Social Media Marketing Trends 2024: What’s Coming

The future of social media looks vibrant in 2024. According to the Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report, this year will bring many chances and hurdles for brands. The report points out several key areas, like the rise of AI and the importance of choosing the right social platforms¹.

The report shares that people now use about 6.7 social networks a month and spend 143 minutes each day on social media¹. For companies, this means they need to be smart to stand out and truly connect with their customers¹.

Brands are investing heavily in social media marketing, planning to spend almost $220 billion in 2024¹. This shows they see the huge potential of these platforms. One in five users has become part of a social media community¹. Brands that build strong communities will likely do well this year.

Key Takeaways

• The average person uses 6.7 different social networks per month and spends 143 minutes a day on social media.
• Total amount spent on social media marketing is expected to reach $219.8 billion in 2024.
• One in five users has joined a social media community, highlighting the importance of fostering a sense of belonging.
• Brands must embrace trends like AI, strategic platform prioritization, and authentic, entertaining content to engage audiences and drive results.
• Data and social listening continue to be critical for informing marketing decisions and building customer-centric strategies.

The AI Trend

Generative AI is changing how people see brands and what they expect from them². From 2022 to 2023, interest in AI grew by 550%. Businesses plan to use AI much more in marketing².

But, the Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report showed that not all people, especially older ones, are fully on board with AI-generated content².

AI Forces Brands to Redefine Authenticity

Brands must redefine what “authenticity” means now. They should care more about the experience they give customers than about who actually makes the content². If they focus AI on customer service, they could see a 25% boost in revenue compared to only using it for productivity².

How to Work Smarter with AI

The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report gives tips on using AI better. It’s key to know your audience well, including how they think about AI content. Their age, culture, and interests matter².

Brands should also choose carefully what AI handles and what stays human. There must be a good mix of tech and personal touch². Also, it suggests setting clear rules for AI use to prevent problems like bad posts or upset customers².

As AI and social media merge more, brands need to adjust their AI marketing. They can keep up by focusing on authenticity and using AI wisely²³⁴.

The Platform Trend

Today, managing social media is harder as more platforms pop up. The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report says people use about seven social media sites monthly⁵. This means brands need to spend a lot of time and money to stay active everywhere, which might not always lead to success.However, a growing trend in the digital marketing world is focusing on platforms that prioritize user-generated content. These platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, have gained immense popularity in recent years, allowing users to create and share their own content.

Strategic Brands Commit to Their Champion Social Platforms

So, smart brands are choosing the best platforms for them based on what works best and offers the most return on investment. This way, they become experts on a select few platforms rather than being just OK on many. This can lead to better outcomes and more gains from their social media spending.In the ever-evolving world of social media marketing, brands are constantly searching for the best platforms to engage with their audiences and drive business results. With the rise of new technologies and shifting consumer behaviors, it has become crucial for strategic brands to commit to their champion social platforms.

As we look ahead to the social media marketing trends of 2024, certain key elements stand out. Video content continues to dominate as one of the most powerful forms of communication, capable of capturing attention and conveying messages more effectively than any other medium. Brands that prioritize video content on their champion social platforms are likely to see better engagement and conversion rates, setting themselves apart from competitors.

How to Decode (and Declutter) Your Social Platform Mix

The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report suggests a few steps for brands to make the most of their social media. They should start with a thorough social media audit to see which platforms are doing great and which need help⁶. Next, they should figure out which platforms give them the most bang for their buck to focus their efforts there⁵. The report also recommends customizing content for each platform, instead of sharing the same thing everywhere⁵. This makes their messages more effective and engaging.

Following these steps helps brands sort out their social media mess by concentrating on what really works. By concentrating their efforts, they manage their social media well and make the most of the opportunities the changing social media world offers⁷.

The ROI Trend

Brands are focusing more on social media ROI. They’re finding that using fun content is key to getting better results. The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report shows that most people go on social media to have fun and relax. Yet, over a third are put off by too much self-promotion⁸.To engage users effectively and maximize returns, businesses need to stay updated on the latest social media marketing trends 2024.

Social messaging is another trend that marketers need to capitalize on. With the rise of platforms like WhatsApp, Messenger, and WeChat, more and more people are using these apps to communicate, creating opportunities for businesses to reach their audience in a more personalized and direct way. By leveraging social messaging, brands can engage with customers, answer queries, provide customer support, and even facilitate sales, leading to higher ROI and customer satisfaction.

Entertainment fuels the social ROI engine

Brands that share fun and engaging content connect better with their audience. They see more success than those just pushing social media ROI and self-promotion. Interestingly, more than half the TikTok users watch videos over a minute long. This means they like content that’s both deep and enjoyable⁸.

At the same time, people really want to see real, non-pushy content on social media. By focusing on what consumers really like, brands can use their social media wisely. This approach helps them get a better social media ROI by creating content that’s fun, and connects emotionally with people⁸.

Social media is always changing, and successful brands need to keep up. By making content that is both enjoyable and true, marketers can really improve their social media ROI, and grow stronger with their audience⁸⁹¹⁰.

Video is king…but with a long-form twist

In the world of social media marketing, videos rule. This trend is getting stronger¹¹. Many people want to watch videos that are longer than the usual quick ones.

Platforms like TikTok are trying out longer videos, up to 30 minutes. This change is because users are spending a lot of time on videos longer than a minute¹¹.

This focus on long videos means people are interested in storytelling again. It also helps viewers feel more connected to brands¹¹. Although quick videos are still popular, making longer story-like videos can reach your audience’s heart¹¹. In FACT, 84% of buyers have decided to purchase a product after watching a brand’s video¹², and 68% of consumers prefer watching videos to learn about new products or services¹².

Finding the right mix of short and long videos is key. This approach helps in making a strong social media video plan¹¹. Both short and long videos have their unique benefits. They help brands attract and keep their audience¹².

As social media keeps changing, videos are still very important. Using a mix of short and long videos lets brands share their stories. These stories can really touch people and bring about real effects¹¹¹²¹³.

Playful content is the new “brand personality”

In the world of social media, brands are finding a new way to win over their fans. They’re using fun and playful content to catch people’s eyes. The recent Hootsuite report shows that being edgy is out, while jokes and trendy memes are in. This lets companies show who they really are and connect with their fans in a fun, real way¹⁴.

*LinkedIn* and *Auntie Anne’s* are at the forefront. They create content that’s funny and easy to relate to, using memes and short videos on *TikTok Reels* and *YouTube Shorts*. Instead of just trying to sell things, they focus on making people laugh and feel like they’re talking to a friend. This changes the game for how brands can talk to people online¹⁴¹⁵.

The report also suggests that brands should not be afraid to jump on internet trends. They should make these trends their own by adding their unique style and humor. This not only makes them seem friendlier and more fun but also shows their softer, more human side¹⁴.

As social media changes, brands really embracing fun content will do well. By using memes and short videos, they’re not just making noise. They’re building relationships. This kind of content speaks with the audience in a way that’s both fun and familiar, making people want to engage more and stay loyal¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶.

The expansion of social commerce remains a trend to watch—and use

As the world of online shopping changes, social commerce is becoming a big deal. The rise of the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt trend and the launch of TikTok Shop in the US proves this¹⁷.

Jeff MacDonald from Mekanism says brands should join in. Live shopping mixes fun and buying, making it great for reaching out to shoppers¹⁷. In 2024, adults in the US might spend about 11.4% of their day on social media. Brands should start selling on these platforms to catch shoppers’ eyes¹⁷.

Many younger shoppers are using social media to buy things. For example, over half of the 18 to 29-year-olds in the US planned to shop on TikTok for the holidays in 2023¹⁷. This shows the growing impact of TikTok on how people shop¹⁷.

Brands need to keep up with social commerce changes. This means using live shopping and teaming up with social sites. By creating fun ways to shop, brands can attract more buyers¹⁷. The social commerce market in the US could be worth over $100 billion by 2025. So, taking part in this trend is crucial for brands¹⁷.

SEO is important for social channels too—not just your site

To make your content easy to find on social media, think like an SEO expert. Use important keywords in your posts, add trending hashtags, and describe images with alt text for better search results¹⁸. Doing this will boost how easily people can discover your posts and help you reach more viewers¹⁸.

It’s no surprise that more people look for information on social media platforms than on traditional search engines¹⁹. Since a staggering 4.9 billion people will be using social media by 2023, sites like YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok have become critical for searching. This means brands must ensure they can be found easily on these platforms through smart platform search optimization methods¹⁹.

Creating content that’s easy to find will open doors for your business. It will lead to more visitors and make your brand more visible¹⁸. Keep in mind, success in the social media world comes by being proactive. Stay updated on the latest SEO strategies for these ever-changing platforms¹⁸.

Behind-the-scenes content and reimagined transparency

In the world of social media marketing, being open is key. It’s not just a bonus anymore – it’s what people expect. Consumers want to see real, behind-the-scenes stuff from the brands they love²⁰. This demand was highlighted in the Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report, showing people want honest and genuine content from brands on social media.

Brands used to stand out by supporting causes. But today, it’s all about being open about business practices, values, and social responsibility. For instance, Nisolo lets people see its sustainability efforts through “report cards.” Many brands are also sharing more about their teams to build real bonds with their audience.

Listening closely to what people say online is crucial²⁰. It helps brands quickly solve any issues or answer questions. This keeps them transparent and shows they care about real conversations.

For smaller businesses, having employees share about their work can be very effective. This kind of content helps shape a brand’s image and brings in new customers. It’s affordable and doesn’t take a lot of time to create. This makes it a smart way to reach people without spending a lot of money.

These days, trust and honesty are more important than ever. People like businesses that share their values and make real connections. By being more open on social media and creating genuine content, brands can build stronger ties with their followers. They stand out in the busy world of social media²⁰²¹²².

Social media marketing trends 2024

As social media changes, brands must update their strategies to keep up. The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report finds that consumers want real, non-promotional content the most²³. This means people enjoy seeing what’s really happening behind the scenes. It talks about the focus on genuine voices, from influencers to the workers²³.

Authentic Content Resonates Across Platforms

Sam Mackowitz at Flywire thinks being real is key and will stay important in 2024²³. The report suggests brands should show the human side of their work. It mentions using employee advocates and sharing fun, backstage content about the team.

The Evolution of Social Teams and Titles

Social media is always changing, and so are the teams working behind it. The report notes that most social teams are tied to specific platforms. But this way of working could become less effective²³.

Gabby Grahek from Sprout predicts new, specialized social media roles will appear in many companies²³. The report suggests that brands should check if their team setup is still the best. They should think about new, specialized roles to push social media further within the company.

Conclusion

The Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 report looks at the big trends in social media marketing for the coming year. It talks about how AI is becoming more important, helping marketers with ideas, writing, and making images²⁴. It also highlights the key roles of platforms like YouTube²⁵ and social commerce²⁶. This info helps brands keep up with changes and reach their audiences better. Influencer marketing has also proven to be an effective strategy for brands to connect with their target consumers. By collaborating with popular individuals on social media platforms, brands can leverage the influence and reach of these influencers to promote their products or services. This type of marketing has become even more impactful with the rise of virtual reality, as it allows influencers to provide immersive experiences to their followers.

However, in order to successfully execute an influencer marketing campaign, brands must also have a well-rounded social media strategy. This involves not only selecting the right influencers, but also ensuring consistent branding across all social media channels and engaging with their audience effectively. Social media platforms like YouTube play a crucial role in this strategy, as they provide a space for influencers to create and share high-quality content that can attract a large number of viewers.

Additionally, the integration of social commerce into influencer marketing has further enhanced its effectiveness. With the ability to directly link products in social media posts, influencers can drive immediate sales and help brands measure the success of their campaigns. This combination of influencer marketing, virtual reality, and a strong social media strategy creates a powerful approach for brands to connect with their audience and drive business growth.

Overall, influencer marketing continues to evolve and adapt as new technologies and platforms emerge. Brands that stay up-to-date with these changes and invest in a comprehensive social media strategy will be best positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by influencer marketing and virtual reality. By effectively leveraging the influence of popular individuals and utilizing the immersive capabilities of virtual reality, brands can create engaging experiences that resonate with their target consumers, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness, customer loyalty, and sales.