It’s December, which means it’s almost time to say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024. But before we all take a well-deserved break over the Christmas holidays, it’s important to take some time to plan for the year ahead and how you’re going to create engaging content. So, as we look towards the new year, we’re rolling out the crystal ball with these 5 social media, video and PR 2024 trend predictions to look out for. 

Psst, if you hadn’t already guessed, we think you’ll be seeing a LOT more AI next year… 

Without further ado, here’s what our team of expert content specialists foresee in the new year… 

Social Media Trends 

• TikTok is the new search engine 🔎

The way consumers search the web is changing, and to be honest, we’re here for it. In 2024, brace yourselves for social media channels to become the new go-to search engine. Gone are the days where traditional search engines are the only ways to find info online.  

When it comes to social media trends, 2024 will likely see people flocking to channels like TikTok and Instagram to answer their questions and search for their favourite brands, products and services. Why? Because consumers want to see how a product or service works, seeking real reviews from real people!  

Here’s the stats (thank you Hubspot)… 

• 31 per cent of consumers use social media to find answers to their questions. 
• 15 per cent of consumers prefer to search on social media over search engines. 

Our tip for leveraging TikTok and other platforms as a search engine for your brand: start using content that answers common questions in your niche, develop FAQS in your content or lean into Youtube’s tagged feature.😉 

Video Trends 

• Get ready to harness the power of AI tools 🤖 

This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but expect to see more AI in video. With a flood of new AI tools resulting in a higher usage of AI across video, there are two big things we’re expecting to see – a rise in AI video content creation (specifically using humanised AI hosts) and assistance in the editing process.  

When it comes to content creation, we’ll see AI create voice overs or host the entire video, allowing video creators to produce video without any human actors. AI will enable editors to turn any script into an engaging, presenter-led video. So, what might this look like for brands? To ensure videos match the vibe of the brand and resonate with their audience, video creators will have the ability to personalise the video and choose a host from characters wearing different outfits, of different ethnicities, and accents or voices. With the option to select from multiple languages, content will be sure to connect with a global audience. 

With Canva introducing AI photo editing, we saw an increase in AI editing in photography this year, so naturally video editing will follow. It’s important to note that AI video editing is still in its infancy, and while it’s a handy tool to have in your content arsenal, nothing beats the human eye and video specialists who have been honing their craft for years on end. 

• Say hello to more & more video/audio content 👋🏻

2024 is the year for more video and podcast content to flourish… and we’re sure this will become an integral part of content creation. Whether it’s short form or longer, video is without a doubt what consumers want to see. But we also know that the production quality of the video is becoming more and more important too with Hubspot reporting that 64 per cent of consumers see production value as important.  

So, if you’re eager to stay on top of it in 2024 and roll out some killer video content, cue Pitch. With a team of experienced videographers, we’re here to help transform your content and take your brand from strength to strength. 

PR Trends 

• Less scrambling, more proactivity ✅ 

We don’t think you should ever underestimate the importance of being ahead of the game and preparing for times of trouble. The 24/7 news cycle and automated social media accounts (AKA bots) mean brands and influencers need to have response statements at the ready, rather than waiting for the storm. Of course, no one wants to be at the centre of a crisis, but what’s worse is, scrambling around because you’re not prepared. After the nation looked in on Optus who fell flat and bluntly avoided the media when their recent outage happened, we think we’ll be seeing a lot of brands preparing so they don’t fall into the same boat. 

• Influencer marketing will hit home 🏡 

USC Annenberg’s annual Global Communications Report states that 60 per cent of PR leaders believe social media influencers will continue to play a key role in PR success as we head into 2024. 

This means we can definitely expect to see more influencers and opinion leaders online. In 2024, more people will be turning to those niche influencers to gain insights, particularly to micro influencers who tend to have tight online communities and high trust from their followers, which makes them ideal for PR campaigns. 

Watch more of our team’s 2024 trend predictions  here.