PR and Marketing is a constantly changing industry. 2021 saw companies engage with digital marketing more than ever before, as the world had to adapt to an increasingly virtual world, with new topics and new technologies always occurring. Read below for trends we expect to see from the sector in 2022!
1. PR
The public relations industry has evolved significantly over the last couple of years, having to deal with everything from virtual work to shifting social schedules.
Customers are increasingly looking to support socially conscious companies, and are looking for companies who aren’t just interested in selling. Last year saw companies praised for supporting their local community, the NHS, and fighting climate change. Whether you’re communicating with your customers online or in person, it’s always important to communicate your values.
“If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we’re all people at the end of the day. We thrive on being liked, making conversation, and having meaningful interactions (and not just of the digital kind) to lead fulfilling lives” – Eden Public Relation Consultants.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace were also popular topics of conversation last year, demonstrating your company’s commitment to these topics is a sure set way of keeping your company popular with the public.
While this movement began at the height of the pandemic, it shows no signs of slowing down!
Another key trend occurring in the industry is flexibility! Learning to adjust to remote working and online meetings was a drastic change for an industry that is all about making those personal connections.
However, with the addition of new organising, meeting, and content sharing platforms and our ever-increasing virtual world, connecting online has never been easier.
Things to focus on 2022: Brand emotions; The power of people and Social Consciousness.
2. Marketing
2022 was the year of the video. Apps such as TikTok took the world by storm during lockdown, leading to nearly all social media platforms adding video content or ‘reels’ to their sites.
Consumers are increasingly looking for that personal touch, so it’s not surprising that 40% of consumers bought products discovered on YouTube last year, where social media influencers often review products on their channels.
Videos are often more engaging and accessible and can be used for product demonstrations and reviews in a way that will engage your audience, where lines of text and diagrams often fall short.
However, you can never forget about SEO! Making sure your company is at the top of a google search is so important to attract those customers. Exciting and innovative content combined with making sure you include all of those pivotal keywords is crucial to making sure your business is seen.
Here is a video that can give you some insight:
3. Social Media
When it comes to social media, again video content is your best friend.
UK consumers are increasingly turning to social media to find new products, and social media allows businesses to be in direct contact with their target market.
Videos are expected to be a big hit on the social media front, as it’s reported that video content will make up 82% of all consumer traffic, 15% higher than it was 5 years ago.
Quick snippets such as Instagram and Facebook Stories, are perfect for consumers with increasingly busy lives. As we’ve all been inundated with information over the last few years, consumers are increasingly reluctant to read long passages or listen to never-ending videos, short, snappy information-filled videos are exactly what they want.
These short snippets give a clear impression of your brand and can be created by anyone! Most modern smartphones are able to capture good quality video footage and tips and tutorials can always be found online.
If you need help developing your social media strategy, JAM Prints and Marketing would be happy to help. Get in touch today for a personalised digital marketing strategy.
