Blog Layout
BACK
Social Media Trends in 2021
Taylor Tunnison • Dec 31, 2020

The new year is approaching quickly, and while you may be enjoying some down time right now, chances are you’re also eager to get back to work and hit the ground running in 2021. 


To help you accomplish that, Hootsuite’s latest annual social media report highlights the trends which will influence how you drive traffic to your site, increase app downloads, engage new customers, get to know multiple audiences, and generate leads from your Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter activity over the next 12 months. Here are a few of the most important points. 

1. Diverse Messaging

Do you publish similar content out across every social media platform? Do you consider your audience demographic when creating those messages? If not, expect to spend much more time over the next year thinking about how you can precisely adapt to a variety of viewers. According to Hootsuite, this is a trend we can expect to see more of thanks to the growing presence of new demographics on social media platforms. Its report cites baby boomers as increasingly avid online media users in 2020, but this demographic is not traditionally targeted by brands. Interestingly, it is noted that this demographic has also fared better financially than other generations this year, which could persuade many brands to overcome their prejudices and alter their digital strategy to include them.

2. Prioritize Purpose

We have recently witnessed how consumers expect brands to champion the worthy causes that matter to them. In 2021, this will likely translate into businesses more carefully considering their overall purpose and being more transparent about the movements they support across their social media activity. This may also carry through to other areas of marketing, such as an organization’s branding, app and website activity, or charitable initiatives. It’s apparent that consumers will respond to conscious and expressive messaging, so it’s up to businesses to clearly communicate their goals and values directly to sympathetic audiences.

3. Encourage Digital Experiences

Global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic have halted many in-person experiences which sustain both businesses and consumers. With no clear or straightforward timeframe in sight for the return of engaging physical events, social media has a crucial role to play in bridging the gap. Think about how your business can replace some of the more traditional events you may have previously hosted with digital equivalents. For example, this could mean frequently going live on Facebook, utilizing Instagram stories, hosting online classes, webinars, or virtual meet and greets, as well as generally recording more videos. The most successful brands will adapt and maintain their personality and enthusiasm, regardless of the medium. Content is king, as you may well know, and this leveraging this trend will continue to be critical as we face this extended period of uncertainty.

4. Personalize Conversations 

Social media use soared during the year 2020, and even now, as many individuals choose to remain distant from friends and loved ones, it has an essential role to play. As people spend more time on social media, finding a way to contribute to the conversation by engaging in constructive dialogue with your audience is indispensable. Since each channel offers a unique opportunity to deliver targeted, impactful messaging to diverse crowds, personalized social media engagement should therefore be of primary concern moving forward. 


Consumers demand that businesses maintain a digital presence now more than ever. Online shopping, responsive feedback, and social media engagement will be standard practices in 2021 and beyond. If businesses aren’t prepared to meet their markets online, they risk falling behind or being replaced.

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

Maximizing Conversions Through Seamless UX and Smart Web Development

By Rachel Hayden • 31 Oct, 2024
Let’s face it - we all probably spend a lot more time online than we actually should. Since we spend a lot of time online, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their online presence to engage their audience and increase their conversions. Whether you're driving traffic to your site through paid ads, organic search, or social media, the ultimate goal is to turn those visitors into loyal customers. This process relies on two elements: user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). Let’s get into how you can maximize conversions through seamless UX and smart web development. The Importance of UX in Digital Marketing  User experience (UX) is the foundation upon which every successful website is built. Immediate satisfaction and convenience have become the new norm, so users have little patience for websites that are slow, hard to navigate, or confusing. A seamless UX allows users to explore your site, find the information they need, and take action—whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your sales team. Here’s how a smooth UX affects conversions: 1. Fast Loading Times Even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. A fast-loading website improves user experience and helps with SEO rankings, driving more organic traffic to your site. 2. Intuitive Navigation When visitors come to your website, they should be able to find what they’re looking for with little effort. Thoughtfully designed menus, prominent calls-to-action (CTAs), and logical flow all contribute to a smooth experience. Clear navigation allows users to easily move through your site, increasing the chances that they’ll follow through on your conversion goals. 3. Responsive Design With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential that your website is responsive and optimized for all screen sizes. A mobile-optimized website guarantees that visitors have a smooth experience, regardless of the device they’re using. 4. Clear Calls-to-Action A clear and persuasive CTA stands out and encourages users to take the next step—whether it’s signing up, making a purchase, or contacting your business. The placement, color, and copy of your CTAs should align with the user journey and make it easy for visitors to take action. Smart Web Development to Drive Conversions While great UX is essential, it’s only part of the equation. The technical aspects of web development play a role in ensuring that your website functions efficiently. 1. Optimized Code and Performance The foundation of any high-performing website lies in its code. Clean, well-optimized code allows for fast loading times and a better user experience. Deleting unnecessary scripts, optimizing images, and utilizing modern coding frameworks can help you create a website that performs at its best. 2. SEO Best Practices Effective web development goes hand in hand with search engine optimization (SEO). From the technical setup of your site’s build to ensuring proper use of meta tags and alt text for images, smart web development makes it easier for search engines to index your content and rank your site higher. Higher rankings lead to more organic traffic, giving you a greater chance of converting those visitors into customers. 3. User-Centric Design with Personalization Web development isn’t just about functionality—it’s about crafting a personalized experience for each user. Try incorporating elements like dynamic content, custom recommendations, and personalized user flows to create an experience that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your target audience. Personalized experiences lead to increased engagement, which in turn drives higher conversion rates. 4. Analytics and Conversion Tracking To optimize your conversions, you should track and analyze user behavior on your site. Smart web development involves integrating analytics tools so you can gain valuable insights into how users interact with your site. You can monitor metrics like bounce rate, click-through rate , and conversion paths so you continuously refine your website to maximize its effectiveness. How True North Technologies Helps Maximize Conversions At True North Technologies, we combine seamless UX with smart web development practices to help your business achieve its digital marketing goals. By understanding your target audience and objectives, we create websites that not only look great but also perform at their best. Our goal is to deliver a digital experience that engages visitors and drives results. Contact True North Technologies today and let us help you maximize conversions and boost your digital marketing strategy.

Understanding How Facebook Updates Impact Your Metrics

By Rachel Hayden • 08 Oct, 2024
Facebook, as one of the largest social media platforms, frequently updates its algorithms and features, impacting how users reach their audiences and measure success. Because of the fast-paced updates, it’s important to stay up to date about platform changes in order to keep an effective online presence. Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics can help you navigate the world of social media successfully. The Shift in Content Prioritization One of the most notable changes has been Facebook's shift in prioritizing content from your friends over public posts from businesses. This adjustment means that even well-crafted posts from business pages may not reach their intended audiences as expected. As a result, many companies are seeing a decline in organic reach, which directly affects engagement metrics like their likes, shares, and comments. The Rise of an AI-Powered Algorithm Facebook's algorithm is now fully AI-powered and more complex than ever before. It looks at many different factors to determine what content is shown to users, like user's engagement history, post relevance, and user behavior. Each piece of content is assigned a "relevance score," which influences its visibility in the News Feed. Content that fits well with user interests and creates meaningful interactions is favored. Clickbait and Spam Reduction Facebook has added measures to reduce the reach of clickbait and spammy posts in its effort to improve user experience. If your content is perceived as misleading or low-quality, it may be docked in the algorithm. Try focusing on producing authentic and valuable content to avoid falling into this category. Understanding the Click-Gap Metric Another big update we’ve seen is the introduction of the " Click-Gap " metric. This metric assesses the popularity of posts on Facebook compared to their performance elsewhere online. If a post is gaining traction solely on Facebook without external validation, its reach might be limited. Promoting content across multiple platforms will help establish credibility and encourage broader engagement. Plus, you might be missing out on a part of your target audience if you’re not utilizing multiple relevant social media platforms. Content Saturation and Paid Advertising The large amount of content shared on Facebook daily creates a competitive environment where individual posts can easily get lost. As organic reach declines, the importance of paid advertising has grown. Facebook’s promotion of paid posts can decrease your organic reach as well. To make sure your content is seen by the right audience, it’d be a good idea to consider investing in targeted ads. Why Engagement Metrics and KPIs Matter Engagement metrics are key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect how well your content resonates with your audience. High engagement rates indicate that your posts are being seen and appreciated, offering you valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Engagement builds community and brand loyalty within your audience and serves as a KPI for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Ways to Navigate Facebook Update Consider using these strategies to navigate the impact of Facebook updates on your metrics: Create Relevant Content: Focus on producing content that encourages meaningful interactions with your audience. Use engaging visuals, informative posts, and storytelling to catch your audience's attention. Use Facebook Stories: Stories are a popular feature that allows for more immediate engagement. Use them to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions to encourage interaction. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages to add a more personable touch to your online presence. Ask questions and create polls for user participation. Invest in Paid Advertising: Consider investing in targeted Facebook Ads or other social ads to boost visibility and reach your desired audience, especially when organic reach is declining. Track Performance Regularly: Use Facebook Insights to monitor your metrics closely. Identify which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Data-driven marketing is always more effective! Let True North Refresh Your Social Strategy Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their social media marketing. Adapting to changes in the algorithm and focusing on quality engagement will help you navigate your social strategies more effectively. At True North Technologies, we’re here to help you refine your social media strategy and maximize your impact on Facebook. Contact us today and see how we can help you reach your goals!

Why Data-Driven Marketing is More Effective

By Rachel Hayden • 03 Sep, 2024
In marketing, simply casting a wide net and hoping for the best is like shooting arrows in the dark. Rather than throwing messages out there and hoping it resonates with someone, a data-driven approach allows you to allocate your efforts more effectively. By taking advantage of data collection, you can target your audience with precision, optimize your budget, and refine your strategies based on real performance metrics. Here’s why data-driven marketing is more effective: 1. Precision Targeting and Personalization Data-driven marketing allows for precise audience targeting . Businesses can segment their audience more accurately and tailor their messaging by analyzing consumer behavior, preferences, and demographics. This level of personalization increases the relevance of your marketing efforts, making it more likely that your message will resonate with individual consumers. Personalized marketing boosts engagement and enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 2. Improved ROI and Budget Allocation A key benefit of data-driven marketing is the ability to measure and optimize return on investment (ROI). With access to detailed analytics, you can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and make data-backed decisions to allocate your budget more effectively. By identifying which channels and strategies yield the highest returns, you can focus your resources on the most impactful areas, ensuring a more efficient use of your marketing budget. 3. Enhanced Decision-Making and Strategy Data-driven marketing empowers businesses to make informed decisions based on concrete evidence rather than intuition. Data helps you understand what works and what doesn’t so you’re able refine your strategies. The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, emerging trends, and shifting consumer preferences will ensure your marketing efforts remain relevant and effective. 4. Real-Time Performance Tracking With data-driven marketing, you gain access to real-time performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), offering immediate feedback on your campaigns. This instant visibility into KPIs allows you to identify and address issues swiftly, make necessary adjustments, and capitalize on opportunities as they arise. Real-time tracking of these key metrics helps you maintain the agility needed to stay competitive in a dynamic market environment. 5. Better Customer Insights Data analytics offer valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences , helping you understand your audience on a deeper level. Analyzing patterns in customer interactions, purchase history, and feedback can uncover trends and insights that inform your marketing strategies. These insights help you meet customer needs and create stronger consumer relationships by delivering relevant and timely content. More Than Marketing At True North Technologies, we specialize in data collection and analytics to drive marketing success. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you leverage data analytics to create targeted, personalized, and effective marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. From advanced analytics and performance tracking to strategic optimization, we provide comprehensive solutions to elevate your marketing efforts.
Share by: