Hi there! We’ve almost made it through the year. With the holidays upon us and the 4th quarter in full swing, many of us are wondering what’s next. What trends will carry over into 2025? We’ll share what predictions are being made about marketing trends in the new year.
AI
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is the new big thing. Use it strategically in a way that still feels personal, and not mechanical. Pro tip: Avoid copying and pasting! Think about how you would phrase it in your own words. This will help it feel more natural and true to your brand’s voice and tone. This TED Talk warns against over-reliance on generative AI, and it cites the Harvard study that shows that the collective divergence of ideas drops by 40 percent when companies over-rely on AI for marketing. Marketers are encouraged to recognize the true creatives and innovators in their field. It's themselves! Not the robots...
In other words, marketers should come up with original concepts with their human brains and only rely on AI as a tool to support those. Jessica Apotheker, the speaker in this video, advises people to choose which side of the brain to use. Are you creative? Cultivate that. Are you data-driven? Specialize in tech skills. Whether you are left-brained or right-brained, what you’re good at will be your superpower. Use your skills first and foremost, and AI will be like your BFF.
Various types of content
Users enjoy fun content that’s educational, also known as “edutainment.” This uses scenarios, examples, and trending memes or viral topics to share important information with audiences. Take this video as an example. This comedian found a funny way to teach kids about stranger danger.
Users also enjoy content that’s playful. A classic example of this is the viral “Eat The Cat” remix that was made following the Trump vs. Harris presidential debate.
Short-form video is another type of content that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Attention spans won’t grow in length in 2025. If anything, they are getting shorter and shorter! This places the responsibility on the brand to use effective strategies in a short amount of time. This video advises creators on how to post a viral reel on Instagram in 2025.
Reddit Advertising and Forum Marketing
Since the Google and Reddit deal in early 2024, reports show that “+Reddit” was added to Google searches over 32 billion times. Forums like Reddit and Quora are handy for tapping into communities of users who ask and answer questions, including about products and services. Many people turn to these sites for truthful opinions, real voices, and honest feedback. The most important thing when you’re representing your brand on one of these forums is that you remain helpful, not salesy. Add value, and people will see who you are and what business you run.
Activations
Activations are marketing tactics that involve a campaign, event, or experience to create brand awareness and engage with consumers. The goal is to create memories for the customer and lead them on the path to making a purchase.
There are a few different types of activations.
Direct-response marketing focuses on generating immediate sales.
Retail activation creates memorable experiences in a store or other high-traffic area.
Brand activation focuses on building long-term emotional connections with customers. This can include product launch events, exhibitions, and social media promotions.
Marketing activations are often part of a larger marketing initiative that follows a comprehensive, strategic plan.
TikTok and social SEO
According to an article in Forbes published after the presidential election, it’s unclear whether TikTok will still exist beyond January of 2025. “As the law stands, TikTok would be banned from app stores in the U.S. on January 19th unless the company divests from ByteDance. However, there was a stipulation in the law that gives Biden the power to extend the deadline by 90 days if he sees ‘significant progress’ toward a sale. If that happens, the deadline would be extended into a Trump presidency.”
Regardless of TikTok’s existence, WebFX predicts that there will be an increased emphasis on social search engine optimization in 2025. “It's time to start looking at social media platforms as search engines,” Savannah Swanson wrote.
You can optimize your brand’s social profile for SEO by doing the following:
- Use relevant hashtags.
- Include alt text with your images.
- Integrate keywords into your captions.
- Utilize subtitles and captions in your videos for accessibility.
- Continue to maintain an active, engaging presence online to generate brand awareness and draw users in.
In-app shopping and first-party data
Product ads allow users to explore products without leaving the app. These are convenient for the user and effective in increasing a brand’s return on investment (ROI). On a similar note, leveraging first-party data for social ads is another trend that is projected to continue. You might be wondering, “What is first-party data?” This refers to information that a company collects directly from its customers and prospects through its own channels. This could include demographic information, interests, purchase history, and more. The data can be collected on apps, websites, social media accounts, subscription-based emails, customer surveys, and customer relation management (CRM) systems. It can help inform brands when they personalize content, create targeted ads, optimize campaigns, and locate new audiences.
Tips to remember: The 4 C’s
As we head into a new year, remember these tips, as they will still be relevant based on the projected trends for 2025.
Collaborate. When companies collaborate, it increases visibility for both companies and builds trust with consumers when they can tie your brand to another reputable brand. Partnering with smaller, niche influencers will be key for building stronger connections with targeted audiences.
Build community. Focus on building community rather than your follower count. People want to feel personally included in your content rather than just being a number.
Check for accuracy. When using AI tools like Chat GPT or Meta AI, remember that they are experimental in nature and need fact-checking. Be ethical and transparent with your audience by giving them a disclaimer if you use an AI-generated photo. No one likes to feel deceived or fall into the trap of false advertisement.
Customize content for your users. Make it personal to them however and whenever you can.
Conclusion
Many of this year’s trends are expected to carry over into the new year. Continue:
- Using AI to support original ideas.
- Creating valuable, short-form content.
- Marketing yourself on forums like Reddit.
- Including activations in your marketing tactics.
- Optimizing your social media platforms for SEO.
- Allowing in-app shopping and using first-party data.
- Collaborating, building community, checking facts, and customizing content.
If you need help with any of these steps, please book a free consultation with us so we can discuss your marketing goals for 2025!
That’s all for now. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Until next time—cheers!
