7 social media trends you need to know in 2026

Dec 9

Welcome to What I'm Reading! Here's a look at what I found interesting over the last two weeks. Hopefully these articles will help you in your business.

7 social media trends you need to know in 2026 - Sprout Social
There are some gems here. You've definitely heard some of them before ("Video is Still King") but some of these will be fresh to you. Be authentic and make a genuine connection with your audience.

Trying to Generate Leads From Social Media? Here’s What Actually Works. - Entrepreneur
This article doesn't quite live up to the promise of the title but it's still worth a look. You need to be consistent because social media success doesn't happen overnight.

How to make the most of Instagram carousels in 2025 - Hootsuite
All of my photo posts on Instagram are carousels. Why? They get better reach than single photos.

6 Must-Try Instagram Story Ideas for Your Next Post - Buffer
While we're on the subject of Instagram content, don't forget about Stories.

Google, Microsoft, and Perplexity share tips on how to boost your brand's visibility in AI searches - Business Insider
The biggest message that I took from this: Core SEO practices are going to point you in the right direction for AI search.

Print Advertisements: How To Use Effective Print Ads - Shopify
Though I teach exclusively digital marketing, I still consider print marketing to be a solid option. I recently considered a series of magazine ads before opting for another direction. Maybe it'll be a good fit for you.

Video vs. Photos: What Your Business Needs (and When) - Bob Mackowski/Open Aperture Photography
There are unique uses for each. Bottom line: They'll both help you quite a bit.

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Bob Mackowski