UNVEILING THE SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS IN INDIA: 2024

Written by Athira Susan James

Hello, fellow social media enthusiasts! Are you ready to uncover the emerging trends shaping the digital marketing landscape in India? Then, here are some trends that definitely caught ODigMa’s attention. So, let’s begin!

Emerging Trends: What’s Hot In Indian Social Media?

Watch It, Buy It: Seamless Shopping Experiences

Black colour, wow, orange colour, wow, wow! We know our social media platforms are not “social” platforms anymore! It brings in business, entertainment and whatever you ask for. Shopping has become more seamless than ever on social media platforms. Brands and influencers showcase products in videos and posts, allowing users to make purchases with just a few clicks. This “watch it, buy it” trend is revolutionising the way Indians shop online, making the process more convenient and enjoyable.

Sports Edits: Tapping into the Passion for Sports

Perry Perry Lady, going through a motion! This song would have appeared at least once in your feed during the WPL season. India’s love for sports, especially cricket and football, knows no bounds. Brands are tapping into this passion by creating sports-themed content and sponsoring events. Whether it’s celebrating victories or rallying behind favourite teams, sports edits are capturing the attention of Indian sports enthusiasts.

Authentic Content: Keeping It Real

Whether it’s about sharing life stories or showing your real skin, we all LOVE IT! Users crave and love watching real content that shows genuine changes on social media. Authenticity is the name of the game among the new social media trends. Whether it’s behind-the-scenes glimpses or user-generated content, brands that keep it real are building trust and loyalty among their audience.

Long-Form Content: Storytelling at Its Best

Most of us are back, watching long-form content as it’s the new social media trend. Whether it’s a movie/series clip, influencer content like tutorials or routines or even a LinkedIn post, we take it all! Long-form content is gaining popularity among Indian audiences. Brands are leveraging this emerging trend to tell captivating stories that resonate with their audience on a deeper level. From in-depth tutorials to behind-the-scenes vlogs, long-form content is keeping users engaged and entertained.

Fashion and Fandom: Celebrating Culture and Passion

Whether it’s draping a saree or the colour combination you need to wear, you have got it all. All of your favourite celebrities share about the brands they use and the brands they own! Brands have been tapping into popular culture and fandoms to create content that resonates with their new social customer. Whether it’s collaborating with influencers or celebrating cultural festivals, brands are showcasing their connection to Indian culture.

Crisis Management: Navigating Challenges with Grace

Let’s talk about PR Nightmares popularly known as Poonam Pandey’s death?

In the fast-paced world of social media trends, crises can arise unexpectedly. Brands/Celebrities need to be prepared to handle challenges with grace and transparency. Now, social media is also that platform, and whether it’s about announcing the split up of a couple or a public apology, it all happens right here. Effective crisis management involves listening to feedback, addressing concerns promptly, and maintaining open communication with customers.

Playful Content: Spreading Joy and Laughter

In a world that can often feel serious, playful content is like a breath of fresh air! Whether it’s our favourite influencers doing comical videos or watching memes/funny videos and finally seeing some lighthearted posts, it’s bringing smiles to faces and fostering connections among users. Brands that infuse playfulness into their content are winning hearts and gaining traction on social media.

WhatsApp Marketing: Personalised Communication

Have you recently noticed that the number of brands that have slid into your Whatsapp number is on a high? WhatsApp has become a preferred channel for personalised communication between brands and customers. From sending updates and exclusive offers to providing customer support, brands are leveraging WhatsApp to engage with their audience or new social customers on a more personal level.

AI Integration: Smarter Marketing Strategies

AI edits are getting a huge number of interactions and it’s the latest social media trend!

The number of times we have gone, “Is this for real???” in the last year is very high. AI has its pros and cons, and we see them all on social media. Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way brands approach marketing on social media. From chatbots to predictive analytics, AI-powered tools are helping brands streamline processes, optimise campaigns, and deliver personalised experiences to users.

Marketers Marketing: Sharing Knowledge and Insights

Now more than trends, we need to talk about platforms. If you are a brand/marketer doubtful about the platform you would like to choose and where to find your target audience? Then here is ODigMa’s 2 cents on what would be the ideal platform for your brand!

Facebook: Where Friends Connect

We might think Facebook is for the older generation, but guess what? FB is back with video content that’s linked with Instagram, and it has been gaining more attention. Whether you like to watch ASMR videos or short content of your favourite show, watch one video, and it will be fed into your algorithm, the video you would like to watch will be all over your feed.

Facebook is more than just a platform to keep up with friends. It’s become a hotspot for Indian marketers, too! With its vast user base, brands are leveraging Facebook to share engaging content, from fun videos to interactive polls, to connect with their new social customers in meaningful ways.

WhatsApp: More Than Just Messaging

WhatsApp has evolved beyond a mere messaging app in India. It’s now a hub for businesses to engage with customers. Brands are utilising WhatsApp to share personalised messages and exclusive deals and provide customer support, making shopping and communication easier than ever before.

YouTube: Lights, Camera, Action!

YouTube has emerged as a powerhouse for video content consumption in India. From makeup tutorials to cooking shows, Indians are flocking to the platform for entertainment and education. Brands are capitalising on this emerging trend by creating engaging, long-form content that entertains and informs their audience.

Snapchat: Fun and Playful

Snapchat is all about fun and creativity! With its playful filters and disappearing messages, it’s capturing the attention of Indian users. Brands and Influencers are embracing Snapchat’s playful nature to create quirky content that resonates with the youth and showcases their unique brand personality.

Instagram: The Visual Powerhouse

Instagram is an ideal platform for marketers, especially for visually-driven brands. Short, creative captions can significantly enhance engagement and make posts more memorable. Effective short Instagram captions often include catchy phrases, emojis, and calls to action. Additionally, using relevant hashtags can boost discoverability. The key is to keep captions concise, relatable, and aligned with your brand’s voice, ensuring they resonate with your audience while encouraging interaction.

But more than all of this, do you know what to keep track of?

As the saying goes, keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer. Similarly, watch your competitors closely, and for this, you need to do only two things.

DO THE WORK!!! (research)

Research is the name of the game when it comes to keeping tabs on your competitors. But let’s make it fun! Instead of slogging through piles of data, think of it as a thrilling treasure hunt. Here’s how you can uncover those hidden gems:

Explore Their Social Media Presence:

1. Start by stalking – I mean, exploring – their social media profiles. What kind of content are they posting? How often do they engage with their new social customer? Are they using any unique strategies or features?

2. Look out for clues – Pay attention to their engagement metrics. Which posts are getting the most likes, shares, and comments? What topics or trends are they capitalising on?

3. Take notes – Jot down any innovative ideas or strategies that catch your eye. Is there a particular campaign or tactic that stands out? How can you adapt or improve upon it for your own brand?

KEEPING IT UP WITH THE COMPETITORS

Innovate, Don’t Imitate

Put your own spin on things – Take inspiration from your competitors, but don’t be afraid to put your own unique twist on it. How can you differentiate your brand and offerings to stand out in the crowd?

Stay ahead of the curve – Keep an eye on emerging trends and technologies in your industry. How can you leverage these to stay ahead of the competition and delight your customers?

Think outside the box – Don’t be afraid to think creatively and experiment with new ideas. What can you do differently to capture the attention of your new social customer and win their hearts?

However if you can’t do any of these, then just contact ODigMa, because we live, breathe and eat social media and social media trends!!!

Conclusion: Embracing the Digital Wave

And there you have it – a glimpse into the exciting world of social media marketing trends in India! From playful content to seamless shopping experiences, there’s no shortage of opportunities for brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways. So, whether you’re a small-scale business or a huge brand, embrace the digital wave and ride it to success with marketers at ODigMa! We will keep experimenting, keep engaging, and, most importantly, keep connecting with your audience. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities in Indian digital marketing!