Marketing trends everyone’s talking about (that are actually worth your time)

Every week there’s a new “must-do” trend in marketing.
AI-generated everything. BeReal for brands. Voice search! Threads!
It’s a lot—and frankly, most of it is shiny noise.

But some trends? Some are actually worth your time. Because they’re not just hype—they’re shifting how people discover, trust, and buy from businesses.

Here’s a shortlist of marketing trends everyone’s talking about in 2025—and how to make them work for you (without burning out or selling your soul to the algorithm).

1. Short-Form Video Is Still King 👑 (But Personality > Polish)

Reels. TikToks. YouTube Shorts. They’re not going anywhere.

But the style is shifting:
Perfectly edited is out. Real, relatable, “talk to camera” content is in. People want connection over curation.

Try this:

• Share behind-the-scenes moments, packing orders, setting up, daily rituals

• Answer FAQs or bust myths in 30 seconds

• Talk like a human, not a brand deck

👉 Hot tip: You don’t need to dance. Just be helpful, funny, or honest.

2. AI Tools That Actually Save You Time (Not Just Hype) 🤖

We’re past the AI gold rush. Now it’s about smart use:

• Drafting content

• Brainstorming ideas

• Summarising data or feedback

• Generating SEO keywords

Try this:
Use ChatGPT to repurpose one blog into five social posts and a newsletter. Or use AI to create headline variations and test what sticks.

👉 Hot tip: AI should speed you up, not replace your voice.

3. Email Is Cool Again 📬

With social reach down and attention spans zapped, email marketing is back in style—and smarter than ever.

Automations, segmenting, and personality-driven emails are making inboxes a place of value again.

Try this:

• Start a simple 3-email welcome series

• Send monthly updates with personality, not just promos

• Use segmentation to send the right message to the right people

👉 Hot tip: One great email > ten boring ones. Write like you're talking to one person.

4. Authenticity (The Real Kind) Builds Brands 🤝

We’ve said it for years, but now it's non-negotiable.
People don’t just buy your product—they buy into your vibe, values, and voice.

Try this:

• Tell real stories. Why did you start? What have you learned? What scares you?

• Show your face. Or your team’s. Or your customers’.

• Be honest about challenges. People trust truth.

👉 Hot tip: “Behind-the-scenes” doesn’t mean unprofessional—it means human.

5. Community-Led Marketing Is Taking Off 🧠

Your customers don’t just want to buy—they want to belong.
Whether it’s a Facebook group, a DM community, or live Q&As, people are craving connection.

Try this:

• Invite feedback publicly

• Celebrate customer wins

• Host casual live chats or webinars

• Feature UGC (user-generated content)

👉 Hot tip: You don’t need thousands of followers. Just the right people who care.

⚡ Bonus Trend: Strategic Simplicity

With burnout and budget cuts everywhere, the real power move in 2025 is doing less, better.

Choose the channels that actually work for you. Ditch the rest.
Post with purpose. Automate what you can. Focus on connection, not just content.

💬 Final Thought

Not every trend is worth chasing.
But the ones rooted in real connection, helpful content, and clever use of tools?
Those are worth your time.

Pick one to try this week—and see what shifts.

Want a strategist in your corner—without the full-time salary? Let’s set up monthly check-ins for ongoing strategy support so you’ve got expert eyes on your marketing, always.