Top 10 Social Media Trends for 2023

Did you know, social media is evolving?

Of course you did. It seems that almost every day a new trend emerges. The world of social media is so dynamic that, to use a sporting analogy, it is hard to know which runner and rider to back and which is likely to be a faller.

2023 is no exception. Industry experts – and I agree with them – have identified that for this year, the trend leading the field is all about quality: we’re moving away from bigger and bolder towards a focus on the quality of the conversations and not the quantity. 

Therefore you may need to change your social media strategy to ensure you are ahead of the competition.

 

So, here are my predictions for the trends to follow in 2023.

1. Search meets social.

Users are turning away from Google and company websites, as they rely more on searching social media content for ideas and suggestions. Tick Tock is leading the way but others will follow as they introduce better keyword search ability into the captions of the posts and stories.

So, make sure you get those keywords into your content and use the additional features. All are designed to help with keywords and geotagging, so you and your business can be more easily discovered. 

SEO is coming to social! 

     2. Creators are king.

The boundaries to entry for content creation are lowering. You don’t need a degree in videography or media publishing any more to produce good content. The ability to earn money as an influencer is growing and I’m not just referring to those with tens of thousands of followers. It’s within the grasp of all of us.

Therefore, you should ensure user generated content (UGC) is a part of your content strategy. Why not utilise the skillsets of others who want to share your story, and think about collaborating with other brands, industries and users? This will enable more creativity and attract a greater audience.

   3. Put the social back into social media.

Developing true connections with people and brands, and showing the human side of your business, are the new social currencies. You may worry that lowering your guard and showing your personality is risky but it will help your brand to appear more approachable. When that happens conversations start and communities are built.

Look at the rise of platforms like BeReal. Your audiences want to see more authenticity around your posts and will have greater loyalty to the more authentic brands out there. So don’t hide behind overly curated content (bye bye Instagram’s perfectly styled grids). Get the boss involved, let’s see those CEOs and hear what they have to say. 

   4. People and brand personality really are the answer.

Social media is no longer just about shouting about who you are, what you do, and what you’re selling. We’re tired of one-way communication. It’s about showing the human side of your organisation and sharing content that will educate and entertain your audience, giving them a reason to keep coming back.

Show your brand personality and you will connect with people. If a b2b business, or any other business for that matter, can speak directly to you and even tease and play with its competitors, it will make you like it more. 

Weetabix managed this last year when they played with Heinz Baked Beans, this in turn encouraged other brands to jump into the conversation and the posts went viral. Click here to have a giggle! 

 

   5. Nano and micro influences are the next big thing.

Less is more when it comes to working with an influencer. Why? Because often they are more engaged with their audience. Their followers are more in line with their values and niche, so engagement rates and conversions are much higher. 

So, don’t get bowled over by the big numbers. Think about who would fit well with your audience and weave content including them, or from them, into your strategy.

And the best news is that they don’t charge extortionate fees. Often they will swap content for some kit, or your product or service.

 Mike Rodel, Director of Digital Marketing at Get The Inside Story, wrote an interesting article last year about the rise of the micro influencers.  Read what he has to say here about Micro and Nano Influencers (oh and there’s a great reference here too!!)  

   6. The Metaverse is growing with the help of social media.

Social media is going to play a huge part in the growth of the metaverse and Web 3, and even though many social media experts are wary of just how it will play out, it is worth considering how and if you will incorporate it into your own social media strategy. 

   7. Video is still king but you should grab their attention quickly. 

Short form video was popular last year and all the signs are that it will continue to be a vital part of a brand’s social media strategy.

It is important to use impactful, clear and concise audio visuals with a great hook within the first few seconds when planning and creating video content. It’s time to banish those inhibitions, put the big girl or boy pants on and get in front of that camera and talk directly to your audience. And remember to keep it interesting, yet short and sweet. Think 100 yard dash rather than 26 mile marathon!

 

   8. We are all influencers. 

Influencer marketing is key to the success of a social media strategy, and not just for famous users. Consider empowering your customers, and why not train your staff to be your influencers and tell your story? Your audience is more likely to trust what they have to say than a stranger who popped up for a different brand a few weeks ago. 

   9. Goodbye likes, hello comments.

The success metrics are changing. It’s no longer about how many likes your posts are getting. It’s about how many comments and shares your posts get. It’s about the engagement. The more engagement and communication, the better the conversations and the greater the community will be. So often the community and engagement aspects are forgotten. Ensuring that these metrics are in your strategy will help you focus your efforts on publishing content that will drive this.

   10. AI is coming. 

Love it or hate it, predictive analytics are coming, often in the form of AI. This has the potential to really shift your focus and help you to provide a much more relevant selection of content for your desired audiences to consume. Your social media strategy can focus purely on what is known that your audience needs. 

And the bonus point is Accessibility

Social media should be more accessible to everyone and with the introduction of features such as autocaptions, the platforms are doing their bit for everyone.

Don’t forget to populate those Alt Text fields when adding photos and diagrams to posts. They provide an explanation of what is in the image for those who have limited sight. 

Don’t be tempted to use fancy alternative fonts, as the technology used to communicate the text won’t be able to read it. Stick to the platforms’ own fonts.

Finally, when adding hashtags use capitals at the beginning of each word so the auto reader can decipher the words within the hashtag eg #SocialMediaForSport or #AccessibilityForAll. It also stops those embarrassing misreads that can sometimes occur #SusanAlbumParty is much better than #susanalbumparty!! 

 

I am so excited about these latest trends, as they reflect what I have been saying for many years. Social media is just that – social. It’s about starting and continuing conversations and creating communities that will share your messages, services and products. Regardless of whether you are running a sporting event, developing athletes of the future or selling products for the sports industry, a strong robust social media strategy will save you time and money, as you will be talking to the right people and businesses about the right things.

It’s not about big numbers; it’s about quality not quantity.

 

If you would like to find out more about how I can help you develop and implement a strategy that will reach more people and businesses send me an email to caroline@socialhoneycomb.co.uk.