With the new year on the horizon, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the transformations we’ve witnessed this year in social media and to cast our gaze forward to what 2024 might hold.
In this blog, we’ll explore anticipated social media trends, innovations and potential game-changers that can keep you one step ahead of the digital marketing curve. From Threads making its debut and setting records, to the implosion of X, 2023 has run the gamut of success and failures in social media trends.
So, what’s up next for social media in 2024?
AI-powered content creation
With the introduction of AI tools such as Chat GPT at the backend of 2022 and beginning of 2023, there’s no telling where AI could take us in 2024. Gone are the days of AI being merely a backend tool for data analytics; it’s now at the forefront of content generation for marketers worldwide.
So, where can it take us? Your guess is probably as good as ours. But one thing is for sure, you need to be a part of it. Now, don’t get us wrong—unique, original content is still king and providing value should be at the forefront of your plans. But with AI becoming an incredibly potent tool, it’s a mistake to not realize its potential.
There are numerous ways to use AI if you’re a marketer and it’s imperative you keep up with what it has to offer.
Authentic & Original Content
Authentic and original content is more important now than ever before to help you stand out from competitors. With the rise of AI generated content, lots of companies and marketers jumped on the bandwagon of posting as much content as possible, even if quality suffered.
Fortunately for those of us who focus on providing high-quality and unique content, this method of simply posting as much as possible is short-lived. Let’s be honest, we’ve all scrolled through Instagram for hours and seen repetitions of the same content multiple times, haven’t we? It’s plain boring.
The heart of truly impactful and engaging content remains rooted in human experiences and authenticity. Social media should be used to build relationships with consumers. This is done through telling original stories, providing unique points-of-view and creative content.
If there’s one thing you should take away from this section, authentic content resonates. And it’s going to be more important than ever in 2024, where audiences will seek something fresh amidst the repetitive sea of digital media
Utilizing social media SEO
I know for the majority of marketers out there, we hear the word SEO and we automatically think: “Google”. If this is you, lots of people are in the same boat. But, you’re missing out.
Google senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan stated in a recent Technology Conference that just under 40% of young people go to Social Media platforms when looking for something like a place for lunch.
So, what does this mean? Social media is now a search engine, and you should definitely take advantage of this heading into 2024.
Keyword research is no longer just for Google content, it’s something you should be doing for your social media content. Whether it’s optimizing your Instagram or TikTok profile to include your businesses location or adding keyword-specific alt-text to images—this is definitely something to get onboard with in 2024.
Reflecting on social media in 2023
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last year, you’ll have noticed the impressive rise of short-form content. Instagram Reels are definitely on-trend currently, and this is set to continue into 2024—so don’t be slacking on the Reels!
Influencer Marketing on social media has also taken center-stage. There’s been a clear lack of trust with traditional media sources, and many influencers have capitalized on this and built devoted followings. Is this going to carry on into 2024? Absolutely. If you’re not making the most of social media influencers to promote your content, you’re missing out.
From technological advancements to incredible social influence, it’s been a massive year for 2023. And hopefully you’ve benefited from the chaos that has ensued!
Key takeaways going into 2024
Before heading into 2024, it is essential to develop a plan of action. If this sounds a bit daunting, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at AZ Media Maven. Here’s some of the key takeaways you should consider in your 2024 plan:
- Utilize short-form content
- Authenticity matters; create original content
- Community building, build relationships & trust through your work.
Above all, stay updated. Social media is a fast-paced, ever-changing landscape. What’s worked well this year, might not next year. And who knows what the next big trend will be? The key is to stay on the ball and adapt your content throughout the year. Another key point is selecting the right Social media platform to promote your business on!
Good luck with social media in 2024!
It’s a challenging time to be a marketer with so many changes and each expert having a differing approach. But don’t worry, you’re not alone.
AZ Media Maven is based in Laveen, AZ, a suburban village in the greater Phoenix area. Owner Rose Tring has more than 30 years of journalism experience as an editor and writer, many of those years in business news. She created AZ Media Maven in 2012 to help other business owners succeed by effectively telling their stories through public relations and social media. Reach AZ Media Maven at azmediamaven@azmediamaven.com or call (602) 373-8371.
