In 2020, as physical stores shuttered, the digital sphere buzzed with increased fervor. Brands accustomed to traditional advertising had to quickly adapt to the less formal, more interactive, and visually driven ethos of social media marketing.
As we approach 2024, how does this evolution continue to affect marketing today?
- Real-time engagement. The pandemic-era audience craved interaction. The advent of features like live streams on various platforms has allowed brands to interact with their audience in real-time, answer queries, showcase products, and humanize their brand. The casual, unscripted nature of live streams mimics human interaction, which has remained a commodity in the pandemic-stricken world.
- Influencer marketing. Amid lockdowns, the common populace turned to social media influencers for a semblance of human interaction and for product recommendations. Brands quickly picked up on this, steering away from celebrity endorsements to collaborations with micro-influencers who boast a loyal following. Today, marketers know that authenticity and relatability foster the best connections between the brand and the audience.
- Empathetic advertising. The pandemic paved the way for socially responsible and empathetic advertising. Brands directly addressed and empathized with the challenges faced by their audience, weaving stories of resilience, unity, and hope in their campaigns. This shift fostered a sense of community, making customers feel seen and heard.
To summarize: It’s a blend of leveraging technology while retaining the human element, of selling while also empathizing. And it’s here to stay.
Mad 4 Marketing is here to help you navigate this paradigm shift, with strategies tailored not just to ride the wave but to make a lasting impact. Connect with us to explore how your brand can thrive in the post-pandemic social media landscape.