Social media is constantly evolving and changing, and 2023 will be no exception. With new platforms, features, and behaviors emerging every day, marketers need to stay on top of the latest trends and adapt their strategies accordingly. In this article, we will explore five social media trends that are expected to dominate the digital landscape in 2023 and how you can leverage them for your brand.
Edutainment content will rule
Edutainment is a portmanteau of education and entertainment, and it refers to content that is both informative and engaging. Edutainment content can take various forms, such as fun facts, tutorials, explainers, quizzes, challenges, and more. Edutainment content is especially popular on short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, where users can learn something new or useful in a matter of seconds.
Edutainment content can help you attract and retain your audience’s attention, build trust and authority, and showcase your brand personality. To create edutainment content, you can start by identifying common questions or pain points that your audience has related to your industry or product. Then, brainstorm how you can address them in a creative and entertaining way using video or other formats. For example, if you are a fintech brand, you can create edutainment content about money management tips, financial scams, or budgeting hacks.
Businesses will invest more in video production
Video is not a new trend, but it is one that is here to stay. According to Statista, the global social media app market was valued at $49.09 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.2% from 2023 to 2030. The main driver of this growth is the increasing adoption of 5G technology, which enables faster and smoother video streaming and consumption.
Video is also the preferred format for many social media users, especially younger generations. According to Hootsuite’s Social Trends Report 2023, 73% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials say they watch more stories than feeds on social media. Video is also more effective for driving engagement, conversions, and retention than other types of content.
To leverage the power of video in 2023, businesses will need to invest more in video production and quality. This means hiring dedicated video teams or partnering with professional video agencies or creators. It also means creating video content that is tailored to each platform and audience segment, rather than cross-posting the same video across different channels. For example, if you are creating a video for TikTok, you should use catchy music, captions, stickers, filters, and hashtags to make it stand out.
BeReal will be a turning point for brands
BeReal is a new social media platform that launched in late 2022 and has already gained over 10 million users. BeReal’s unique selling point is that it encourages users to share their authentic selves rather than curated or edited versions. BeReal does this by allowing users to post only live videos that disappear after 24 hours. Users can also join live video chats with other users who share similar interests or moods.
BeReal’s popularity reflects a growing demand for authenticity and transparency on social media, especially among younger generations who are tired of fake news, filters, and influencers. According to Sprout Social’s Index Report 2022 , 86% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding what brands they like and support.
BeReal offers an opportunity for brands to connect with their audience on a deeper level by showing their human side and behind-the-scenes stories. Brands can also use BeReal to showcase their social impact initiatives , customer testimonials , product demos , or live Q&A sessions . To succeed on BeReal , brands will need to be honest , relatable , and engaging , and avoid being overly promotional or scripted.
Businesses will experiment with emerging (and re-emerging) networks
While Facebook , YouTube , Instagram , and TikTok are still the dominant players in the social media space , they are not the only ones . In 2023 , businesses will need to keep an eye on emerging (and re-emerging) networks that offer new ways to reach and interact with their audience .
Some of these networks include :
- Clubhouse : A voice-based social network that allows users to join or host live audio conversations on various topics . Clubhouse has attracted over 10 million users since its launch in 2020 , and has been used by celebrities , politicians , and influencers to share their insights and opinions . Clubhouse can be a great platform for brands to showcase their thought leadership , build community , and generate feedback .
- Twitter Spaces : A similar concept to Clubhouse , but integrated within Twitter . Twitter Spaces allows users to create or join live audio rooms on Twitter , and invite up to 10 speakers and unlimited listeners . Twitter Spaces can be a useful tool for brands to amplify their existing Twitter presence , engage with their followers , and join relevant conversations .
- Snapchat Spotlight : A feature that allows users to create and discover short-form videos on Snapchat , similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels . Snapchat Spotlight rewards users who create the most popular videos with a share of a $1 million daily fund . Snapchat Spotlight can be a fun and creative way for brands to reach the younger demographic on Snapchat , and potentially earn some money along the way .
- LinkedIn Live : A feature that allows users to broadcast live video content on LinkedIn , either on their personal or company pages . LinkedIn Live can help brands increase their visibility , credibility , and engagement on the professional network , and showcase their expertise , events , or announcements
The creator economy will continue to blossom
The creator economy refers to the growing number of individuals who create content online and monetize it through various platforms and channels. The creator economy includes influencers, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, TikTokers, and more. According to SignalFire, there are over 50 million creators in the world, and this number is expected to grow as more platforms and tools emerge to support them.
The creator economy offers a huge opportunity for brands to collaborate with creators who have loyal and engaged audiences, and who can act as authentic advocates for their products or services. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, 90% of marketers say influencer marketing is an effective form of marketing, and 63% of marketers plan to increase their influencer marketing budget in 2023.
To leverage the creator economy in 2023, brands will need to adopt a more strategic and long-term approach to working with creators. This means finding the right creators who align with their brand values, goals, and target audience, and building genuine and mutually beneficial relationships with them. It also means providing them with creative freedom, clear guidelines, and fair compensation. Brands can also use platforms like CreatorIQ or AspireIQ to manage their creator campaigns more efficiently.
Conclusion
Social media is an ever-changing and dynamic field, and 2023 will bring new challenges and opportunities for marketers. By staying on top of the latest social media trends and adapting your strategies accordingly, you can ensure that your brand stays relevant, engaging, and competitive in the digital space.
