In the rapidly changing world of social media, it’s essential for brands to keep up with new trends to boost engagement, cultivate loyalty, and increase sales. HubSpot’s 2024 Social Media Trends Report highlights crucial tactics that will shape the digital marketing landscape.

1. AI-Driven Content Creation
   Artificial Intelligence is transforming how content is created, allowing marketers to generate high-quality material more efficiently than ever before. The report indicates that 71% of social media marketers are already using AI tools, with 87% believing that AI will be vital for a successful social media strategy in 2024. Importantly, AI-generated content has shown superior performance compared to traditional content in engaging audiences.
2. Fostering Dynamic Online Communities
   Active and supportive online communities are becoming essential for brands. According to the report, 86% of social media marketers view community building as critical for success in 2024. These communities not only enhance engagement but also strengthen brand loyalty and provide valuable insights into customer preferences.
3. Social Commerce Expansion
   The blending of e-commerce and social media is gaining momentum. Currently, 52% of marketers are selling products directly through social platforms, and a quarter of users have made purchases within apps over the last three months. Furthermore, 70% of marketers now have dedicated staff focusing on social commerce, highlighting its increasing importance.
4. Social Media as a Search Alternative
   More consumers are turning to social platforms for information; in fact, 21% prefer these sites over traditional search engines. As a result, 87% of social media marketers acknowledge the significance of incorporating social search into their strategies—indicating a shift in how people seek out information.
5. Adopting Fun and Genuine Content
   Brands are increasingly embracing playful and authentic content styles to resonate with their audiences better. By tapping into meme culture and adopting a more relatable voice, companies can forge deeper connections with followers while enhancing engagement.
6. The Comeback of Long-Form Video Content
   While short videos have been popular recently, there’s an exciting resurgence in long-form video formats as well! Platforms like TikTok are allowing longer video lengths which capture user attention effectively—offering brands an opportunity for richer storytelling and comprehensive messaging.
7. Harnessing Social Listening
   Social listening is becoming an essential tool for brands looking to gauge audience sentiment and spot emerging trends quickly. By tracking conversations and feedback online, companies can fine-tune their strategies while responding proactively to audience needs—boosting their relevance significantly.
8. Partnering with Influencers & Creators
   The influencer economy continues to thrive as brands increasingly collaborate with creators to reach specific demographics effectively! Establishing long-term relationships with these influencers enables brands to tap into their authenticity and loyal followings—resulting in more credible marketing efforts.

Top 10 snaps from the report by hubspot

1. The Importance of When and How Often You Post
   Timing your posts is crucial, and it’s not just a myth! Testing different times showed a staggering 31% drop in organic reach when posts were made at less-than-ideal moments. The best times to post can differ across platforms:

• YouTube: Between 6:00 and 9:00 PM
• LinkedIn: Mornings (like around 10:00 AM)
• Instagram Stories: Twice each day
• TikTok: 5 to 7 times weekly

Tip to Try: Play around with your posting schedule to discover what works best for your audience!

2. The Rise of Creators
   User-generated content (UGC) and collaborations with influencers are leading the charge in marketing today! Some key points include:

• Brands endorsed by influencers see an increase in trust by 11-12%.
• Marketing budgets are shifting, with allocations of 27% for organic content, 22% for paid ads, and 15% for influencer collaborations.

For instance, tech influencer MKBHD’s critique of an electric vehicle brand resulted in a shocking stock plunge of 49% for that company.

3. AI Marketing is Here to Stay
   The use of AI tools among marketers is skyrocketing—71% are now on board! These tools are being utilized for various tasks like content brainstorming (45%), drafting (18%), and image editing (with an incredible growth rate of 180%).

Insight: Thumbnails and content generated by AI can lead to better click-through rates (CTR). For example, one AI-created thumbnail I used on YouTube ranked among the top five for CTR!

4. Social Media Landscape is Ever-Changing
   Recent surveys indicate shifting preferences among social media platforms: B2B brands show a strong preference for LinkedIn (38%), while B2C brands are gravitating towards TikTok (39%). YouTube’s popularity has surged as well, with 25% of marketers now viewing it as a top ROI platform—up from just 14% last year!

Recommendation: Focus on creating short-form content for immediate ROI while investing in long-form content for long-term growth.

5. Social Media Shopping is Here to Stay
   A quarter of users have made purchases directly through social media within the last three months, driven largely by TikTok Shops and Meta Shops.

Case Study: A viral TikTok showcasing a curly hairbrush led to immense sales growth for the featured brand, raking in millions!

6. Consumers Turn to TikTok and Reddit First When Searching
   For many consumers today, social media serves as their go-to source—21% utilize these platforms initially when researching products. Additionally, four out of five users seek reviews on TikTok or Reddit.

Practical Tip: Optimize your presence on TikTok through effective SEO techniques to enhance search visibility while capitalizing on trending topics!

7. Social Media as the Go-To Customer Service Hub
   Survey results reveal that an impressive 71% of Gen Z favors WhatsApp and messaging apps when it comes to customer support.

Advice: Integrate these channels into your customer service strategy for improved engagement!

8. Humor & Trends Outshine Product-Centric Posts!
   Marketers indicate that funny content yields a remarkable ROI of 24%, while relatable trendy posts offer an ROI of about 18%. Conversely, overly promotional pages see unfollow rates soar at around ten percent.

Takeaway: Brands should focus on being social rather than merely engaging in social activities!

9. Avoiding Common Branding Mistakes Is Key!
   Reasons people choose to unfollow brands include:

• Clickbait tactics (76%)
• Inauthentic messaging (68%)
• Dull or boring content (68%)
• Repetitive postings (68%)

Key Insight: Authenticity and creativity must be prioritized!

10. The Era Without Cookies Is Upon Us!
    The transition away from cookie-based tracking continues; nearly all marketers—95%!—are feeling the impact following iOS updates like version 14.5. Email marketing boasts an astounding ROI at an impressive rate of up to 36x, thanks primarily due its data-driven strategies.

Suggested Strategy: Focus efforts on collecting first-party data along with enhancing email marketing initiatives for greater resilience moving forward!

To sum up, the landscape of social media marketing in 2024 will be defined by technological advancements, community engagement initiatives, and genuine interactions between brands and consumers! Those who adapt swiftly to these dynamic trends will likely find greater success in connecting with audiences while fostering loyalty amid an evolving digital environment! For more detailed insights on these trends and what they mean for your brand’s strategy moving forward—check out the full report here: