5 Social Media Trends to Help Grow Your Business in 2023

There’s nothing quite like the start of a new year. The clock strikes midnight, and we all instantly feel a sense of new beginnings and new opportunities. And while most of us are busy making personal resolutions we’ll (hopefully) stick to, business owners are creating lists of their own.

Now that we’ve all settled into the new year, can you honestly say that you’ve stuck to your business resolutions? If not, no worries! It’s never too late.

If you’re looking for easy ways to grow your business in 2023, stepping up your social media game is an easy place to begin. Each platform offers versatile marketing options targeted to your specific niche.

When building your brand on social media, the right tools make all the difference. Use them to your advantage, and watch the followers roll in, leading to greater profitability from your target audience. 

Here are five trends we recommend incorporating into your content strategy this year:

1. Brand Authenticity- In this post-pandemic era, people are driven by human connection. Businesses need to be relatable, transparent, and authentic to keep customers wanting more. Consider the delivery and tone of your messaging. Your content should reflect approachable, emotional messaging that resonates with your followers. It will help improve your reputation and bring forth better sales.

2. Social Commerce- Today’s consumer is all about convenience, evident by the rise in social commerce we saw in 2022. In fact, a HubSpot survey showed that 36% of social media users purchased a product directly from Facebook, and 24.5% from Instagram.

So, what does this mean for small business owners? If there’s a way to connect your social media platforms to sales, consider how to make it happen. If not, you could be missing out on profit, particularly from younger generations. Tools such as Facebook Shop and live links in Instagram Reels can help streamline this process for you, giving customers greater flexibility and convenience.

3. More Video and Short Clips- Last year, videos were trending across social media, with TikTok gaining popularity for both personal and business use. To compete, Instagram and Facebook stepped up with more video content, forcing users to rethink their content strategy.

So, what can you anticipate over the next twelve months? Short video clips (those under ten seconds) are expected to trend across all platforms. They’re long enough to be engaging and send a message but short enough to keep followers interested (despite our shrinking attention spans).

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with creating videos, you're not alone. But we promise it doesn’t need to be complicated; simple is best! Share company updates, talk about a current events topic, or give a behind-the-scenes look into the daily operations of your business. Followers will appreciate the candid approach and grow more vested in you and your services.

4. Influencer Marketing- Social media is inundated with influencers and paid content creators, with both big and small brands taking advantage. What’s the draw? For starters, they're a much cheaper alternative to paid ads and campaigns, and they can also be incredibly beneficial when looking to expand your audience reach.

There are influencers for every industry and price point—the key is knowing how to find them. Look for customers who already interact with your business on social and those who mention competitors in their posts. You can also seek collaboration from local business owners—a win-win for you both.

5. Prioritizing the Planet- Environmental awareness is here to stay (as it should), and consumers want to see the brands and businesses they love showing love for Mother Earth, too. No need to overdo it and risk sounding inauthentic, but try incorporating some trending buzzwords like sustainability and eco-friendly when you can.

This year promises great potential for anyone looking to grow their business on social media. We recommend prioritizing your needs, creating a strategy, and remaining flexible in your approach. Our Officially Social team remains committed to helping you build, expand, and grow in 2023. You can reach us anytime with questions at alison@officiallysocial.com