Are you ready to lead in the digital era and take your brand to new heights?
The social media landscape is constantly changing gears. With rapid advances in technology and changing social norms, the way we create, share, and consume content is constantly evolving. Understanding and capitalizing on emerging trends is critical for marketers and brands looking to stay ahead of the curve. Let's take a look at his top 5 social media trends that marketers and businesses should experiment with in 2024.
1. Embrace long-form content
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Do you think long-form content is becoming obsolete? Think again. In an era where bite-sized reels and shorts seem to dominate, there is a growing desire for richer, more in-depth content. In addition to video essays, long-form content also includes blog posts, podcasts, e-books, and even documentaries.
Research shows that long content gets 77.2% more clicks compared to short content. Social media giants are already taking note of this change. For example, TikTok significantly increased the length of videos from the original 15 seconds to 15 minutes. And word on the street is that Instagram plans to extend Reels from its current 90 seconds to 10 minutes.
Public relations firm Markus Rehn sheds light on the growing popularity of podcasts and the resurgence of interest in investigative reporting. These trends highlight the nation's widespread hunger for content that digs deeper, weaves stories, and reveals insights that fleeting clips can't provide. The benefits of long-form content are clear. This allows brands to establish authority, build trust, and drive deeper engagement. Additionally, it has benefits in terms of monetization, allowing you to run more ads.
However, long-form content isn't just about its length. The real challenge, and the key to success, lies in creating content that is not only broad, but packed with meaning and authenticity, and precisely tailored to the needs and tastes of your audience.
2. Prioritize direct messaging as your primary engagement tool
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The shift from the public realm of feeds to the cozy corners of private messaging is a trend that's hard to ignore. Direct messages (DMs) have become the modern gathering place on social media, where conversations are more personal and less revealing. This trend toward more private interactions has led to Instagram's suite of tweaks geared toward close friends, including TikTok's “friends only” option, post stories, sharing options, and “notes” (similar to quick status updates). This is reflected in a variety of social media features, including the functionality of .
With the introduction of Instagram’s “Flipside,” this trend will become even stronger. This provides an experience similar to having a “finsta”, a secondary account where users share more raw, unfiltered content, without the need for a completely separate account. This feature allows users to express themselves in a more private and personalized space, highlighting the platform's shift towards fostering intimate connections.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, highlighted how the platform's growth is increasingly fueled by the use of Stories and DMs. His private shift towards one-on-one communication represents a great opportunity for brands looking to deepen their connection with their audiences. By encouraging followers to reach out to you via DM, focusing on providing quick and thoughtful customer service and setting up auto-replies, while remaining human enough, brands can significantly increase customer trust and loyalty. Masu.
3. Create share-worthy content and drive social sharing
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In the evolving social currency, shares are more valuable than likes or followers. Shares reflect a deeper level of engagement, indicating that your content not only grabbed your audience's attention, but also resonated with them so much that they felt compelled to pass it on. Instagram’s recent decision to update its post metrics to show shares and comments rather than just likes highlights the importance of this change.
The message to content creators is clear. It's about creating content that's not just seen, but felt and shared. Your goal is to create work that resonates deeply, evokes conversation, and evokes strong emotions. We create compelling headlines that draw people in, visually stunning images that stop them scrolling, and content that challenges, entertains, and inspires. These are tools that encourage your audience to become ambassadors for your message and extend your reach far beyond your immediate circle.
4. Use YouTube Shorts
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While we celebrate the return of long-form content, we shouldn't ignore the power and popularity of reels and short-forms. Ideally, your content marking strategy should include both formats. If you've been solely focused on creating short videos for TikTok or Instagram, it's time to expand your horizons.
Enter your YouTube Short. This feature has quickly become a major force in the field of short-form content, with interest increasing by an astonishing 500% since 2021, according to Google Trends. YouTube Shorts combines the captivating appeal of fast, engaging videos with YouTube's famous analytics and marketing features. This fusion gives marketers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with audiences who prefer their content to be fast, fun, and easy to understand.
5. Optimize the user experience
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Social media algorithms are increasingly prioritizing user experience, curating feeds tailored to individual tastes and interests. Gone are the days when content that simply garnered the most likes and comments won the race for visibility. These algorithms are now designed to sift through the noise and identify and prioritize content that resonates with users' tastes, interests, and even moods on a more personal level.
The shift to a more user-centric model means things have changed for marketers. It's no longer just about creating engaging content, but also about truly enriching a user's online journey. By tailoring content to the subtle behaviors, interests, and emotional states of their audiences, marketers can significantly expand the reach and engagement of their content. This approach not only improves the user experience, but also opens new avenues for meaningful dialogue between brands and their audiences.
final thoughts
The social media landscape of 2024 is filled with opportunities for marketers to build deeper connections, personalize interactions, and deliver content that truly resonates. Marketers can effectively navigate this dynamic landscape by embracing longer videos, personalizing them through direct messages, rating shares, experimenting with YouTube Shorts, and optimizing the user experience. can. These trends are forcing us to rethink our strategies and engage with our audiences in more meaningful and impactful ways. Welcome to a new era of social media marketing. Adaptability, creativity and a personal touch are the compasses to success.
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