The Future of Social Media Marketing: Predictions and Trends for 2023 and Beyond

From a school-going kid to retired personnel, everyone is familiar with the term “Social Media”. From a medium of communication and entertainment, it has turned into a favorite place for business promotion. 

And, thus, social media marketing services have become an essential part of business growth in this fiercely competitive environment. With the ever-increasing popularity and use of social media among the world population, businesses have to adopt their promotional strategies.

Predictions for Social Media Marketing in 2023

As per Statista, the Indian digital population stood at a whooping number of 560 million in 2019. This user base is increasing rapidly with the cheap availability of digital equipment like smartphones and faster network services.
India has been ranked as the world’s second-largest internet market, which is highly dominated by mobile internet users. It is projected to grow continuously with increasing digital infrastructure and the launch of 5G services.
Ad Spending is projected to reach $1.28 billion by 2023 which will continue to grow at an impressive CAGR of 3.87 percent.
With an increasing volume of users over social media, businesses are turning to social media marketing agencies in India for their brand promotions. 

Emerging Trends in Social Media Marketing
There is a great rise in social media marketing services as businesses are shifting their focus to social media for their brand promotions. Many users tend to buy products based on their digital representation and attractive offers on social media. 

As per the Sprout Social Survey, only 55 percent of customers felt the brand transparency to some extent on social media. Still, there is a great influence of social media in generating online sales of products and services.

To understand where to invest and what to expect from social media, emerging trends need to be studied. Some of these trends are listed below:

Social Media as Shopping Outlets: 

The young generation spends most of their time on social media, scrolling through short content, watching videos, reading notes, etc. They come across digital stores and end up shopping for their choices. 

Integrating shopping outlets on social media has seen an increasing trend in recent times and is projected to grow continuously.

WhatsApp Social Media Marketing: 

According to a WhatsApp survey, 77 percent of Indian SMEs acknowledged WhatsApp as the online messaging platform to connect with their customers across the country.

With a subscriber base of 40 crores, which is increasing rapidly, WhatsApp is seen as a great platform for product and service promotions.

LinkedIn Social Media Marketing:
LinkedIn has 575+ million users and 260 million monthly active users. Out of this, only 1 percent of users share content, which makes it an impressive destination for marketing.

It shows great potential for digital market growth, which is being targeted by social media agencies across India.

Stories and Live Videos:
About 500 million people watch Instagram stories every single day, which makes stories an important medium of marketing if used correctly. 

Live videos, which were launched by YouTube in 2008, have seen exponential growth in their use by content creators. Facebook followed suit and launched this service in 2016. As Facebook has the maximum share of users of social media, it has great potential in marketing with every new feature.  

AI and Chatbots:
AI and Chatbots have shown increasing trends in their integration of social media. From answering user queries to suggesting buying options, they have a wide range of applications. Many social media management services are implementing them for greater user interaction.

Conclusion:
The future of social media marketing greatly depends on implementing evolving social media services for your website. With all the above-emerging trends, new trends like influencer marketing are emerging as a powerful tool for businesses. 

Because of this, marketing services are on the rise. Social media marketing services play a crucial role in developing business strategies to give an edge over competition. So, if you want to grow your business, consider using such services to follow the market trends.

Essential Cookware for a Contemporary Kitchen

The Evolution of Cookware Materials
Cookware has undergone significant transformations, with a variety of materials now available to cater to different cooking needs and preferences. Each material offers unique benefits and can impact the taste, nutritional value, and appearance of your food.

Non-Metallic Options for Safe and Convenient Cooking
Non-metallic cookware is a favorite for microwave and oven use. However, not all materials are suitable for high temperatures. For instance, stainless steel can pose risks in microwaves due to sparking. Here’s a closer look at non-metallic options:

Ceramics: Contrary to popular belief, ceramic cookware is typically metal with a sol-gel coating that provides a non-stick surface. This coating releases silicon oil when heated, making cleanup a breeze.
Silicone: Ideal for baking, silicone can withstand temperatures up to 360°C (680°F) but begins to melt around 500°C (932°F). It’s known for its flexibility and lightweight nature.
Glass: Borosilicate glass is a safe choice for high-temperature cooking, though it’s not recommended for stovetop use. Its transparency allows for easy monitoring of food.
Metallic Cookware for Superior Heat Conductivity
Metals are chosen for cookware due to their excellent thermal conductivity. However, some metals can react with certain foods, altering flavor. Here’s what you need to know about popular metallic cookware:

Stainless Steel: Renowned for its heat conductivity, stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, durable, non-reactive, and doesn’t require additional coating to prevent rust.
Copper: Known for its rapid heating, copper cookware often features a stainless steel lining to prevent reactions with food and to enhance durability.
Aluminum: Widely used for its light weight and good thermal conductivity, aluminum is available in various forms, including cast, sheet, and anodized, which are all corrosion-resistant.
Carbon Steel: Less expensive than stainless steel, carbon steel provides efficient heat distribution and is commonly used for frying pans, woks, and knives.
Cast Iron: Highly versatile and durable, cast iron cookware retains heat well and is suitable for ovens, grills, and stoves. It often comes pre-seasoned to protect the cooking surface.
Key Considerations When Choosing Cookware

Before investing in new cookware, keep the following tips in mind to ensure you select the best options for your kitchen:

Heft Matters: Cookware that conducts heat effectively is often heavier due to thick cladding.
Clad Cookware: Clad materials, made with layers of metal under high pressure, offer superior heat distribution.
Essential List: Create a list of necessary cookware to avoid purchasing items you won’t use.
Personalized Sets: Choose cookware sets that contain only the pieces you need to save space and money.
Versatile Use: Opt for cookware that is compatible with both microwaves and stoves for convenience and time-saving.
Conclusion
Cookware is an integral part of our daily lives, with a vast array of options available in the market. Whether you’re cooking on a stove, in a microwave, or an oven, the right cookware can make all the difference. By understanding the materials and features of modern cookware, you can make informed decisions that will enhance your culinary experiences and contribute to a well-equipped, contemporary kitchen.

For more insights into the cookware market and the latest trends, you can explore research by KBV Research here.

The Best Tobacco Alternatives to Mix with Cannabis

Do you cut your weed by mixing it with tobacco? Are you looking for a healthier alternative? We have good news! Here you can find many herbs you can use with your spliff! So check out some of the other options to use instead.

Why Do People Mix Cannabis and Tobacco?
Many cannabis users smoke their spliff using tobacco for many reasons. First, it helps stretch their stash further. Secondly, some people believe mixing tobacco with weed helps it to burn better than smoking cannabis alone.

Yet, others feel the nicotine combined with the cannabis gives a different high for them to enjoy. Still, no matter how you smoke, your weed using it with tobacco presents many health risks. For one, tobacco contains harmful carcinogens, causing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

However, it is not a reason to stop smoking your weed as you can substitute it with natural herbs:

Mixing Your Spliff with Herbs
Smoking natural herbs with your cannabis is a healthier solution, and you can grow them alongside your weed crop. Doing this protects the outdoor growth against passersby and pests. So if you want a tobacco alternative give these herbs a try.

1. Wild Dagga
Leonotis leonurus is from the mint family, a shrub found in Southern Africa. Many people know it as the lion’s tail as it produces a mild psychoactive effect. In the Khoikhoi and Hottentot nationality, they used to smoke it to relax and have euphoric properties.

They used the bark, leaves, and roots for snakebites, scorpions, and bee stings. Alternatively, they used it as an infusion for blood conditions. The wild dagga plant contains marrubiin containing cardioprotective and antioxidant properties. Smoking the flowers or leaves you feeling relaxed with a high similar to THC but less intense.

2. Lavender
Who does not know lavender oils, teas, cosmetics, and beverages? It is an aromatic plant found in most gardens. The Lavandula is a genus found in the mint family with more than 50 species. The plant is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. People used to use it since Biblical times for religious rituals and cooking. Different preclinical studies found that lavender helps improve your mental wellbeing. It makes you feel relaxed and is excellent for your digestion system. Smoking it leaves you with a satisfying aroma.

3. Damiana
The scientific name for Damian is Turnera diffusa, a member of the Passifloraceae family. It has bright-colored flowers and is native to the Caribbean, Central/South America, and southern Texas. People have used the herb as a natural aphrodisiac, and the Mexicans add it to a drink for love-enhancing qualities. The Maya used the herb for different holistic purposes as well. The plant smoked gives you a mildly euphoric high that works well with cannabis. It is believed that it mitigates the side effects of THC. Further, it increases metabolism and is used to suppress appetite.

4. Rosemary
The Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the Mediterranean and a perennial herb. It is also part of the mint family. Many people enjoy it in refreshing tea and mix it in their spliff. The plant has holistic purposes, and many people use it in cooking. The flower varies from purple, pink, to white, and the plant’s use dates back to 500 BCE in Rome and Greece. Further, it contains antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps improve memory and is an outstanding nerve tonic. When smoked, you get a fresh yet forestry aroma.

5. Sage
Salvia officinalis, you can also smoke with your weed. Many people use it in cooking for its sensual flavor and aroma. The most common sage is the white one. Sage people use it for smoking as it also has holistic compounds. Native Americans burned it to clean the air, and the Romans/Egyptians used it for therapeutic and culinary needs. The plant contains thuone, cineole, and camphor, which are antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. When smoked, it provides a mild effect with a pleasant aroma.

What Tobacco Alternative Is Best Mixed with Weed
It all depends on the effect you need, and the above herbs provide you with many choices made for different smokers. However, if you cannot find these herbs, you always have the option of buying readymade CBD smokes filled with herbs such as Chill CBD Smokes. The cigarettes consist of pure CBD mixed with natural herbs. Each smoke releases 10 milligrams of pure CBD while experiencing a peppermint/lavender flavor or you can enjoy your smokes with natural hemp. It has a unique filter design and is biodegradable. The best part is that it is nicotine and tobacco-free. So check them out and try them.