Marketing is going to get more human

Ever watched a TikTok and thought, "I could do that!"?

Except I have 47 thoughts at once, and suddenly I'm explaining Taylor Swift's Easter eggs for 20 minutes.

In 2020, I filmed an introduction video for my virtual assistant business after seeing another VA in my group make one.

I thought, how hard could it be?

Naturally, I ended up telling a story about meeting Richard Gere and asking for his autograph. With chocolate all over my face.

Good story? Absolutely. Awkward video? YES. I deleted it.

Recently, I saw someone sharing marketing predictions on TikTok. I could do that!

In writing, obviously.

I've spotted shifts before, from inclusive marketing to influencer fatigue.

Call it ADHD intuition or too much time reading comments.

I study culture, not just marketing. Music, fashion, news and what people wish brands understood.

At Kyutee Nails, I noticed beauty brands choosing influencers who all looked alike. Entire audiences were ignored.

That's not just a representation problem. That's lost business.

Data tells me what happened. Community tells me why.

My predictions:

1. Handmade becomes the flex. AI makes things in seconds. Human effort stands out.

Here's a drawing I made in 2020. Maybe I was ahead of the curve.

2. Less stuff, better stuff. Shopping fatigue is real. At some point, you have enough cups. Quality matters.

3. Your next influencer might work for you. Remember the Staples Baddie? Employees have personalities and audiences. Reward them.

4. Make customers the influencers. Enough sending the same influencers to Bora Bora while loyal customers get discount codes.

Reward the people paying you.

5. Honest reviews win. A genuine four-star review beats twenty suspiciously perfect ones.

Complaints are free market research.

6. AI is a tool, not the final product. Brainstorm with it. But AI-generated campaigns?

Just because you can generate content doesn't mean anyone wants to consume it.

7. Community beats followers. Lovable's Discord brings people together to learn and help.

Reach gets attention. Community builds loyalty.

8. Stop looking like everyone else. Be funny. Have a personality. Be recognisable without your logo.

People aren't tired of marketing. They're tired of every brand doing the same thing.

Marketing is going to get more human.

Handwriting can come along too. Just make it legible.

I've seen doctors' handwriting.

What trends do you see coming?