OK I'm diving into my top picks for marketing trends in 2025 and I'm intentionally steering clear of anything AI-related because, frankly, that's all anyone seems to be talking about right now. If you're anything like me, you're probably experiencing serious AI content fatigue. It's time to get back to the fundamentals and explore marketing tactics that come from genuine human experience and creativity.

Let me be crystal clear: I'm not anti-AI. I appreciate and utilize AI tools in my workflow. However, I firmly believe that marketing content at its core must originate from real human perspectives, insights and lived experiences. While AI can be an excellent tool for ideation and content refinement, simply throwing a prompt into ChatGPT or your preferred large language model and blindly accepting its suggestions—without critically evaluating whether the content authentically resonates with you or your target audience—is a big NO NO!

The digital marketing landscape doesn't need more algorithmically generated noise. It craves authentic, thoughtful and strategically crafted communication that genuinely connects with people. My picks for 2025 marketing trends are rooted in this philosophy: strategies that prioritize human connection, meaningful engagement and substantive value over superficial technological gimmicks.

So, let's go on this exploration of marketing trends that will actually matter in 2025—trends crafted by humans, for humans. Let’s do this….

1. The Continued Dominance Of Video Content

I've been harping on about this throughout 2024 and I'm going to say it again: VIDEO CONTENT IS KING! It will continue to be one of the most powerful marketing tools in 2025. Why? Because people fundamentally want to connect with other people. It's that simple!

Nothing builds trust faster than you speaking directly about your expertise or sharing industry insights through video. Text can only take you so far—video allows people to truly see you, understand your knowledge and get a sense of who you are. People connect based on expertise, but let's be real: personality, behavior and communication style matter just as much.

For me, I get hooked by people who are knowledgeable but also come across as friendly and humble. That's incredibly difficult to portray with just text. Video breaks down those barriers instantly.

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram Reels are continuing to focus on short-form, interactive video formats because that's what consumers want—quick, engaging content that delivers value fast. So how can brands make the most of this?

First, embrace short-form and live streaming. Live streams are fantastic for real-time engagement, especially during product launches or Q&A sessions. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts can dramatically expand your reach. 

Second, get creative with platform features. YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok are constantly rolling out interactive tools like polls and live Q&As. Use them. Analyze your metrics regularly and refine your strategy based on what actually resonates with your audience.

The bottom line: Video isn't just a marketing trend. It's a way to show the real, human side of your brand. And in 2025, that's what people are craving more than ever.

2. Personalization At Scale

Let's talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy in the digital marketing world: generic content. With the massive overflow of AI-generated information, people are getting seriously bored of copy-paste approaches. Consumers are craving customized and unique experiences that actually speak directly to them.

Speaking from personal experience, I never—and I mean never—respond to cold emails that feel like they've been blasted out to thousands of people. But a personalized message? That'll catch my attention every single time.

I've got a perfect example… Once, someone sent me a cold outreach with a personalized video recording that featured my own website in the background. Sure, they probably used a similar script for others, but they took the time to actually visit my site and make specific references. It was such a small step, but it made a massive difference.

This reminds me of a fantastic approach I saw from one of my favorite podcasters, Josh Hall. He creates personalized welcome videos for every single new member joining his community. Each video references the member's background and explains exactly how he can help them. It's like receiving a five-star hotel concierge experience in the digital world. Think about it: what makes you go "wow" when you're traveling? It's that extraordinary level of care and customization. The same principle applies to digital experiences. By 2025, consumers won't just want personalization—they'll expect it.

For brands looking to level up their personalization game. Consider developing campaigns that map out different stages of the buyer journey. The goal is to create interactions so personalized that they feel proactively helpful, not just reactive. It's about understanding individual needs and meeting them before the customer even realizes they have them

The future of marketing isn't about talking at people. It's about talking with them, understanding them and creating experiences that feel uniquely crafted just for them.

3. Good Old Fashion Networking

Let me tell you something about networking: it remains one of the most fruitful and rewarding marketing methods in my playbook. And no, I'm not talking about those stuffy, awkward business card exchanges (though those still happen). I mean genuine and meaningful connections that can totally transform your business.

Here's the beauty of networking: when people like you (in a totally professional, non-romantic way—LOL!), they'll likely refer you to their entire network. And newsflash—networking doesn't just happen in conference rooms anymore.

Earlier this year, I joined a solopreneur networking group. It was tiny—just 6 members, including two group facilitators. Out of the other 3 people, two became clients, and I started a partnership with the third. Talk about high ROI! *mic drop*

Now, I know what some of you are thinking. "But I'm an introvert! Networking sounds terrifying!" Hold up. Introverts are actually networking PROS. Why? Because they're incredible listeners. And let's be honest, nothing turns people off faster than loud extroverts who can't stop talking about how amazing they are. (And I say this as an extrovert—hopefully not one of the annoying ones. LOL!)

The beauty of networking is that you bypass all the digital marketing fluff. You're connecting directly with real humans who might genuinely need or want what you offer. No algorithms, no generic pitches—just authentic conversation.

Pro tip for the networking-shy: start small. Online communities, niche groups and even LinkedIn connections can be gold mines. The key is quality over quantity. Find your people, listen more than you talk, and be genuinely interested in others.

Networking continues to be my highest ROI marketing method because it's simple: people do business with people they know, like and trust. 

4. (Continuing) Rise of Influencer Marketing 

Let's talk about influencers. Whether you love them or roll your eyes every time you hear the word, they're not going anywhere in the marketing world. And there's a solid reason why: people connect with other people.

There's a growing trend of consumers preferring to buy from individuals rather than directly from big, faceless brands. Why? Because we're hardwired to seek out opinions from people we trust or share interests with. It's basic human psychology.

Some companies are throwing serious cash at top-tier influencers. We're talking 4 to 5 figures for a single social media post. Crazy, right? But here's the good news: you don't need to empty your bank account to use influencer marketing.

The smart move is to look for influencers who haven't gone viral but are respected voices in your specific industry or niche. And forget about just throwing money around. Get creative with collaboration opportunities. Think revenue sharing, affiliate programs or even service exchanges.

The beauty of influencer marketing is its flexibility. It doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. It's about finding the right people who genuinely connect with your brand and audience.

Social media platforms are also making this easier by blurring the lines between social content and e-commerce. Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest now offer in-app shopping features. Consumers can literally purchase products directly from their social media feeds.

The future of marketing is personal, collaborative, and authentic. Influencer marketing, when done right, is a powerful tool to cut through the noise and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

OK, AI Can Play a Small Role in All of This 

Look, I get it! Creative block is real and sometimes your brain just feels like it's stuck. 

I know I mentioned above that I won’t include AI… But I lied just a little bit!  

The only thing I say about AI is that it can be a collaborative tool, not a replacement for human creativity, but a spark that helps ignite your own ideas. If you’re wrestling with a piece of writing and feeling stuck, you can use AI to generate a few rough outlines or prompts with different angles on a topic. 

It's not about blindly accepting what comes back, but using those suggestions as a launching pad for my own unique thinking. For instance, when I'm working on a complex piece and need to ensure my grammar is razor-sharp, I'll run my draft through an AI checker. It's like having a meticulous editor who catches those sneaky punctuation errors or awkward sentence structures that might have slipped past my own review. 

But—and this is critical—I never just accept the AI's suggested changes wholesale. I evaluate each recommendation critically, ensuring it maintains my authentic voice and the nuanced message I'm trying to convey. The key is treating AI as a tool, not a crutch. It can help refine your work, suggest alternative phrasings, or break through temporary creative logjams, but the heart of the content? That's 100% human. 

Your experiences, your insights, your unique perspective—those are what truly resonate. AI might help polish the surface, but the depth and authenticity come from you. So use it wisely, use it sparingly, and always, always filter everything through your own creative lens.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, 2025's marketing landscape boils down to one fundamental truth: authentic human connection trumps everything else. We're not just talking about strategies or tactics—we're talking about real, meaningful interactions that cut through the digital noise. Video content, personalized experiences, genuine networking and thoughtful influencer partnerships are more than just marketing trends. They're our collective way of saying that behind every click, every view and every purchase, there's a human being seeking something real.  But yes, AI can play a small role in all of this as your assistant.

The brands that will win aren't those with the most advanced AI or the slickest algorithms. They'll be the ones who remember that marketing isn't about talking at people—it's about talking with them. It's about understanding their needs, respecting their intelligence, and creating experiences that feel personal, valuable, and genuinely helpful. In a world drowning in generic content, your humanity is your greatest marketing asset. Stay true to that, and you'll not just reach your audience—you'll connect with them.