It’s 2024 and social media marketing has evolved dramatically since the early days of Facebook and Twitter. As a business owner, you need to stay on top of the latest trends and best practices if you want to effectively reach your target audience. Here are some of the key social media marketing trends I’ve observed this year that you can’t afford to ignore.

Live Video is King

Live video has become one of the hottest trends in social media. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok are all prioritizing video content, especially live video. As a business, you need to incorporate more live video into your strategy through streams, Stories, or short-form video clips. Going live allows you to engage your followers in real-time and creates more authentic interactions. Make sure you have the equipment and resources to broadcast live from your business, at events or while showcasing products/services. The more live video content the better for reaching new audiences.

Influencer Marketing is a Must

Collaborating with influencers who are relevant to your niche is no longer optional. Influencers are trusted voices who can help promote your brand to their engaged follower bases. Make sure to identify nano and micro-influencers in your industry who produce quality content and have an authentic voice. Reach out to them about sample giveaways, sponsored content partnerships, takeovers of your account, or other creative promotions. Tracking ROI and using affiliate links or discount codes is important to measure the impact of these influencer collaborations.

Short-Form Video Reigns Supreme

With TikTok taking the world by storm, short-form video content under 60 seconds is what works best right now. You need to take advantage of this accelerated video format on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc. Create fun, entertaining, or informative bite-sized videos showcasing your products, behind-the-scenes footage, employee takeovers, or quick tips/tricks. The key is keeping it short, engaging and relevant to your audience. The more creative, the better!

AR/VR Goes Mainstream

Augmented and virtual reality is being embraced by major social platforms. From AR filters on Instagram and Snapchat to VR content and spaces on Facebook, this tech is transforming social media marketing. Look for opportunities to incorporate AR try-ons, virtual tours, 3D models or other immersive experiences as part of your strategy. The key is using AR/VR in a way that truly enhances the user experience versus coming off as a pointless gimmick.

Purpose-Driven Content

With social media fatigue on the rise, simply promoting your product and posting random content is no longer enough. You need to focus on purpose-driven content that educates, entertains or inspires your audience. CSR initiatives, behind-the-scenes stories, employee spotlights, and community engagement efforts are all great purpose-driven content. This builds brand affinity and showcases corporate values. Make sure your content has a purpose beyond the hard sell.

Community Building

Social media is no longer just a broadcasting channel. It’s a platform for brands to build engaged communities. You need to foster community on your social channels through user-generated content, crowdsourcing, polls, conversations, etc. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and interact beyond just pushing your own content out. Building a community boosts engagement and loyalty over the long-term.

The Rise of Messaging

Private messaging apps like WhatsApp are exploding. Social messaging provides a more intimate way for brands to connect with customers. Explore using chatbots or running special promotions in messaging apps to drive sales. You can even use messaging to qualify leads before directing them to your website. Find creative ways to incorporate messaging into your mix.

In addition to these major trends, social media marketing in 2024 requires paying close attention to algorithm changes, new emerging platforms (like BeReal), digital assistants, social commerce, and more. It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the rapid shifts in this landscape. 

That’s where partnering with a social media marketing agency is so valuable for a brand like yours.

• Access to social media experts who live this space all day long. They will monitor trends and pivot your strategy accordingly.
• Ability to scale your output and manage high volumes of content across every platform. Agencies have dedicated resources.
• Data-driven insights based on performance tracking and in-depth analytics you don’t have time for. They’ll report on what’s working and what’s not.
• Innovation to keep your social media content and campaigns fresh.
• Professionally designed and optimized social media assets that drive engagement and conversions.
• Account management assistance so you don’t have to handle everything in-house.
• Savings from not having to hire more internal social media staff to support growing needs.