New rules for marketing content in 2025 - anyone?!

Here’s our penn’orth:

Plato once said, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”

Can this be true of social media content? (And not just men?) As we wave 2024 farewell, at VDM Agency we’re getting decidedly fatigued and cynical about the lazy, predictable declarations of value being used as 'content', on Linked In particularly.

The New Year rush of banal best wishes really got us panicking.

Too much noise. Too much of people just getting right in your face - just for the sake of getting right in your face. Zero imagination, zero value, zero connection…

Enough! Surely?

So how best to respond?

To really forge memorable connections with the people you seek, maybe it’s time to consider some crucial new rules:

If you haven’t got anything to say - don’t say it.

The wise man listens…

Respond thoughtfully to content that strikes a chord with you, maybe state how the chord has been struck? Let users see how great content gets rewarded with engagement.

Find out what people in your audience want to hear and learn about, and craft your content around their needs. If we're being given the digital tools to pretty much speak to an audience of one now, then why waste that opportunity by showcasing predictable, anonymous ‘blah’?

(We resonate with this simple, honest, personal new year note from Mike Winnet:)

Stop giving empty content the thumbs up by interacting with it - demonstrate to the algorithms it is valueless, it will stop getting circulated, and maybe people will learn not to make it?!

Remember that one piece of content full of value is worth a thousand times more than hundreds of vacuous statements. How will you truly engage with your communications?

Value your own time more highly and respect your audience by only creating the best, most inspiring content you can. It is in there - it just takes a little more effort to draw it out into the light.

Find original ways to share your messages. We don’t all want to be lectured at. Time to put the megaphone down. What about animation, stories, metaphors, memes?

Decision-makers want information… they will read content properly, looking for value - best not disappoint them just for the sake of ‘getting a post out today’.

We’re going to take a punt: cleverly engaging content will win this year. Distilled messaging, targeted content, imagery and stories that stir the soul.

We stand with Nick Power’s point re ‘Chaotic Authenticity’ - human, rich, emotional, yes. But we can’t advocate the ‘here’s my cat’ approach to promotion.

Surely we’re all a bit busy for that?

Looks like it will be a good year to look within, communicate with your colleagues, share ideas, reject the obvious solution - and get properly noticed online.

[PS. VDM Agency can help if you need it!]

‘Proving your content is not AI’

Creating meaningful, informative and truly authentic content yourself is the perfect antidote to the trembling comms sickness being caused by relying on AI tools.

One very obvious way we have found to prove our content is original and person-crafted (if this now has to be a phrase!) is to reveal how AI would have answered the questions we address:

What AI says:

Heading into 2025, marketing content is likely to continue evolving in response to technological advancements, changing consumer behavior, and global trends. Here are some predictions:

1. Hyper-Personalization

• AI-Driven Content Creation: Brands will leverage AI to produce tailored content for individual users based on their preferences, browsing history, and real-time behavior.
• Dynamic Content: Websites, emails, and ads will adapt their messaging in real time to suit the viewer's profile.

2. Increased Focus on Short-Form Content

• Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will dominate, pushing marketers to create impactful, bite-sized content.
• Interactive and shoppable videos will become more prevalent.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Storytelling

• Consumers are increasingly concerned with sustainability and corporate responsibility. Transparent, purpose-driven content that highlights a brand’s ethical practices will resonate more with audiences.
• Storytelling that emphasizes real-world impact will build trust and loyalty.

4. Emergence of AI and AR Integration

• Augmented Reality (AR): More brands will adopt AR for interactive experiences, such as virtual try-ons, 3D product visualization, and immersive storytelling.
• Generative AI: AI tools will help marketers automate content creation, from blog posts to social media visuals, with enhanced realism.

5. Community-Centric Marketing

• User-Generated Content (UGC): Authentic, community-driven content will remain a key strategy, with brands encouraging loyal customers to become advocates.
• Niche Communities: Engaging specific online communities (e.g., Reddit subreddits, Discord servers) will grow in importance.

6. Omnichannel Integration

• Consistency across all digital touchpoints will be vital. Brands will create cohesive narratives that seamlessly link social media, email, apps, and in-store experiences.
• Enhanced CRM tools will enable better data integration and customer insights.

7. Voice and Visual Search Optimization

• As smart devices and visual search tools grow in popularity, optimizing content for these formats will be critical.
• Voice-activated AI like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant will influence SEO strategies.

8. Rise of AI-Influencers and Virtual Creators

• Virtual influencers (AI-generated personalities) will become increasingly common and will blur the lines between real and digital brand ambassadors.

9. Data Privacy Challenges

• With growing consumer concerns about data security, brands will need to navigate privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA while delivering personalized content.
• Transparency in data collection and usage will become a marketing advantage.

10. AI-Enhanced Analytics

• AI-powered tools will provide deeper insights into content performance, helping marketers refine their strategies in real-time.
• Predictive analytics will guide content creation based on consumer behavior trends.

By 2025, successful marketing content will likely balance cutting-edge technology with genuine human connection, prioritizing authenticity, personalization, and sustainability.