Every year, there are new PR trends that come into play. The preferences of our consumers are constantly evolving and it’s up to us to stay on top of what’s hot and what’s not. After all, trend monitoring is a key part of the job. After collectively going through a global pandemic, it should come as no surprise that things are going to change in a big way. At The Chi Group, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve. 

Here are 4 PR trends to prepare for in 2022: 

1. Virtual Events Will Continue to Rise

In the past year and a half, brands all over the world have had to adapt to virtual events in place of live events. While businesses have begun to bring people back into the office, you can expect to see many brands continuing to opt for virtual events as a safety and comfort precaution. Virtual events have been highly effective in engaging consumers and generating leads. Now that people have grown used to this PR tactic, you can count on virtual events being here to stay. Stay on top of things by looking for new ways to engage your customers in exciting virtual events. 

2. Micro-influencers Will Become Essential Marketing Tools

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a micro-influencer, check out our previous blog on the topic. At a glance, a micro-influencer is an influencer with under 10,000 followers. Unlike their major influencer counterparts, micro-influencers are known to have much more impressive engagement numbers across all social media platforms. As trust and authenticity continue to gain importance in the minds of consumers, micro-influencers will rise as essential marketing tools for brands. If you’re looking to stand out in 2022, consider shifting more of your efforts towards partnerships with micro-influencers with loyal followings of people who trust their opinions. 

3. Brands Will Be Encouraged to Take a Stand

Once upon a time, it was all but unheard of for a brand to take a stand on social and political issues. Nowadays, 70% of consumers want their favorite brands to make a public stance on the issues we face. With social movements gaining more traction than ever through social media, people expect brands to be authentic and stand up for what they believe in. Businesses who have increased their focus on diversity and inclusion are seeing significant increases in profitability. In 2022, you can expect the demand for authenticity to continue to grow.

4. Supporting Nonprofits Will Be More Important Than Ever

Now more than ever, consumers are concerned with giving their money to businesses that are giving back to the community in some way. The global pandemic brought people together and caused an enormous uptick in giving back. Expressing your support for charitable causes is not enough. In 2022, consumers will be looking for donations, corporate sponsorships, and product placement that align with some sort of philanthropic mission. Find one that aligns with your brand and go all in.

There you have it, those are the top PR trends to prepare for in 2022. As long as you keep these upcoming trends in mind and craft your goals accordingly, you can increase your brand’s visibility and profitability in the coming year. 

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