If there is one thing the 2010s will be remembered for, it’s the decade when technology became fused into our daily lives.
In 2010 only 28% of the world had access to internet-enabled technology, but by .
Today, in 2020, the ways we use technology continue to evolve. New consumer habits and technology tools emerge that change the way we live our lives. Here are five important trends to be aware of in 2020.
1) Micro-Influencers
It used to be that the more famous you were, the more influence you had. Big-name celebrities were the only people who could appear in advertising campaigns.
However, with the rise of social media, that began to change. The rise of shows that you can grow a business based on social media trust and influence.
Today, the ability to influence a group of people has been made available at a much smaller scale. A micro-influencer is anybody who has .
Many people today garner a following based upon specific interests or even around themselves. These micro-influencers can be valuable for marketing is that they are much more connected to their audience, and are typically experts in their particular topic (e.g., fitness, fashion, or travel).
For businesses that want to partner with a micro-influencer, they can offer easier targeting for test audiences. You can grow a following for your brand or company by doing some paid sponsorships.
2) TikTok Takeover
Every few years, a new social media platform takes hold of youth culture. Twenty years ago, it was Myspace; 15 years ago, it was Facebook. Five years ago, it was Instagram. Today, it is TikTok.
By now, you have likely head something about TikTok and the way it is taking hold of the youth market. In 2020, on the platform and is growing incredibly quickly.
What makes TikTok a little different than platforms like Facebook and Instagram is the entertainment factor. Most TikTok posts are based around bite-sized music, comedy, or niche interests. There is no ability to share, and although comments are available, they have less impact than on other platforms.
TikTok is giving tools to a new generation of creators. In 2020, celebrities are now getting on board the TikTok train. As a result, the ability to advertise on TikTok is now available.
Whether the TikTok platform can continue to sustain the growth it has seen over the next few years will remain to be seen. The fact that a non-US company owns TikTok may also limit its ability to grow over the long term in the US market.
3) Live Streaming Content
Alongside social media, perhaps the other most significant trend in entertainment is online streaming.
Thanks to companies such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBOGO, and now AppleTV+ and Disney+, there is a vast variety of streaming content available.
In 2017, the volume of streaming subscriptions surpassed Cable television for the first time.
Alongside the rise of entertainment agencies, there is also a rise in , Mixer, among others. Twitch itself has over 15 Million daily twitch viewers.
Video game streaming offers a long-form daily entertainment alternative to popular entertainment. Some viewers will tune into Twitch streams for over 5 hours a day. The interactivity aspect of live chat keeps viewers watching and builds enormous brand trust with the individual streamers.
For advertisers looking to capitalize, it is worth watching this streaming trend as it continues to grow in potential.
4) Messenger Apps and Chatbots
During the past fifteen years, one significant cultural shift that has taken place is messaging people instead of calling them. It is a lot harder to get people to answer the phone than it is to get them to reply to a message. On average, there are over in the US.
With this massive shift in societal behavior, it was inevitable that text messaging would become a part of the business world as well. Companies now use text messaging to confirm appointments, send delivery information, and to promote their services.
Chatbots are also becoming more mainstream. Platforms such as Facebook Messenger allow chatbots to take care of essential functions for customers. These functions can include answering frequently asked questions, confirming bookings, and offering information. This gives companies efficiency and also adds an extra layer of customer service.
5) Story Ads (IG and Facebook)
In October 2013, Snapchat launched a new feature called Stories. The ability to share brief videos and photos that documented daily activities became a big part of the App’s success.
In August 2016, Instagram took a surprising turn by adding stories into the platform. Initially derided as a knock-off, Instagram Stories soon became a staple function of the platform. Instagram Stories hit 100 million daily users by 2017, and by 2019 over 400 Million people are using.
Ironically, the popularity of Instagram Stories has decreased the use of the main feed for a lot of users. However, the rise in attention for Insta Stories also means an opportunity for advertising. Instagram and Facebook Story ads are now available as another way to capture brand attention.
Video-based ads on Instagram and Facebook can play for 15 seconds, and photo ads will last 5 seconds. The advertisements are interspersed with regular Instagram Stories, so they tend to have high engagement levels.
Moving forward, Story Ads may become more popular than their predecessor and are worth watching in the years ahead.
2020 is an exciting time to be in business. The technology available to all of us means we have a level playing field to compete with the largest companies. As with all technology trends, the only way to stay on top of them is to keep experimenting.
While not all these ideas and approaches may be as valuable in a year or five years, they still offer a chance to capitalize now.
Want to grow your business in 2020? Brandastic is a digital marketing agency with offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Austin. We specialize in helping companies improve their online presence and increase revenue. Contact us today to get started.
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