The number of sponsored ads and social media subscribers will grow at a rate of 9% of 3 billion?  That’s …hmm, you do the math.  Consumers and businesses are all over social media.  You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn and more.   This is a digital venue that allows users to maintain relationships.  Those relationships become a great avenue for word-of-mouth recommendations and client reviews.  For businesses, these platforms are where you can promote products and services.

As social media continues to grow, the electronic gadgets we use to also continue to evolve.  Those gadgets allow real-time activity driven by real-time marketing.  Sounds like a win/win but not without challenges.  It’s important to stay ahead of the social media by keeping us with the digital trends.  To get you started, here are Social Media Fun Facts To Up Your Digital Game in 2017:

Live streaming has become more popular. We’ve leaped beyond the days where youtube was the only place to use your video.   Facebook Live is dominating and Instastories and Snapchats are close behind.  But don’t be mistaken, YouTube is still the place to be.  Real-time activity with real-time marketing is the key to success.    Remove your social media fears and get creative on YouTube, Facebook Live, Snapchat, and Instagram Stories.   Ultimately, your business can stay ahead of the competition with a sound video strategy.

Social media is the place where friends become customers and strangers become friends.  And social commerce is the ability to purchase products and services during your social media experience.  Facebook is making it convenient with the Shop Now option and Twitter with the Buy Now options.   They’ve become the one-stop shop for business.  It’s the best digital workspace you could image.  Of course, you want to use your website as your core foundation but remember to catch your customers where you can.  And there are 3 billion waiting on social media.

The demand for fast response and instant solution is surging.  Messaging apps make it easy to achieve both and increase customer engagement. This way you win customers and create ambassadors for your brand. Want to power up your customer service?  Download messenger and never miss an opportunity to ensure quick validation and fast interaction.  Customers appreciate the fast response and personalized engagement with your business teams.

It’s opened a new window on organic visibility, paid or sponsored advertising, and a more creative approach for consumers to enjoy your brand.  Advertising has become even more pronounced and versatility is the top concern as it becomes global in scope.

This year you have seen how brands ever evolving with creative and emerging tactics, to intrigue the social subscribers’ memory, interest and need. But instead of dividing efforts on various platforms, focus on one platform that will deliver the most-est results.  Use your other channels to share the interest and gather new prospects while leading them to your product and services awesomeness!

Truly, it is perplexing to imagine a life without social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or WhatsApp.  At least not without a large advertising budget in media and print!  Social media has become a part of today’s highly connected society and fast-moving society. To keep up, it’s important to stay relevant, be creative and content, content, content! This way, you guarantee that you keep up in an ever-evolving market and achieve sustainable success.