5 Social Media Trends Small Businesses Should Follow in 2024

Social media trends change fast, but for small businesses, staying on top of them is key to staying competitive. It’s not just about looking current — following trends helps you attract new customers, keep your audience engaged, and grow your reach.

In 2024, trends like video content, personalization, and user-generated content are more important than ever. But keeping up doesn’t have to be time-consuming. With the right tools, you can easily adapt to these trends without stress.

🌱kvitly’s AI content generator is here to help. In just a few clicks, it generates social media posts and ideas tailored to the latest trends, saving you time while boosting your online presence. Stay relevant, attract more customers, and let 🌱kvitly handle the hard part!

Trend 1: Video Content Continues to Dominate

Video content is the king of social media in 2024, and it’s not going anywhere. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts are built around short-form videos, and users are spending more time consuming this type of content than ever before. For small businesses, video isn’t just a trend — it’s essential to standing out and connecting with your audience.

Why Video Content is Essential for Small Businesses in 2024

Video content is engaging, easy to consume, and favored by social media algorithms. This means posting video content regularly can help you reach more people and keep your business top-of-mind for your audience.

The Rise of Short-Form Video (Reels, TikTok, Stories)

Short-form videos (15-60 seconds) are perfect for the quick-scrolling nature of social media. They’re fast, entertaining, and shareable, making them a great way to build connections with potential customers in a short amount of time.

How Video Improves Engagement and Reach for Small Businesses

• Better visibility: Social media platforms prioritize video content, meaning your posts are more likely to appear in users’ feeds.
• Higher engagement: Videos get more comments, likes, and shares compared to static images or text posts.
• Stronger connections: Video allows you to show your brand’s personality and build trust with your audience.

How to Effectively Incorporate Video Into Your Social Media Strategy

You don’t need professional equipment or a full video team to create engaging content. Simple, authentic videos often perform better than overproduced content. Here are a few ideas:

Using Videos for Product Announcements and Launches

• Show new products in action.
• Highlight key features and how they benefit your customers.

Behind-the-Scenes Videos: Connecting with Your Audience

• Share day-to-day activities in your business.
• Show your team, work process, or how products are made.

Quick Tips and Educational Content: Building Authority through Video

• Share short tutorials or tips that are relevant to your industry.
• Position yourself as an expert by providing value to your audience.

How 🌱kvitly's AI-Driven Solutions for Video Content Creation

Not sure what to film? 🌱kvitly’s AI generator has your back. It suggests content ideas tailored to your business and audience, helping you stay on trend without the guesswork. Plus, 🌱kvitly’s AI writes captions that match your video perfectly, so you can create and post quickly.

Trend 2: Personalization and Micro-Targeting

In 2024, customers expect content that speaks directly to them. They don’t want generic messages — they want to feel like your posts were made just for them. That’s where personalization and micro-targeting come into play. For small businesses, this means delivering content that’s hyper-localized and tailored to your audience’s specific interests.

Why Personalization Matters More Than Ever

With so much content competing for attention, personalized marketing helps your business stand out. When customers see content that feels relevant to them, they’re more likely to engage with it—and ultimately, buy from you.

Creating Hyper-Localized Content for Your Audience

For small businesses, local relevance is key. Your audience wants to see content that reflects their community, their interests, and their needs. That could mean promoting local events, offering personalized discounts, or sharing community news.

How to Use Personalization in Your Social Media Strategy

Personalization doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you can start:

Using Local Events and News to Engage Your Audience

• Mention local events your business supports or participates in.
• Highlight stories from your community to show your involvement.

Crafting Personalized Offers for Different Customer Segments

• Offer discounts based on past purchases or customer preferences.
• Tailor your messaging to different segments of your audience (e.g., families, young professionals, etc.).

How 🌱kvitly's AI Helps You Personalize Your Social Media Posts

🌱kvitly’s AI makes personalization easy. Just set your preferences—whether it’s location, customer behavior, or specific interests—and 🌱kvitly generates personalized posts that speak directly to your audience. In minutes, you’ll have content that feels customized, helping you connect with your customers on a deeper level.

Trend 3: User-Generated Content (UGC) Is More Important Than Ever

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful tool for small businesses in 2024. People trust content from other users more than they trust traditional advertising. UGC includes customer reviews, product photos, and posts shared by your followers. It’s authentic, relatable, and effective at building trust.

The Power of User-Generated Content for Small Businesses

• Builds trust: UGC feels more authentic because it comes from real customers.
• Increases engagement: People are more likely to interact with content shared by their peers.
• Provides social proof: Positive UGC can encourage others to make a purchase.

Encouraging Customers to Share Their Experiences

Getting customers to create content for your brand can be easy:

• Run a contest where participants share photos or stories for a chance to win.
• Offer a small discount for customers who leave a review or tag your business in their post.

How to Incorporate UGC into Your Social Media Strategy

Once you start collecting UGC, be sure to share it across your social platforms. It’s a great way to engage your audience and provide authentic content that doesn’t feel like an ad.

Running Contests to Inspire User-Generated Content

• Encourage your followers to post about their experiences with your products or services.
• Offer a prize or discount for the best post to inspire participation.

Sharing Customer Reviews and Testimonials

• Feature positive reviews in your posts to showcase customer satisfaction.
• Share testimonials in your stories or highlight them in your feed.

How 🌱kvitly’s AI Helps Generate UGC Ideas

Not sure how to inspire UGC? 🌱kvitly’s AI can help by generating creative contest ideas, promotional strategies, and calls-to-action that encourage your customers to share their stories. With AI on your side, leveraging UGC becomes a breeze.

Trend 4: Social Media as a Shopping Platform

In 2024, social media isn’t just a place to connect — it’s where people shop. Social commerce is growing fast, and small businesses have more opportunities than ever to turn followers into customers. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok now offer seamless shopping experiences where users can browse and buy directly in-app. For small businesses, this means you no longer need to rely solely on a website or physical store to make sales. If you’re not taking advantage of social media shopping features, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.

Why Social Media Shopping is Crucial for Small Businesses

Shoppable posts and integrated checkout features are game-changers for small businesses. They eliminate friction in the buying process and make it easier for your audience to make purchases on the spot—right when they’re excited about your product. Convenience is key in today’s fast-paced world, and social commerce offers that in spades.

Here’s why social media as a shopping platform matters:

• Increased convenience: Customers can buy your products without leaving the platform, which reduces drop-off rates and increases conversions.
• Boosts impulse purchases: Shoppable posts are great for encouraging spur-of-the-moment buys, especially when customers come across something they like while casually scrolling.
• Broader reach: Social commerce allows you to meet your customers where they already are, meaning you’re not relying solely on traditional e-commerce platforms.

How Small Businesses Can Set Up an Easy Shopping Experience on Social Media

Setting up a smooth shopping experience is easier than you might think. The goal is to make the purchase process as seamless as possible for your customers. Here are some tips to get started:

Optimize Your Social Media Profiles for Shopping

Make sure your social media profiles are set up for business:

• Activate shoppable features: On Instagram and Facebook, this means setting up a shop with product tags that link directly to purchase pages.
• Use high-quality visuals: Since customers can’t touch or try out your products, crisp, detailed images are essential to convincing them to buy.
• Clear calls-to-action (CTA): Encourage your followers to click, browse, and shop with CTAs like “Shop Now,” “Browse Our Collection,” or “Get Yours Today.”

Create Engaging Product Posts

When it comes to posting, don’t just share a static image with a price tag. Instead:

• Tell a story: Use videos or carousels to show your product in action. Highlight its features, benefits, and how it can solve your customers' problems.
• Use influencers or customer testimonials: Showcase real people using your products to build credibility and trust.
• Time-limited offers: Create urgency by offering flash sales or limited-time deals that encourage immediate purchases.

Leverage Social Media Ads

Ads on Instagram and Facebook can directly promote your products, driving traffic to your shop:

• Target the right audience: Use demographic and behavioral data to ensure your ads reach the customers most likely to buy.
• A/B test your ads: Try different visuals, messaging, and CTAs to see what resonates best with your audience.

How 🌱kvitly’s AI Helps You Maximize Social Commerce

🌱kvitly’s AI takes the guesswork out of setting up a winning social commerce strategy. Our AI can help:

• Suggest the best post formats: Whether you need a video showcasing your product or a carousel highlighting multiple items, 🌱kvitly recommends the most effective type of content for driving sales.
• Create compelling product descriptions: Writing product descriptions that sell can be tricky, but 🌱kvitly’s AI can generate clear, engaging copy that highlights the unique benefits of your products.
• Optimize ad copy for conversions: 🌱kvitly’s AI can also help craft targeted ad copy that speaks directly to your audience’s needs, encouraging them to click through and make a purchase.

With 🌱kvitly’s AI-powered tools, you can create shoppable content that resonates with your audience and drives more sales — all in less time.

Trend 5: Authenticity and Transparency Matter More Than Perfection

In the age of polished ads and influencer marketing, something surprising has emerged: customers are craving authenticity. While it might be tempting to post only highly-produced, “picture-perfect” content, 2024 is the year where showing the real side of your business can make all the difference. People want to know who’s behind the brand, what your values are, and see the human side of your business. Transparency and honesty build trust, and that’s what turns followers into loyal customers.

Why Authenticity is Essential for Small Businesses

Your customers are smart, and they can tell the difference between overly curated content and something real. Authentic content makes your business feel approachable, relatable, and trustworthy. In fact, being too polished can sometimes make a brand feel disconnected from its audience. Instead, customers want to see:

• Behind-the-scenes glimpses: How are your products made? Who’s on your team? Sharing these moments makes your brand feel more personal.
• Real stories: Tell the story of your business, your struggles, and your successes. Don’t be afraid to show the ups and downs — it’s relatable.
• Genuine interactions: Respond to comments, ask questions, and start conversations with your audience. People appreciate brands that engage with them authentically.

How to Create Authentic Content for Your Social Media

Being authentic doesn’t mean you have to air your business’s dirty laundry. It’s about being honest and showing the human side of your brand. Here’s how you can do it:

Share Your Process and Behind-the-Scenes Content

Customers love to see how things are made or the people behind the product. Whether it’s a quick video of your team packing orders or a snapshot of the creative process, behind-the-scenes content brings transparency to your brand.

Tell Real Stories About Your Business

Every business has a story — why you started, what drives you, and how you’ve grown. Share that journey with your audience. It humanizes your brand and helps people feel connected to your mission.

Be Honest About Challenges and Milestones

It’s okay to be real about the ups and downs. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or working through a challenge, sharing these moments shows that your business is genuine and relatable.

Engage with Your Audience on a Personal Level

Authenticity goes beyond just the content you post. Make an effort to respond to comments, ask questions, and build relationships with your followers. When they see that you’re genuinely interested in what they have to say, it strengthens the connection between you and your audience.

How 🌱kvitly Helps You Create Authentic, Trust-Building Content

🌱kvitly’s AI can help you craft content that feels authentic and personal, without the guesswork:

• Generate ideas for behind-the-scenes posts: Our AI suggests creative ways to showcase your process and team in a way that feels real and relatable.
• Create stories that connect: Not sure how to tell your brand’s story? 🌱kvitly’s AI helps you craft compelling narratives that build a deeper connection with your audience.
• Balance polished and raw content: 🌱kvitly can help you plan a mix of high-quality posts and more casual, behind-the-scenes content that feels genuine.

With 🌱kvitly, you don’t have to choose between being professional and being authentic. Our AI helps you find the balance, so your content builds trust and feels personal.

Staying on Trend Is Easy with AI

Keeping up with the latest social media trends is essential for business growth, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In 2024, trends like social commerce and authenticity are shaping how small businesses connect with their customers. Adapting to these trends can help your business grow its online presence, build stronger relationships, and boost sales.

But here’s the thing — you don’t have to do it all manually. 🌱kvitly’s AI is here to make following these trends easy and efficient. Whether you’re setting up shoppable posts, creating engaging video content, or crafting authentic stories, 🌱kvitly provides the tools and ideas you need to stay ahead.

How 🌱kvitly’s AI Saves You Time and Effort

• Generate trend-driven posts: 🌱kvitly’s AI suggests content ideas that are in line with the latest trends, so you’re always posting relevant, timely content.
• Save time on content creation: With 🌱kvitly’s AI, you can generate posts, captions, and even product descriptions in minutes, freeing up your time to focus on running your business.
• Stay consistent: Consistency is key on social media, and 🌱kvitly’s AI helps you plan and schedule posts so you never miss an opportunity to connect with your audience.

Try 🌱kvitly Today

Ready to take your social media game to the next level? 🌱kvitly’s AI can help you adapt to the latest trends, save time on content creation, and launch effective SMM campaigns that drive results. Try our free demo today or subscribe to stay updated on the latest features and tools designed to help small businesses succeed.

With 🌱kvitly, staying on trend is easier than ever. Let us handle the content while you focus on growing your business!