Five Social Media Marketing Trends in 2024

It's Marketing Monday. It's time for a tea break. 

Ogilvy's Social Media Trends 2024 Report (mouthfull) is live. Here are some key takeaways. Social's buzzword in 2024 is 'culture'. But this is much more than following fads. Brands are now perfecting and infusing a unique culture into their DNA.

That whole sentence sounds a bit fad-esque, so put more simply:

Think IKEA's witty responses, SURREAL's everyone-on-LinkedIn-was-talking about-it-January campaign or The North Face's viral customer service.

The report also highlights 'unexpected brand partnerships' and their success in disruptive engagement.

Remember the Heinz x Absolut Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce? Brands are now pursuing unique, sometimes quirky collaborations to shake things up and become even more memorable.

Next up. The creator economy. It's booming, and brands must accept this and use it to their advantage. Accept it, I said. Yes, this new wave is excellent for endorsements. But it's also about co-creation and connection. Creators are becoming integral to brand storytelling and audience connection. I'm still waiting on a response from Lewis Capaldi.

But what's really being ignored, according to the report, is traditional ads. The focus is now on engaging, platform-native content.

Brands must adapt to this shift towards more organic content that resonates with audiences. I'm beginning to sound bossy now.

But remember, social networks are designed with 'social' in mind. Consumers are becoming put off by brands utilising these platforms to sell, sell, sell.

Of course, Ogilvy's predictions include the importance of video in your social media marketing strategy. It encourages a mix of short and long formats and creative, entertaining content alongside those punchy shorts we all love.

TikTok's influence continues growing, making it a key brand platform. Its evolution into a more ad-friendly space and a primary search destination is something to watch in 2024.

AI is also on the watch list. Undeniably (and sometimes obviously), it is increasingly used in social media. Automating mundane tasks, providing insights, and writing content. The should AI-stay-or-should-AI-go debate continues. (I came up with that, not AI).

The report concludes with words about how Meta's platforms, particularly Instagram, remain crucial for brand strategies in emerging markets. This means more innovative content and ad solutions.

Finally, LinkedIn is evolving beyond a networking platform, becoming crucial for B2B marketing, showcasing expertise and building professional communities.

Tea gone cold? Yeah, it's a lot to digest.

Which trends will you be implementing in your strategy? Does your business have a unique culture? Can you see your business making 30-minute-long TikToks, or has it not yet mastered the 60-second ones? 👇

#socialmediatrends #digitalmarketing #brandstrategy #innovation #engagement #contentmarketing #branchoutmarketing