ListenFirst

?? New on the ListenFirst blog: “Diving In: The Death of Authenticity” Everyone’s chasing authenticity on social media, but is anyone actually delivering it? In her latest Deep Dive, our Marketing Manager, Chase Varga, explores how the term has become diluted, why audiences are growing skeptical, and what brands should focus on instead. ?? Spoiler: Relevance, consistency, and trust > faux relatability. It’s time to move past performative “realness” and get back to strategies that actually connect. Read the full deep dive here: ?? https://lnkd.in/giapdiCA #brandmarketing #brandvoice #socialmediastratedgy #listenfirst

?? March Madness 2025: Where Fans Are Engaging & Talking ?? Selection Sunday is behind us, and the social buzz is already surging! Our latest ListenFirst March Madness 2025 Tournament Preview dives into the data behind where and how fans are engaging this season. Here’s what we found: ?? Instagram is the go-to for engagement, capturing over two-thirds of all NCAA team interactions. But when it comes to debates and discussions, Twitter remains king, hosting nearly half of all conversations. ?? Teams see a massive 770% spike in new fans in the two days after Selection Sunday compared to their daily average. ?? While top-seeded teams dominate engagement, historically passionate fan bases like North Carolina and Villanova drive outsized social conversations—sometimes even ranking ahead of championship contenders! Some standout teams: ?? Duke leads in both engagement & new fan growth. ?? Florida saw a huge 28% boost in new fans post-Selection Sunday. ?? Tennessee and Michigan State are making waves in the digital sphere. Want to see how your favorite team stacks up? ?? Check out the full breakdown in our report! ?? DM me or reach out at [email protected] for more insights! #MarchMadness #NCAA #SportsAnalytics #SocialMediaInsights #ListenFirst

?? The biggest Social Media platform updates & news from this week! ?? Instagram - Instagram is launching 'Edits,' a new video editing app offering tools like AI animation and filters, aiming to compete with TikTok's CapCut; content created will be tagged as 'Made with Edits' but won't receive preferential feed ranking. Instagram - Instagram is testing a 'Blend' feature that allows users to combine multiple Reels into a single post, offering a new way to create and share content. Pinterest - Pinterest is implementing labels for AI-generated images on pins, aiming to enhance transparency and help users distinguish between human-created and AI-generated content. Reddit - Reddit introduced new posting assistance tools, including a 'rules check' feature to ensure compliance with subreddit guidelines, aiming to encourage participation and reduce content removals. Threads - Threads is introducing an 'Interests' section on user profiles, allowing users to showcase their hobbies and preferences, enhancing personalization and community building. TikTok - A study by Oxford Economics found that TikTok contributed $24.2 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2023, supporting 224,000 jobs. TikTok - President Trump announced ongoing negotiations involving four groups for TikTok's divestment, with a 75-day deadline until April 5 to finalize a deal or face a U.S. ban. TikTok - TikTok is expanding its services by connecting local merchants with creators, aiming to enhance its e-commerce capabilities and support local businesses. X - X is adding new sorting options in Communities, allowing users to organize posts by categories such as 'Latest' and 'Top,' enhancing content discovery within communities. YouTube - YouTube launched 'Premium Lite' in the U.S. at $7.99 per month, offering ad-free viewing for most videos except music content, targeting viewers who rarely watch music videos. --- Sources will be posted in the comments! #socialmediamarketing #platformupdates #listenfirst

?? The Power of Music in Social Engagement ?? We all know the right song can set the mood—but did you know it can also boost social media engagement? Music isn’t just background noise; it’s a strategic tool that influences emotions, enhances storytelling, and drives user interaction. Whether it’s trending sounds on TikTok or the perfect track for a brand video, the right audio can make all the difference. ?? Key Takeaways from Adobe: How Music Impacts Social Engagement ?? 1?? Music Evokes Emotion & Memory – The right soundtrack can trigger nostalgia, excitement, or curiosity, making content more memorable and shareable. 2?? Boosts Video Performance – Posts with music often see higher watch times and engagement rates, as they feel more dynamic and immersive. 3?? Drives Trends & Virality – Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels thrive on trending sounds—leveraging the right track can increase visibility and discoverability. 4?? Enhances Brand Identity – Music choices shape how audiences perceive and connect with a brand, reinforcing personality and messaging. 5?? Captures Attention in Seconds – In a fast-scrolling world, sound is a key factor in stopping the scroll and drawing users in. ?? Pro Tip: Want to maximize engagement? Align your music choices with your audience’s preferences, platform trends, and emotional triggers! ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ddaA47uq What’s your go-to strategy for using music in social media? ???? #socialmediamarketing #tiktok #Instagram #listenfirst

???The 97th Academy Awards sparked major conversations on social media, with engagement up significantly from last year. Our latest report breaks down key insights, including: ??A 68% increase in conversation volume ??The most talked-about winners, performances, and surprises ??How Brazil became a major driver of Oscars buzz ??The role of streaming platforms in shaping the conversation See the full report below for a deep dive into the numbers and trends!

YouTube's Big Shift: Why TV Screens Now Dominate Mobile Did you know? TV screens have officially overtaken mobile as the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S. According to YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, viewers now watch over 1 billion hours of YouTube content on TVs daily—a major shift in consumer behavior. What This Means for Marketers & Creators: ?? Optimize for the Big Screen – Ensure your YouTube content is high-quality and visually engaging for larger displays. ?? Lean into Long-Form Content – TV viewers tend to engage longer, making this a prime opportunity for deeper storytelling and extended watch time. ?? Consider TV-Friendly Ads – If you're running YouTube Ads, adjust for TV placement with clear visuals, strong branding, and voiceovers that grab attention. The way audiences consume video is evolving—is your strategy keeping up? ?? #YouTubeTrends #MarketingStrategy #VideoContent #Streaming #ListenFirst

TikTok is redefining the way we shop, and brands need to pay attention. A new report from TikTok and Ipsos, Commerce Redefined, reveals that the traditional shopping funnel is collapsing. Consumers are discovering, engaging, and purchasing all within the same platform—driven by authenticity, creator-led content, and seamless in-app shopping experiences. So, what does this mean for brands? We broke down the key insights in our latest article: ?? Discovery-Driven Commerce: 3 in 4 TikTok shoppers say they discover new brands on the platform. If you’re not optimizing for TikTok’s search and For You Page, you’re missing out. ?? Authenticity Drives Sales: 55% of users trust brands introduced by creators. The takeaway? Stop selling, start storytelling. ?? Seamless Shopping is the Future: TikTok Shop is changing the game by blending entertainment with instant purchases. Brands that embrace shoppable content, live commerce, and hybrid retail strategies are winning. ?? We break it all down in our latest article—complete with actionable strategies for brands looking to leverage TikTok’s commerce revolution. How is your brand adapting to this shift in consumer behavior? Read our breakdown below, and let’s discuss it in the comments! ?? #ecommerce #tiktokshop #socialmediamarketing #listenfirst

?? The Death of the Micro-Trend: Why Fashion’s Fastest Cycle Is Now a Sign of Being Too Online Fashion’s trend cycle has never moved faster—micro-trends like Tomato Girl Summer, Mob Wife, and Coquette have risen and fallen within weeks, leaving closets full of regret and an overwhelming sense of algorithmic fatigue. But as we move into 2025, a shift is happening. Consumers are rejecting trend-chasing in favor of personal style, real-world experiences, and long-term identity. Luxury brands are pivoting toward experiential branding, while fast fashion continues to thrive on digital engagement. We spoke to Katie Irving, Founder of MOONSHOT, who shared her insights on this shift: ?? “Fashion is shifting from rigid aesthetics to fluid self-expression. The rise of ‘vibes’ over trends marks a return to individuality and longevity—and a rejection of algorithm-driven sameness.” ?? Are we moving beyond micro-trends and into the vibe economy? ?? Why is dressing for real life the new status symbol? ?? Will fast fashion’s dominance in digital engagement translate into long-term loyalty, or is luxury’s experiential strategy the real winner? Let’s talk about it. ?? Read our article to dive into the data and cultural shifts driving the future of fashion. https://lnkd.in/ggMvX-Nz

?? The 2025 Grammys made waves on social—conversation was up, new artists gained traction, and Beyoncé’s historic win had everyone talking. See the biggest social media takeaways from music’s biggest night and DM us to see the full report!