Somehow 2022 is finally just around the corner – do you feel equipped to deal with all of the new social media trends coming your way?

If not, let us lay some groundwork for you to be more than prepared to handle the changes that have already been initiated in 2021 and will only grow from here.

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Trend #1 – Short-Form Videos

TikTok has changed everything. 

We know that by now, right?

This happens from time to time in the social media space. A new functionality pops up on a new or existing platform and it completely changes the social landscape on all or most platforms.

This happened a few years ago with stories on Snapchat. Snapchat offered us this new innovative communication tool and it blew up. Eventually, Instagram adopted and improved this feature and now we see a story-capable option on most platforms.

TikTok is doing the same thing with short-form videos. 

And no, TikToks aren’t just silly dances and songs anymore, TikTok is full of all sorts of people using the platform to educate, entertain, and engage people of all ages and niches.

A huge aspect of TikTok is creativity and storytelling. Creativity comes into play with the trends that come and go on the app. Fitting your own content into the trending styles of video is huge.

Storytelling is also a key element of any kind of communication tool, especially when you have such a short amount of time in each segment. With videos coming in at three and one minutes or less, you need to get your point across quickly before people lose interest. They are already used to quick shots of quality content, don’t let it drag out.

In fact, some people say you only have 6 seconds to make an impression. So use a solid hook with your videos and get to the point quickly!

Another great way to increase watch-ability is to utilize captions. Some creators will actually put their captions directly on their videos using a manual text option so that they can repurpose them on all short-form video platforms. This is because the automated captions on TikTok will disappear if you download the video for use elsewhere. 

Trend #2: Social Element to Brands

These days people are looking for their brands to do more than sell to them. They have seen the light of brands taking a step into the social experience of consumers and they want more.

Brands these days make TikTok videos for fun, build communities people can meet others within, and join the conversation about what is important to their audience.

This is so important for ministries, non-profits, and spiritual leaders to recognize. If people are expecting their toiletry brands to walk the walk in environmental justice, they will expect even more from the ministries spreading hope, healing, and light in their life.

So know what is important to you as a community and even moreso, listen to what matters to your people as the social and political landscape changes. Speak up on these issues and provide opportunities for others to engage with one another.

Live into what matters with every move that you make as an organization and showcase how you are doing this online. People will be looking as actionable steps matter more and more to them.

Trend #3: Mobile-Use Escalates

Statistically, mobile-use has always been a high percentage of social media use overall. As short-form use grows, mobile-use is going to escalate as well.

This means two things for you right now.

First, get your website mobile-optimized. This means paying attention to the mobile preview in your web builder; make sure all menu options are navigable, call to action buttons actually take action and consider limiting video or photo displays in mobile as this could cause performance issues. 

Second, you need to make content native to the social platforms you are posting on.

You might have been able to get away with repurposing YouTube videos onto Instagram stories or TikTok for a while, but as more and more people get used to mobile-only experiences, they are going to need to see fast-paced, focused, vertical videos from you too.

The need for native-content means that you might not be able to stretch yourself as thin over as many platforms as you used to. Focusing in on the few platforms that are best for you reaching your audience is not a bad decision, especially if it makes you more effective at reaching them.

Trend #4: Social Media Continues to Expand

As people spend more and more time on the platform, marketers and businesses will spend more and more time and money on the platform. That means social media is going to become even more saturated than it already is. 

This makes it important to utilize analytics and insights with every post we make. You may think that you know what kind of posts your people prefer to engage in, but you need to use data to back up these assumptions.

With people spending additional time on social media platforms, there is also some added pressure to actually be present on whatever platform you choose to show up on. 

The more time people spend on the app, the longer it will seem like they waited for your reply if it takes a few days to get back to them. This doesn’t mean you have to spend every waking minute on your social media platforms, but it might mean that you need to give up some platforms that you’ve been less focused on and be more intentional about the ones you choose to be active on.

This will mean your people will have less of a wait time for responses, because it is easier for you to manage fewer platforms.

Again, no matter what platforms you choose to spend time on, make sure to be focused in on your analytics with all of your posting strategies.

Trend #5: VR is Not to Be Ignored

Last but not least, virtual reality.

With Facebook changing its overarching name to “Meta,” there have been a lot more conversations about the VR experience and what it might mean for communities moving forward.

We are in no way suggesting that you need to move on this right now, in December 2021 (though if you do, please be sure to let us know how it goes!).

However, don’t ignore it. Keep an ear out for people who start to lean into VR and listen for how it is working for them.

Pay attention. Too often we tend to give up on new technologies or new platforms simply because they seem strange or unlike anything we are used to. Instead of writing it off for these reasons, learn from it. 

There is a lot of opportunity in VR. Virtual worlds have performed incredibly well already in the gaming industry and there is much room for expansion. Particularly, there is opportunity for even deeper connections to be built without leaving the safety of your home. You may have particular thoughts and feelings about all of this, but our overall advice for now, in 2022, is simply to listen and refrain from ignoring it.

That’s it for now! 

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