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1. Collaborative posts
The new Collabs feature allows owners of two accounts to edit a post together: to do so, one of them needs to invite the other in the add tags screen. The publication is visible to both users' subscribers, and comments to the post will also be shared. Brands and bloggers will now be able to do collaborations with each other: shared posts that gain far more engagement.
2. A natural feed.
Fewer templates - more life! Templates for a million posts in the same style are long outdated: People are tired of typical frames, graphic details, and idealized pictures. At this stage, being natural, sincere, and open collects more reactions from users and increases trust and loyalty.
One striking and successful example on the Instagram space is the brand of French designer JACQUEMUS. The brand not only publishes selling content (e.g. bag models on a variety of colorful backgrounds) but also shares a "behind-the-scenes" life. The personal brand of Simon Porte Jacquemus also plays an important role: he is not afraid to be funny, quirky, and open, thus attracting more and more new fans of his brand.
3. Social theme
"Something is trendy and something is timeless" is a short description of the relevance of social themes across all entertainment platforms. But this theme should be approached carefully, not hurting other people's feelings, not copying similar brands, not publishing for a tick. It's important not just to make sure it's on-trend - it's important that the brand's mission coincides with that social message and is relevant.
Content on Instagram is becoming more socially responsible. Both brands and influencers are talking about social and environmental issues more often. This helps to create an emotional connection with subscribers and improve reputation, to state what's important.
By the way, this theme can be successfully implemented in the Reels format, which is also part of the SMM trends of 2022 - and which you'll learn a bit about below!
4. Podcasts
Podcasts are another channel for communicating with your audience. For users, it's an opportunity to receive useful content in a convenient format (while walking, in the car, in a cafe, etc.), for brands - to attract the attention of potential customers, increase awareness, convey values and increase trust in the company's expertness.
In 2021, the number of players on the podcast market has increased. At the same time, the quality of the content produced has improved, the analytics have become more transparent, and it has become easier to measure effectiveness. So create your podcasts, plan placement in podcast channels and arrange cooperation with other brands. Now is a good time to carve out a niche, as the market is still unfilled and promising. So break into 2022 with your podcasts!
5. 3-second video content
Over the last 3 years, companies have been using 24% more video content than in previous periods. In 2022, this trend will gain even more momentum. This trend can be adapted to both personal and commercial accounts. Cut the most "sticky" moment, where something pours, spills, where dynamic action is seen. People revisit several times - Instagram promotes the content as interesting to a potential subscriber.
6. Collaboration with micro-influencers
Microbloggers are opinion leaders with a small but highly engaged audience. We refer to them as accounts with between 1,000 and 100,000 subscribers and an engagement of between 5 and 15%.
Why are brands increasingly choosing to advertise with them over millennials?
Audience trust in big bloggers is gradually declining: large numbers are suspicious, as many uses give to achieve high numbers.
Millennials have a much higher price tag.
Microbloggers often agree to barter, discount, or a small amount.
Microbloggers are more likely to be trusted by subscribers: their ads are more like a recommendation than a direct "buy!".
It is ideal to combine microbloggers and big ones because you can never be sure exactly where your product or service will go.
7. Interactive that you want to repost
Trends in SMM 2022 include life content: the focus is shifting from useful information to "I'm just like you, I understand you" posts and stories. People like to recognize themselves in other people's posts and see that their condition, their problem, is not alien to others. Instagram has been associated with an idealized picture - now it's worth showing that everyone is on an equal footing, that everyone has problems. This way it will be easier for subscribers to perceive information from this social network.
8. More than 50% of all Instagram posts are carousels and videos.
These tools help to add more value to a single post, making it more informative.
The Instagram algorithm considers that if the user browses the carousel it means he is involved and content is interesting - accordingly, this post is worth being shown to more users. It's a great option if your video goes beyond one minute if one photo can't capture the atmosphere of the event if you want to add more information. In all cases, the carousel is a free method to increase engagement, which increases the chances to be recommended by Instagram.
9. Reels in TikTok format
At this stage in Ukraine, the Reels function does not work quite correctly: there is still a problem with music. In some videos, it simply does not play, respectively, the essence and message of the video are incorrect. But it's worth working with this format: Instagram's algorithm loves it when its new features are exploited.
Catch a couple of good ideas that are sure to be in demand among your followers:
Useful content like tips or a guide;
And of course, don't forget to complement your videos with dynamic transitions - this always entices users.
Try implementing these 2022 SMM trends, and you'll see how much fresher and more interesting your account becomes to subscribers and potential customers. And remember: it's important not only to follow the "trendy" things but also to adapt them to your style!
And if you don't know how to be as useful as possible to your target audience, turn to our #kiwiteam for quality content! At Kiwi Agency, you can easily order an SMM strategy development service or comprehensive social media promotion.