What Their "Meet the Makers" Campaign Teaches Us About Modern Brand Awareness Looks like another…
Social Media Forecast: What business leaders need to know for 2025
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Social Media Forecast: What business leaders need to know for 2025
The social media landscape in 2025 will be shaped by three major forces: artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and enhanced shopping features. But don’t worry – it’s not all about chasing the latest tech. The platforms that will succeed are those that create genuine value for businesses and users.
What’s particularly interesting is how these technologies are maturing beyond their initial hype. AI isn’t just about chatbots anymore – it’s becoming a sophisticated tool for understanding customer behaviour and optimising advertising spend.
Augmented reality is moving beyond simple filters to create genuine utility for businesses, especially in retail and service industries.
And shopping features are becoming more seamlessly integrated into the user experience, creating natural pathways from discovery to purchase.
- Moving away from trying to be “business TikTok”
- Expanding live events and webinar capabilities
- New AI-powered career guidance tools
Business Impact: Expect better ROI on thought leadership content and more meaningful professional connections. Consider incorporating live events into your 2025 strategy.
LinkedIn‘s evolution is particularly exciting for business leaders. The platform is finally embracing its identity as a professional network rather than trying to compete with entertainment-focused platforms.
The most significant change is their approach to content distribution – they’re developing sophisticated AI tools that can identify and promote genuine thought leadership while filtering out the noise. This means your insightful posts about industry trends or leadership experiences are more likely to reach the right audience.
The platform is also introducing new analytics tools that will help you understand not just who’s viewing your content, but how it’s impacting your professional brand and business relationships.
Instagram + Facebook (Meta)
- Enhanced advertising capabilities with AI-powered targeting
- New Augmented Reality (AR) features for product showcasing
- Continued emphasis on video content
Business Impact: Start planning your video content strategy now. Consider how AR could showcase your products or services in innovative ways.
Meta’s platforms are undergoing a fascinating transformation. While they’re pushing heavily into AI and AR, what’s most interesting is how they’re approaching business integration. Their new advertising tools are becoming remarkably sophisticated at predicting customer behavior and optimising ad spend – early tests show up to 30% improvement in ROI compared to traditional targeting methods.
The AR features aren’t just gimmicks either; they’re creating practical applications like virtual product try-ons and immersive service demonstrations that could revolutionise how businesses interact with customers. The emphasis on video isn’t just about short-form content anymore; it’s about creating engaging stories that can be told across multiple formats and lengths.
- Improved AI try-on tools for products
- Easier product catalog integration
- Enhanced search capabilities
Business Impact: If you’re in retail or services with strong visual appeal, Pinterest’s new features could be a game-changer for your sales funnel.
Pinterest’stransformation into a shopping powerhouse is particularly relevant for businesses with strong visual elements. The platform is introducing sophisticated AI tools that can analyse images and provide detailed insights about what aspects of your products are most appealing to customers.
Their new catalogue integration system is being designed to work seamlessly with existing e-commerce platforms, meaning you won’t need to maintain separate systems. But perhaps most importantly, they’re developing features that bridge the gap between inspiration and purchase – users who see your products will be able to buy them with minimal friction, while still feeling like they’re part of their natural discovery process.
TikTok
- Major push for in-app shopping
- New business “Mini Programs” similar to WeChat
- Improved search capabilities
Business Impact: Consider TikTok as a potential sales channel, not just a marketing platform. However, keep an eye on regulatory developments.
TikTok’s evolution is perhaps the most dramatic of all platforms. Taking cues from its Chinese counterpart Douyin, TikTok is developing a comprehensive business ecosystem that goes far beyond viral videos.
Their new “Mini Programs” (note US spelling) will allow businesses to create lightweight applications within TikTok itself – imagine being able to book services, process payments, and manage customer relationships all within the platform.
The search capabilities are being enhanced with AI to understand context better, meaning users searching for topics related to your business are more likely to find your content, even if they’re not using exact keywords. This could be particularly powerful for service-based businesses looking to demonstrate their expertise in engaging ways.
Strategic Recommendations for 2025
1. Focus on Video Content
Video isn’t just trending – it’s becoming the primary way people consume information online. But here’s the key: it’s not about producing highly polished, expensive content. The most successful business videos in 2025 will be authentic, value-driven, and purposeful.
Consider creating a content mix that includes quick tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and expert insights. The goal is to showcase your expertise while maintaining authenticity and engagement.
2. Embrace AI Tools Selectively
The key word here is “selectively.” While there will be an abundance of AI features, not all will be relevant to your business.
Focus on tools that either significantly improve customer experience or dramatically reduce your workload. For example, AI-powered customer service tools might be worth investing in, but AI-generated content might not align with your brand’s authentic voice. The goal is to use AI as an enhancer, not a replacement for human connection. 👏🏼
3. Prepare for AR
Augmented reality is moving from a novelty to a utility, and businesses that adapt early will have an advantage. This doesn’t mean investing heavily in complex AR experiences.
Start small – perhaps with virtual product previews or AR-enhanced business cards. The goal is to find practical applications that add real value to your customer’s experience rather than just jumping on the technology bandwagon.
4. Strengthen Your Professional Brand
With LinkedIn’s renewed focus on professional content, 2025 presents an unprecedented opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader.
This goes beyond just posting regular updates – it’s about creating a cohesive narrative around your expertise and business philosophy. Consider developing a content strategy that showcases your unique insights and experiences while engaging meaningfully with your professional network.
What You Can Do Now
1. Audit your current social media presence with a focus on engagement metrics and customer feedback
2. Experiment with different video content formats to find what resonates with your audience
3. Identify potential AR applications that could enhance your customer experience
4. Review your social media advertising strategy and test new targeting options
5. Consider which platforms align best with your business goals and target audience
Looking Ahead
The key to success in 2025 won’t be about being everywhere or using every new feature. It will be about choosing the right platforms and features that align with your business goals and customer needs.
The most successful businesses will be those that maintain authenticity while strategically adopting new technologies that enhance their customer relationships and operational efficiency.
Remember:
→ Quality over quantity
→ Authenticity over automation
→ Strategy over trends
