The Future of Social Media & Internet Marketing in Communication

By Kaylee Lindgren | Talk Tactics

Let’s be honest—communication doesn’t look like it did ten years ago, let alone a hundred. With social media, video calling, and mobile apps reshaping how we connect, one thing is clear: the future of communication is digital, visual, and personal.

Whether you're a business, school, or nursing home, the way we market and message in this always-on world matters. Let’s dive into how social media and internet marketing are shaping the future of communication—and what it means for your brand.

📲 The Power of Platform: Social Media's Role in Marketing

Social media is more than just a megaphone—it’s a mirror. It reflects what your audience values, believes, and connects with.

Research from Lou, Taylor, and Zhou (2023) shows that consumer engagement with influencers varies across platforms—and those interactions directly influence buying behavior. This means that whether you’re using Instagram stories, Facebook groups, or YouTube reviews, the platform matters, and so does the way you use it.

Here are three key strategies that work:

• Visual storytelling: Posts with images or videos consistently perform better. High-quality content builds trust and makes your message pop.

• Two-way engagement: Reply to comments, ask questions, and start conversations. It’s not just social media—it’s social interaction.

• Influencer partnerships: Done right, collaborating with influencers can supercharge your reach and credibility. Just make sure their voice aligns with your mission.

💻 The Double-Edged Sword: Digital Media & Mental Health

It’s not all sunshine and swipe-ups. The digital media landscape comes with real risks—especially for mental health.

From anxiety over online personas to information overload, our screens can both help and harm. A review by Barr (2021) revealed that social media use affects mood, self-perception, and our sense of connection. The marketing world must tread carefully—empathy, ethics, and emotional awareness are non-negotiable.

Communication isn’t just about clicks and conversions—it’s about care.

🔮 Where We’re Headed: Future Trends in Digital Marketing

So what’s next? Based on current trends, here’s what we’re seeing on the horizon:

• Data-driven everything: Brands are using AI and analytics to deliver hyper-targeted content. That’s not creepy—it’s smart, when done with transparency.

• Big data meets big storytelling: Combining emotional narrative with technical precision is becoming the gold standard in marketing.

• Platform battles: Social media giants are fighting to keep influencers and businesses on their turf. Features like Instagram’s “swipe-up” are just the beginning.

According to Lee & Cho (2019), digital marketing is evolving into a sophisticated ecosystem—and those who stay flexible will thrive.

✝️ A Biblical Perspective: Marketing With Integrity

At Talk Tactics, we believe that faith and strategy go hand in hand. Social media is powerful—but with great power comes great responsibility.

Whether or not you believe in God, biblical principles are deeply embedded in how successful organizations operate—especially those that value transparency, compassion, and community.

Here are a few principles we hold close:

• Honesty over hype (Proverbs 12:22)

• People over profit (Luke 6:31)

• Stewardship over shortcuts (Mark 16:15)

Marketing isn’t just a business decision—it’s a character choice. As stewards of influence, we’re called to uplift, inform, and serve. Whether we’re working with families, students, or care teams in nursing homes, our goal is clear: build trust through truth.

🚀 Final Takeaways

Social media and digital marketing are here to stay—and they’re evolving fast. As communication consultants, our job is to help you keep up without losing your voice (or your values).

Want help navigating your strategy with clarity and confidence? Let’s talk. ✨

📚 References

Barr, S. (2021). Six Ways Social Media Negatively Affects Your Mental Health. Zenodo.

Chi, H.-H. (2011). “Interactive Digital Advertising VS. Virtual Brand Community: Exploratory Study of User Motivation and Social Media Marketing Responses in Taiwan.” Journal of Interactive Advertising, 12, 44–61.

Kłosińska, J. (2018). New ways of customer relationship building on the internet using tools like content marketing, real-time marketing, mobile applications, social media, and video communications. Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania, 13(3), 15–27.

Lee, H., & Cho, C.-H. (2019). Digital Advertising: Present and Prospects. International Journal of Advertising, 39(3), 332–341.

Lou, C., Taylor, C. R., & Zhou, X. (2023). Influencer Marketing on Social Media: How Different Social Media Platforms Afford Influencer-Follower Relation and Drive Advertising Effectiveness. Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising, 44(1), 60–87.

Smith, (2018). Views on Communication from the Future of Internet Marketing in the New Media Era, 8, 255–256.

Valos, M.J., Haji Habibi, F., Casidy, R., Driesener, C.B., & Maplestone, V.L. (2016). Exploring the Integration of Social Media within Integrated Marketing Communication Frameworks: Perspectives of Services Marketers. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 34(1), 19–40.