It’s 2024: You’re Either In, Or You’re Out

Happy New Year, y’all!

If I had a crystal ball, I would first find out what the next winning lottery numbers are. Then I would look for upcoming changes in marketing so I can be ahead of those ahead of the curve. 

I’ve been enjoying everyone’s Ins and Outs lists for 2024, along with their lists of predictions, so I figured I’d join the fun too. Here’s what I’m envisioning ...

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In for 2024

1. Showing up as our fully authentic selves on social media

2. Writing more meaningful website copy (not just chipping away at easy keywords)

3. The ‘80s? (Are we moving past the ‘70s grooves yet?) 

4. Working smarter not harder 

5. The Rise of the Micro Influencer 

6. Less hashtags and more storytelling in Instagram and TikTok captions 

7. Utilizing AI as more of an assistant and less of a fellow employee

8. More thoughtful, conversational SMS marketing

9. Small and micro brands using more and more video on social media and websites  

10. Highlighting all facets of your brand, not just products 

Out for 2024

1. Meaningless, uncreative social posts from brands  

2. Local businesses not having a website and at least one social media account 

3. Aggressive and/or rage bait social posts 

4. Posting the exact same content everywhere

5. Using the Influencer Accent

6. Endless product diversification. (Focus on quality over quantity.)

7. Sending multiple sales emails a day 

8. Saying your brand can’t be political

9. Hanging onto every word of the Big Thought Leaders who give vague info

10. Brands fearing unhinged content. (Loosen up a little!)

2024 Predictions 

1. X/Twitter will be completely done for. And just as people finally figure out how to use Threads for marketing, a hot new social platform will arise. How long will the newbie last? Either 2 months or 2 years.

2. As Super Bowl commercials have been slipping in years past, they’ll be more unhinged than ever this year. And they’ll include more interactive elements or different parts of the story across varied platforms.

3. There will be even more quirky brand collabs in the vein of Ice Spice x Dunkin and Rhode x Krispy Kreme. (Or perhaps I’m just hungry right now?)

4. Everyone will continue to say “Email is dead.” It won’t be. 

5. Taylor Swift will release a product line of some sort (bakeware?) … Causing all sorts of celebs and brands to try to do the same thing. 

6. As people become more annoyed with social media algorithms and incessant ads, they’ll start to use it less … meaning brands will have to get better at creating interesting, engaging content. 

7. Brands will also become more disenchanted with social media because of the algorithm, causing them to better diversify their marketing strategies. 

8. But! Social media managers and the like will be paid what they’re worth and get the respect they finally deserve.

9. And Instagram will finally develop the ability to add links to individual posts. 

10. Beyonce will release Renaissance Act II … But will it be another album? A different vibe? A narrative movie based on Act 1? A continuation of Act 1 content? (Where are the visuals, Bey?!) (Yes, this one was for me and any of you in the BeyHive reading this. 🐝) 

What do you see happening in 2024? What do you hope will happen within marketing and pop culture? 

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I help small and micro businesses better connect with their online communities. Pick my brain on Content, SEO, Social Media, Email, UGC, AI and Digital Strategies.