Trying to keep up with social media trends may feel like treading choppy water. It’s hard enough to figure out what is popular and trending right now, let alone keeping up with what comes next.
But trends and social media go together like milk and cookies: one almost always leads to the other! Here are some tips on how to adopt social media trends faster and more easily.
1. Diversify Your Algorithm to Find New Trends!
“We Could See Boop!” Who?
Maybe you’re privy to a trend or two and have some favorites, but chances are it may already be out of fashion! One minute, the latest TikTok trend involves using an AI video generator to animate a picture of your dog in wacky situations, and the next it’s about Tiny Chef… and then it’s all about Boop! The Musical! (“We could see Boop!” for those who aren’t aware). The beauty of social media trends is that they do not live in a bubble. Dog haters will adopt the AI video trend and musical theatre nay-sayers will join in on the fun.
To begin adopting new social media trends faster, start by trying to expose yourself to trends and topics you may not usually gravitate towards. Check the search bar in the app to see what trending terms it may suggest. You don’t know what you don’t know! The hottest influencer trends are just one search away from discovery!
2. Check In On The Most Popular Platforms
Are The Kids Still Using MySpace?
One sure fire way to keep up with the latest social trends is, of course, to meet them where they’re at. If you’re not on the latest social media platforms, then you won’t know what is actually popping off right now.
Are you on TikTok and Instagram? Most of the video format trends live there. Some make their way to Facebook via reposts, but most do not start there; ,however lots of advertising trends may exist there! Be sure you’re active on many kinds of social media platforms so you can know what is trending where and why!
3. Use Hashtags Strategically
#strategy
Hashtags are like the commas of the social media world. Technically, yes, you can pepper them in almost wherever you want. But to use them effectively, you need to know where they should go and why. If you use hashtags wherever you want all willy nilly, they’ll just be distracting. Be sure to brush up on your #hashtag etiquette.
You want hashtags to be clicked on, so they need to lead somewhere purposeful and relevant. Place most hashtags at the end of the post’s body text; internal hashtags should be reserved for tagging specific people. If you see a trend with its own hashtag, click through to see other posts doing the same things. Be sure to use the same hashtag in your posts so others looking up the same trend will find your post!
4. Interact with Niche and International Communities
¿Popular? Sé lo que es popular.
Knowing your audience means finding new ones, too. By engaging with and looking into other niche groups, you’ll find even more trends. Don’t be afraid to branch out!
Niche communities can include other age groups or special interests, like young mums or Lego fans. Niche communities also include different language speakers. Take a look at trends from other countries so you can see what’s popular all over the world!
5. Know Your Audience And What They Like
Who’s Who, Anywho?
Many trends on social media appeal to specific communities. One of these is age groups. Skibbidy Toilet will make any grade schooler laugh, but ask your nan what those words mean and she may point you to the bathroom down the hall.
Depending on who your target audience may be, look for trends that appeal to them and use them. If you’re trying to reach out to multiple target groups, use multiple trends! You can never know too many people!
6. Collaborate with Influencers
You Can’t Beat ‘Em, So Join ‘Em!
The social media heavyweights of the world are the ones who use trends the best. They may even be the ones starting new hit trends. With more followers than anyone can count, they know how to grab people’s attention and entertain them.
Don’t be afraid to shout out an influencer in your posts, especially if it’s a trend they’re known for already or that they’ve started. By reaching out, you never know what new connections you can make.
If you can secure an influencer to join in on your trend and make a post for you, then now you’re in the big leagues. Even getting an influencer to comment on your posts can be just as rewarding in the long run.
7. Engage with Other Creators
Labubu Nation, Rise!
Social media, at the end of the day, is still technically all about community. The point of trends is to engage with other people who share the same interest or sense of humour as you.
If you interact with other people on social media and engage in the same trends, you can see how it evolves in real time and how many of your friends and followers resonate with it. You may also see when one trend becomes less popular and what replaces it. Call it free inspiration!
8. Look For Trends Outside Social Media
Find Inspiration IRL!
Social media trends can be adaptive critters, usually jumping ship from one platform to another. That’s how they stay alive! One trend on YouTube may translate very well to TikTok or Instagram.
Take a look at what trends are popping off on your go-to social media feeds and think about which ones may work well elsewhere! Even some fun trends on TV news or real-life can work wonders for you!
9. Keep A Content Calendar
Use Date and Time To Your Advantage
Maybe in your personal life, using social media is a sporadic venture. You may even be in the One Post A Year Club! For those wanting to make big waves with social media and keep up with trends, social media use needs to be frequent, at least three times a week, maybe!
Keeping a calendar will help you organize your social media posts and plan what to post when for optimal viewership and engagement. Try to look into Holiday-specific trends to catch them early. To be prudent, maybe only commit to one trend posted a maximum of twice a month?
If you learn how to keep a calendar and plan out your social media strategy in advance, you’ll soon see how easy it is to quickly fill in the squares! Learning what time to post is also a great pro strategy.
10. Be Authentic!
Just Be Yourself and Have Fun!
The last tip is a great place to conclude. On social media, it is easy to tell when someone is being insincere. Remember to have fun and branch out.
Don’t try to copy other people and give credit where it’s due. Social media trends are great ways to join alongside and interact with others. Just be sure not to sacrifice your own identity or brand. If you don’t know where to start, you can always reach out to a social media marketing management platform for insights about trends and best practices.
With all this in mind, be yourself and join in on the fun!
