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Social media always seems to be in a state of change – it’s constantly evolving to meet the demands and expectations of users while also trying to keep up with the competition.
As we move into 2023, it is evident that there will be a change in the social media landscape from the tendencies observed in 2022. Brands need to take this into consideration when planning their social media strategy for next year.
Social media is vital for retailers in the fashion and lifestyle industry to connect with customers and that is not going to change. Research in early 2022 showed that every single one of your customers turns to social media platforms for inspiration before they make fashion or lifestyle purchases. Therefore, investing time and effort into building a strong social media presence is key to business success.
As 2022 comes to a close, let’s take a look at what we can expect for 2023.
What are the social media trends for 2023?
1. Authenticity 2.0
Instagram’s transition to favor videos instead of photos seemed sudden to a lot of people…or did it? We all know that video has been climbing the trend lists for awhile now, but 2021 showed us that audiences are craving posts that feel more authentic and current. In order to rebuild relationships between brands and consumers who have become increasingly distrustful, social media users want content they can connect with on a personal level. These posts should come from real personalities or organizations rather than faceless entities.
With the frequency of conversations on this topic, you might be wondering why it made a list of trends for 2023. However, in 2023 and beyond, people are going to want brands and creators that they can trust even more than before.
True-to-life, impromptu content is what audiences seem to be drawn to lately, as seen with the popularity of TikTok and BeReal.
The more natural looks that have been appearing on Instagram lately will continue to grow in popularity, as people increasingly share candid photos and dump several pics at a time instead of the carefully curated images we’re used to seeing.
As more social media platforms invest in social commerce, there are plenty of opportunities for brands to take advantage of the live video format.
2. TikTok…but better
Even though it’s not exactly new, TikTok is making waves and setting records. People used to think of it as simply a dance app or a voiceover app, but now that it has 30.8 million daily users, people are starting to take notice. If brands want to be successful on this platform, they need to step up their game.
We believe that in 2023, TikTok will be a much more competitive platform as brands start to take it seriously. Right now, we see the same mistakes happening on both Instagram and TikTok content-wise. For example, sometimes people repost other people’s content without giving credit or having permission to do so. Or, another common mistake is when influencers use the same strategies for both platforms instead of tailoring their content specifically for each one. As younger generations come into financial independence and older consumers join TikTok, we think this trend will continue until there’s MORE competition on the platform overall.
It’s vital that we see brands using social content for entertainment instead of as advertising, including on channels they own. The sooner you start, the better off you’ll be.
3. Interactivity is a must
Social media platforms are continuously changing the ways in which brands can interact with their customers and followers. By introducing new methods of engagement, these platforms hope to create a more social environment. Those who utilize these features will be rewarded accordingly.
The recent changes to popular social media platforms make it clear that interactive content is the way of the future.
Instead of being anxious about this change, brands should see it as a chance to create real relationships with their audience. These new tools will help you do so more efficiently and cheaply than in years past.
A fantastic way to connect with your viewers is by having Q&A sessions in your stories or on your Instagram or TikTok reels. You can use these as opportunities to show the advantages of your product, service, or account through answering questions. Additionally, this will help you build a bigger audience base.
With users now more than ever before expressing disdain for the number of ads they’re bombarded with on social media (usually to the detriment of content from brands and individuals that they actually choose to follow), this is an excellent opportunity for your brand to set itself apart from the rest.
4. The human touch
In 2023, we predict that brands will become more humanized in their approach to social media. This will look like two different methods being used interchangeably- either UGC (user-generated content) or IGC along with a new perspective on brand content. The businesses who succeed will be the ones able to effectively use both of these together as one fluid strategy.
By taking advantage of peer-to-peer communication and focusing on content that stars average users instead of models, more traditional brands will begin to follow the example set by their digital native peers.
We anticipate that, as social media provides a more casual environment favored by users, more brands will take advantage of this opportunity. These brands will become interactive and responsive, using a conversational tone to present a more personable front; consequently, their content will show the inner workings of the business rather than maintaining the polished exterior we typically see from businesses.
It is evident from both platforms and users that we want authenticity as we shift into 2023. Keep in mind though that this will appear different on various platforms – for example, Instagram users are more understanding of content compiled for the sake of aesthetics. If companies want to keep their viewers, they’re going to have to try a lot harder than before.
FAQ for TikTok Reels for Businesses
1. Are reels good for business?
Utilizing TikTok Reels is an excellent way to make your business more visible to its target audience. Additionally, it can also assist you in expanding your follower base and increasing rates of engagement. And the truth is, if you want to be competitive in 2023, it’s absolutely time to invest time into TikTok reels.
2. Why are reels important for business?
Reels offer brands a chance to show their personality in a fun, easily digestible way. Since the short-video format debuted in 2020, creators have used it to dramatically boost their social media presence.
3. Can businesses use audio on reels?
To avoid any copyright issues, brands often use TikTok’s royalty-free music library for their trending sound needs.
4. What’s the difference between a personal and business TikTok account?
With a Personal Account, you have access to both regular and commercial libraries of sounds. Business accounts only have access to the commercial sounds library, which is full of free content that can be used for profit.
