call at (973) 265-2833 to set up your free consultation. Happy Halloween season!
Welcome to DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness Studio!
September 22, 2020
Has quarantine life motivated you to take better care of your health? If yes, the new beautiful DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness Studio is just the place to start your wellness journey! Located at 5711 Berkshire Valley Road #1, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438, DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness offers a plethora of yoga classes including Vinyasa, yin, hot yoga, chair yoga, beginner’s and children’s yoga, plus infrared heat treatments and more.
DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness was founded by Deanna DePetris.
“My passion for yoga began the moment I stepped foot onto my mat five years ago. Yoga has transformed my life allowing me to become both mentally and physically stronger, build the confidence I had once lacked, and discover my truest self. As the business owner, my hope is that our studio will become everyone’s sanctuary where they are able to feel grounded, find inner peace, and create a community amongst others who share similar values. As a teacher, I will honor each student's uniqueness and help them move freely with each breath. I feel eternally grateful that yoga was introduced into my life years ago, and I look forward to guiding my students on their yoga journey.”
DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness also offers private sessions, available as one-on-one or small groups in a personalized individual environment. Memberships range from drop-in to unlimited monthly to limited class packs with student and senior discounts available. Check out some pictures from her gorgeous new studio in Oak Ridge, NJ below as well as her class schedule so you can pick the class that works best for YOU!
If you’re ready to start (or continue) your wellness journey, visit DeeVine Light Yoga & Wellness’s website. You can also email, call (862) 222-4690, or follow Dee Vine Light Yoga & Wellness on their Facebook & Instagram page. Feel free to reach out with any questions or for further information. Enjoy and namaste!\
Happy 9th Anniversary, SMS!
July 24, 2020
On July 25th Social Marketing Solutions will proudly celebrate our 9th anniversary of being in business.
If you had asked me what this business would be like back in 2011, I wouldn't have been able to imagine the support and success that we have now. I hoped that we would be successful, but the growth of our customers and employees has surpassed any and all of my expectations of being a business owner.
2020 has been a challenging year for us all and Social Marketing Solutions has helped support our customers in driving interest during a time where stores and businesses couldn't even be open – and most still aren't 3 months later. Our customers need us now more than ever to help drive interest in their business via social media to continue to stay relevant.
It's been a year of learning and I'm excited to work towards our 10th year in business! I am beyond grateful for the loyalty and support of everyone who has crossed paths with Social Marketing Solutions. I continue to learn so much from our customers, fellow networkers, and employees. I look forward to getting through this challenging year and continuing to come out stronger and more educated on how to best support and promote our customers. After 9 years, I still find working with many different businesses fun and I continue to learn, meet, and understand different industries and the challenges they must face and overcome. It is so rewarding to help other small businesses grow and I'm excited for what's to come!
Here's to 9 fun and successful years of social media marketing and cheers to another 9+ in the future!
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: JUNKIN IRISHMAN
January 17, 2020
We are incredibly lucky at Social Marketing Solutions to be able to work with some of the best companies from a variety of industries. From clients we've been working with for years, to the ones who are brand new to SMS, we work with a vast array of talent and we thought it would be great if we had a chance to highlight one of our awesome clients. Today we're introducing Junkin Irishman!
Junkin Irishman has been the leader in Northern New Jersey junk removal since 2004. Locally owned & operated, they have a team of friendly, experienced garbage removal & junk clean out professionals who will handle the removal of your stuff in a timely manner. Junkin Irishman handles estate cleanouts, attic cleanouts,basement cleanouts, furniture removal, and more. No matter the size of the job needed, they offer affordable options and take pride in doing the job right the first time. Junkin Irishman currently services Passaic County, Bergen County, Essex County, Morris County, and Union County.
So if you’re tired of looking at rubbish laying about, call 800-939-JUNK or text 973-879-7071 for a free, no-obligation quote today and leave your property looking its best!
We’re very pleased to be working with Junkin Irishman on their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts and can’t wait to see where our efforts lead. Welcome, guys!
