So, its 2024 and if you’re still thinking social media is just a ‘nice to have’ in your business strategy, then let’s talk. 5.18 billion people are using social media platforms—every single day. And spoiler alert?? They’re not just scrolling for memes and cat videos, in fact they’re discovering products, checking out reviews, and making buying decisions. 

But here is the catch!! Not everyone out of that massive 5 billion is YOUR audience. So how do you cut through the noise? How do you talk directly to the people who are actually interested in your product or service? 

Today, we are going to get to know some important and trending tips for finding and targeting your social media audience. Exactly like big brands do. So are you excited and ready to see your social media game more appealing and growing??? Let’s get into it. 

What Exactly Is Your Social Audience? 

Before we hit you with strategies, lets define the basics. As a brand you need to understand that your social audience is a mixture of your viewers, readers and followers who engage with your content daily on various social platforms.  

These are your audience who watches your Reels, read your captions and like your posts—basically, the folks who are paying attention to what you’re saying. 

You’ve got to know exactly who they are and what they’re looking for even if you want to talk directly to the people who’ll buy from you. 

Why Targeting in Digital Marketing is Non-Negotiable in 2024 

Let’s get real!! If you’re marketing to everyone, you’re marketing to no one. Throwing generic content at the wall and hoping it sticks is a thing of the past. Instead, its all about tailoring your efforts—your message, your tone, your entire vibe—to a specific group of people. 

You know that what’s interesting?? 80% of consumers are about to buy from brands that smartly offer personalized experiences. This means your customers expect you to get them, their values, their needs, and their goals. So targeting isn’t just important—it must be in your mind in order to build a strong relationship with clients. 

Figure Out Where Your Audience Hangs Out 

Here’s the deal: Not every social platform is created and works equally. All have their own rules and regulations such as TikTok might be the place for Gen Z. Still, if you’re selling high end B2B software, LinkedIn is the place probably where your people are. 

You can start by analyzing where your customers are spending their time. Tools like Facebook Audience Insights and Google Analytics give you the lowdown on which platforms are driving traffic to your site. It means that you can focus on your energy where it counts. 

Pro Tip: You can use tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite Insights to track audience engagement across platforms and find out where your biggest fans are hanging out. 

Master the Tone That Speaks to Your People 

Every social media platform has its own ‘language’ and knowing how to speak it is key. But it’s not just about the platform—your tone should reflect your brand’s personality and still resonate with the specific audience you’re targeting. 

Take Vogue for example because their Instagram feed shows glamor even when they’re targeting different cultures or languages across the globe. Meanwhile, McDonald’s nails it with their friendly, casual tone whether they’re selling burgers in the U.S. or Happy Meals in France. What’s the secret? Brand tone consistency + platform appropriate messaging. 

So, ask yourself: Who am I talking to and how do they like to communicate? 

Stay Trendy—For Real 

In 2024, trends on social media will shift faster than you can say ‘AI-generated memes’. It’s not just about being present on social media infact it’s about riding the right waves of social media trends at the right time. 

Keep an eye on what’s trending with tools like Google Trends or BuzzSumo. Want to take it up a notch? Jump on relevant hashtags or viral challenges while they’re still hot to make sure your content doesn’t get lost in yesterday’s news. 

Fact Check: According to Statista, 79% of social media marketers say that staying up-to-date with trends is the biggest factor in their 2024 strategy success. 

Invest in Original Content Creation 

Let’s be real. Cookie cutter content won’t cut it in 2024 and will waste your time. You know that original content is the lifeblood of your social media strategy, and it’s what sets your brand apart from the endless sea of competitors. Original content makes your customer feel like you are talking to them as a brand.  

So, don’t think that you will be needing a full scale production team. Infact, you can start small and just share behind the scenes videos, customer success stories or educational content. You know this kind of content surely adds value to your audience’s life. 

In fact, brands that post consistently engaging content see 300% more engagement than those that don’t. (HubSpot, 2024). 

Tap Into Latest Trends and Hashtags 

So, you’ve nailed your content creation game but how do you get more eyes on it? Hashtags, my friend. But not just any hashtags—relevant ones. 

You can easily take your time to find industry specific hashtags that make sense for your audience. Let’s say you’re an app development company; hashtags like #High tech development or #Appdevelopment can help you land on the feeds of those planning their next five star getaway. 

Did You Know? Generally, posts with at least one hashtag get 12.6% more engagement than those without (Simply Measured, 2024). 

Engage, Engage, Engage 

Social media isn’t a one way street. It’s not enough to just post and ghost—you need to interact with your audience. How?? Just simply answer their questions, respond to comments, slide into DMs (respectfully, of course) and show up where it matters. 

 According to Sprout Social, 75% of users expect brands to reply to their inquiries within 24 hours. Brands that engage with their audience build trust, loyalty, and community—aka brand advocates. 

Promote Your Best Posts (Yes, You Can Pay for This) 

Creating killer content is great but sometimes, the best way to amplify your reach is through promoted posts. Facebook and Instagram custom audience tools allow you to build highly targeted ads that speak directly to your people. 

When you promote posts to a custom audience, your content shows up in front of the people who are already most likely to engage with and purchase from you. This smart and hyper targeted approach can increase your ad’s effectiveness while slashing costs. 

Fun Fact: Instagram’s ad revenue crossed $33 billion in 2024, showing just how much brands are leveraging paid posts to reach their audiences (Statista, 2024). 

Follow the Big Players in Your Space 

You are lucky because here’s a hot tip: Follow, interact, and engage with the brands and influencers that already have the audience you want. 

Think of it as networking by commenting on, sharing, or even just liking their posts. By this way you’re signaling to their followers that you’re part of the same conversation. And who knows? That witty comment might land you a new fan (or a hundred). 

Build a Visually Consistent Feed 

Your social media feed is like your storefront and it’s gotta look good. Brands that stick to a consistent aesthetic across their social profiles are 25% more likely to increase engagement and sales (Hootsuite, 2024). 

Try this: 

• Use a consistent color palette (even if it’s subtle). 

• Stick to fonts and imagery that match your brand. 

• Alternate between graphics, photos, and videos to keep things visually fresh but always on brand. 

 Need some inspiration? Look at Glossier or Aesop—brands that have mastered the art of the visually perfect Instagram grid. 

Work with Influencers (Micro Influencers are Gold) 

Influencer marketing is still a game changer in 2024, and you don’t have to break the bank by hiring big name celebs. Micro influencers (those with 10k–100k followers) tend to have super engaged audiences and are way more affordable for small to medium-sized businesses. 

Brands that collaborate with micro influencers see 60% higher engagement rates than those that use bigger names. Why? Because people trust influencers who feel real. 

Tools like BuzzSumo or Followerwonk can help you identify influencers in your niche. Whether it’s gifting products or co hosting a giveaway, influencers are wonderful, and they can easily amplify your message and connect with an audience that’s eager to buy. 

Create a Strategy and Stick to It 

The beauty of targeting your audience on social media is that once you find your tribe, you can speak directly to them with content that matters. But the real magic happens when you’ve got a solid strategy in place and keep showing up consistently. 

2024 is all about creating personalized experiences and speaking your audience’s language. It is all about leveraging all the tools and trends available to make sure your brand feels different and acts differently. Just relax, start small, stay consistent, and soon enough, you’ll be converting followers into customers and customers into brand loyalists.