It may seem like 2018 is just getting started, but already there have been some significant changes in digital marketing for businesses. When major social media platforms make changes in their strategies, it is important that you make alterations to your digital marketing. At Skol Marketing, it is our job to ensure our clients are making the most of their interactions online, which includes keeping you informed of the latest developments and incorporating social media trends into your marketing plan. Here are three hot social media trends and changes that have happened so far this year:

Instagram Allows Scheduling of Content for Businesses

Instagram has made some changes to their platform that will be a big time-saver for social media managers and business owners. Posts can now be pre-scheduled, making it much simpler to manage large volumes of content. Instead of manually adding posts across multiple users and accounts via smartphone or tablet, Instagram now allows for scheduling for all your marketing efforts on this popular social media platform.

Why is this such an important step for your business? Simply put, it saves time and effort while keeping your business in front of your audience. In one interaction, the posts for the week can be scheduled for your various Instagram accounts, leaving more time for managers to focus on other areas of growing your business.

Customized Business Options on Facebook Messenger

One of the most requested changes to Facebook Messenger from businesses was a plug-in that was available for their websites. This came to fruition in November 2017, but now there are more options to customize this feature with Facebook Messenger 2.3. The new features added in 2018 so far include:

  • Customized greeting text and the color of the Messenger icon
  • Auto-populating phone number or email with a quick reply option for customers’ contact info
  • Additional message tags for improved categorization
  • Messaging Insights API added new metrics for analyzing conversations

As with most Facebook features, this new plug-in is becoming more advanced and user-friendly for businesses and their customers as it develops.

Facebook Algorithm Is Changing

One of the most impactful changes to social media marketing this year is the change to Facebook’s algorithm. The new algorithm will reduce the amount of posts users see from news publishers and brands in their feed. This is a game-changer in Facebook marketing efforts, which will require new tactics for businesses to reach that all-important Facebook audience. For a deeper look into this algorithm change, check out our other article:  How to Update Your Marketing Tactics for Facebook’s Algorithm Change.

At Skol Marketing, we are your source for innovative digital marketing options for your business, helping you stay at the front of the pack in your industry.  Let us help you utilize the latest marketing trends to differentiate your brand and reach more potential customers for your business. To schedule a free 30-minute consultation, contact us at (612) 787-SKOL (7565) or info@skolmarketing.com.