Digital Strategies, Trends and Insights from CTI Digital | Digital Agency Blog

Collaboration, community and influence: the future of social

Written by Eimile Kerrigan | 28 April 2025, 07:30

Navigating social media today is harder than ever. Platforms are saturated, budgets are tighter and algorithms are unpredictable. For brands, the challenge is no longer just staying visible - it's creating content that cuts through the noise and genuinely speaks to your audience.

The future of social marketing lies in smart collaborations, community-driven strategies and focused influencer campaigns that build trust and authenticity while driving results.

Content that clicks

Successful social marketing is all about building trust, nurturing relationships and staying authentic.

  • Long-term creator collabs: Stop the one-and-done. Build real partnerships with creators, and watch your feed transform. Consistent messaging, cohesive branding and content your audience will instantly recognise. 

  • Community is king: Stop chasing ever-changing algorithms, and focus on building tight-knit communities. Private groups, live events, broadcast channels and personalised messaging are where real connections thrive.

  • Always-on influencers: People trust people. Ditch the one-off influencer stunts and go for real, ongoing partnerships that deliver authentic, user-generated content your audience loves.

  • Performance-driven influencer strategies: Treat influencers like a performance channel. Think measurable outcomes, real-time optimisation and campaigns that actually drive conversions (as well as likes.)

Success starts with insights

Data-driven social campaigns help drive impactful results. Take Vileda, for example. By leveraging influencer insights, they were able to reach untapped audiences in a fresh, authentic way.

Collaborating with influencers, Vileda ran Instagram story polls asking followers about pet-related challenges, generating over 15,000 votes. This approach tapped into the dual emotions of love and frustration that come with owning pets, resonating deeply with their target audience.

The result? Over 35k+ interactions in just 7 days, positioning Vileda as a brand that truly understands pet owners. This campaign not only showcased the power of relatable content but also highlighted the importance of using insights to craft meaningful strategies.

Relationships are everything 

The best strategies prioritise lasting relationships. Authenticity and consistency are the secret to staying memorable and creating loyalty that lasts. This year, the path to social growth is clear: double down on collaboration, meaningful community-building and data-driven influencer strategies to stand out and drive real results.

If you're looking for more actionable strategies, check out our Growth Marketing Playbook. It's packed with insights and tools to help you scale smarter and drive growth across your channels.