Once upon a time, social media success meant posting perfectly curated photos and hoping for the best.
Not any more.
Social media is constantly evolving, and what worked even six months ago might not cut it today.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be everywhere or do everything to succeed.
Often, the simplest strategies, done well, can bring the best results.
That’s why this week’s newsletter is all about what’s actually working in social media marketing right now – along with some cutting-edge tips you might not have tried yet.
Let’s dive in with an overview of what’s trending and delivering results…starting with the social media trends you need to know now for the coming hear:
Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends for 2025:
https://www.hootsuite.com/research/social-trends
While you can sign up here for Sprout Social’s free webinar on what you need to know for 2025 based on what we’ve learned from 2024:
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/webinars/2024-in-review
Now, let’s explore the latest strategies making waves and how you can implement them quickly and easily.
Short-form video is here to stay, but it’s not just about flashy effects or dancing around your kitchen anymore. Value-packed, educational, and authentic content is where it’s at.
Here’s the ultimate guide to short form video content:
And here’s how to create compelling short-form videos that resonate with your audience:
https://later.com/blog/social-media-video
As for producing those videos, these tools will make you look like a pro (without the learning curve):
InVideo (Drag-and-drop editor):
Clipchamp (Great for beginners):
Your audience is craving authenticity, and one of the best ways to deliver it is by collaborating with others.
Partnering with micro-influencers, brands, or even your followers to co-create content can boost your reach and credibility.
Here’s how to find the right collaborators:
https://insense.pro/blog/how-to-collaborate-with-micro-influencers
And don’t forget about tools to streamline the collaboration process:
Collabstr:
Aspire (For finding influencers):
Next, let’s talk about social media challenges.
Social media challenges that tie into your niche can be a fun, interactive way to grow engagement and build community.
Here’s how to launch your own social media challenge:
And if you’re short on time, these templates can help:
Canva Social Media Challenge Templates:
https://www.canva.com/templates/?query=social-media-challenge
Next, think community. Instead of trying to talk at your audience, focus on building spaces where they can talk to each other (and you).
Private Facebook Groups, Discord servers, and even Telegram chats are ideal for this.
Here’s how to create a successful Facebook group in 2024:
Here’s a guide to Discord for Beginners:
https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360045138571-Beginner-s-Guide-to-Discord
Lastly, let’s talk AI. Yes, AI is changing the game but don’t let that scare you. Instead, embrace tools that save time and boost creativity.
For captions and content ideas, try:
ChatGPT:
Claude:
For social scheduling and optimization:
Buffer’s AI Assistant:
Metricool for Cross-Platform Insights:
Whatever strategies you choose to try, remember: keep it simple, stay consistent, and don’t forget to have fun.
Social media is about connection so focus on delivering real value and creating meaningful interactions.
And to inspire you even further, this week’s TED Talk is all about how creativity and storytelling can help you cut through the noise and connect with your audience:
