What's the Next Big Trend in Multimedia Content for Startups?

In the rapidly evolving world of social media, startups must stay ahead of the curve to capture audience attention. We've gathered insights from social media managers, content strategists, and various founders to pinpoint the next big multimedia content trends. From embracing nostalgia and retro designs to personalized content that engages users, explore the 16 forward-thinking trends these experts predict will make waves.

Embrace Nostalgia and Retro Designs

I'd anticipate more startups using nostalgia and retro UI to attract audiences. Like the Super Bowl, which used Usher to drive viewership, startups will start throwing it back to connect with their audiences. Clean, sleek, and blue-focused graphics and videos currently lean toward being the least popular content. Memes, silly references from the past, and making brands feel connected to things that used to be fan favorites will be the focus of 2024!

Nina Walters, Social Media Manager, GoLinks

Augmented Reality Meets Gamification

I feel like augmented reality (AR), paired with gamification, is the next multimedia channel that will make waves for startups. Customers need not purchase expensive equipment to enjoy AR. As we saw a few years ago with Pokémon Go, consumers can simply use their phones to engage with AR. And while that game turned out to be a passing fad, I think more companies will start to use AR paired with geolocation services to get consumers interacting with their brands in new ways. You could drop a coupon in a specific place, and only the customers who actually go to that place and view it on their phone will get the discount. People love anything that allows them to play and explore, so strategic use of AR is ripe for exploitation.

Rob Swystun, Content Strategist, Rob Swystun Content Marketing & Ghostwriting Inc.

Leverage Newsletters and Video Content

The most efficient way to build a startup in 2024 is through newsletter and video content. You don't 'own' your social media following, but you do 'own' your email subscribers. As someone who's grown a six-figure business on LinkedIn in less than 12 months, repurposing newsletter content into a video format was the best decision I've made. Focus on providing as much value as possible while asking for nothing in return. Over time, this is how you'll build trust, ultimately building an audience of prospects for your startup.

Alex Colhoun, Founder, The Growth Innovator

Prioritize Accessibility and Inclusivity

Accessibility and inclusivity are more than just trends; they are becoming fundamental principles in content creation for startups and businesses of all sizes. By making multimedia content accessible to people with disabilities, startups can tap into a larger audience segment. This includes individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments who may otherwise be excluded from accessing and engaging with content.

Accessibility features such as closed captions, audio descriptions, and alternative text not only make content accessible to people with disabilities but also enhance the overall user experience for all viewers. Providing multiple ways to consume content ensures that everyone can engage with it according to their preferences and needs. Accessibility features such as descriptive alt text for images and transcripts for audio and video content can also improve search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Search engines like Google prioritize accessible content, making it more likely to rank higher in search results and attract organic traffic.

It's also important to consider that as demographics shift and populations age, the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in multimedia content will only continue to grow. Startups that proactively address the needs of diverse audiences will be better positioned to adapt to demographic changes and remain relevant in the long term.

Danielle Hu, Founder, The Wanderlover

Authenticity and Realness Trend

Social media culture changes so quickly. We went from reels going viral overnight to TikTok dances; what's next? As consumers, we are craving more authenticity and realness and can spot sales content from a mile away. There is a recent trend on Instagram and TikTok that is taking the internet by storm—"Social Media is Fake." Users who are posting this content range from twenty-something year olds all the way to founders of companies. The idea is that there is way more to what you see behind "perfect" content. As far as trends go, I think we are going to continue to see things move in this direction of authenticity and realness. Startups can lean on the power of authenticity, humanness, and behind-the-scenes content to build trust with their audience. Startups can capitalize on this trend by sharing that they, too, are humans behind the screens, while still maintaining a professional appearance.

Bridget Sicsko, Cofounder of Visibility on Purpose, Visibility on Purpose

Create Memorable Content Properties

I think we're going to see more of the smarter startups move into creating actual intellectual properties around their content.

It's not enough anymore to start a talking-head podcast without an easy-to-grasp premise, and consumers have gotten bored with the standard fare.

More startups will take cues from traditional media IPs and develop more memorable and emotionally resonant content.

Tommy Walker, Founder, The Content Studio.com

Engage on LinkedIn's Growing Platform

With over one billion members, LinkedIn is officially the largest online professional networking platform in the world. That impressive stat alone tells any new startup or entrepreneur that it's a social platform they would be crazy to ignore.

In building my content strategy and SEO business, LinkedIn has been the primary platform for making connections, attracting leads, and building my newsletter community. This has been made possible through the power of intentionally posting helpful content.

With options like posting short-form videos and taking advantage of LinkedIn Live events, it's clear this social channel is doing more than helping you research your next job opportunity—it wants you to engage and connect. I see LinkedIn's content capabilities only continuing to grow in the upcoming year. Now's the time to hop on board if you haven't already.

Allison Ditmer, Content Strategist & Creator, Allison Ditmer LLC

Interactive and Animated Research Reports

More and more startups are publishing original research reports to build thought leadership and demand. But in the future, research reports won't look like the stuffy white papers of the past; they will be animated and interactive.

Imagine scrolling down the page and seeing charts and statistics appear before your eyes.

Imagine reading a line like "two out of 10 businesses fail in the first two years" and then seeing the lights turn off in two out of the 10 illustrated buildings.

The multimedia experience will extend beyond the report itself, as well. For example, interactive courses featuring data insights from the report, or even one-sheets featuring QR codes that bring attendees to a cloned webpage that's been tweaked for the audience.

Erin Balsa, Founder & Chief Picky Editor, Haus of Bold

Hybrid Self-Discovery Multimedia Journeys

The next big trend for startups will be a self-discovery journey with a hybrid of interactive, immersive, and experiential multimedia. The power of this mix can create meaningful connections with valuable insights for your startup.

Participants can interactively uncover their potential through creative prompts and exercises. Next, they will be deeply immersed in interactive storytelling with augmented reality (AR). These experiences vividly depict your company's vision. They get to choose the story path, and you get to identify how well they align with your brand's vision.

Lastly, you invite them into an experiential learning experience to engage with you in person or virtually about their results. Based on these results, you segment their journey through a masterclass, a workshop, or an exclusive pop-up-style mastermind.

It begins a journey built on trust and mutual understanding.

Deb Monfette, Creator of Mindful Attraction Marketing, iMatter Marketing

Micro-Influencers Drive Targeted Engagement

I anticipate that the use of micro-influencers will continue gaining significant momentum. Particularly for startups, leveraging micro-influencers offers a cost-effective solution while enabling highly targeted engagement. These influencers often have smaller yet highly engaged niche audiences, facilitating authentic connections and driving meaningful interactions. By collaborating with micro-influencers, startups can effectively amplify their brand messaging, reach new audiences, and build credibility within their target market, ultimately fostering sustainable growth and success in the digital landscape.

Taylor Caplan, Marketing Manager, Duckpin

Invest in Interactive Content

I'm passionate about staying on top of the latest trends in multimedia content for startups; I've spent much time leading marketing strategies and tracking industry changes, so let me share one trend that will make waves: interactive content.

Think about it. Our digital world is changing rapidly, and consumers want more immersive experiences.

Interactive content, such as quizzes, surveys, infographics, AR filters, etc., grabs people's attention and encourages active engagement.

According to research, interactive content leads to 2x higher conversions than passive content. It's also highly shareable, increasing your brand's exposure on social media.

We've seen interactive content first-hand at my place of work. Whether it's shipping preferences quizzes or interactive infographics that highlight global e-commerce trends, we've kept our audience engaged and gained valuable insight into their preferences and behavior.

So, if you're a startup looking to take your multimedia game to the next level, investing in interactive content is the way to go. It's easy to differentiate yourself in a crowded digital landscape and build stronger relationships with your audience.

Diana Zheng, Head of Marketing, Stallion Express

User-Generated Content Builds Community

I've noticed that authenticity and community engagement hold immense value in content strategy for startups. One emerging trend is the integration of user-generated content (UGC) into multimedia marketing efforts. This approach not only validates consumer experiences but also fosters a sense of belonging and community among users.

For my company, this meant sharing stories and photos from our customers who had incorporated our book-themed candles into their reading rituals or home decor. This strategy not only showcased real-life applications of our products but also encouraged more of our audience to share their own experiences, creating a rich, multi-dimensional marketing campaign fueled by genuine customer engagement.

Additionally, leveraging local events and collaborations has been instrumental in amplifying our brand message. In 2017, we involved ourselves in community art projects and literacy promotion, which resonated well with both our existing customers and attracted new ones who valued community involvement. These efforts underscored the importance of going beyond the product to connect with broader cultural and social practices embraced by our target audience.

In sum, the next big trend in multimedia content for startups revolves around crafting authentic narratives and fostering community engagement through user-generated content and local community involvement. These strategies not only enrich the brand image but also cultivate a loyal customer base that feels valued and understood.

Roxie Lubanovic, Co-Founder, Frostbeard Studio

AI-Generated Content Saves Time

The next big trend for startups is AI-generated content. Content created with AI can be done faster and at a larger volume, with amazing results. Startups could save hours weekly, and that time could then be invested in other strategic areas.

According to Statista, in 2023, only 37% of people working in advertising or marketing in the U.S. had used AI at work. I believe this number will double in the next year, and startups will lead the way with AI-generated content.

Luke Matthews, LinkedIn Ghostwriter, Wizard of ODD Marketing

Transcription Enhances Multimedia Accessibility

I've observed a growing trend towards leveraging multimedia content for marketing and brand awareness. One area that I believe will gain significant traction for startups is the integration of transcription services into multimedia content strategies.

Transcripts not only enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities but also cater to the preferences of modern audiences who often consume content on-the-go or in environments where audio or video may be inconvenient. By providing transcripts alongside multimedia content, startups can offer a more inclusive and user-friendly experience, reaching a broader audience and demonstrating their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Furthermore, transcripts can be optimized for search engines, increasing the discoverability of multimedia content and driving organic traffic to a startup's website or social media platforms. This approach can be particularly valuable for startups looking to establish a strong online presence and attract potential customers or investors.

Ultimately, by embracing the trend of incorporating transcription services into their multimedia content strategies, startups can differentiate themselves, enhance user experiences, and maximize the reach and impact of their digital marketing efforts.

Ben Walker, founder and CEO, Ditto Transcripts

Virtual Reality Offers Immersive Experiences

In my opinion, virtual reality (VR) content is poised to become a significant trend among startups focused on delivering immersive experiences.

As VR technology becomes more accessible, startups can use it to create fully immersive environments that offer a unique form of storytelling and demonstration.

Whether it's a virtual tour of a property for a real estate startup or a 360-degree video for a travel startup, VR can provide a deeply engaging way to connect with audiences and offer them something beyond traditional media.

David Ciccarelli, CEO, Lake

Personalized Content Engages Users

Staying aware of the latest trends is essential for startups seeking to keep up with the constantly evolving world of multimedia content. One promising trend is the rise of personalized and interactive content experiences. Thanks to technological advancements, startups can now create bespoke content that caters to each user's preferences.

This approach has proven highly effective, as consumers increasingly crave content that speaks directly to their unique interests and preferences. Additionally, startups should focus on creating immersive experiences, such as virtual and augmented reality content, allowing users to fully engage with their brands and products.

By embracing these strategies, startups can deliver multimedia content that is both constructive and meaningful to their users.

Overall, startups that can provide unique and engaging multimedia experiences are likely to see success in the years ahead.

Amore Philip, Director of Public Relations, Apples & Oranges Public Relations