With a new year just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about your social media strategy for 2017. Which updates and trends will have the greatest impact? Here are three top picks to consider.
1. Snapchat Appeals to More Than Kids Now
Users of this multimedia app are watching 10 billion videos per day, compared to Facebook’s 8 billion views. And Snapchat users are racking up these numbers in nearly half the time, spending just 25 to 30 minutes per day on the app compared to Facebook users’ 50 minutes per day.
2. Facebook Has a Few Tricks Up Its Sleeve
Facebook is putting some marketing muscle behind Facebook Live. While the feature is already popular with brands, celebrities and media types, Facebook hopes TV ads and billboards will bring in more casual users.
The top social media app has also added a new feature for Live broadcasts: a waiting room. The virtual space not only gives viewers a place to wait for live streams to begin, but it also helps users schedule their broadcasts and retain those who tune in early, even if the stream doesn’t start on time.
Facebook is also giving eBay and Craigslist a run for their money with Marketplace, which allows users to buy and sell items directly through the social media network.
3. Twitter Is Making Communication Easier
If you felt limited by Twitter’s 140-character limit, get ready for more freedom. While the same character limit is technically still in place, it’s been relaxed to encourage more in-depth conversation. Photos, GIFs, videos, quoted tweets and @name replies will no longer count toward the limit, which means you can now deliver a more complete message.