From the Mannequin Challenge in 2016 to the Bottle Cap Challenge in 2019, and the myriad of TikTok dance challenges popularized since the app’s invention, these trends have all taken over pop culture at one point. Believe it or not, these seemingly silly trends have the power to launch entire careers. Take Charli D’Amelio for example—she was a normal teenage girl until her dance videos catapulted her into TikTok stardom in 2019. Since then, she’s published a New York Times bestselling book, starred in her own reality show, and started a clothing line.
More recently, Charli XCX’s new album, BRAT, dominated social media this summer in the latest trend phenomena, and ‘demure’ has taken over our feeds across platforms. Given their ability to cast unknown content creators into internet fame seemingly overnight, social media trends cannot be underestimated as a digital marketing tool. Keep reading to learn how to identify trends before they pass and how you can use them to augment your brand’s online visibility.
What are social media trends?
Social media trends are the types of content that are popular on social media platforms at a given time. These trends can take numerous forms, from memes to challenges to short-form videos and so on, but what they all have in common is the ability to attract a large audience. While some social media trends may be specific to a particular platform, others can spread across various social media sites. The value of trends lies in their ability to indicate what kinds of content audiences are interested in seeing, as well as the unique marketing opportunity they present.
How to Identify Trends
Trends change daily, so what’s hot one minute could be old news the next. Thus, social media marketers need to be able to identify trends quickly to capitalize on them. Here are a few simple ways to stay on top of fresh trends:
- Follow Trendsetters in Your Field
The best way to catch trends early is to go directly to the source. Identify brands and influencers in your field with large followings, and stay attuned to the content they post. Creators with large online presences have high engagement for a reason: a lot of people enjoy their content. With a strong follower base and a keen understanding of what audiences want to see, these creators are perfectly poised to start new, captivating trends. Even if they aren’t the originators of the trends, chances are, they’ll still take part in them and help spread them further.
- Keep Tabs on What Audiences Are Loving
As much as the top creators on a platform can shape what kinds of content are in fashion, many trends arise organically among users. Therefore, it’s just as, if not more, important to study what audiences are engaging with as it is to know what big-name creators are posting. To see what’s popular among users, check out the trending pages on any social media site to get an overview of current hot topics, people, hashtags, etc. For instance, YouTube’s trending tab shows which videos currently garner the most views across several categories, including music, gaming, and movies.
- Use Trend-Tracking Tools
As insightful as this practice is, monitoring the trending pages on social media platforms can be tedious and time-consuming. If you want a quicker, easier way to keep track of trends, try out one of the many online marketing tools at your disposal. For example, Hootsuite is a social media management platform that allows users to monitor trending topics and hashtags across various social media sites; plus, it puts out free social media trend reports to help marketers stay up-to-date on the latest developments. Additionally, if you want to find out what’s popular on a specific platform, TubeBuddy, Top Hashtags, and X Pro (formerly TweetDeck) can help you identify relevant keywords and hashtags on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Tips for Using Trends to Market Your Brand
For sixty percent of buyers, their first introduction to a brand occurs on social media. Thus, what better way to boost your discoverability on social media than to participate in trends? Try out these tips to increase your brand awareness with social media trends.
- Jump On Early
Timing is everything when it comes to trends—if you hop on a trend after its popularity has already faded, you risk appearing out of touch. Hence, once you discover a trend that fits your brand, there’s no time to waste. The sooner you share your take on the trend, the better your chances of attracting new followers.
- Utilize Influencer Marketing
One of the best ways to boost engagement on social media is to collaborate with popular influencers. The built-in following of influencers can help expand brand reach, providing more opportunities for your content to find an audience it will resonate with. Getting influencers on board to tackle trends helps amplify your voice even more so that you can attract new followers in no time.
- Make It Your Own
While content created around trends may seem repetitive and generic, the truth is that participating in trends can be an unexpected way to showcase your creativity. Cater to your audience and showcase your brand’s unique color by putting an inventive twist on a hot trend. This is your opportunity to show those unfamiliar with your brand what you and your business are all about, so however you choose to interpret the trend, just make sure your brand’s one-of-a-kind personality shines through.
- Monitor How Your Followers Respond
While many of these tips have revolved around identifying and recreating trends, arguably the most important part of the process is seeing how your audience reacts to this content. Yes, trends can be an invaluable social media marketing tool, but which trends you choose to partake in and how you approach these trends is critical. Note how your audience reacts to your trend-based content, and adjust your process accordingly.
Across all industries, digital marketing is essential for any successful business. Digital marketing
establishes a strong relationship with your target audience and increases your brand’s awareness, allowing your company to reach a wider audience. To grow your business, start by evaluating your current digital marketing strategy to determine what’s working and what still needs improvement.
If your team needs assistance navigating digital marketing, the first step to your success starts here! Contact us today, and watch your business grow tomorrow!
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BlueTickSocial is a woman-owned and women-led digital marketing agency. We focus on building your digital presence to generate sales, increase engagement, create brand awareness, and take your company goals to the next level.
Other Sources:
Charli D'Amelio reflects on fame and the future: 'Sometimes I feel like I'm still 15 years old'
How to Stay on Top of Social Media Trends
How to Track Social Media Trends
What are Social Media Trends? Social Media Marketing Definitions
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