As we soldier on, deep into the tail end of January, it's always a good idea to stop and take stock of the latest trends in social media. There's so much change going on across the board, that you'll definitely want to keep an eye on trends that could benefit your social marketing campaign in the future. Today we take a look at 5 of the hottest trends that are blossoming for small businesses.
Trend #1: Mobile Devices Go Mainstream
Last year we saw a massive increase in mobile device sales, which means that 2012 is going to be the year of the tablet. With so many new people buying iPads and Galaxy tabs, it's bound to affect where social communication is heading. In fact, a good financial investment right now, would be a mobile application.
Mobile apps are fun on phones. but let's be honest. The screens are small and it can be irritating using them. With tablets on the rise, apps mean business. You can get as technical and as creative as you want, and people will use your app. Get a mobile app created this year, for an increase in promotion and sales.
Trend #2: Youtube Television Potential
With the revamp of Youtube, comes a boost in subscriber potential - which means that people are investing more time in singular Youtube feeds. As a small business you should think about sinking some cash into your channel, by creating 'series' of follow on videos that people can watch instead of television. Use your Youtube channel as a way to keep your clients eyes on your business.
Trend #3: Evolving E-commerce Solutions
This year we'll see e-commerce improved by individual applications that can be added onto your page. Enhance your clients buying experience by adding profiles, features and new functionality to your e-commerce page. These pages will make the most money, as they further the current 'personalization' trend that is circulating the internet. Personalize your customer's time on your site!
Trend #4: Gear Up For New Advertising Opportunities
With Facebook recently announcing their plans to integrate ads in mobile, and Google's move towards personalized adverts during search - this is a great year to establish an online advertising budget. Your ads will be seen by the right people, at the right time - and this means lots of traffic and sales for you. Investigate which ad platforms will get you the most 'bang for your buck' and take the plunge.
Trend #5: Get More Face Time To Build Larger Communities
Progressively, your fans want to be able to interact with you on really personal levels. When you make the effort, and host live chats on Google+, or real time Twitter sessions - you'll be rewarded with a lot of new fans. And as all social marketers know, a larger community means larger sales.
Use these incredible trends to give your small business the edge in a highly competitive market. Done properly, these business investments can be incorporated into a small budget. Over time, you'll reap the financial rewards!
Any more social media trends that you'd like to add to our list? Tell us about them below!