Last year we witnessed significant shifts in social media marketing trends and strategies. Many of these trends still continue in 2016. Here are 3 of those trends that local businesses can use for effective marketing.

Video Content

The use of videos in content marketing has substantially increased this year. Basically, 3 types of videos are used for this:

• Educational videos - Where you instruct viewers and market your business at the same time.
  
• Entertainer videos - Usually short videos with content that engages the users so they can share it.
  
• Explainer videos - Where you explain your services and how it benefits users
  

Social Media Forums

The purpose of this strategy is to create an online community where customers can interact with your business to discuss products and services, share feedbacks etc. Building an online community can do wonders for local businesses. The businesses should be responsive in forums making users feel that you are always listening and responding. 

Social Media Marketing Automation

An evolving trend in social media platforms, Marketing Automation saves time and effort for your business. The technique uses automation software to advertise your business on social media channels periodically so you don’t have to spend time and resources posting on various social media landscapes. However, automation requires you to personalize it to your business interests. 

This covers three of the many social media marketing trends being adopted by businesses in 2016. There are many others that can be favorable to your business' search engine marketing strategies.