Social on Tap: Q1 2021 - 2021 Trends & More

Take a breath! You’ve officially made it halfway through the first quarter of 2021. With the chaos of 2020 in the past, it’s now time to look towards what’s next and start strategically planning for the future. From the rise of Instagram Reels, to new platforms on the horizon, we've rounded up some quick industry updates and tips for how to move forward with social media in 2021.

Clubhouse? What is it? If you've been hanging around social media these past few weeks, the term Clubhouse comes at no surprise. The audio-based platform lets people chat in real time, share stories, network and bounce ideas off each other in virtual "rooms," using their voice. Read more here. Interested in joining this invite-only space? Contact our team for assistance! Email here.


Not sure TikTok is for you? No problem. More than 98% of the users of any given social media platform also use at lease one other social platform. For brands, this means that a multichannel strategy doesn’t need to include EVERY single platform. Find opportunities to master your presence on 1-2 of the larger platforms with your target audiences, to be the most effective on your social media channels.
Let’s Get Reel: With Instagram putting IG Reels front and center, take it as a big hint that IG Reels are here to stay and that you should prioritize them right away. Not sure, where to get started, here are some tips below:

• Leverage what you already have: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel...just build on what you already have on other platforms. (Example: If you have quick snippets that you’ve used before on Facebook, or Twitter, bring them over to Reels).
• 15-second content pieces outperform 30 second content pieces (since the preview is only 15 seconds). Use this to your advantage and keep it short and sweet.
• Add text to your video content to increase watch time, and also add value-based captions to encourage your followers to “save” or “share” your reel.
• Always post your Reel in-feed for additional exposure, in addition to the Reels tab. Bonus: Promote your Reel in your Instagram Story to draw even more eyes.
• When posting, think SEO: Make sure to include relevant hashtags and words in your caption that would make it easy to find your content.
• Want more tips? Reach out to our Digital Team for some personalized ideas to get you started! Email here.

LinkedIn Culture Shifts Towards Conversational Transparency: 2020 was a big year for LinkedIn, with the increased attention to LinkedIn Live, Events, Polls and Stories. As many people continue to work from home, they are engaging with conversational content because it mimics the team environment that they are missing. Master conversational marketing by creating polls, ask open ended questions in updates, share candid photos from your workday in stories, or celebrate big milestones on the platform.

Live Streams: While stay at home orders are still in effect, consumers are eager for their chance to socialize virtually with friends and family. Facebook Live views spiked by 50% during lockdown, while Instagram Lives surged by 70%, which indicates that we’ll continue to see an upward trajectory play out this year.

Transparency: After a challenging 2020, consumers are finding it difficult to connect with brands / businesses with seemingly insincere messaging. Trust will play a vital role with how your audience will engage with you. Take a moment to take a deep dive to listen to your audience, to ensure you're attuned to what they want to see.

Inclusivity: As inclusivity continues to be an important focus, brands that are seen to be non-inclusive, or who don’t appear to be a part of the inclusivity conversation, will likely see a negative impact in 2021. Take the time to check how your brand portrays themselves to consumers.

SEO Drives Organic Instagram Visibility: In November 2020, it was officially announced that Instagram would become more search-friendly. This is a game changer for marketers in 2021, as it provides opportunities for more reach.

• Tip: Make sure your captions include relevant keywords to help Instagram identify what’s being shown. Consistently post content that’s relevant to your niche.

A Generation Booms on Social Media: Baby Boomers are one of the fastest growing audience segments on both Facebook and Instagram, as their engagement on these platforms continues to increase. Female Facebook users aged 55-64 post an average of 10x per month.

Having trouble keeping up with creative content? Let apps like Canva be your best friend: The app offers a variety of templates, from aesthetics for Instagram and Facebook, to Instagram Reel layouts and so much more!