Partner Article

Social Media and the 2014 trend predictions you need to know

Can you believe it was a decade ago when the launch of Myspace sent the world into a frenzy and raised the bar for future platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?

Originally thought of (and for some, hoped) as ‘just a phase’, social media has not only transformed the way we see the internet, but has firmly cemented itself into modern society. Which can only mean one thing: social media, like it or not, is here to stay. And it’s only going to get bigger, better and increasingly powerful.

Businesses around the world have capitalised on the benefits of social media, but for many it is still seen as an unnecessary waste of time. However, investing in social media will become vital in 2014 to ensure a brand’s success, as opposed to being a luxury addition to traditional marketing.

With this in mind, and as we look ahead to 2014, what social media trends are predicted to be a hit?

Video and Visual Take Centre Stage

The last couple of years have seen image heavy social media sites skyrocket with Pinterest and Instagram enjoying mammoth success with 170 million users between them. The next 12 months will see brands big and small investing in visual and video marketing, whether promoting new stock, engaging with customers in photo contests or uploading behind-the-scenes clips. With the launch of Instagram’s video tool and Twitter’s Vine, the rise of the micro-video which gained momentum this year is also predicted to reach new highs in the New Year.

LinkedIn Will Become a Big Player

LinkedIn also celebrated its 10th birthday this year and still remains the No.1 social networking site for business professionals. But, as it comes of age, LinkedIn is tipped to become a major player online – particularly for B2B companies.

With the launch of its influencers programme, the social media giant is gearing up to position itself not only as a networking site, but as a prime source and destination for premium content.

Google+ Will Lead the Way

Some may not even know what Google+ is – or that it’s even a social network. But with 343 million monthly users, Google+ is fast becoming impossible to ignore and will lead the way as the platform to be seen on in 2014. Businesses struggling to work across multiple platforms will benefit most from Google+ and it’s ‘one size fit’s all’ social network.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bradley O’Mahoney Public Relations .