What do you do if you're a social media marketer trying to stay current with industry trends?

Train your algorithm on LinkedIn! Follow some top people within the social media industry who give great recaps of events/things that happened last week. No one has time to do all the research themselves. Life-hack to let the algorithm be algorithming and spend more time on testing theories yourself.

That's what I do almost all the time, in order to publish high value-added content. First of all, I subscribe to the online presence and newsletters, of the best platforms like: Meta, Google and Microsoft. I am also subscribed to leading media such as: Social media today and BDM. I follow several experts in the field such as: Matt Navarra, Neil Patel and Annie Mai. I also participate in several events organized by Agorapulse and Semrush, for example.

Follow Industry Leaders and Influencers: Stay updated by following social media marketing experts, influencers, and thought leaders on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Engage with their content, participate in discussions, and learn from their insights and experiences. Join Industry-Specific Groups and Communities: Join relevant social media marketing groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own knowledge and experiences with fellow professionals. These communities can provide valuable insights, tips, and resources to stay abreast of industry trends.

Join closed communities with people in your industry: the more niche the better. Slack or even Facebook (yes I said it) has amazing groups that can give you a lot of support and insights, depending on what niche social media industry you're in.

Network and Collaborate with Peers: Build relationships with other social media marketers and professionals in your industry. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and participate in online forums and networking groups. Collaborate on projects, share insights, and learn from each other's experiences to stay informed and inspired. Physical events provide valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, hear from expert speakers, and learn about the latest trends firsthand. Take advantage of networking breaks, panel discussions, and social gatherings to engage with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and build relationships.

If you can't find an event: create it yourself. This is the best way to make sure a. you're invited and b. people withing your niche will attend. For me, it's hard to find events that will actually bring me value (don't know that many female SMM in the SaaS B2B industry) so meeting up and taking my own initiatives have been most successful.

To stay current with social media marketing trends, I do the following: 1. Follow industry leaders on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. 2. Attend webinars and virtual conferences focused on social media marketing. 3. Engage with online communities and forums dedicated to the industry. 4. Read industry blogs, newsletters, and publications for insights. 5. Experiment with new features and strategies on social media platforms. 6. Invest in continuous learning through online courses and workshops.

Experiment with Emerging Platforms and Features: Stay ahead of the curve by experimenting with new social media platforms and features. Test out emerging platforms like TikTok, Clubhouse, and Snapchat to understand their potential for reaching your target audience. Explore new features and formats introduced by established platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Engage in Continuous Learning: Invest in your professional development by taking online courses, certifications, and workshops on social media marketing. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses covering topics such as social media strategy, content creation, advertising, and analytics.

Embrace experimentation in your digital marketing strategy. Try new platforms, content formats, and strategies to understand their impact. Allocate a portion of your budget for testing and analyze the results. This proactive approach keeps you current and fosters innovation, potentially setting trends yourself.

Investing in your education is essential in digital marketing. Take online courses or pursue certifications focusing on the latest social media marketing techniques. This formal education offers structured learning and up-to-date knowledge directly applicable to your campaigns. It's a career investment that keeps you at the forefront of the industry.