6 Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2025
New year, new you and all that… Reality is that most of us won’t make huge changes to what we’re doing, but we SHOULD be aware of how marketing will shift this year. Here are a few trends to keep an eye out for this year and how you can incorporate them into your marketing strategy.
1: The power of community – genuine connection will never go out of style
You can never go wrong when you focus on customer relationships. In 2025, fostering genuine connections through community-driven marketing will become even more of a priority for brands. Like everything, marketing is cyclical. We have been here before – a focus on building engaged online communities. It peaked around the time private Facebook groups did (still kicking BTW). As brands move away from Facebook centric strategies, it’s important to find other ways to build engaged communities to foster loyalty and brand ambassadorship among customers.
Brands wanting to get in on it should think about things like ambassador programs, interactive events (we LOVE a good brand experience!), and exclusive forums. You’ve got to give your customers something to talk about.
2: Influencer Marketing 2.0 – think bigger picture
Influencer marketing has evolved so much over the past decade or so. We’ll likely see more of a shift to long-term thinking for many brands who will focus on partnerships rather than one-off collaborations. It’s a focus on quality over quantity. It will become more about aligning values and authenticity as brands and content creators collaborate closely. And keep an eye out for more virtual influencers—AI-generated personas with massive followings. Like it or not, AI is here to stay so we may as well embrace it.
Focus on the RIGHT collaborations rather than vanity metrics like follower count. Take the time to get to know who you are working with and let them tell a story.
3: Chaotic customization – more is more
While the clean girl aesthetic took over social feeds for a while, GenZ is ushering in a more… colourful approach. It’s all about individuality and standing out with an ultra-customized, maximalist experience. It’s already taking over certain parts of the fashion world, so why wouldn’t it creep into brand experiences too?
If you want to get in on this powerful movement, think next level personalization. I’ve long-followed sneaker artists who are commissioned to take pristine shoes out of the box to the next level. Check out these amazing examples here and here. And those giant water bottles (jugs really…)? There is now an array of accessories you can purchase to go with it. From holders, to charms, to straw caps, and everything In between. It’s all about making it your own. Think about ways you can add an ultra-customized experience to your product.
4: Generative AI content – use it wisely
AI continues to evolve. The reality is, if you aren’t exploring how it can punch up your marketing, you’re likely losing out. From idea generation to high-quality visuals and written copy, generative AI tools are revolutionizing the content creation process. However, you shouldn’t solely rely on AI for everything. Remember, it’s an evolving tool so there are imperfections. Not only that, there are certain things like authenticity and emotional connection that need a human touch.
If you’re not sure how to get started, start small. Use Chat GPT to ask for blog topic ideas or marketing campaign themes.
5: Interactive content experiences – more engagement
Remember how popular Quizzes were for a while? Well, expect them to come back. Static content is losing its appeal in favor of interactive formats. Quizzes, polls, augmented reality (AR) filters, and gamified experiences will capture audiences’ attention and drive engagement. It’s entertainment… but it also allows you to create a stronger connection with your audience by understanding their habits.
There are so many different opportunities available for brands from simple social media polls to giveaways and creating filters and stickers. The key is to try to make it unique to your brand, so it is memorable.
6: Social commerce expansion – where you’re selling matters
We’ve long talked about being where your customers are. Consumers spend a lot of time on social media, so it should come as no surprise that social commerce will continue to gain traction throughout 2025. Features like in-app checkout, live shopping events, and shoppable posts will turn social media into a full-fledged retail channel. It’s all about creating a shopping experience that is seamless for customers. They should be able to access you easily and have the same experience on every channel.
The key marketing trends of 2025 highlight the importance of data, technology, and authenticity. What trends are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!