Navigating the Communications Landscape & Social Media Trends in 2024

We’ve noticed that simple language is the way to go for communications in community engagement. Many audiences are steering away from more formal use (e.g. council language) in communication plans. Delve deeper into navigating the communications landscape with Council in mind here:

• Read on: The Value of Communications in Engagement Programs

• Read on: What Should You Include in a Communications Plan

• Read on: Tailoring Communication Strategies to your Stakeholders

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Social Media in 2024

For community engagement organisations and businesses, social media remains an essential tool for fostering community engagement and building brand awareness. Here are some predictions for social media in 2024.

Social media usage habits

Social media users are all about prioritising meaningful connections in 2024, intending to use platforms to stay connected with friends and family. A close second is keeping up with trends and news related to their interests.

Videos & Reels

2023 has witnessed a notable shift towards videos and reels over static posts. Videos and reels have become the go-to content format when it comes to increasing exposure and online engagement. 

This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with social media platforms continuing to upgrade their features and algorithms to optimise for this type of content. Instagram, for instance, has simplified reel creation with the Template Browser feature, allowing users to easily reuse elements from a reel they love and put their own creative spin on it.

Prominent topics in 2024

In 2024, social media users, especially Gen Z, will actively engage in Activism and take action on the issues most important to them. According to a 2019 report from the YMCA, 33% of young people (aged 18–38) show support for the causes they care about by sharing them on social media. In 2024, this involvement is expected to take the form of ‘educating yourself/others,’ ‘voting,’ and ‘using social media to spread awareness’.

Other prominent topics on social media include Sustainable Fashion, Wellness, Finance, and Lifestyle.

Are content pillars still in for 2024?

Content pillars are still relevant in 2024. They are the three to five topics your brand will consistently discuss, amplify, and create content for on social media. Having clear content pillars for social media helps you and your brand stay focused, create more relevant content for your target audience, and stand out amongst the thousands of accounts on social media vying for follows and engagement.