Gone are the days when a scheduled Tweet or an arty Instagram pic could put your brand on the social media map; as we enter the new year we see consumers craving authenticity and meaning from brands, with Gen Z leading the way.

Passive is in the past, audiences want to be involved and engaged with brands, and communication is a two way street. Snackable content continues to come up trumps, with augmented reality and AI following close behind. As channels develop and new tools emerge, these are just some of the trends we’re talking about in the office.

Insta-success
Following on from 2018, we’re all about that ‘gram life. With more organic reach than any other social platform, Instagram is a great way to connect with your consumers.
It’s no secret that Instagram are prioritising video content and consumers are really engaging with updated features; from boomerangs and superzooms to IGTV, it’s all to play for.

Candid Consumers
2019 will see brands striving for authenticity, so say goodbye to those pre-packed, photoshopped pics and be prepared to go behind the scenes. In order to capture the heart and minds of consumers, brands will need to create meaningful content, and quickly.

Feeling snackish
As attention spans evolve and consumers become more selective, snackable content is key to any marketing strategy. Grab your audience’s attention with videos, memes and stories; it must be mobile friendly, direct and immediately understood. Here at Sowdens we love a good story, available across multiple platforms, this feature allows you to grab attention both organically and paid for.

Augmented Reality
Everybody loves a filter and we’re sure you’ve scrolled through your own feed to see the copious amounts of cute dog faces and the classic festival flower crowns. However, back in 2018 Michael Kors became the first brand to test AR ads in the Facebook newsfeed setting which proved incredibly successful.

While they are still in their infancy, AR ads continue to grow and are projected to be worth 2.6 billion by 2020. It’s definitely a trend worth looking out for.

2019 is set to be a busy year and we’re excited to continue our work on various social media channels and accounts. Hit us up if you want to get serious about social, and don’t forget to give us a follow @sowdens.