As social media continues to evolve, 2024 and beyond is packed with opportunities for local businesses to connect with customers in meaningful ways. If you’re still relying on outdated tactics, now’s the time to refresh your approach with some of the most impactful trends on the rise. By keeping your social media strategy relevant, you can engage your community, foster loyalty, and drive real results.

Here are the top social media trends for local businesses to embrace in 2024.

1. Short-Form Videos for Quick Engagement

Short-form video content is here to stay, and platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts continue to dominate. Local businesses can make an impact with quick, eye-catching videos that grab attention and build brand awareness.

Why short-form video matters:

• Instant Impact: Short videos quickly hook viewers, making them ideal for conveying your message.
• Showcasing Local Business: For a local car dealership, a quick “Car of the Week” walkaround video can be enough to pique interest and encourage visits.

How to make it work:

• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Offer a peek behind the curtain, like a bakery showing their daily prep.
• User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share videos using your products, then repost these to your stories or reels. This can increase brand trust and boost engagement.

Short videos keep audiences engaged and excited about what’s coming next, making them a great addition to your social media toolkit.

2. Building Community on Facebook and Instagram

Community-building will be a top trend this year, and it’s a perfect fit for local businesses. Customers increasingly want personal connections with businesses, and Facebook and Instagram are ideal for fostering a community-focused approach.

Why community is essential:

• Increased Loyalty: When customers feel part of a community, they’re more likely to stay loyal.
• Higher Engagement: Community-focused posts encourage interaction, driving organic reach.

How to make it work:

• Facebook Groups: Create a private group for your customers. For example, a doggy daycare could create a “Local Dog Lovers” group where pet parents can connect, share photos, and swap pet care tips.
• Interactive Instagram Stories: Run Q&A sessions or polls to foster interaction. A chiropractor could host a weekly Q&A to discuss health and wellness tips, building a trusted community while engaging with followers.

By prioritizing community, you create a network of loyal customers who are more likely to engage, recommend, and return to your business.

3. Partnering with Local Influencers and Micro-Influencers

Influencers aren’t just for big brands. Micro-influencers—those with smaller but highly engaged followings—can be incredibly effective for local businesses. They’re often deeply connected to the community, making them ideal for local marketing.

Why influencers work:

• Authentic Reach: Local influencers are trusted by their followers, who value their recommendations.
• Focused Targeting: Influencers help you reach new customers who are likely interested in what you offer.

How to make it work:

• Find Relevant Influencers: Look for influencers aligned with your brand values. For example, a landscaping company could partner with a local eco-conscious influencer to promote sustainable services.
• Collaborate Creatively: A dentist could team up with a lifestyle influencer to discuss cosmetic services or share preventive care tips with a broader audience.

Working with local influencers helps you tap into new audiences authentically and build trust through credible recommendations.

4. Using Ephemeral Content with Stories

Ephemeral content—posts that disappear after 24 hours—continues to be a great way to engage audiences in real-time. Instagram and Facebook Stories are prime examples of this trend, letting you connect with followers through timely updates and interactive features.

Why Stories work for local businesses:

• Timely Engagement: Stories allow you to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes moments, or promotions.
• Boosted Visibility: Stories appear at the top of feeds, giving you prime real estate for customer engagement.

How to make it work:

• Daily Specials and Flash Sales: For a local restaurant, Stories can promote daily specials or limited-time offers like a flash sale on drinks.
• Live Customer Interactions: A window and door company could showcase their installation process, adding a personal touch to their services and answering common questions in real-time.

Stories keep your business front-and-center, offering a unique way to connect and engage with your audience.

5. Social Commerce: Selling Directly on Social Media

Social commerce has made it possible to shop directly on social media, and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok continue to enhance their in-app shopping features. This makes it easier for customers to buy from you without leaving the app.

Why social commerce is a game-changer:

• Streamlined Purchases: Social commerce allows customers to complete transactions within the platform.
• Capturing Spontaneous Sales: People often browse social media to discover new products, so being “shop-ready” allows you to capture sales on the spot.

How to make it work:

• Tag Products in Posts and Stories: A home decor shop could tag seasonal items, allowing followers to buy instantly.
• Exclusive Social Deals: Use social commerce to offer exclusive discounts. A local car wash could offer a discount for customers who book directly on social media, adding an incentive for immediate booking.

With social commerce, you can shorten the customer journey and make it easier to convert social media followers into paying customers.

6. User-Generated Content (UGC) for Authentic Promotion

Authenticity is a powerful tool, and user-generated content (UGC) helps build it naturally. Customers trust real people’s experiences, so UGC is often more impactful than brand-created content.

Why UGC matters:

• Builds Credibility: Seeing real customers use and enjoy your products builds trust.
• Encourages Participation: UGC campaigns invite your audience to share their experiences, building a stronger sense of community.

How to make it work:

• Encourage Reviews and Photos: A chiropractor might ask patients to share their wellness journeys on Instagram, using a branded hashtag like #PainFreeJourney.
• Run a UGC Contest: A landscaping company could ask customers to post before-and-after photos of their property transformations. Offer a prize for the best photo to encourage participation.

UGC builds a community around your brand and provides authentic content that resonates with potential customers.

7. AI-Enhanced Content and Chatbots

AI-powered chatbots and content personalization tools allow local businesses to deliver instant customer service and tailored content. AI can answer frequently asked questions, recommend relevant products, and enhance customer experiences on social media.

Why AI matters:

• Better Customer Service: Chatbots can handle simple inquiries, providing 24/7 service even outside business hours.
• Personalized Content: AI tools analyze customer data to offer personalized product or service recommendations.

How to make it work:

• Chatbots for FAQs: A pest control company could use a chatbot to handle common questions, like “How long does a treatment last?” or “Do you offer eco-friendly solutions?”
• Tailored Recommendations: A real estate agency could use AI to suggest properties based on a user’s previous searches, improving the user experience and increasing conversions.

AI tools streamline customer interactions, making it easy to provide timely and personalized service.

Conclusion: Embrace 2024’s Social Media Opportunities

In 2024, social media is all about building connections, fostering community, and providing personalized experiences. By staying current with short-form video, leveraging community-building tools, partnering with influencers, and incorporating AI for customer service, you’ll connect with your audience in ways that drive loyalty and growth.

The future of social media is evolving rapidly—take advantage of these trends to set your local business apart in 2024.