Social media has come a long way since the days when MySpace ruled the internet...
Instead of taking you on a trip down memory lane and lets face it, embarrassing photos, we'll discuss what social media is going to look like in 2016 and how your business can adapt its social media strategy.
Having come a long way before we even arrive at 2016, we know it's easy to just stick with what you know, rather than review the new trends and continuing developments.
To make your job easier, we've collated the evidence and opinions of experts - including our own discoveries and opinions - to help you shape your company's future social media strategy...
Although Twitter is not as old as its competitors, i.e. Facebook, it has certainly developed fast to ensure it stays ahead of the latest trends and ways in which its audience use the platform. It's only fair that its users follow suit and update their Twitter strategy to match...
Usually being polite is something we are all for! But the social media experts at Thrive think it would be best for your business refrain from thanking all of those lovely people who 'follow' and 'retweet' you. Obviously, if someone reputable in your industry follows you it's understandable you may want to say hello!
Say goodbye to the automated direct messages, we have all received that DM from someone with the 'via. @unfollow' ending. Do any of us really pay real attention to them? No, probably not, so let's all make a pact to clear the inboxes and start afresh for 2016!
Be visual - the modern day social media surfers are very image-orientated. Try to use eye catching images, GIFs and videos wherever you can, that are relevant to your content and company personality.
People have become accustomed to overshare, but for 2016 we suggest adopting the 'less is more' approach. Educate and inform fellow tweeters about your business, products, services and ethos in bite size amounts - and do it sparingly too. So, instead of posting five messages a day, only post two statuses that are informative and intriguing.
Don't be afraid of clicking that blue button! Get 'retweet' happy in 2016, share industry news, local news, customers messages, etc. It helps to make your Twitter feed look alive and varied.
TIP: Retweeting has changed - Use the bottom 'Copy Link to Tweet' and paste it into your reply - it's the new way to RT, sharing the information, adding your own comment and still sharing the original tweet - all in one! Easy peasy!
Facebook has definitely adapted over the years and has recently become more business-friendly. How can you liven up your Facebook business page for 2016...?
Let's start with competitions, don't get me wrong a #FreebieFriday or #WinItWednesday on Twitter can be very successful. But that doesn't mean we should overlook the power of a good Facebook competition!
Make your competitions interactive, like sharing silly photos or sending funny facts, etc. This will make your competition stand out and make people more likely to 'share' it with their friends.
I think being visual is something that can be said for all social media platforms in 2016, make your Facebook posts stand out with eye-catching images, GIFs and videos so that your post is noticeable to someone scrolling through your News Feed.
If you are holding any form of event make sure you create a Facebook event, it's a good way for people to learn more about your event and find out how they can take part or attend. You can - and should - promote the event page through all of your social media platforms to help attract attention.
Some people are separating their work and personal life online by using LinkedIn as their professional social side and platforms like Twitter and Facebook for their personal side. Why not improve your Company Pages (and Showcase Pages) on LinkedIn to guarantee your professional online reputation...?
Give people the answers they're looking for to business challenges, by sharing blogs, uploading articles on your personal - but professional - LinkedIn profile and share links to your downloadable resources too! Optimise your Company Page to ensure it provides the answers, your connections are looking for and also the options to contact you further.
Engage with your customers - I have seen a number of Company Pages where a customer has wrote something very complimentary about a business and they have not responded. It is a social media platform, after all, so don't forget to be social!
Don't overshare, stick to a plan of posting out industry or company relevant information from your Company Page on a manageable business. LinkedIn isn't Twitter and News Feeds shouldn't be bombarded like a Twitter Feed can be! It could put people off following your page and that's the last thing we want!
What's next?
Now that you know what the 'dos and don'ts' are for the year ahead, adapt your social media strategy accordingly to fit in with your new schedules, content and ideas. Don't wait until January, but think ahead and prepare your business' social media so that from the 'get go' you're playing the game the way it should be played!
