We asked our small business community for their predictions for 2025, what they were nervous about or looking forward to, and what they think will be most important for their business in 2025.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of talk about the rise of AI…
My prediction for 2025 is that AI will evolve even faster, with 3D movie and animation models becoming more readily available for people to use. This affects the way we can be truly ‘authentic’ and how security is going to be needed even more to prevent scamming and data breaches.”
“Businesses that choose not to get started with AI will cease to exist.”
But the rise of AI is making human connection even more valuable…
“AI will continue to prove invaluable for automation and admin-ease, but business owners will soon realise that their use of AI should free up their time to include more human touches and personal interaction into their business models and processes.”
“Building your human personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn will become more important than ever as AI lowers the barrier to entry and enables more people to post.
“We’re seeing a massive rise in generic content, so personal stuff, hot takes, video content and audio will set people apart from the formulaic AI posts.
“Personal connections, business friendships and IRL meetups will fuel business growth more than algorithm hacks. Referrals and recommendations will become even more valuable than they already are.”
“Traditional business events will continue to suffer from decreasing booking numbers and lack of engagement. As the number of events and IRL meetups continues to rise, only those driven by community and genuine value will prevail.
“More focus than usual is needed to allow opportunities for more connection, greater interaction during the event (and outside of it), and more fun!”
“Identify and amplify the subject matter experts (SMEs) within your business, and yes, that includes your small business and YOU! If you, as a founder or your team members, possess deep expertise in areas aligned with your company’s offerings, make sure to leverage it. For service-based brands, showcasing authentic insights through channels like social media, podcasts, and articles is a powerful way to build trust and establish authority. In a digital landscape flooded with generic, AI-generated content, featuring genuine perspectives from real people within your business not only differentiates your brand but also strengthens connections with your audience and creates new growth opportunities.”
“People other than writers will start getting tired of reading AI-regurgitated bunkum. I’m looking forward to that. The challenge remains the same: finding new customers, but I’m hoping it will get a bit easier.”
