If you browse the App Store, you will notice new social media platforms popping up seemingly out of nowhere. But how to know which ones you should watch in 2023?
Marketers should always keep up with the trends, so we have selected five social media platforms that you need to watch this year:
Table of Contents
1. Discord
Discord was known within the gaming community for years, but it exploded during the pandemic when more people started using this platform for chatting. Of course, Discord then started marketing not only to gamers but pretty much anyone who wanted to create a community.
This platform allows anyone to create a server and then use it for video calls, audio calls, sharing various content, and so on. So it is clear why it can be valuable to brands of all sizes. Marketers can create a server and then promote it to increase the number of members.
Additionally, sharing brand updates and promotional materials will be effortless on Discord. But most importantly, marketers can get feedback from the audience on their server, which could help them improve their brand in the future. Remember that you need to stay active on Discord and make regular posts.
2. TikTok
TikTok has seen a significant increase in new users in the last couple of years. As a matter of fact, they reached one billion active members in September 2021. While there are older users on this platform, the core audience is under thirty. If you want to expand your brand to a whole new demographic, TikTok is the way to go.
This platform allows you to create short videos, edit them, and share your work with the world. Users can search for the content they want to see by using hashtags. TikTok’s algorithm is pretty good, and their recommendations are often on point. But when you feel like you need some inspiration, the Discovery tab can open up the world of fun challenges and trending content.
Many brands have already hopped on the bandwagon and use TikTok for promotion. This platform allows you to be creative as well as trendy. The perfect example is the Washington Post which is currently a TikTok sensation.
If you want to start making TikToks, but don’t know where to start, check out your direct competition and what kind of videos they are making. Engaging with the audience is easy on TikTok – use your imagination and create quality content.
3. Instagram Reels
TikTok influenced the world of social media, and its success didn’t go unnoticed by the big players such as Facebook. Instagram Reels is their take on the TikTok format, and it looks like users are embracing it because it is the best way to grow a following right now.
When you launch Instagram Reels, you will immediately see how similar it is to TikTok. You pretty much have the same options, including songs, effects, transitions, etc. And not to forget – this platform is equally fun.
If you already run your brand’s Instagram profile, check out Reels and let your imagination run wild. It is a great way to announce a launch, introduce a new product, or give your audience some behind-the-scenes moments.
4. Twitter: The Power of Real-Time Engagement
When it comes to social media platforms, Twitter has long been a favorite among marketers. With its fast-paced nature and real-time updates, Twitter provides an unparalleled opportunity for brands to engage with their audience and stay on top of the latest trends.
One of the key strengths of Twitter lies in its ability to facilitate instant conversations. Marketers can jump into relevant discussions, respond to customer queries, and address concerns in real-time. This level of engagement not only helps build brand loyalty but also allows companies to showcase their industry expertise and establish themselves as thought leaders.
In 2023, Twitter has continued to evolve and introduce new features that further enhance the marketing potential of the platform. From the introduction of Spaces, which allows users to host live audio conversations, to the expansion of Twitter Fleets, ephemeral content similar to Instagram Stories, Twitter is ensuring that marketers have multiple ways to connect with their target audience.
Another notable development on Twitter is the rise of influencer marketing.
With the platform’s emphasis on real-time updates and trending topics, influencers play a crucial role in amplifying brand messages and reaching a wider audience. Marketers should keep a close eye on this trend and explore collaborations with influencers who align with their brand values and target audience.
Additionally, Twitter’s advertising options continue to evolve, providing marketers with more tools to reach their target audience effectively. From promoted tweets and trends to Twitter Ads campaigns, businesses can create highly targeted and engaging ads to drive traffic, increase brand awareness, and generate leads.
It’s important for marketers to understand the unique dynamics of Twitter, including the use of hashtags, engaging with trending topics, and optimizing content for the platform’s character count limit. By leveraging these strategies effectively, brands can tap into Twitter’s vast user base and maximize their visibility.
In conclusion, Twitter remains a powerful social media platform for marketers in 2023. Its real-time nature, emphasis on engagement, and evolving features make it an essential platform to watch. By staying updated with the latest trends on Twitter and leveraging its marketing potential, businesses can effectively connect with their target audience and drive meaningful results.
5. Reddit: The Front Page of the Internet
When it comes to social media platforms, one cannot overlook the immense influence and engagement that Reddit brings to the table. With its vast user base and diverse communities, Reddit has earned the reputation of being the “front page of the internet.” Marketers are increasingly recognizing the potential of tapping into this unique platform to connect with their target audience.
One of the key strengths of Reddit lies in its community-driven nature. Users can join various subreddits, which are niche communities centered around specific topics or interests.
This provides marketers with a valuable opportunity to engage with highly targeted audiences who share a common interest in their products or services. By becoming active participants in relevant subreddits, brands can establish credibility, build trust, and foster genuine connections with potential customers.
Furthermore, Reddit offers a wealth of user-generated content that can be harnessed by marketers. From product reviews and testimonials to creative campaigns and viral content, Reddit is a goldmine for gathering insights and generating ideas. By monitoring relevant subreddits and participating in discussions, brands can gain valuable feedback, identify consumer pain points, and refine their marketing strategies accordingly.
Another unique aspect of Reddit is its voting system, where users can upvote or downvote posts and comments. This system helps surface the most popular and relevant content, making it easier for marketers to identify trends and understand what resonates with their target audience.
By creating high-quality and engaging content that aligns with the interests of Reddit users, brands can increase their visibility and drive organic traffic to their websites or landing pages.
It’s important for marketers to approach Reddit with authenticity and respect for the community guidelines. Blatant self-promotion or spamming can quickly backfire and harm a brand’s reputation. Instead, marketers should focus on providing value, sharing valuable insights, answering questions, and engaging in meaningful conversations.
By establishing themselves as trusted contributors, brands can leverage the power of Reddit to build brand awareness and loyalty.
In conclusion, Reddit offers a unique platform for marketers to connect with highly targeted audiences and tap into the power of user-generated content. By actively participating in relevant subreddits, providing valuable insights, and maintaining a genuine and respectful presence, brands can leverage Reddit’s influential community to drive engagement, increase brand visibility, and ultimately achieve their marketing goals.
6. Twitch
Even though most of us associate Twitch with gaming, this platform offers so much more. Launched in 2011, it has been steadily growing since then. While video games such as World of Warcraft, CS: GO, and Overwatch are among the most viewed ones, it is not uncommon to stumble upon cooking shows, arts and crafts, music, and so on.
According to Twitch, 70% of their users are between the ages of 16 and 35, meaning the audience is young. The Twitch community is incredibly supportive and tight-knit, which is one of the reasons why this platform continues to grow even now.
Content creators like Twitch because of how easily they can connect to their audience. Most importantly, these creative individuals can live from their hard work. The platform offers subscriptions and donations, as well as ad placements.
7. Youtube Shorts
YouTube is one of the most popular and influential platforms for marketing your business, product, or service. Companies upload videos to promote their products and services and create eye-catching banners that will act as advertisements for their brands. YouTube has introduced a new feature in its app called YouTube Short Videos.
The feature allows video makers and marketers to upload videos between 1 and 10 minutes. This change benefits both video makers and marketers because it helps them save time while still allowing them to reach out to their target audience.
You can use these features for marketing by creating quality content that engages your audience and helps you sell your products/services. You can create a full-screen experience showing off your brand and letting viewers get the most out of your video.
For example, if you’re making a promo video for an event, you could take advantage of the full-screen experience to show off photos or images related to the event. You can also use it as an opportunity to ask questions, create polls or games, and drive engagement with your audience.
Staying safe on social media platforms
Remember that social media platforms could still be dangerous to your business, so ensure you stay safe. Given the number of users who log in every day, there has to be someone trying to get their hands on the confidential information. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Don’t open any suspicious links you get in DMs. These could be phishing attempts. Ignore them and move on.
- Use a VPN. This service relies on encryption, meaning that all your traffic will be useless to a third party once you switch to a VPN online. Not to forget that a VPN online can also change or hide your IP address. Therefore, no one will know your location. Explore the best VPN solutions at PrivacyJournal.
- Choose a strong password. When creating a new social media profile, it is crucial to use a new password. Include special characters, numbers, uppercase letters, etc. If you can’t remember your login information, some VPN online services offer password managers as a part of the subscription.
