In the fast-paced world of social media marketing, staying current with trends and terminology is critical for brands and marketers. Understanding the buzzwords shaping the industry in 2024 helps teams create effective strategies, measure success, and engage audiences authentically.

Below are 30 essential social media marketing terms, explained clearly, so you can stay ahead of the curve.

What Are the Most Important Social Media Marketing Metrics?

Metrics are the foundation of any social media marketing strategy. Here are some terms every marketer should know:

• • • Impressions – The number of times your content appears on screens.
    • Reach – How many unique users see your content (different from impressions).
    • Video Views – Platforms define this differently: TikTok counts auto‑plays, Meta requires 3 seconds, and YouTube requires 30 seconds.
    • Engagements & Engagement Rate – Likes, comments, shares, and interactions. Engagement rate is engagements divided by impressions or followers.
    • CPC (Cost Per Click) – The cost you pay for each click on an ad.
    • CPM (Cost Per Mille) – Cost per 1,000 impressions for paid ads.
    • CTR (Click-Through Rate) – The percentage of users who clicked after seeing your content.
    • CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) – The cost of gaining a new customer from your campaign.
    • CPV (Cost Per View) – How much each video view costs.
    • KPI (Key Performance Indicator) – The metrics that define the success of your social media marketing efforts.

📊 According to eMarketer, marketers who track these core KPIs consistently see stronger campaign ROI.

What Social Media Marketing Trends Should You Know in 2024?

Trends shape how brands engage audiences. From influencer shifts to viral content, staying informed is key:

• • • UGC (User-Generated Content) – Content made by your audience, which acts as authentic social proof.
    • Evergreen Content – Timeless posts that continue to attract engagement over time.
    • De-influencing – Creators advising audiences on what not to buy, emphasizing authenticity in influencer marketing.
    • Hate Follow – Followers who engage with content they dislike—still engagement, but tricky for brand perception.
    • Posting Cadence – Your content rhythm; quality often beats quantity.
    • Organic vs Paid – Organic content spreads naturally; paid boosts reach with budget.
    • Lookalike Audiences – Social media platforms use algorithms to target users similar to your current audience.
    • Trending Content & Newsjacking – Leveraging current events or viral topics to boost visibility.

⚡ Tip: Align your social media trends with your audience’s interests and values to maximize engagement.

What Are Common Social Media Marketing Strategies and Best Practices?

Beyond metrics and trends, strong social media marketing strategies involve content planning and compliance:

• • • CTA (Call to Action) – Prompts like “Shop Now” or “Subscribe” that drive conversions.
    • Story Bumping & Taps Back – Signals of interest in Instagram and Facebook Stories.
    • 7-Day View / 7-Day Click – Attribution models for tracking ad conversions.
    • Last Touch Attribution – Crediting the last user action before a sale or sign-up.
    • Benchmarking – Setting baselines to measure campaign success.
    • FTC Compliance – Disclosing sponsored content clearly to meet legal requirements.
    • Clickbait – Attention-grabbing headlines; effective but must be used carefully.
    • .5 Selfie & TikTok “Toks” – Platform-specific trends and formats that resonate with niche audiences.

By understanding and applying these social media marketing terms, brands can better measure performance, optimize campaigns, and navigate evolving trends in 2024.

Boost Your Social Media Marketing in 2024

Mastering these terms is just the beginning. Successful social media marketing requires a mix of data-driven decisions, creative content, and adaptability to trends like UGC and de-influencing.

Want help optimizing your social media marketing strategy?
Contact our team to learn how to create impactful campaigns that engage your audience and drive results.