January 10, 2025 • 18 mins
The episode dives into the insights from the 2025 Sprout Social Index, discussing the critical role of authenticity, engagement, and strategic AI use in social media marketing. Local businesses are encouraged to harness short-form video content, embrace influencer partnerships, and adapt their strategies as the social media landscape continues to evolve.
• Authenticity is essential for genuine consumer connection
• Consumers influence purchasing behavior through social media engagement
• AI can streamline marketing efforts and improve engagement
• Local businesses can combat misinformation and establish trust
• Social media platforms cater to differing demographics and preferences
• Short-form video is crucial for engaging audiences across age groups
• Influencer marketing builds credibility and extends reach
• Data-driven strategies can optimize content effectiveness
Read our summary that informed the podcast here: https://rainmakerreputation.com/post/effective-social-media-in-2025-will-depend-on-authenticity
Find out more about Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM at https://rainmakerreputation.com
Follow us on these socials:
Google Maps
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
X
Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM Austin Texas
Medium
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everybody and welcome to the Rainmaker's Edge
Perspective.
You know we love bringing youthe latest insights to help you
really level up your socialmedia game, and today we're
diving deep into the 2025 SproutSocial Index.
Yeah, this thing is absolutelypacked with data that can help
you connect with your audiencebetter than ever, so let's jump
right in.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
You know, one of the things that really stood out to
us is just how importantauthenticity is becoming Like.
Consumers are so much moreaware now they can spot a fake
trend a mile away.
And the index actually saysthat 93 percent of consumers
think brands really need to stayculturally relevant.
But get this, 33 percent findit like kind of embarrassing
when brands just chase everysingle trend.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Yeah, that's a really good point.
It's not enough to just hop onwhatever's viral anymore.
You really got to build thosegenuine connections with your
audience.
And you know the index foundthat a whopping 46% of consumers
said that authenticity andoriginal content are like the
most important things to them.
So basically, you got to bereal if you want to win them
over.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
It's all about being relatable, letting your
personality shine through inyour content and creating stuff
that your audience actuallyconnects with, but don't just
take our word for it.
The data is there 81% ofconsumers actually admit to
making impulse purchases basedon something they saw on social
media.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Wow, that's huge.
So basically, just by engagingwith your audience, the right
way, you could be tapping into awhole pool of customers who are
ready to buy.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Exactly.
But here's the thing there'sanother side to this whole
engagement thing.
The index also found that 73%of consumers would switch to a
competitor if a brand justignored them on social media.
So think of it this way Socialmedia is like the modern day
town square You've got to bepresent, You've got to be
engaged and you have to beresponsive.
If someone comments on yourpost or asks you a question,
acknowledge them and you have tobe responsive.
(01:43):
If someone comments on yourpost or asks you a question,
acknowledge them.
Show them that you're listening.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Absolutely.
It's all about building thoserelationships, but I know a lot
of business owners are probablyfeeling overwhelmed like just
trying to keep up witheverything on social media.
It's a lot.
But you know, the indexactually highlighted some pretty
cool ways that AI is being usednot to replace marketing teams
but to actually empower them.
And this is where it getsinteresting 86% of marketing
(02:07):
leaders are actually planning togrow their teams in 2025.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, and a good chunk of them, like 53%, believe
that AI is going to be superimportant to make that growth
happen.
So think about it.
Ai can take care of all thosetedious tasks like scheduling
posts, pulling reports, evensuggesting content ideas.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Right.
That frees you up to focus onthe bigger picture, like coming
up with your strategy andbuilding those genuine
connections we talked about.
Speaking of strategy, one ofthe big things the index pointed
out is that people are more andmore concerned about
misinformation online.
Like 93 percent of consumersthink that brands need to do
more to fight back against it.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, and this is a huge opportunity for local
businesses to step up and becomethose trusted sources of
information in their communities.
Think about it You're already apart of the community.
You know what's going on, youhave your finger on the pulse.
So by sharing accurateinformation, fact-checking
things and addressing concernshead-on, you build trust and you
(03:03):
show people that you're areliable source.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It's about being a responsible member of the online
community, and you know thatresponsibility extends to how we
use AI as well, because theindex actually found that 93% of
social media practitionersbelieve that AI can help them
overcome something calledcreative fatigue.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Which is a real thing .
It's easy to burn out in thisfast-paced digital world, but AI
can be like this awesome tool.
It helps you work smarter, notharder, helps you stay on top of
trends, identify new contentopportunities and even
personalize your messaging.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
That's incredible, yeah, but it's important to
remember that AI is a tool.
We're still the ones in control.
We make the decisions and wemake sure our content is
authentic and aligned with ourvalues.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Exactly.
Speaking of control, let's talkabout where you should be
focusing your efforts in termsof platforms, because the index
gives us a really interestingbreakdown of how people are
using different platforms andwhat kind of buying behavior we
see on each one, and you mightbe surprised to hear that
Facebook is still the king, like90% of consumers have a
Facebook profile, and it's thetop platform for making
(04:07):
purchases across all age groups.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Wow, facebook is still going strong.
I guess it might not be theshiniest new toy anymore, but
it's definitely still superrelevant.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
For sure, especially if you're trying to reach a
broad audience.
But Facebook's not the onlygame in town.
Instagram is a close secondwith 82% of consumers, and it's
really great for visuallyshowcasing your brand and
connecting with your audiencethrough images and stories.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And then there's YouTube.
With 76% reach, it's the placeto be for longer form videos
like tutorials or behind thescenes content.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Exactly.
And then, of course, you've gotTikTok, which is really making
waves, especially with youngeraudiences 58% of consumers are
on TikTok, and it's actually thetop platform for driving.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
So if you want to connect with those younger
demographics, tiktok is theplace to be.
It's all about creativity,authenticity and those short
form videos that everyone loves.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, and we can't forget about X and Snapchat.
X is still great for real timeconversations and news updates,
and Snapchat is known for itsdisappearing content and its
appeal to a younger, more mobilefirst audience.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
So basically, what this means is that you need to
choose your platformsstrategically Think about who
your target audience is, whatyour goals are and what type of
content works best on eachplatform.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Exactly.
Don't feel like you have to beon every single platform.
It's better to be awesome on afew than just mediocre on a
bunch of them.
Choose the platforms where youraudience is hanging out and
where you can create contentthat really stands out.
And don't forget, the socialmedia landscape is constantly
changing.
What works today might not worktomorrow, so staying informed
about platform updates,algorithm changes and new trends
(05:44):
is going to give you a big edge.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
It's all about being adaptable and being willing to
experiment.
Speaking of experimenting, theIndex had some pretty
interesting findings aboutshort-form video content and how
it's really resonating withpeople of all ages.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, it's amazing how quickly short form video has
taken off.
It's not just for Gen Z andmillennials anymore.
It seems like everyone'sscrolling through TikTok and
Reels these days.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It's true and it makes sense.
Short form videos are quick,engaging and visually appealing.
They're perfect for grabbingpeople's attention, especially
in a world where we'reconstantly bombarded with
information, and the indexactually shows that even older
generations are getting intoshort-form video now.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, and for local businesses, this is a huge
opportunity.
You can use short-form video toshare quick tips, showcase your
products or services in action,or even give people a
behind-the-scenes look at yourbusiness.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It's a great way to let your personality shine
through and create content thatfeels really authentic and
relatable.
Plus, you don't need a fancycamera crew or anything.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Exactly Just your smartphone and a little bit of
creativity can go a long way,and there are so many tools out
there now to help you edit andpolish your videos.
The key is to make sure yourcontent is relevant to your
target audience and that it addsvalue to their lives.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Speaking of adding value, the index also
highlighted how importantinfluencer marketing is becoming
, and it's not just for bigbrands anymore.
Local businesses can definitelyleverage the power of
influencers to reach new peopleand build credibility.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Yeah, it's all about finding the right influencers,
the ones who align with yourbrand values and who have a
genuine connection with theiraudience.
The index actually found thatpeople are way more likely to
trust recommendations frompeople they see as authentic and
relatable.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's like modern day word of mouth marketing.
We trust the recommendations ofpeople we follow and admire.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Exactly so.
If you're thinking aboutincorporating influencer
marketing into your strategy, doyour research.
Look for influencers who have astrong following within your
target market, who create highquality content and who have a
good engagement rate with theiraudience.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
And remember, it's about building real
relationships with theseinfluencers, not just seeing
them as a means to an end.
You want to collaborate withthem, treat them with respect
and give them the creativefreedom to showcase your brand
in a way that feels authentic totheir audience.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
For sure, and make sure you're measuring your
results.
Track your key metrics to seewhat's working and what's not.
That's the beauty of digitalmarketing it's so measurable.
So use that data to optimizeyour influencer marketing
campaigns and get the most outof your investment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
So we've covered a lot of ground today.
We talked about authenticity,short form video and the power
of influencer marketing, but, asyou mentioned earlier, the
social media landscape is alwayschanging.
It can feel pretty overwhelmingfor business owners who are
already juggling a millionthings.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Absolutely, but the good news is that there are tons
of tools and resources outthere to help you stay ahead of
the curve.
And that brings us back to oneof the big themes we've been
talking about today Using AIstrategically to empower your
social media efforts.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Right.
The index data clearly showsthat AI isn't about replacing
human marketers.
It's about making them evenbetter.
Think of AI as your co-pilot ithandles those time-consuming
tasks so you can focus onstrategy, creativity and
building those all importantrelationships.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Exactly, and one area where AI can really shine is in
platform management.
Remember all those platformusage stats we talked about?
Facebook with its massive reach, instagram with its focus on
visual storytelling, tiktok,capturing those younger
generations.
Each platform has its ownlittle quirks, and AI can help
you tailor your approach to eachone.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
It's like having a personal assistant who knows all
the ins and outs of everyplatform.
They can help you schedule yourposts at the best times,
analyze what's resonating withyour audience and even suggest
content ideas based on what'strending.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, and let's not forget about the role of AI in
content creation.
Tools like Rainmaker,Reputation AI CRM's social
poster can help you come up withengaging captions, find the
right visuals and even createshort-form videos that really
grab attention.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
It's like having a creative partner right there
with you, bouncing ideas off ofeach other and helping you bring
your vision to life.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But, like we've been saying throughout this whole
deep dive, the human element isstill absolutely essential.
Ai is a powerful tool, but it'sup to you to guide it and make
sure your content is authenticand resonates with your audience
.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
on a personal level, so, to wrap up our exploration
of the 2025 Sprout Social Index,let's break down the key
takeaways for all you localbusiness owners out there.
First and foremost,authenticity is king.
Consumers are smart.
They want genuine connectionsand they can spot a fake from a
mile away.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Absolutely, and that authenticity should be in
everything you do online, fromthe content you create to how
you interact with your audience.
Don't be afraid to let yourpersonality show, share your
story and build relationshipsbased on trust and transparency.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Next up, embrace the power of short form video.
It's engaging, it's shareableand it's quickly becoming the
way that people of all agesprefer to consume information
online.
So experiment with differentplatforms, find what works for
your brand and don't be afraidto have some fun with it.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
And remember the potential of influencer
marketing.
Collaborate with people whoshare your values and who have a
genuine connection with yourtarget audience.
Treat them like partners, notjust promotional tools, and
watch as they help you reach newheights.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And finally, embrace AI as a valuable tool to boost
your social media game.
Use it to streamline yourworkflow, optimize your content
and free up your time so you canfocus on what matters most
building those authenticconnections with your audience.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The 2025 Sprout Social Index paints a really
clear picture.
The future of social media isall about connection, creativity
and using technologystrategically, and by embracing
these principles, localbusinesses can absolutely thrive
in this ever-changing digitallandscape.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
So we hope this deep dive is giving you some valuable
insights and some actionablestrategies to really take your
social media game to the nextlevel in 2025 and beyond.
Thanks for joining us on theRainmaker's Edge Perspective.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
And don't forget the social media world.
It's like constantly changing.
What works today might betotally different tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
That's so true.
You got to be ready to adaptand experiment.
Speaking of experimenting, theindex actually had some
interesting findings about shortform video and how it's really
connecting with people of allages.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
It's kind of crazy how fast short form videos has
blown up.
It's not just a Gen Z andmillennial thing anymore.
It seems like everyone is gluedto TikTok and reels these days.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
It's so true, I mean.
It makes sense, though.
Right Short videos are quick,engaging, visually appealing.
It's the perfect way to grabsomeone's attention in this
super fast-paced world whereeveryone's always bombarded with
information, and the index evenshowed that older demographics
are getting in on the action too.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, for sure.
And for local businesses, thisis like a golden opportunity.
You can use these short videosto share quick tips, show off
your products or services.
Give people a behind the sceneslook at your business.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's a great way to let your personality shine
through and create content thatfeels really authentic and
relatable, and the best part isyou don't need a whole film crew
.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Nope, your smartphone and a little creativity can go
a long way.
There are tons of tools outthere to help you edit and make
your videos look superprofessional.
The most important thing is tomake sure your content is
actually relevant to youraudience and that it provides
some kind of value for them.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Speaking of adding value, the index also talked
about the growing importance ofinfluencer marketing, and it's
not just for the big brandsanymore.
Local businesses can definitelyleverage influencers to reach
new customers and buildcredibility.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Totally agree.
It's all about finding theright influencers, though, the
ones who really align with yourbrand values and who have a
genuine connection with theirfollowers.
You know, the index found thatpeople are way more likely to
trust recommendations frompeople they see as authentic and
relatable.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
It's like the modern version of word-of-mouth
marketing.
We trust the opinions of peoplewe follow and admire.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Exactly so.
If you're thinking aboutworking with influencers, do
your homework.
Look for influencers who have astrong following within your
target market, who createhigh-quality content and who
have good engagement with theiraudience.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
And remember, it's not just about using them for
promotion.
It's about building realrelationships.
Collaborate with them, treatthem with respect, give them the
creative freedom to showcaseyour brand in a way that feels
authentic to their audienceabsolutely, and don't forget to
track your results, measurethose key metrics, see what's
working and what's not.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
The beauty of digital marketing is that it's so
measurable.
Use that data to tweak yourinfluencer marketing campaigns
and get the best return on yourinvestment.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
So we've covered a lot of ground today Authenticity
, short form video, the power ofinfluencers but, as you said
earlier, the social media worldis always changing.
Yeah, it can feel like you'reconstantly playing catch up.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
I know right, but the good news is there are tools
and resources out there to helpyou stay ahead of the game.
And this kind of brings us backto one of the main points we've
been talking about using AIstrategically to really boost
your social media efforts.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, the index data show that AI isn't about
replacing us humans.
It's about giving ussuperpowers, like, like it's
your co-pilot, you know it takescare of all the busy work so
you can focus on the strategy,the creativity and building
those relationships.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
It's like having a super efficient assistant, and
one place where AI can reallyshine is in platform management.
Remember all those stats abouthow people use different
platforms Facebook's huge reach,instagram and its visual
storytelling, tiktok and theyounger crowd.
Each platform has its ownpersonality and AI can help you
customize your approach for eachone.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
So it's like having a personal assistant who's an
expert on every platform.
They can help you schedule yourpost at the perfect time,
figure out what's resonatingwith your audience, even suggest
content ideas based on what'strending.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah, and AI is a game changer for content
creation too.
You know tools like Rainmaker,reputation, ai, crm's social
poster, can help you writeawesome captions, find the right
visuals, even create thoseattention-grabbing short videos.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
It's like having a creative partner in your corner,
helping you brainstorm ideasand bring your vision to life.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
But, like we've been saying all along, we can't
forget about the human touch.
Ai is a powerful tool, but it'sup to you to use it wisely.
Make sure your content isauthentic and connects with your
audience on a personal level.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
All right.
So, as we wrap up our deep diveinto the 2025 Sprout Social
Index, let's recap the keytakeaways for all you local
business owners.
Number one authenticity iseverything.
Consumers are smart.
They can sniff out a fake amile away.
They want real connections.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Definitely, and that authenticity needs to be baked
into everything you do online,the content you create, the way
you interact with your audience.
Don't be afraid to show yourpersonality, share your story,
build those relationships basedon trust and transparency.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Number two jump on the short form video train.
It's engaging, it's shareable,it's how people of all ages want
to get their information thesedays.
So play around with differentplatforms, find what works for
you and have fun with it.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
And don't underestimate the power of
influencer marketing.
Find those influencers whoshare your values, who have a
strong connection with yourideal customer.
Treat them like partners, notjust advertising tools, and they
can help you reach new heights.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
And last but not least, embrace AI.
It's a game changer for yoursocial media strategy.
Use it to streamline your work,optimize your content and free
up your time to focus onbuilding those authentic
connections focus on buildingthose authentic connections.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
The 2025 Sprout Social Index shows us the future
of social media is all aboutconnection, creativity and smart
use of technology.
By following these principles,local businesses can really
thrive in this ever-changingdigital world.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
We hope this deep dive gave you some valuable
insights and some actionablestrategies to level up your
social media game in 2025 andbeyond.
Thanks for joining us on theRainmaker's Edge Perspective.
Hey everybody and welcome to the Rainmaker's Edge
Perspective.
You know we love bringing youthe latest insights to help you
really level up your socialmedia game, and today we're
diving deep into the 2025 SproutSocial Index.
Yeah, this thing is absolutelypacked with data that can help
you connect with your audiencebetter than ever, so let's jump
right in.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
You know, one of the things that really stood out to
us is just how importantauthenticity is becoming Like.
Consumers are so much moreaware now they can spot a fake
trend a mile away.
And the index actually saysthat 93 percent of consumers
think brands really need to stayculturally relevant.
But get this, 33 percent findit like kind of embarrassing
when brands just chase everysingle trend.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Yeah, that's a really good point.
It's not enough to just hop onwhatever's viral anymore.
You really got to build thosegenuine connections with your
audience.
And you know the index foundthat a whopping 46% of consumers
said that authenticity andoriginal content are like the
most important things to them.
So basically, you got to bereal if you want to win them
over.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
It's all about being relatable, letting your
personality shine through inyour content and creating stuff
that your audience actuallyconnects with, but don't just
take our word for it.
The data is there 81% ofconsumers actually admit to
making impulse purchases basedon something they saw on social
media.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
Wow, that's huge.
So basically, just by engagingwith your audience, the right
way, you could be tapping into awhole pool of customers who are
ready to buy.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Exactly.
But here's the thing there'sanother side to this whole
engagement thing.
The index also found that 73%of consumers would switch to a
competitor if a brand justignored them on social media.
So think of it this way Socialmedia is like the modern day
town square You've got to bepresent, You've got to be
engaged and you have to beresponsive.
If someone comments on yourpost or asks you a question,
acknowledge them and you have tobe responsive.
(01:43):
If someone comments on yourpost or asks you a question,
acknowledge them.
Show them that you're listening.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Absolutely.
It's all about building thoserelationships, but I know a lot
of business owners are probablyfeeling overwhelmed like just
trying to keep up witheverything on social media.
It's a lot.
But you know, the indexactually highlighted some pretty
cool ways that AI is being usednot to replace marketing teams
but to actually empower them.
And this is where it getsinteresting 86% of marketing
(02:07):
leaders are actually planning togrow their teams in 2025.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, and a good chunk of them, like 53%, believe
that AI is going to be superimportant to make that growth
happen.
So think about it.
Ai can take care of all thosetedious tasks like scheduling
posts, pulling reports, evensuggesting content ideas.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
Right.
That frees you up to focus onthe bigger picture, like coming
up with your strategy andbuilding those genuine
connections we talked about.
Speaking of strategy, one ofthe big things the index pointed
out is that people are more andmore concerned about
misinformation online.
Like 93 percent of consumersthink that brands need to do
more to fight back against it.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, and this is a huge opportunity for local
businesses to step up and becomethose trusted sources of
information in their communities.
Think about it You're already apart of the community.
You know what's going on, youhave your finger on the pulse.
So by sharing accurateinformation, fact-checking
things and addressing concernshead-on, you build trust and you
(03:03):
show people that you're areliable source.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
It's about being a responsible member of the online
community, and you know thatresponsibility extends to how we
use AI as well, because theindex actually found that 93% of
social media practitionersbelieve that AI can help them
overcome something calledcreative fatigue.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Which is a real thing .
It's easy to burn out in thisfast-paced digital world, but AI
can be like this awesome tool.
It helps you work smarter, notharder, helps you stay on top of
trends, identify new contentopportunities and even
personalize your messaging.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
That's incredible, yeah, but it's important to
remember that AI is a tool.
We're still the ones in control.
We make the decisions and wemake sure our content is
authentic and aligned with ourvalues.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Exactly.
Speaking of control, let's talkabout where you should be
focusing your efforts in termsof platforms, because the index
gives us a really interestingbreakdown of how people are
using different platforms andwhat kind of buying behavior we
see on each one, and you mightbe surprised to hear that
Facebook is still the king, like90% of consumers have a
Facebook profile, and it's thetop platform for making
(04:07):
purchases across all age groups.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Wow, facebook is still going strong.
I guess it might not be theshiniest new toy anymore, but
it's definitely still superrelevant.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
For sure, especially if you're trying to reach a
broad audience.
But Facebook's not the onlygame in town.
Instagram is a close secondwith 82% of consumers, and it's
really great for visuallyshowcasing your brand and
connecting with your audiencethrough images and stories.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
And then there's YouTube.
With 76% reach, it's the placeto be for longer form videos
like tutorials or behind thescenes content.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
Exactly.
And then, of course, you've gotTikTok, which is really making
waves, especially with youngeraudiences 58% of consumers are
on TikTok, and it's actually thetop platform for driving.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
So if you want to connect with those younger
demographics, tiktok is theplace to be.
It's all about creativity,authenticity and those short
form videos that everyone loves.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, and we can't forget about X and Snapchat.
X is still great for real timeconversations and news updates,
and Snapchat is known for itsdisappearing content and its
appeal to a younger, more mobilefirst audience.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
So basically, what this means is that you need to
choose your platformsstrategically Think about who
your target audience is, whatyour goals are and what type of
content works best on eachplatform.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Exactly.
Don't feel like you have to beon every single platform.
It's better to be awesome on afew than just mediocre on a
bunch of them.
Choose the platforms where youraudience is hanging out and
where you can create contentthat really stands out.
And don't forget, the socialmedia landscape is constantly
changing.
What works today might not worktomorrow, so staying informed
about platform updates,algorithm changes and new trends
(05:44):
is going to give you a big edge.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
It's all about being adaptable and being willing to
experiment.
Speaking of experimenting, theIndex had some pretty
interesting findings aboutshort-form video content and how
it's really resonating withpeople of all ages.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, it's amazing how quickly short form video has
taken off.
It's not just for Gen Z andmillennials anymore.
It seems like everyone'sscrolling through TikTok and
Reels these days.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
It's true and it makes sense.
Short form videos are quick,engaging and visually appealing.
They're perfect for grabbingpeople's attention, especially
in a world where we'reconstantly bombarded with
information, and the indexactually shows that even older
generations are getting intoshort-form video now.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, and for local businesses, this is a huge
opportunity.
You can use short-form video toshare quick tips, showcase your
products or services in action,or even give people a
behind-the-scenes look at yourbusiness.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It's a great way to let your personality shine
through and create content thatfeels really authentic and
relatable.
Plus, you don't need a fancycamera crew or anything.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Exactly Just your smartphone and a little bit of
creativity can go a long way,and there are so many tools out
there now to help you edit andpolish your videos.
The key is to make sure yourcontent is relevant to your
target audience and that it addsvalue to their lives.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
Speaking of adding value, the index also
highlighted how importantinfluencer marketing is becoming
, and it's not just for bigbrands anymore.
Local businesses can definitelyleverage the power of
influencers to reach new peopleand build credibility.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Yeah, it's all about finding the right influencers,
the ones who align with yourbrand values and who have a
genuine connection with theiraudience.
The index actually found thatpeople are way more likely to
trust recommendations frompeople they see as authentic and
relatable.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
It's like modern day word of mouth marketing.
We trust the recommendations ofpeople we follow and admire.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Exactly so.
If you're thinking aboutincorporating influencer
marketing into your strategy, doyour research.
Look for influencers who have astrong following within your
target market, who create highquality content and who have a
good engagement rate with theiraudience.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
And remember, it's about building real
relationships with theseinfluencers, not just seeing
them as a means to an end.
You want to collaborate withthem, treat them with respect
and give them the creativefreedom to showcase your brand
in a way that feels authentic totheir audience.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
For sure, and make sure you're measuring your
results.
Track your key metrics to seewhat's working and what's not.
That's the beauty of digitalmarketing it's so measurable.
So use that data to optimizeyour influencer marketing
campaigns and get the most outof your investment.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
So we've covered a lot of ground today.
We talked about authenticity,short form video and the power
of influencer marketing, but, asyou mentioned earlier, the
social media landscape is alwayschanging.
It can feel pretty overwhelmingfor business owners who are
already juggling a millionthings.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Absolutely, but the good news is that there are tons
of tools and resources outthere to help you stay ahead of
the curve.
And that brings us back to oneof the big themes we've been
talking about today Using AIstrategically to empower your
social media efforts.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Right.
The index data clearly showsthat AI isn't about replacing
human marketers.
It's about making them evenbetter.
Think of AI as your co-pilot ithandles those time-consuming
tasks so you can focus onstrategy, creativity and
building those all importantrelationships.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Exactly, and one area where AI can really shine is in
platform management.
Remember all those platformusage stats we talked about?
Facebook with its massive reach, instagram with its focus on
visual storytelling, tiktok,capturing those younger
generations.
Each platform has its ownlittle quirks, and AI can help
you tailor your approach to eachone.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
It's like having a personal assistant who knows all
the ins and outs of everyplatform.
They can help you schedule yourposts at the best times,
analyze what's resonating withyour audience and even suggest
content ideas based on what'strending.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, and let's not forget about the role of AI in
content creation.
Tools like Rainmaker,Reputation AI CRM's social
poster can help you come up withengaging captions, find the
right visuals and even createshort-form videos that really
grab attention.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
It's like having a creative partner right there
with you, bouncing ideas off ofeach other and helping you bring
your vision to life.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
But, like we've been saying throughout this whole
deep dive, the human element isstill absolutely essential.
Ai is a powerful tool, but it'sup to you to guide it and make
sure your content is authenticand resonates with your audience
.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
on a personal level, so, to wrap up our exploration
of the 2025 Sprout Social Index,let's break down the key
takeaways for all you localbusiness owners out there.
First and foremost,authenticity is king.
Consumers are smart.
They want genuine connectionsand they can spot a fake from a
mile away.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Absolutely, and that authenticity should be in
everything you do online, fromthe content you create to how
you interact with your audience.
Don't be afraid to let yourpersonality show, share your
story and build relationshipsbased on trust and transparency.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
Next up, embrace the power of short form video.
It's engaging, it's shareableand it's quickly becoming the
way that people of all agesprefer to consume information
online.
So experiment with differentplatforms, find what works for
your brand and don't be afraidto have some fun with it.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
And remember the potential of influencer
marketing.
Collaborate with people whoshare your values and who have a
genuine connection with yourtarget audience.
Treat them like partners, notjust promotional tools, and
watch as they help you reach newheights.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
And finally, embrace AI as a valuable tool to boost
your social media game.
Use it to streamline yourworkflow, optimize your content
and free up your time so you canfocus on what matters most
building those authenticconnections with your audience.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The 2025 Sprout Social Index paints a really
clear picture.
The future of social media isall about connection, creativity
and using technologystrategically, and by embracing
these principles, localbusinesses can absolutely thrive
in this ever-changing digitallandscape.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
So we hope this deep dive is giving you some valuable
insights and some actionablestrategies to really take your
social media game to the nextlevel in 2025 and beyond.
Thanks for joining us on theRainmaker's Edge Perspective.
Speaker 2 (11:49):
And don't forget the social media world.
It's like constantly changing.
What works today might betotally different tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
That's so true.
You got to be ready to adaptand experiment.
Speaking of experimenting, theindex actually had some
interesting findings about shortform video and how it's really
connecting with people of allages.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
It's kind of crazy how fast short form videos has
blown up.
It's not just a Gen Z andmillennial thing anymore.
It seems like everyone is gluedto TikTok and reels these days.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
It's so true, I mean.
It makes sense, though.
Right Short videos are quick,engaging, visually appealing.
It's the perfect way to grabsomeone's attention in this
super fast-paced world whereeveryone's always bombarded with
information, and the index evenshowed that older demographics
are getting in on the action too.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, for sure.
And for local businesses, thisis like a golden opportunity.
You can use these short videosto share quick tips, show off
your products or services.
Give people a behind the sceneslook at your business.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's a great way to let your personality shine
through and create content thatfeels really authentic and
relatable, and the best part isyou don't need a whole film crew
.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Nope, your smartphone and a little creativity can go
a long way.
There are tons of tools outthere to help you edit and make
your videos look superprofessional.
The most important thing is tomake sure your content is
actually relevant to youraudience and that it provides
some kind of value for them.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Speaking of adding value, the index also talked
about the growing importance ofinfluencer marketing, and it's
not just for the big brandsanymore.
Local businesses can definitelyleverage influencers to reach
new customers and buildcredibility.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Totally agree.
It's all about finding theright influencers, though, the
ones who really align with yourbrand values and who have a
genuine connection with theirfollowers.
You know, the index found thatpeople are way more likely to
trust recommendations frompeople they see as authentic and
relatable.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
It's like the modern version of word-of-mouth
marketing.
We trust the opinions of peoplewe follow and admire.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Exactly so.
If you're thinking aboutworking with influencers, do
your homework.
Look for influencers who have astrong following within your
target market, who createhigh-quality content and who
have good engagement with theiraudience.
Speaker 1 (13:57):
And remember, it's not just about using them for
promotion.
It's about building realrelationships.
Collaborate with them, treatthem with respect, give them the
creative freedom to showcaseyour brand in a way that feels
authentic to their audienceabsolutely, and don't forget to
track your results, measurethose key metrics, see what's
working and what's not.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
The beauty of digital marketing is that it's so
measurable.
Use that data to tweak yourinfluencer marketing campaigns
and get the best return on yourinvestment.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
So we've covered a lot of ground today Authenticity
, short form video, the power ofinfluencers but, as you said
earlier, the social media worldis always changing.
Yeah, it can feel like you'reconstantly playing catch up.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
I know right, but the good news is there are tools
and resources out there to helpyou stay ahead of the game.
And this kind of brings us backto one of the main points we've
been talking about using AIstrategically to really boost
your social media efforts.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Yeah, the index data show that AI isn't about
replacing us humans.
It's about giving ussuperpowers, like, like it's
your co-pilot, you know it takescare of all the busy work so
you can focus on the strategy,the creativity and building
those relationships.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
It's like having a super efficient assistant, and
one place where AI can reallyshine is in platform management.
Remember all those stats abouthow people use different
platforms Facebook's huge reach,instagram and its visual
storytelling, tiktok and theyounger crowd.
Each platform has its ownpersonality and AI can help you
customize your approach for eachone.
Speaker 1 (15:27):
So it's like having a personal assistant who's an
expert on every platform.
They can help you schedule yourpost at the perfect time,
figure out what's resonatingwith your audience, even suggest
content ideas based on what'strending.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah, and AI is a game changer for content
creation too.
You know tools like Rainmaker,reputation, ai, crm's social
poster, can help you writeawesome captions, find the right
visuals, even create thoseattention-grabbing short videos.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
It's like having a creative partner in your corner,
helping you brainstorm ideasand bring your vision to life.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
But, like we've been saying all along, we can't
forget about the human touch.
Ai is a powerful tool, but it'sup to you to use it wisely.
Make sure your content isauthentic and connects with your
audience on a personal level.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
All right.
So, as we wrap up our deep diveinto the 2025 Sprout Social
Index, let's recap the keytakeaways for all you local
business owners.
Number one authenticity iseverything.
Consumers are smart.
They can sniff out a fake amile away.
They want real connections.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Definitely, and that authenticity needs to be baked
into everything you do online,the content you create, the way
you interact with your audience.
Don't be afraid to show yourpersonality, share your story,
build those relationships basedon trust and transparency.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Number two jump on the short form video train.
It's engaging, it's shareable,it's how people of all ages want
to get their information thesedays.
So play around with differentplatforms, find what works for
you and have fun with it.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
And don't underestimate the power of
influencer marketing.
Find those influencers whoshare your values, who have a
strong connection with yourideal customer.
Treat them like partners, notjust advertising tools, and they
can help you reach new heights.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
And last but not least, embrace AI.
It's a game changer for yoursocial media strategy.
Use it to streamline your work,optimize your content and free
up your time to focus onbuilding those authentic
connections focus on buildingthose authentic connections.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
The 2025 Sprout Social Index shows us the future
of social media is all aboutconnection, creativity and smart
use of technology.
By following these principles,local businesses can really
thrive in this ever-changingdigital world.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
We hope this deep dive gave you some valuable
insights and some actionablestrategies to level up your
social media game in 2025 andbeyond.
Thanks for joining us on theRainmaker's Edge Perspective.
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.