Social media marketing is no walk in the park.
Remember when unannounced algorithm updates were our biggest headache?
Fast forward to now, and we’re navigating a whole new world of user behavior, consumer habits, and a fresh wave of social media users with unique needs. But don’t worry, our 2024 Social Media Trends are here to be your ultimate guide through these exciting changes.
Short-Form Video is Still the King
One of the top social media trends to watch out for is short-form video. They are a great way to grab people’s attention and motivate them to share your content.
Short videos are easy to watch and share, accessible on any device. Above all, they are more memorable and help simplify complicated messages.
No wonder short form videos get 2.5 times more engagement than long-form videos, and over 70% of consumers prefer short-form videos to learn about products and services. These videos are projected to generate over $10 billion revenue in coming years.
To make the most of short form video, you need to understand the optimal length as well as the platform to publish them.
The ideal duration for short-form videos is between 11 to 60 seconds, while most marketers prefer between 31 and 60 second duration. The top platforms for short-form videos are YouTube Shorts, TikTok (not in India), and Instagram Reels. These platforms have created a booming ecosystem for creators and brands to interact with audiences in quick, creative bursts.
Tips for Creating Short-Form Video Content:
– Be Concise: Make every second count. Grab attention quickly and deliver your message efficiently.
– Stay Trendy: Keep an eye on trending topics, challenges, or sounds. Engaging with trends can boost visibility.
– Call to Action: Don’t forget to include a call to action. Encourage your audience to like, share, or follow for more content.
Social Commerce on the Rise
Have you heard of social commerce?
Social commerce happens when you use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc. to buy and sell services or products. Over the years, these social media outlets have become a booming shopping destinations.
In 2024, an estimated $94 million in social commerce revenue is expected to be generated on Facebook and Instagram, with over 64 million consumers shopping on Facebook.
As of early 2023, the global social commerce market was valued at approximately $585 billion, with projections to reach over $2 trillion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 31.4%.
How to Leverage Social Commerce:
– Instagram Shops and Facebook Stores: Set up your shop where your audience spends the most time.
– Shoppable Posts: Use tags and links to make your content directly shoppable.
– User Reviews: Highlight reviews and testimonials to build trust and authenticity.
Content Creators Hold the Power
The content generated by your customers or users over your platform is called user generated content or UGC. Common examples include testimonial and customer stories around your product or service.
And here are some statistics making it one of the key social media trends for 2024 and beyond.
- UGC is 9.8 times more impactful than influencer content.
- UGC makes blog articles 2.5 times more shareable, and Instagram posts with UGC get 70% more engagement.
- UGC boosts a blog’s organic traffic by 45%.
How to Leverage UGC:
- Encourage your customers to share their experiences
- Collaborate with nano and micro-influencers to expand your brand’s reach authentically.
Community Over Followers
Building a strong, engaged community on social media is much better than just chasing after more followers.
Here’s why: 76% of people online are part of some kind of community, and 66% of brands with a strong community see better customer loyalty.
A good community consists of your most dedicated fans who love your brand and keep coming back.
Building an Engaged Community:
- Use polls, Q&As, and live sessions to engage your audience.
- Reply to comments, engage with mentions, and don’t shy away from addressing feedback—positive or negative.
- Reward your community with exclusive content, discounts, or early access.
Instagram Threads to Dominate
Instagram Threads can be a great way to increase your sales and social media engagement. This Instagram app is being used by over 150 million users.
This new space for text-based posts and conversations could be a great addition to your social media strategy, especially if you’re already active on Instagram.
Utilizing Instagram Threads:
- Use Threads to spark meaningful discussions and engage with your audience.
- Offer followers exclusive content, deals, and insights.
- Use Threads to deepen connections and foster community growth.
Collaborate with Influencers
Let’s face it; people trust people. Partnering with the right influencers can give your brand a huge boost of credibility and reach.
62 % of social media users trust influencers over celebrities, and consumers are acting on this trust. And guess what? Businesses are making USD 6.50 for USD 1 spend on influencer marketing.
You can get started with any micro influencer (8k to 10k followers) if you have a small budget.
Influencer Marketing Tips:
– Choose influencers who align with your brand values.
– Foster genuine partnerships for lasting impact.
– Track engagement, reach, and conversions to optimize your strategy.
Social Media as a Search Engine
There is a rise in a number of users who are preferring Instagram or YouTube over Google to discover entertaining and digestible content.
People now use social media platforms to find brands, products, and influencers, which is known as social search. As users share and discover new products and experiences, social media platforms have become powerful search engines.
Simply put, social search is rising due to its personalized, easy-to-digest content and visual appeal on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These platforms offer quick answers and authentic user-generated content, unlike traditional search engines.
Gen Z prefers this format as it provides real experiences, community interaction, and transparency in marketing. In fact, it led to a trending phrase “I don’t Google anymore. I TikTok”.
According to one survey, over half of Gen Z respondents use social media for brand information, while only 45% used search engines. This shows that social media is the preferred channel for brand discovery and information.
That’s right; they’re ditching Google for the latest trends and recommendations.
Optimizing for Social Search:
– Use Relevant Hashtags: Make your content discoverable with strategic hashtags.
– Engage with Trends: Be part of trending topics to increase visibility.
– Visual Appeal: Invest in high-quality visuals to capture attention.
Bonus: Gen Z – The Internet’s New Rulers!
We can’t forget Gen Z; they rule the web now. These digital natives have a language all their own, and reaching them requires a whole new playbook. Forget boring narratives – think TikTok challenges, quirky memes, and endless creativity. With TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram each drawing roughly 80% of Gen Z social network users, you can expect them to shape future trends
Marketing to Gen Z:
– Authenticity is Key: Be real, relatable, and quick to adapt.
– Influencer Collaborations: Partner with influencers who resonate with Gen Z values.
– Engaging Content: Focus on interactive and engaging content like challenges and memes.
OVER TO YOU…
So there you have it—your roadmap to navigating the social media landscape in 2024. Dive into these trends, adjust your strategies, and stay ahead of the game. And remember, for more tips and insights, subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for the latest updates.
An enthusiastic Human Being with a zeal to express as much she can in words… and Blogs gave her a medium to express and share her knowledge. Has written for eminent blogs and fields like the social media, internet marketing, technology, lifestyle (tattoos, body art, fashion, etc.), politics, and the list is still increasing.