What Worked in 2024
1. Short-Form Videos Took Center Stage
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continued to dominate in 2024, with short-form video content driving impressive engagement and reach.
- Why It Worked: Quick, engaging videos aligned with users’ short attention spans. Social platforms increasingly favoured videos under 60 seconds, performing better in algorithms.
2. Micro-Influencers Built Stronger Connections
Micro-influencers (10,000-50,000 followers) became key players in brand marketing campaigns. These influencers offer authenticity and more intimate engagement with their audience.
- Why It Worked: Their smaller but highly engaged communities help build trust, leading to higher conversion rates compared to celebrity influencers.
3. Paid Social Ads Yielded High ROI
Despite growing competition, paid social media ads performed well, thanks to advanced targeting features and the ability to A/B test campaigns for optimised results.
- Why It Worked: Brands could target ads based on user behaviour, demographics, and even specific life events, delivering a high ROI.
What Didn’t Work as Well in 2024
1. Organic Reach Declined Further
As algorithms evolved, organic reach on social media continued to drop, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Brands that relied solely on organic posts struggled to maintain visibility.
- Why It Didn’t Work: Social media platforms prioritised paid content, making it harder for brands to gain traction without an advertising budget.
2. Posting Identical Content Across Platforms
In 2024, brands that pushed the same content across all social platforms without adjusting for each audience saw a decline in engagement.
- Why It Didn’t Work: Different platforms cater to different user behaviours and content preferences. What worked on TikTok didn’t necessarily perform well on LinkedIn or Facebook.
3. Ignoring Community Engagement
Brands that treated social media as a one-way broadcast channel and failed to actively engage with followers missed opportunities to foster loyalty and advocacy.
- Why It Didn’t Work: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook rewarded engagement-driven content. Brands that didn’t respond to comments, questions, or direct messages experienced diminished visibility.
What We Expect to Work in 2025
1. Short-Form Video Will Remain King
In 2025, short-form video will continue to dominate due to its high engagement and virality potential. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will likely remain the preferred formats for brands.
- Why It Will Work: Quick, easy-to-digest content keeps users engaged, and algorithms favour it, making it an essential part of any brand’s strategy.
- Our Top Tip: Experiment with different video styles—tutorials, product showcases, and behind-the-scenes content—to see what resonates most with your audience.
2. Micro- and Nano-Influencers Will Continue to Rise
We expect brands to increasingly collaborate with micro- and nano-influencers (under 10,000 followers) for authentic, hyper-targeted campaigns. These smaller influencers often have closer relationships with their audience.
- Why It Will Work: Audiences trust micro-influencers more than mega-influencers, which translates into better engagement and conversions.
- Actionable Tip: Partner with micro-influencers in niche markets to build authentic connections and trust within their community.
3. Data-Driven Personalisation Will Be Critical
As social media platforms evolve, brands will need to use data-driven insights to personalise content and deliver highly relevant messages to their audience.
- Why It Will Work: Social media users expect personalised experiences. Leveraging analytics tools can help brands optimise their content strategies for better engagement.
What May Not Work as Well in 2025
1. Long-Form Videos May Lose Steam
While long-form content works well on YouTube, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook will likely see a decline in engagement for longer videos.
- Why It Won’t Work: Social media users increasingly prefer quick, bite-sized content that offers immediate value.
2. Over-Saturated Influencer Marketing
As influencer marketing grows more popular, brands that over-rely on high-profile influencers may struggle to stand out. Users are becoming more skeptical of influencer endorsements that feel overly commercial.
- Why It Won’t Work: Consumers value authenticity, and influencer fatigue is becoming a real issue. High-profile endorsements may start to feel less genuine.
Conclusion
As social media marketing continues to evolve in 2025, the key to success will be adaptability. Short-form videos, micro-influencer partnerships, and personalised, data-driven strategies will continue to drive engagement and conversions. Meanwhile, brands that stick to outdated practices—like relying solely on organic reach or neglecting community engagement—may struggle to stay relevant. By embracing these trends and refining your approach, your brand can thrive in the ever-changing social media landscape.