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What a year 2024 has been! We have seen many trends emerge and succeed; some get a few seconds of shine, and others fail to launch from the beginning. Each case of these can be a great lesson for years to come after; they provide us with a glimpse of the dynamic nature of customers’ needs and perceptions. For 2025, there are clear signs of what can be a soaring success and worth trying and what should be left behind in 2024 and sealed shut.
Digital Marketing and Social Media: Embracing Constant Change
Anyone involved in the realm of digital marketing and social media should always be on the go. These networks’ dynamic and fluid nature makes it difficult to stay on one approach or strategy. But why is that? There are many factors contributing to this.
For instance, technological advancements play a major role in this constant change. The more customers are introduced to new tools, platforms, and an elevated experience, the higher their standards get, which leaves companies no choice but to try to match the new expectations.
Another factor that greatly contributes to this as well is customer behavior. You can’t expect users to keep reacting the same for years; each occurrence and trend impacts customers, altering their behavior and the way they engage with brands.
Digital Marketing Trends to Follow
Cross-Cultural Campaigns: One For All
There has been a great movement toward cross-cultural campaigns, and we are here for it. The concept of cross-cultural marketing is one that encourages inclusivity and catering to the needs of consumers who come from different backgrounds and preferences. This type of campaign is expected to gain traction, and it already has a few outstanding cases that prove this further.
AI: The New Normal in Digital Marketing
Many may argue this point, some saying that AI is coming to an end, but the truth is that AI is becoming a standard. AI algorithms are getting more powerful, and so are all the tools being updated, and the machines keep learning. This will set a standard for using AI in various aspects of digital marketing, from generating ideas to more. However, this doesn’t leave the track wide open for overusing the technology.
Live Shopping: Click, Watch, Buy.
We have all come across videos of people promoting products through reviews. Usually, these videos are pre-recorded, which might make them a bit questionable. However, a better way of shopping now is live shopping.
Live shopping is all about authenticity and transparency; you are watching someone try the product in front of thousands and get real-time results, whether positive or negative. It is the perfect way to drive impulsive shopping decisions; been there, done that.
Some Subtle Competitive Gossip Wouldn’t Hurt
Competition is a fun topic for customers that always sparks engagement, and although it is not new, it is still relevant. Subtlety, here, can be a smart, secret weapon.
Making lighthearted and witty nods to competitors or smart remarks can make you stand out, assert your strengths, and highlight key differences. However, always remember to keep it low-key.
One-Stop Shops
Another promising trend that we are looking out for is one-stop shops or marketplaces. The idea of having somewhere that includes different brands for one category of item is exciting and is becoming more recognized.
One-stop shops will offer customers many key benefits, such as saving time and effort they may exert looking for different items, for example, clothing, on different websites.
Fads to Forget
Overpolished, overrated.
As we previously stated, customers are all about authenticity and transparency. This completely shuts down and discards every chance an overpolished video may have had. Overpolished videos are ones that are overly done and constructed.
You know when you see a video where everything is in place and the script is so monotonic that you don’t know if it is real or not? Yes, these are the ones we are talking about and the ones you should scrape from your plan. People need content that relates to them and gets a close look at how they behave, feel, and need, and that should be the content you focus on.
Influencer Marketing Isn’t for Everyone
Influencers can be quite persuasive, but not for everyone. There was a time when influencers had a huge portion of any social media plan. However, it appears like they are not as appealing anymore.
People now strive for reviews and experiments that are 100% real. Most customers would rather listen to other customers and be persuaded than to a famous influencer, no matter how likable he or she is.
Over-Complicated Content Strategies
Complicated? In 2025? Come on. Overcomplicated content strategies should be something you leave way behind in 2025. People aren’t looking for overly sophisticated content; they are rather looking for simple and straight-to-the-point content and how-tos that will help them instead of hinder them.
Social Media Trends to Follow
Bringing Back Communities
Long live online communities! Since the emergence of the internet, online communities have been a vital part of the process. However, it has been buried deep down in memory. However, this wasn’t until it returned to shine.
Many platforms like Instagram and X have introduced the idea of communities where people with the same interests and preferences can engage. Until now, it has been a success, and we can only think of the impact it can have later on.
Vertical or Portrait Videos: Sideways? Not Anymore.
Vertical or portrait videos should be something you hang on to in 2025. With the increased significance and adoption of reels and short-form content on all platforms, vertical videos are exactly what you need.
The new format of videos, which is usually exciting and eye-catching, has proved that it is not just a craze. People now prefer this format over the old horizontal one, which now drives companies to come up with ways to craft an appealing and scroll-stopping vertical video.
Employees as Influencers
You can’t deny that at some point, you were hooked on the videos of employees showing how they create a specific recipe or drink or when they suggest the secret ingredient that they have created. This trend, or employees as influencers, is a skyrocketing social media trend that we are expecting to see more frequently in the upcoming year. This type of content is addicting, not only because it is so fun, but also because it is authentic and offers a glimpse of businesses that you wouldn’t have seen if it wasn’t for these videos.
LinkedIn Scrollable Feed is Going Big!
The last social media trend that we have high hopes for is the LinkedIn scrollable feed. Let us all agree that LinkedIn posts are very important, and the whole platform as a whole is vital. However, the scrollable video feed adds a little spice and lightens the professional setup that has always surrounded the platform. Now, instead of writing a long post about anything, creators can chime in using engaging videos.
Fads to Forget
The World Is So Over Threads
You have been one of the people who rushed to sign up for threads before its release? It is okay; we understand. Threads had so much potential upon its release; however, after some time of hype, it didn’t quite live up to people’s expectations. There have been many attempts to revive Threads as a promising platform, even by Meta, but the world is over it.
Only Chasing the Shiny Trends
You should know better than to only chase shiny trends like the ones on TikTok. At some point, this won’t prove how active and online you are, but it can also prove the minimal effort and disregard for actual interesting topics and only going after trends.
Lack of Video Transcriptions
One thing you need to forget about is the lack of video transcriptions. There have been many jokes and memes all over the internet highlighting the importance of video transcriptions and saying how it makes videos more appealing. This is true; many prefer to watch videos that have a transcript over those that don’t, as it can make the context clearer. So, if you intend to enter 2025 without video transcriptions, don’t.
Final Thoughts
The endless world of social media and digital marketing is deeper than you might think and what appears. In 2024, approaches that seemed promising and timeless faded within minutes, and others that had low expectations appeared to be magical.
Achieving success in this realm requires a balance between creativity, authenticity, and eyeing opportunities. As we move forward to 2025, we stand curious and proactive about what this dynamic industry might hold for us.
