The Think Media Podcast: Episode 376 – 3 Social Media Trends YOU Need to Know for 2025!

Hosts:

• Sean Cannell – Founder of Think Media, YouTube strategist
• Michael Stelzner – Founder of Social Media Examiner, host of various social media conferences

Release Date: January 2, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 376 of The Think Media Podcast, Sean Cannell engages in a deep-dive conversation with social media expert Michael Stelzner. Together, they explore three critical social media trends poised to shape the landscape in 2025. This episode is part one of a two-part series, with a particular focus on evolving algorithms, the increasing value of authenticity, and the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

1. Evolving Social Media Algorithms

Key Insights: Sean and Michael discuss the significant shifts in social media algorithms that are affecting content visibility and creator reach. The primary concern is the declining reach and exposure across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Discussion Highlights:

• Declining Reach and Increased Competition: Michael notes that creators across the board are experiencing reduced visibility, leading many to increase their posting frequency in an attempt to regain reach. This often results in burnout without the desired increase in engagement.

  Michael Stelzner [02:50]: “The social platforms... are deprioritizing content from businesses and subscribers. Even with a large subscriber base, content isn't as widely seen.”

• Shift from Subscribers to Content-Centric Algorithms: The conversation highlights how platforms like TikTok initiated the shift towards content-focused algorithms with features like the "For You" feed, which prioritizes user engagement based on behavior rather than subscriptions.

  Michael Stelzner [05:00]: “Now, instead of more subscribers, it's about attracting the right people who are genuinely interested in your content and offerings.”

• Vanity Metrics Lose Relevance: Traditional metrics such as subscriber counts and follower numbers are becoming less important compared to engagement and conversion metrics that drive actual business outcomes.

  Michael Stelzner [07:30]: “Followers and subscribers are becoming vanity metrics. The real value lies in attracting the right audience who can convert into customers or engaged community members.”

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Cannell [08:35]: “The most important metric on YouTube is retention, right?”
• Michael Stelzner [10:39]: “Small is the new big. Attract the right people, not just more people.”

Practical Takeaways: Creators should focus on producing high-quality, targeted content that resonates with their ideal audience rather than merely increasing their follower count. Emphasizing engagement and meaningful interactions can lead to better long-term success despite algorithm changes.

2. Authenticity Matters More Than Ever

Key Insights: Authenticity has emerged as a paramount trend, with audiences increasingly seeking genuine, relatable content over polished, highly produced videos. This shift is a direct response to the overwhelming presence of sensationalized and superficial content on social platforms.

Discussion Highlights:

• Demand for Raw and Real Content: Michael emphasizes that audiences crave authentic stories that they can emotionally connect with. This includes unpolished, behind-the-scenes content that showcases real-life struggles and successes.

  Michael Stelzner [15:01]: “People are looking for raw, authentic stories that they can connect to on an emotional level. They crave authenticity amidst all the fakeness on social platforms.”

• Examples of Authentic Content: The conversation references successful authentic content, such as videos by creators discussing personal challenges like menopause or reinventing oneself later in life. These narratives resonate deeply with viewers, fostering strong community bonds.

  Sean Cannell [19:04]: “Authenticity is the new currency. Videos getting specific, like if you're over 40, why you should start a YouTube channel... it’s blowing up.”

• Engagement Over Reach: Authentic content may garner less reach but often results in higher engagement and more meaningful interactions, fostering a loyal and supportive community.

  Michael Stelzner [22:37]: “Experimenting with being vulnerable... every thing you do is a potential lesson and a way to connect deeply with your audience.”

Notable Quotes:

• Sean Cannell [21:34]: “Authenticity is the new currency.”
• Michael Stelzner [24:50]: “Tell the horror stories. Trust me, everybody wants it.”

Practical Takeaways: Creators should embrace vulnerability and share authentic experiences to build deeper connections with their audience. By focusing on storytelling that highlights real-life challenges and triumphs, creators can enhance engagement and foster a loyal community.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Disrupt Everything

Key Insights: AI is rapidly transforming the social media landscape, offering powerful tools that can revolutionize content creation and distribution. The integration of AI is expected to democratize content creation, enabling even those with minimal skills to produce high-quality content efficiently.

Discussion Highlights:

• Proliferation of AI Tools: Michael discusses the exponential growth of AI-powered tools that assist in content creation, from text generation with ChatGPT to photorealistic image creation and advanced video editing capabilities.

  Michael Stelzner [25:31]: “AI can create photorealistic images... within weeks, tools like Photoshop’s AI for Premiere Pro can extend shots and enhance video editing.”

• Increased Competition: The accessibility of AI tools is predicted to lead to a surge in content creators, intensifying competition. Michael warns that the number of creators could increase tenfold in the next year, making it imperative for existing creators to adopt AI to stay competitive.

  Michael Stelzner [26:59]: “If you think there's a lot of competition today, it'll 10x in the next 12 months. Creators need to embrace AI or risk being left behind.”

• AI as a Productivity Enhancer: Sean shares his personal experience with AI tools, highlighting how they have significantly boosted his productivity and content quality. The conversation underscores the importance of integrating AI to streamline content creation processes.

  Sean Cannell [31:06]: “AI has blown my mind. I talk to AI more than my friends... it's making me a better communicator and creator.”

• Future of AI Integration: Michael predicts that AI will not only aid individual creators but also fundamentally alter how large corporations operate, investing heavily in AI infrastructure to maintain competitive edges.

  Michael Stelzner [34:33]: “Google bought a nuclear power plant because AI requires enormous power and investment. This is the biggest land race in history.”

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Stelzner [25:35]: “We are at the early stages of a creative renaissance powered by AI. It will disrupt everything.”
• Sean Cannell [33:05]: “I talk to AI and have business conversations with it. It’s making me a better communicator.”

Practical Takeaways: Creators should proactively integrate AI tools into their workflows to enhance efficiency and content quality. Embracing AI not only helps in staying competitive amidst rising creator numbers but also opens new avenues for creative expression and business growth.

Conclusion

In this enlightening episode, Sean Cannell and Michael Stelzner dissect the evolving landscape of social media, emphasizing the critical importance of adapting to algorithm changes, fostering authentic connections, and leveraging AI to stay ahead. As social media continues to evolve towards more sophisticated and personalized user experiences, creators are encouraged to shift their focus from merely increasing numbers to cultivating meaningful engagement and embracing technological advancements.

Looking Ahead: Listeners are invited to tune into part two of this series, where Sean and Michael will delve deeper into AI tools and strategies for creators to harness their full potential in the ever-changing social media ecosystem.

Follow & Connect:

• Michael Stelzner: AI Explored Podcast, Social Media Examiner
• Sean Cannell: Think Media YouTube Channel

Notable Promotions Removed: The transcript included promotional content for upcoming workshops and special offers. As per the summary guidelines, these non-content sections have been omitted to maintain focus on the episode's core discussions.