How to Stay on Top of Social Media Trends and Best Practices
Social media moves fast. Platforms are constantly releasing new features while trends come and go in the blink of an eye. For marketers and business owners, it can feel impossible to keep up. You post content one day only to find it outdated and irrelevant the next.
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Staying on top of the latest social media trends and best practices is crucial for brands wanting to effectively engage their audiences. But doing so requires dedication and knowing where to find the most up-to-date information.
In this post, we’ll explore actionable tips to help you stay up-to-speed on the ever-changing social media landscape. Master these strategies, and you’ll never fall behind again when it comes to maximizing your social presence.
Monitor Industry News Publications
One of the most efficient ways to keep your finger on the pulse of social media is to follow major news publications covering the latest platform developments. Dedicate time each morning or week to checking in on key industry news sites.
Here are some top outlets to add to your reading list:
- Social Media Today – Offers breaking news on new social features, trends, strategy tips, and more.
- Social Media Examiner – A leading industry blog publishing articles, guides, and expert interviews.
- Search Engine Journal – While focused on SEO, they regularly cover related social media happenings.
- Adweek Social Pro Daily – Social media news source from a marketing perspective.
- Marketing Land – Broad digital marketing coverage including regular social media updates.
- Digiday – Popular outlet for media, marketing and platform news.
By skimming headlines and reading full stories that interest you, you’ll absorb the latest need-to-know social updates through reliable industry sources.
Follow Key Social Media Figures
In addition to publications, follow social media thought leaders, consultants, and experts. These are the insiders driving the conversation and understanding the landscape from the inside out.
Here are some of the top voices to add to your feed:
- Matt Navarra – Director of Social Media at The Next Web. Frequently breaks platform announcements.
- Andrew Hutchinson – Social Media Reporter at Social Media Today.
- Mari Smith – Social media strategist and author.
- Michael Stelzner – Founder of Social Media Examiner.
- Jeff Bullas – Social media consultant and blogger.
- Amy Porterfield – Facebook ads and branding expert.
- Neal Schaffer – Author and founder of the PDCA Institute.
- Michael Brenner – Speaker and CEO of Marketing Insider Group.
Follow these thought leaders on the platforms where they are most active, such as Twitter and LinkedIn. Turn on notifications so you never miss an update on the latest social tactics and happenings.
Listen to Relevant Podcasts
Podcasts are a convenient way to absorb the most current social media knowledge on the go. From interviews to panel discussions, podcasts give you direct access to insider perspectives.
Here are some standout shows covering social media marketing:
- Social Media Marketing Podcast – Weekly interviews hosted by Social Media Examiner's Michael Stelzner.
- Social Pros Podcast – Jay Baer of Convince & Convert interviews social media pros.
- The Science of Social Media – Insights-driven show from Buffer's social team.
Load up your queue with relevant episodes as they're released to absorb strategic insights on the go.
Follow Key Social Media Figures
Vibrant communities have formed on Facebook and LinkedIn around social media marketing. Join relevant groups to crowdsource insights from real marketers and business owners. These groups foster discussion around the latest platform changes, trends, tactics, and tools.
Here are some active groups to consider joining:
- Social Media Marketing World
- Social Media Managers
- Social Media Marketing Professionals
- Social Media Marketing
- Content Marketing Strategies
- Social Media Marketing Leaders
Introduce yourself when you join groups and participate by asking questions, sharing resources and commenting on discussions. The crowdsourced knowledge will keep you tapped into real-world social media successes and hurdles.
Follow Key Social Media Figures
Online resources provide convenient ways to stay up-to-date, but nothing beats in-person events for absorbing the latest trends and connecting with industry peers. Consider attending local social media meetups or national marketing conferences.
Here are some top events to check out:
- Social Media Marketing World
- Social Media Strategies Summit
- INBOUND
- Social Fresh Meetups
- Social Media Breakfast
Take detailed notes during sessions, approach speakers afterwards and network with fellow attendees working on the frontlines of social media. The face time, case studies, takeaways and connections will inspire you to spearhead the latest best practices.
Follow Key Social Media Figures
Lastly, follow the official social media accounts for the platforms you actively use, like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok. Turn on notifications so you never miss an announcement of new features or changes.
Monitoring first-hand news from the source ensures you learn about enhancements right as they launch. You can quickly strategize how new offerings may impact your brand approach and community-building efforts.
Follow Key Social Media Figures
While staying on top of emerging social media trends is crucial, that knowledge means little if you don’t execute on those learnings. After discovering new features and best practices, quickly develop an implementation plan for your owned channels.
- How can you use that trend to engage your audience?
- Would that tactic align with your brand voice and goals?
- What opportunities does it create for community interaction?
Continuously test and refine to determine what resonates and generates results. Measurement and iteration will help you pinpoint what works for your unique brand as you apply social media’s ever-evolving playbook.
Conclusion
Staying up-to-speed on social media requires commitment, but doing so ensures your brand strategy aligns with the latest consumer behaviors and platform capabilities. Use this post as your guide for discovering and implementing what’s new.
Consume industry news daily, learn from experts, listen to podcasts, join communities and attend events. With your knowledge and confidence boosted, you can navigate social media’s non-stop evolution while driving results and relationships.
Ready to amplify your social media marketing results?
Moobila offers data-driven social ads, content creation and reputation management services to take your strategy to the next level.
Written by: Rabeea,
Senior Content Lead Moobila
Senior Content Lead Moobila
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