August 2022 Digital Marketing Trends
As social media and online databases release continuous new updates - our team is committed to staying up to date on ALL the latest updates and trends.
Here's what we are seeing this month:
Video Marketing
Let's start with the scariest and go from there.
It's no secret that many business owners shy away from video marketing.
NO ONE loves being in front of the camera - so this update may be the scariest for you.
Don't worry - we can help you!
For the last two years, Mark Zuckerberg has broadcasted that "video is the future of digital marketing." Meta has released numerous tools across Facebook and Instagram to assist businesses - and users - with video creation. For most of our small business owners - video marketing hasn't been a priority. That is - until now. We often look at major brands to determine what works for them - and what will work best for our clients.
Here are some video marketing trends we are seeing today:
- Amazon is now implementing video marketing into its listing strategy.
Perform a simple search for a product on Amazon and you may see several GIF-style product photos as the thumbnail for products.
- Instagram has turned off "video posts" and turned on "all videos are now reels." This might make your life a little easier if you are already posting video content - as you won't need to create a video post AND a Reel.
What's the difference between a video post and a Reel you ask? Great question. Video Posts are shown to your current followers. Reels are shown to a much broader audience. Video Posts acquire new followers. Reels increase your reach but don't always generate new followers.
- Templates have been added to TikTok! This makes creating batch content super quick and easy. Remember - everything is content. Your followers want to see the good, bad, ugly, anything and everything relating to your business.
- Don't forget about LinkedIn - if you are in a profession that makes sense to promote on LinkedIn, video content has been performing great for the last few years.
We are currently running a special for our social media marketing clients!
Video Marketing can be easily added to your monthly package for an introductory price of $250. This includes 4 :15 - :30 second videos created and uploaded to Instagram Reels & TikTok.
Reach out to us today to add this limited-time special to your current package.
Search Engine Optimization
Chances are you have heard of SEO. The old days of performing SEO are quickly changing - as Gen Z is turning to Instagram & TikTok as search engines vs Google.
What does this mean for you? All that money and time you invested into building your website's SEO is only going to target Millennials and older generations.
The time to invest in your social media marketing strategy is NOW - so you are found and seen by Gen Z. Now, if Gen Z is not your target market TODAY - you may have some time to adjust to this change. However, if your target market is Gen Z - we have a lot of work to do together.
Not sure if your account is being seen? Let's set up some time for a brief social media audit of your account together!
Two Factor Authentication + Hackers
Hackers have always been prevalent in the digital space - but now they are coming for your Personal Account. Here's a little horror story to convince you to stop reading this right now and go set up two-factor authentication.
It's 7AM. Amanda's alarm is blaring in her ear next to the bed.
She reaches over and hits snooze - then opens her Facebook App for her morning news feed.
As soon as she taps the Facebook App an error message appears across the entire application.
"Your account has been disabled and is scheduled for deletion."
Wait - what? Panic immediately sets in.
Amanda begins to frantically dig through her emails to see what the heck happened to her account - only to find that while she was sleeping her personal account was hacked by someone overseas.
They posted content that was immediately flagged by bots as "sex trafficking of minors."
Now Amanada experiences even more panic.
The time is 7:30AM. She has to get to the shop to open up so she grabs a quick energy drink at the gas station and rushes to open the shop.
She pulls up the computer at her checkout to investigate even further.
There are links to submit an appeal - but none of the links will allow her to actually "submit" anything.
She can't access her Personal Account - and now has no way to post her specials for the shop for the day or announce that she is open.
Since she is a one-woman show - there are no other users listed as Admin on her Facebook Business Page.
She has 7,000 followers that she worked hard for many years to build.
Deep fear begins to set in.
Since she is the only Admin on her business account - when her personal account is deleted - so will her business page.
She has no way to alert her 7,000 followers.
One day her Business Page was there - the next, it's gone.
Along with all of her followers - aka paying customers.
They have no way to find her business now. She didn't collect email addresses so she has no way to notify them.
Not only are her personal photos from her honeymoon, children's births, and the only photos she has of her grandma who recently passed GONE - but so is her business's online presence that she worked so hard to grow.
Don't be like Amanda. Set up two-factor authentication right now.
Two-Factor Authentication is available on all social media platforms, online banking, and even available on your Amazon account.
TFA requires that when an unknown IP address attempts to log in with your credentials - a code will be sent to you via text message or email.
That code must be entered in order to access your account.
This stops hackers and bots right in their tracks.
Did all of these recent updates scare you straight into spooky season?
Great - let's talk Seasonal Marketing Planning!
The leaves are just now beginning to fall from the trees in Kentucky - but if you haven't created and scheduled your fall marketing plan you are already behind.
If you've ever seen America's Next Top Model you know that winter content is shot in the summer, and summer content is shot in the winter.
We definitely feel for those models lying in freezing cold swimming pools, but they aren't wrong when it comes to advance planning.
Fall promotions should begin launching in August.
Winter promotions should launch in October.
Think about the holiday aisles in local grocery stores. When do they put their Halloween candy on shelves? When does Christmas first make its appearance?
That's when your business should also begin promoting these seasonal specials.
The same rings true with social media marketing. By now you have likely been flooded with Pumpkin Spice and Shacket posts.
Does your strategy also include these items or are you still posting about lake days and summer vibes?
If you need assistance with your social media marketing strategy - we are here to help. We offer options tailored to your individual needs - so there is no *pumpkin* cookie cutter plan.
We are currently offering our limited-time 3-month contract option for businesses looking for assistance with their holiday promotion planning & execution! Reach out to one of our team members today to learn more.
That's a wrap on August 2022 Digital Marketing Trends from The Social Boutique - Marketing Agency!
For more information on our services and how we can assist your business feel free to reach out today.
