Top 6 Social Media Marketing Trends In 2014 You Must Know

Late last year, market experts predicted some marketing trends for social media that will dominate in 2014. They Believed Google+ is on its way out, MySpace is making a desperate attempt to re-establish user base, and Foursquare is in the middle of a complete turnaround. Now that we’re past the mid-way point of 2014, this article reviews how the predictions have turned out, and what to expect over second half of 2014.

1. Google+ will be a Major Factor

Since more than 50% of the marketers are utilizing the platform and 61% of businesses are planning to increase their Google+ activities in 2014, Clearly Google+, is still a high priority for marketers. With more business leaders believing in the investment in Google+ as a necessity, businesses are aligning the platform with their businesses. As Google announced earlier in the year that social media signals are no more part of their ranking algorithm, many business leaders are questioning whether investments in Google+ are still as viable as previously perceived to be.

2. Image-Based Networks Will Ride Success

Image-based social media networks like Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat may not be challenging Facebook enough, but they are pulling a segment of loyal user-base, and this may ultimately lead to their success over time. Pinterest, for example, is reportedly enjoying good retention figures in 2014 according to a recent research conducted by RJ Metrics. While it has experienced a decrease in male pinning activity, women have been the more loyal user group as they reportedly pin more the much they are on the platform.

3. Social Media Has Become A Necessary Investment, Not A Luxury

In a recent survey, 92% of business owners indicated that social networks are significantly important for their businesses (as compared to 86% in 2013). Businesses are diverting budgets from the traditional means of advertising towards social media and other forms of inbound marketing strategies. Thus, this prediction appears to be coming true.

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4. Micro-Video will rise

Micro-video platforms like Vine are being utilized by brands to stand out by simplifying their message. Saatchi recently launched the anti-smoking campaign ad for World No Tobacco Day and registered 50,000 likes and 26,000 revines during the first 5 days of the ad campaign. According to the creative director for the project, for this kind of message, Vine was the ideal platform.

The Vine ad campaign was a huge success, however, Instagram video stands out clearer as the winner when it comes to micro-video for businesses. A study was conducted by tracking how frequently the brands used to post on Twitter using Vine and Instagram and reportedly they were able to determine that Instagram was a clear winner.

5. Foursquare will decline quickly

As per the Foursquare CEO, Dennis Crowley, the platform should not be written off yet. He claimed that the company registered growth in revenues by 600% in 2013, and 500% in the first quarter of 2014. In an effort to re-establish the ailing platform, Foursquare split its app into two; the original Foursquare, and its new app, Swarm. The new app enables users to find friends via neighborhood sharing easily without needing to check-in. The improvised Foursqure app, which will be launched later this year, will not allow check-ins and is still positioning itself as a direct competition to Yelp – using its huge knowledge database to provide personalized local search recommendations.

6. LinkedIn will play a key role for B2B Business Growth

LinkedIn continues to be the most favorable network for businesses, particularly the B2B segment. According to a report by LinkedIn, company page access this year has increased from 24% to 57%. Even though LinkedIn is not a top player for the B2C segment, it is still currently leading all other networks (including Facebook and Twitter) for the B2B marketers. As per Social Media Examiner, B2B marketers are using the33% LinkedIn platform, as compared to 31% Facebook and 16% Twitter. And while both the B2B and B2C segment plans on increasing their use of the LinkedIn platform, close to 77% of B2Bs plan on increasing their investment in the linkedIn network this year.

2014 has unveiled some surprising reports and trends in terms of how businesses are using social media with LinkedIn reaching heights in popularity among the B2B segment, Pinterest growing with increasing retention rates, and Google+ going through major changes in the first half of the year, it will be interesting to see what happens during the remainder of 2014.

However,Worldjunction and MixiShare are still waxing stronger to join the global trend and early business adopters will benefit from these networks as they are on the verge of growth.