As we step into 2025, the social media landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Brands and marketers need to stay ahead of the curve to engage with their audiences effectively.
Here are a few key trends we capturing from a recent Hootsuite article, which could shape the way you use social media for business in 2025.
Creative disruption
Last year we shared that some of our clients were concerned that their social media engagement was dropping. To build on that, in 2025, creativity will likely take centre stage, and to get the audience’s attention, brands will need to prioritise creative content over strict brand consistency.
Hootsuite says nearly half of social content is now aimed at entertaining, educating, or informing without direct promotion. Creative risk-takers are leading this trend, pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing. So, note this down, and when we work on your social media content schedule, have a think about how we can engage your target audience in your business without directly promoting your products.
Outbound engagement
Don’t just post—engage! Engaging strategically in the comments section is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for brands. By posting timely and relevant comments, brands can enhance their visibility and foster a sense of community. This proactive engagement enables brands to form more personal connections with their audience.
Social performance
Social listening is no longer optional; it's a crucial component of proving ROI and driving performance marketing. By understanding their audience through social listening, brands can improve their strategies and track measurable business impacts. This trend highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in social media marketing.
Micro-virality
This is a term we hadn’t heard of before, but it’s pricked up our ears, and we’ve jotted it down.
Micro-virality refers to where content achieves significant engagement and sharing within a specific niche audience or community rather than going viral on a mass scale across a broad audience. Think of people working or involved in a specific industry or a specific demographic that is typically interested in a product. This type of virality often occurs within targeted groups, such as fans of a particular hobby, industry professionals, or local communities.
Micro-viral content typically resonates deeply with its intended audience because it speaks to their specific interests, challenges, or values. While it may not reach millions of people, it can have a powerful impact within its niche, driving meaningful engagement, fostering loyalty, and achieving strategic goals like brand visibility or community building.
So, this year, instead of chasing broad viral trends, expect brands to focus on achieving smaller-scale virality within their own audience. Social listening is key in identifying and acting on relevant trends, allowing brands to create content that resonates with their specific audience.
AI content creation
Generative AI has become a staple in content creation. AI is being used to produce more content efficiently, from writing and image creation to brainstorming. The adoption of AI across industries has significantly increased, making it an essential tool for modern marketers and communicators. But, as we always say, use it with caution. It becomes very easy to identify what’s authentic content and what has been created using AI.
Summing it up from Belle
While social media is a powerful tool for engaging with your target audience, it's just one part of a broader strategy. It's important to talk to our team to determine which channels or tactics will be the most impactful in reaching your goals this year. By understanding your unique needs and objectives, we can help you craft a comprehensive plan that leverages the right mix of platforms and approaches to maximise your success.
To read the full Hootsuite report, head to www.hootsuite.com/research/.
