NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Ring in the new year with a fresh series of predictions for 2025 (Photo by Alexi … [+]
The New Year is just around the corner, and every December, people start thinking, what will this New Year hold? From a business perspective, a new administration raises many questions. Whether it’s tariffs, job or tax cuts, or a bleak outlook for interest rate cuts, people are hoping for a better year, with a dose of what’s to come. Forbes.com writer Bill Conerly has some sage advice, however, if you want to look into another crystal ball, here are some early 2025 predictions to help you get going.
The good news for small businesses is their size. They can quickly adapt to changes that outpace large Fortune 500 companies. With a little planning, they can come out ahead.
2025 Predictions: #1 The Maker Economy is huge.
The Social Media Creator Economy is here. A key 2025 prediction that is likely to come true. … [+]
You have seen it. Go through your feeds with ads from people and brands selling their wares. We thought this was a fad for us ‘older’ types and wondered what the younger generations thought. Well, they got it. The creative economy is here, and not only is it not going anywhere, it’s only getting bigger. People and brands with online audiences are a huge development of the digital age.
In 2023, a Goldman Sachs study cited the sector at $250 billion. It was on track to reach over $480 billion by 2027! This will be one of the best and key ways for small businesses to connect their brands with communities. If you haven’t tried this sales method, make 2025 the year to experiment with it. It won’t cost much.
2025 Predictions: #2 Social media takes over
Many articles discuss the end of ‘linear TV’, so we won’t expand on that topic here. However, it seems that there will be more social media viewers than linear TV viewers.
E-Marketer cites data trends that support this notion. A key point is that linear TV viewing is still far ahead of social media. Your brand presence on all platforms is essential. As you explore 2025 and your small business, find the most authentic platforms for you. Invest and focus on them to engage your brand.
2025 Predictions: #3 AI engagement is here
Another key prediction is that AI will eventually adapt to brands and e-commerce. It will meet their engagement needs. Many articles are hedging their bets about AI in 2025, citing costs and ROI, but your small business should use it.
Try out Instagram’s new AI feature (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Instagram’s new AI chat features can double your engagement. Almost every social media platform has built-in tools to increase engagement. Also, many third-party applications go beyond the basics provided by Meta, for example.
2025 Predictions: #4 Authenticity will win in the end
With a small business, the only thing you can control above everything else is your message and your brand. That’s why it starts and ends with one word: Authenticity. 90% of consumers now value brand authenticity, up from 86% in 2017.
Forbes.com writer Aimee Meester noted that the “why” of your brand identity is key to its ethos. If you, as the owner, can’t answer why, how can your customer?
As Ryan Seacrest counts down to the ball drop in Times Square, 2025 will be a very dynamic and powerful year. The 2025 predictions are just that, predictions, so think now about how to use your many opportunities. Who knows if these predictions will come true? But one thing is true – it’s up to you! Embrace these opportunities to shape your brand’s future in 2025.