2022 will be a defining moment in our country as we head on to the polls for a hotly decisive election that will shape our economic and social future. The media, which is known as the fourth estate, plays a fundamental role in educating the masses and often swaying public opinion. From traditional to modern forms of media, information sources will be buzzing with political satire for the next 10-12 months.
But do people ever get bored with the election hullabaloo? They surely do! A poll recently conducted by YouGov Poll found that at least 51% of Americans got bored by the 2021 General election and often sought other means of information to keep them distracted. Will Kenya be any different? Not at all! Here are some few tips on how to keep your audience engaged and your content relevant within this noisy period:
- Memes
Funny memes keep people more relaxed and stress-free, as seen during the COVID-19 period. The election will be a period filled with anxiety, and Kenyans will be looking for content to keep their minds at ease. What better way to keep your audience engaged with fun memes centered popularly on the kenya sihami notion, giving us that unwavering feeling of what it means to be Kenyan. As a content creator or marketer, you can try to take leverage of the current political situation but don’t get too caught up in it. Alternatively, you can go the “githeri man” way and center your content on news happening around the election, which isn’t necessarily political.
- Kenyan Dictionary
2021 proved to us that as Kenyans, we can get creative ways to make fun of our light moments through famous sayings and quotes that define who we are. The Kenyan dictionary in my own opinion was pure genius as it captured our daily habits, providing a sense of humour. I expect the trend to spill over to this year as we gear up for the general election. Expect the content to revolve around jokes about ‘mheshimiwa’ and how our politicians make empty promises. Additionally, brands can leverage on the Kenyan dictionary and use the platform to advertise their products in a humorous and creative way.
- TikTok Videos/ Reels
TikTok has arguably been one of the most go to platforms for young adults, and the craze won’t suddenly go down this year. With the growth of TikTok influencers and crazy social media challenges, TikTok will become bigger and better, especially during this election year. Social media challenges will still continue to be the most preferred content, followed by short video clips centred on educational matters. One way to grab your audience’s attention, will be through the use of green screens and other features TikTok has to offer.
Content creators will also continue to keep it ‘Reel’ with short video reels documenting travelling expeditions, how to videos and humorous content. Cutting edge video editing techniques will be key in capturing the interest of your audience, so be sure to make it captivating as much as possible!
Parting Shot
No matter what technique you will use to capture the interest of your audience, relevance and creating experiences will key in cementing your growth on social media. Positioning your brand during the election period isn’t easy, but with the right approach, you can do it. Content is king, but more importantly, peace is crucial. Apart from creating memorable content, let us strive to spread messages of peace, love, and unity during this period.