5 Social Media Trends to Double Down on Right Now

Whether you’re a savvy social media manager or a church leader doing your level best to keep your church’s online presence alive, you probably know that social media trends change fast. 

Really fast. Like, faster than Jonah trying to catch a one-way cruise away from Nineveh fast. (I couldn’t resist a little cheesy Bible humor!) 

But while keeping up with the trends can feel intimidating, it’s also part of what media ministry is all about! As Christians in the social media space, we have the opportunity to help shape the trends that arise rather than simply following them. We have the chance to be influencers in the truest sense of the word, driving meaningful conversations and sharing the gospel in the digital sphere.

With that in mind, here are a few social media trends your church should double down on today to elevate your communication strategy!

1. Embrace Video - It’s Here to Stay

There was a time when graphics dominated the social media landscape. Colorful, text-based images caught our attention and sparked high engagement. Over the last three years, however, the pendulum has swung decidedly in the direction of video content.  

Videos are now the leading force on social media (with the exception of Twitter and Threads). From Instagram Reels to YouTube vlogs, videos have become the preferred medium for information, entertainment, and connection on social media platforms. 

If creating videos feels intimidating, trust me – I get it! The shift from graphics to video content on social media means that busy church leaders have to wear yet another hat: that of a video editor. Luckily, there are countless, free tools we can use to edit videos like a professional. 

One of my favorite go-to tools is CapCut. It's a free digital video editor designed for users who don’t have a lot of editing experience, complete with a music library, sound effects, and special effects that you can easily add to your videos. You can also use CapCut for subtitles and text overlays, which help make videos more engaging and accessible.

A few other video editing platforms I recommend are Lightworks, iMovie, and Davinci Resolve.

2. Showcase Your Church’s Brand Through Video Editing

Speaking of video editing, it now holds an important role in branding. In previous years, graphic design was the main canvas for brands to set themselves apart. But with the emergence and rise of video content, video editing has quickly taken the reins as the crucial tool for creating brand distinction.

This means that video editing is much more than just cutting and stitching clips together; it's an opportunity to further imprint your church's identity on every piece of content you share.

The colors you use, the fonts you choose, the pace of your edits, and even the style of transitions can all be used to reinforce your brand. Perhaps your church is liturgical and contemplative. You can reflect this in your videos with serene colors, slow transitions, and soothing background music. Or, if your community is energetic and vibrant, a faster-paced edit with bright colors and upbeat music might be more appropriate. 

However you choose to edit, feel free to get creative and establish your own unique identity rather than copying other edifying styles! 

3. Repurpose, Repurpose, Repurpose

Creating social media videos may seem time-consuming, but here's the silver lining: content can be repurposed! Every video you craft holds the potential to be reshaped and shared across numerous platforms, multiplying its reach (without multiplying your work!)

With a tweak here and there, an Instagram Reel can be used as a YouTube short or a TikTok clip. A single sermon video can be sliced into smaller segments, each ready to capture attention on various social media platforms. And your sermon notes? They're primed to become thought-provoking Threads or engaging Twitter posts.

Embracing content repurposing doesn't just mean maximizing exposure; it's about reaching out to your audience where they are, in the format they prefer. It's about ensuring that your message resonates with as many people as possible. So don't just create—repurpose!

4. Develop Genuine Relationship with Your Audience 

Church leaders understand that cultivating a thriving church community requires relationship-building beyond the Sunday service. In the same way, we must remember that social media is more than a broadcasting tool—it’s a platform for dialogue and relationship building. How exactly do we go about building authentic community on social media? Here are a few suggestions:

Video Responses

First, start responding to comments with videos! For example, if someone comments on your sermon clip with a question about the teaching text, use that comment as a springboard for your next video by having your teaching pastor answer the question! 

In this way, you're doing more than just responding—you're listening and adapting your content based on the needs and interests of your community. It's a dynamic form of engagement that invites conversation and makes your congregation feel valued and heard.

Be Authentic and Relatable

One type of content I love seeing on social media is candid, behind-the-scenes short-form videos and vlogs. Whether it's someone's daily routine or an organization offering a sneak peek into their operations, I’m always intrigued to see what is happening behind the curtain. There's something about this raw, relatable content that really resonates with social media users right now. And I suspect this trend will only continue to grow, especially as AI-generated content becomes more commonplace.

The exciting part is that your church can, and absolutely should, jump on this trend, too! One engaging way to weave this into your social media strategy is to implement staff or volunteer takeovers. Your youth pastor can give a glimpse into their day preparing for a youth meeting. A volunteer can share the process of setting up for Sunday service or handing out groceries at the food distribution.

These takeovers not only create an intimate window into the life of your church, but they also highlight the hard work and dedication of the individuals that make up your community. This unfiltered content invites your audience into your church's inner workings, fostering a deeper sense of connection.

5. Embrace Podcast-Style Communication

One fascinating trend I've noticed on social media is the amount of videos mimicking the style of filmed podcasts. You've likely seen them - someone behind a mic, their gaze turned at an angle as if engaged in a discussion with another person. Interestingly, while some of these individuals are podcast hosts repurposing their content, others are simply riding the trend and recreating the idea of a content production studio.

Curious about trying this on your church’s social media accounts? One potential idea could be to shoot your weekly announcements as if you're in a podcast or news studio. This type of content has a way of capturing attention without you having to venture into starting a full-blown podcast. It's about the aesthetic more than the format.

If you already have a podcast running (aside from the Sunday sermon recordings), don't miss the opportunity to capture it on video, as well. This way, you're not just banking on audio content but also expanding its reach by repurposing it into engaging visual content for your social media platforms.

Make Use of Available Tools

Leaning into these trends might seem daunting, but it's really about understanding the tools at your disposal and using them effectively. As you adjust and evolve your church's digital presence, remember that Breeze is here to support you! Our effective church management software is designed to simplify your church’s administrative tasks so you can focus your attention on sharing the gospel in your church, your city, the social media space, or wherever you feel led. Check out our church management software here!