Harnessing the Marketing Power of Social Media in 2024

Social media. We all use it. We’re all aware of it. But are you leveraging its full potential? If not, then this week’s edition of Inside Track is for you.

This week we’ll be exploring the unheralded marketing power social media possesses. I’ll discuss the ever-growing importance of socials in 2024 and run through the best platforms to propel your business toward success.

We’ll also cover the most dynamic social media trends to watch out for and provide you with invaluable tips to give your social marketing a jump start.

Ready to learn more about social media and its growing significance within marketing? Then read on to uncover its innovative power!

The Growing Significance of Social Media

Social media is no longer a place only for funny memes and sharing photos with your friends. Its remarkable growth over the past ten+ years has transformed it into a marketing powerhouse.

It is a free, untapped resource that you can use to find, engage, and then convert potential clients.

To highlight its huge potential, we’ve listed some jaw-dropping statistics from Sprout Social that help drive this message home:

OUR EXPERT SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING SERVICE

The Best Platforms for Growing Your Business

An important point to note is that social media growth is not easy.

Gone are the days when you could share a few images and watch your account explode. Social media marketing now needs a strategic approach that requires effort and critical thinking.

Therefore, choosing the right social media platform is crucial.

Instead of spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms, select one or two that truly resonate with your brand’s goals, tone, message, and target audience.

Some of the top options include:

• Facebook

The social media OG. With over 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook continues to be a powerhouse for promoting your business.

Leverage its robust advertising options and diverse user base to connect with your audience.

• LinkedIn

LinkedIn isn't just a job search engine anymore.

With more than 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn has evolved into a professional networking site where companies and individuals can share their content to build their brand, land clients, and position them as experts in their industry.

You'd be amazed at the level of deals that can be made straight from the DMs!

• YouTube

YouTube is a video content haven that ranks as the second-largest search engine globally. Engage your audience through compelling videos, tutorials, and product showcases.

YouTube is perfect for building and harnessing relationships with potential customers due to its engaging video format.

• Instagram

Visual storytelling is the true power of Instagram. Use its photo and video-sharing capabilities to showcase your brand's personality and products.

Fantastic for photographers, designers, bloggers, influencers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and more!

• TikTok

Rapidly growing, especially among Gen-Zers, TikTok's short-form videos offer a unique marketing avenue. Dive into trends and challenges to amplify your brand's reach.

TikTok is the perfect platform for targeting younger demographics and expanding your brand's reach. But be aware that professional talk is a no-go on TikTok. Keep it lighthearted and playful to engage your target audience.

READ: HOW TO TURN LIKES INTO LEADS

Social Media Trends in 2024

Remember when Instagram was solely for images? Or when LinkedIn was only for fusty professionals?

As social media has evolved, so have the wants and needs of its users. We expect 2024 to be no different, bringing with it exciting new trends that break the mould.

Top trends to watch out for in 2024 include:

Social commerce

Platforms like TikTok are evolving beyond entertainment.

The recent introduction of TikTok Shop signals a major shift towards social commerce, allowing businesses to seamlessly integrate shopping experiences into users' social media journeys. We expect this to continue to grow in 2024.


Personalisation is key

With the increased use of AI and the over saturation of the market, people want real connections more than ever.

That’s why you need to tailor your content to YOUR target audience. If you try to speak to everyone, you’ll reach no one.

Niche down and target individual preferences to create a more intimate connection with your audience. From targeted ads to personalised recommendations, harness the power of tailored experiences to engage and convert.


Rise of long form videos

Long form video? That’s so 2020... Well, maybe not.

This shift in trends is exemplified by TikTok introducing its Creative Beta Program, which incentivises creators to post videos up to 10 minutes or longer. It’s expected that other platforms will soon follow this trend.

Whilst short-form video will still be key to your marketing efforts, combining it with long form will pack the biggest punch and please the almighty algorithm.

SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS FOR 2024

Tips for Social Media Success

So, you now recognise the marketing potential of social media. You’ve even picked out your chosen platform(s). But how are you going to make it a success?

Here are some of our top tips:

• Strategic planning over clever tactics: Craft content with purpose, aligning your social media efforts with overarching business goals for more impactful and measurable results.
  
  
• Conduct a performance audit: Analyse metrics, engagement rates, and audience feedback regularly to know what works and what needs improvement.
  
  
• Establish consistent brand guidelines: Consistency is the key to social media success. Consistent visuals, messaging, and tone of voice across platforms will build a strong brand identity and foster trust among your audience.

My team specialises in crafting social media strategies that will resonate with your target audience and bring increased awareness to your business.

Our approach isn’t about pushy sales and black hat marketing. We believe that establishing and then building lasting relationships is the key to long-term success.

If you’re interested in learning more about social media or have any questions, do not hesitate to drop me a line. I’d be happy to chat about all things social media.

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