6July 2021Debra MorganEditorialDebra MorganManaging Editordmorgan@martechoutlook.comWhile social media has always driven engagement with causes, the global pandemic has shined an even brighter spotlight on these causes. People want to help more than ever, and they expect brands to pitch in.Online communities are emerging as important spaces for marketers for more reasons than one: to keep track of consumers' changing expectations, help consumers feel involved, and ultimately deepen the brand-consumer relationship. Membership in real-world social groups, clubs, and local organizations, has been declining, while online communities have allowed people to make connections and find a sense of belonging in the digital world. Social media was at one time the poster child for carving out meaningful social spaces, but it's now arguably created a more individualistic, less communal space.Brands and companies utilize social media to connect with their target audience. We live in a time where technology is moving fast and consumer interests are hard to predict. Hence, it is vital to understand audience preference and foster organic engagement. As social media platforms are emerging and evolving, it is more than necessary to hop on the bandwagon. With the growing usage of social media, it has become quite essential to make your presence felt. Research shows that 52 percent of brand discovery happens on Instagram before indicating that it is the customer's first stop before even visiting the company's website.Further, social Commerce is retailing products directly through social media networks. Brands have always used Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to sell their creations. Social Commerce trend is the new approach for brands and is only going to get stronger. Social commerce is becoming a mainstream channel for online purchasing. Shoppable posts and ads are different from original posts, as they include buttons to direct users to the brand's website.To conclude there are numerous trends that would be useful to establish your brand's presence on social media. Knowing what to prioritize from these 10 trends can be tricky. Although they are new, they are unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.Let us know your thoughtsThe Brimming Importance of Online CommunityCopyright © 2021 ValleyMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photography or illustrations without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the magazine and accordingly, no liability is assumed by the publisher thereof.Emaileditor@martechoutlook.comsales@martechoutlook.commarketing@martechoutlook.com JUNE - 12 - 2021, volume 07 - 04 (ISSN 2644-254X) Published by ValleyMedia, Inc. To subscribe to MarTech OutlookVisit www.martechoutlook.comManaging EditorDebra MorganEditorial StaffSalesAaron Pierce Alvina Rego Abhilash P. JoseRose DcruzJoshua ParkerPaul BarberVisualizerVincent Georgevincent@martechoutlook.com*Some of the Insights are based on the interviews with respective CIOs and CXOs to our editorial staffAsher Blake
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