From Fortune 500 companies to your local donut shop, every business is on social media today. But that doesn’t mean they are doing it right. Even if you’ve had success in the past, that doesn’t mean you’re set for the future. To get results, you need to stay ahead of the trends and know what followers want before planning out your content. Your social media strategy should constantly be evolving. Although you can’t predict the next big thing, we have seen some trends that will help guide marketers along the way.
This year, the key to social media success is authenticity! That means toning down the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content, interacting with your followers, and humanizing your business— preferably through visuals. Followers want genuine content from real people and that means humanizing your organization or business.
But even if you’re leading with personality and doing everything right, without metrics you won’t know for sure. As your strategy evolves, it’s also important to make sure you’re moving the needle with metrics. Keeping it real is the general vibe in 2024, but to get the best results, let’s dive a little deeper with a few more specific trends and insights to help you amp up your social media posts.
Authenticity and the AI Revolution
We’ve gotten used to using ChatGPT as a junior copywriter, but people are catching on. According to a recent Hootsuite survey, 62% of consumers are skeptical of content created by AI applications. And now, Meta is making waves by flagging AI-generated content, including those hyper-realistic images everyone has been talking about.
The bottom line? Be Authentic! Share your story in your own words. Of course, AI is an important tool—we at Front Burner Marketing use it all the time to brainstorm ideas, polish posts, and find new topics from existing content, like blogs and email campaigns.
But AI is changing everything FAST! You need to adapt to its latest developments. We are continually exploring its capabilities. Our focus is not just on keeping pace with the AI revolution but on understanding its intricacies and leveraging it to enhance all digital marketing strategies. Our AI marketing consulting services help clients stay ahead of the curve and unlock new possibilities for their marketing strategy.
Where’s the Fun?
Being authentic and using AI tools are important. But if your posts are boring, you’ll lose your audience. Ask yourself, where’s the fun? Though it’s important to share posts about your business’s products or services, try sharing photos from a team event, promoting a nonprofit you support, or posting fun content like trivia questions and taking a poll. Your followers will love giving their opinions and checking back for the results. People like to connect with people, so showing off your team's personality and culture makes you more relatable and trustworthy.
Show Me What You Got
Is content still king? According to social media experts at HubSpot, marketers have three seconds to grab attention. That’s because audiences are constantly flooded with content. We say, “Don’t tell us, show us!” That means more visuals and less text.
There’s been a huge shift in recent years from heavy text to visuals on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Followers want to be entertained, and visuals like videos are more engaging and showcase the personality of a brand. Live video is even better, it’s more authentic. Photos, animated GIFs, illustrations and infographics are eye catching, and you don’t have to ditch your longform content. Create a Call-to-Action in your posts that will drive followers to related blogs, case studies and pillar pages.
Make the Most Out of Analytics
Copywriters can get caught up in the content and messaging, but it’s all about results. If you don’t know how your posts are performing, you might be missing the mark. Posting through HubSpot is a fantastic way to get easy insights with its reporting features. Don’t forget about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as part of your strategy. Be sure to integrate keywords into your posts to optimize your content!
The Year of Authenticity and Innovation
This year is all about authenticity and innovation in social media marketing. By balancing AI tools with genuine human connection, showcasing your brand's personality through visuals, and leveraging analytics for insights, you can stay ahead of the curve and drive meaningful engagement with your audience. The key to success lies in staying true to your brand's story and values while embracing the latest trends and technologies.
Don’t Do it Alone
It can be overwhelming to fit all of these details into your social media strategy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Stay up-to-speed with education and consulting services. Front Burner’s Academy provides training to match you and your business with the best courses. We are offering a new AI Digital Marketing Course, certifications in social media and a HubSpot Social Media Course.
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