The Future of Social media

As this class is coming to an end, the last chapter we had our quiz on was based around the future of social media. Now sometimes I think oh you ca't improve social media THAT much. But when I look back at the app updates for snapchat and instagram, there is so much more social media has in store for us. I mean just a few years ago we were on skype, AOL, and my space. Now we have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest.

Social media isn’t going to disappear. In fact, almost 42 percent of the world’s population has at least one social media account, according to new reports from We Are Social and Hootsuite. But, “the new social” doesn’t aim to target everybody anymore. Instead, the future is niche, as more networks arise to unite people who share a common interest -- whether they are neighbors, parents, women, shoppers, entrepreneurs or members of any other group. Despite their latest efforts to curb the reach of brands and marketers, traditional social networks have become less about people. They've failed their users by selling their data to advertisers, causing a wide range of adverse and long-term side effects. As a business owner or personal brand, you need to be aware of these changes and adapt your content to keep up with these trends, especially as new social platforms become more user-oriented than their predecessors. I have done some research of what I think could be the future platforms for social media and what will become more popular with each generation to come. Next week I will talk about the other side of the future in the more technology aspect, so stay tuned!

In this context, any social media platform that provides its users with a more personal experience is more likely to gain a place in their lives. This new wave of social media is ready to capture the attention of internet users and, as these media grow, they will open new business opportunities for marketers and advertisers. For example I found a new women-only social network, FindSisterhood, for instance, allows users to discuss personal issues from entirely anonymous accounts. The platform encourages women to ask any question, with no barriers. That feature makes this social network a goldmine of valuable insights for marketers. Anonymity is what allows users to be candid, and that could prove to be very fruitful for businesses. Let’s say your company wants to know more about the lifestyle of your target market. Simply ask the right questions and you’ll get all the information you need, to build an effective marketing strategy. The social platform also uses sentiment analysis for content analytics. So, you can track hot topics in a specific geographical area and the reactions those topics generate.

A new social media for the future is that businesses can find potential customers with NextDoor, a safe platform where users can easily exchange information with their neighbors. It’s an effective way to keep up with everything that’s going on in a given neighborhood. Since the app uses geographical location to display posts from other users in the area, it’s a goldmine for finding people nearby. Marketers may find this app difficult to monetize at the beginning because the platform checks all addresses before accepting an account, through a procedure similar to the one used by Google My Business. Once businesses gain a foothold, they can track discussions in the neighborhood and identify the topics that generate engagement in the area. The platform can also be used to drive targeted traffic to websites or blogs and raise awareness on specific topics related to the community.  

Many internet users are looking for smaller platforms, for more authentic interactions with their friends, families and followers.Users want platforms that have no algorithms in place to filter information and that have a higher purpose than just a place where users can chat and share viral videos. Care2 is such a place. It's a community of around 30 million members. That’s eight times less than the size of Facebook in the United States but that doesn’t necessarily make it less powerful as a marketing tool. Care2 users are looking for ways to change the world for the better. Its main topics are petitions, causes and healthy living. Care2 also promotes brands willing to support causes and get involved in the lives of their communities.The platform opens up a different kind of business opportunity for brands looking to connect with members using those people's core values. The intent is to make things more personal, which is exactly what internet users are looking for when they switch from the giants to smaller social media.

The future of social media lies in one-on-one conversations with your fans and followers, exchanges in which they not only want to take part but take the lead. The less intrusive you are as a business,  the higher your chances will be of building a substantial community around your brand, getting new leads and increasing conversions.