That's SO Danny! (I can see into the future... 2024 Social Media Predictions)
That's SO Danny! (I can see into the future... 2024 Social Media Predictions)
Just some braindumping on where I see Social Media heading per platform and taking some big swing predictions (also OrcaCon recap, also some TTRPG projects I'm a part of!)
Top 3 Hot Topics Today:
2024 Social Media Predictions
OrcaCon Recap
TTRPG Projects that are LIVE!
2024 Social Media Predictions
Hi! Hello! Happy New Year and also holy $#%@ January is… over??? What the heck is time. ANYWHOMST—
As someone who is chronically online, works in marketing, has built communities and a following across socials and all that good stuff, I want to try and make some predictions on where I see the landscape of Social Media going. I’ll do a small prediction that I can see happening that may or may not happen and then some large swings that may seem out there but still, I feel it in my gut!
Twitter Prediction: I think this platform is going to be sold again. Not sure if it’s a good thing or bad thing or if it will resurrect anything, but honestly right now, anything is better than its current state.
Big Swing Prediction: I think Twitter is going to try and compete as a video platform (and fail) and by Q3, bring back close friends or fleets.
Bluesky Prediction: Video (and also GIFs before video) is going to be integrated into this platform sooner than later.
Big Swing Prediction: I think Bluesky will have some sort of change in it’s UI after they hit a certain threshold of folks signing up as folks run away from Twitter… maybe something that allows more collaboration or featuring of friends ala Myspace’s Top 8
Instagram Prediction: Instagram has been putting a lot of effort into reels and I think as they push the organic growth of users who lean into it, they’ll make a huge leap into better monetization/overtly competing against what other platforms can offer to pay.
Big Swing Prediction: For Instagram, I think it will acquire better in-app software that will keep you in the app, including better editing tools for pictures and videos, and partner with Canva or Adobe.
TikTok Prediction: I think over-edited TikToks will hit a point where folks would rather, longer, more mundane “lifestyle” content where they can go and just listen to their favorite creator talk. I think they’ll focus on trying to increase app-usage by increasing and pushing out longer videos, streams, and lives.
Big Swing Prediction: I think something wild is gonna happen within the TikTok Marketplace with counterfeiting products/complaints about the quality of products after they get folks sucked in with all these sales.
Overall Social Media 2024 Prediction: I think jobs within social media marketing, listening, community building and content creation are going to increase and be seen as a concrete member in marketing teams, and I think content creators are going to be pulled into these roles more often as “in house” content marketers. This is going to make it tougher to land jobs as the perceived value of the job increases. I also think “owned channels and communities” will be huge: things like discord, whats app, telegram, IG channels etc that creators can curate their space more, niche down, and have a smaller community to manage compared to the vanity metrics and volume of overall followers.
Big Swing Prediction: I think an app, new or current, will find a way to use audio/micro podcasting and try to make it a thing. I think they’ll revisit things like Clubhouse or Twitter Spaces and leverage engagement with Q&A’s while making it easy to repost audio/verbal think pieces with built in audio editing.
What do you think? Do you agree with me? Do you vehemently disagree? I would love to hear your thoughts!
OrcaCon Recap
As stated in the last Substack, I was invited as a special guest to go to OrcaCon 2024 in Bellvue, Washington! It was such a great time (even if I was under the weather for a bit) and was a great way to start off the year. OrcaCon really focuses on games, hanging out, and creating space for folks to connect, learn, and play. I would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a smaller con that isn’t overwhelming but has a small but mighty vendor hall and a community who is looking to connect to play board games and TTRPGs.
Some highlights include:
Celebrating Banana’s birthday (both hot pot and helping facilitate her own birthday murder mystery) AND I bought a copy of their game Forgery.
Getting to know and being able to hang out with Ami Baio, owner of Pink Tiger Games and creator of sweet, kind games to connect people including Flatter Me, Lost for Words, and Cloud Nine.
Along with hanging out with Banana and meeting Ami, I also got to run some panels about unconventional paths into gaming and the power of play with AnnaMaria Phelps, Joe Senese, DeAngelo Murillo, and Maria Moore.
Seeing (and grabbing bagels) with my long time friend Chris and playing board games with him ( + playing even more board games throughout the con!)
TTRPG Projects that are LIVE!
I know it’s only been a month in 2024 but I have some projects I’d love for you to support that yours truly is featured on!
First up is Jukebox: The Karaoke Musical Tabletop Roleplaying Game! Designed by Lyla Fujiwara, Jukebox is a “is a rules-lite, no-game-master required, roleplaying game for 3 to 4 players. Over three acts and four hours, you and your friends sing karaoke and create a musical story full of drama, passion, and spectacular showstoppers!”. This project has about a week left and I’m so excited for it to hit the masses!
TTRPG’s + Karaoke = A DREAM COME TRUE! Here’s a the hook for my playset that’s named Friends… FOREVER?
Life's a bummer when you and your besties are stuck in the endless loop of a B-grade slasher flick. Can your group of friends ditch the drama and stand up to your killer?
If you wanna learn more about my Playset, check out my mini-interview that Lyla did on Twitter!
The other project I want to talk about is Chefs de Partie, designed by Taylor Navarro, “is a co-operative minigame for your ongoing RPG campaign, allowing characters to cook together with disastrous or heavenly consequence.” You can throw this mini-game into different systems such as Blades in the Dark, D&D 5th Edition, Lasers & Feelings, and Fate Core!
Here’s a little inside scoop: My recipe is called the “Buff and Braised Pork” and is a braised caramelized pork with eggs that's so sweet and umami and salty and fatty and delicious. It’s my favorite Vietnamese dish but especially when my mom makes it. It's called "Thịt Kho" which translate to "Meat Stew". it's also adjacent to "Chinese Red Cooked Pork 紅燒肉". And if you think this is delicious, just wait ‘til you see the other recipes!
There ya have it! The first post of 2024, giving you some predictions, recaps, and games! As always, if there’s anything you’d like to see more of, get my opinion on, or learn about, please leave a comment!
It’s been a busy start and it’s already flying but I hope everyone has been able to find their footing, even if for a little. For me, it’s been a good (yet fast) first month. Let’s head into February with full hearts! Talk to y’all soon!
Stay strong. Stay thicc. *Big hug*
I'm interested to see where social media goes. I think it'd be really intrigued if Twitter were sold again. I think pre-Elon was a Golden Age and we're not getting that back.