How to Stay on Top of the Next New Social Media Trend
Ummm… Have you heard?
There’s a new social media trend today. And there was also one yesterday, and the day before, and there definitely will be one tomorrow.
And we know it’s a lot to keep up with, especially if you’re trying to follow every new social media trend.
To make it better, there is no rhyme or reason to trends and social media.
As a small business owner, it's not easy to master this concept, but it is absolutely possible. Trust us, we believe in you.
First of all… why even follow a new social media trend?
Because they’re the key to elevating your social media accounts and businesses. They lead to greater engagement, expanding reach, and ultimately, driving growth for your business.
I mean what even is a trend? DUH… It’s content that users themselves have made popular. A new social media trend is like the key to success, but the key is right in front of you.
If you wanna grab that key, keep reading!
5 Steps to Keep up With the next New Social Media Trend
#1. Follow Industry Leaders
I mean… who better to take inspiration from than the experts themselves. But who are these people and where do you find them? LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram are your new best friends. A lot of CEOs and business owners that are innovative and successful have large followings on these platforms.
From experience to new ideas to just vibes, the people that are already successful are absolutely necessary to follow. Tbh they’re the trendsetters most of the time.
Just taking some time to look at the content they’re putting out can be extremely helpful. Find the purpose of their posts, and you’ll be able to seamlessly put your next trending post together.
For example, if you’re in the beauty industry you may want to keep up with brands like The Ordinary or Fenty Beauty. They lean on influencer marketing and collaborations, especially on TikTok.
Could be the trend to make your business viral!
#2. Use Social Media Monitoring Tools
Sometimes it's easier to have someone else… or something else do some of the work for you. There’s a long list of monitoring tools that can back you up.
They offer easy and fast info on the newest hashtags, keywords, and conversations that are trending in your industry. Incorporating the right words can make your socials do a full 180.
You want your copy to still sound natural and true to your brand voice. But… a little help with your word choice never hurt anyone.
#3. Follow Platform Updates
As technology does, it constantly changes. Use this to your advantage!
Social media platforms put out updates all the time. The things to look for are changes in algorithms, features, and policies.
For example, in 2020 Instagram introduced Reels after TikTok’s style of quick videos started to surge in popularity. As a small business with an established Instagram following, this was the perfect new feature to take advantage of.
The trend of short-form content was placed into the hands of Instagram users without having to change platforms.
And if you’re still a little confused about new updates on Instagram, we got you! Check out our ultimate guide to reels and a step by step on how to add polls to Instagram captions!
#4. Read Industry Reports & Studies
Reports and studies have the info that you can’t always see when monitoring on your own. Not to mention, monitoring trending accounts and analyzing their posts is not a small feat.
With reports and studies, you can see a wide range of data right in front of you. When you look at these data sheets, pay attention to the new market trends. This can help spot emerging opportunities for your business and help understand what competitors are doing.
Another tip is to pick out consumer behavior trends from new reports and studies. This information can be used to help determine new content or products.
#5. Monitor Social Media Daily
And finally, get scrolling! There's no better way to know what's going on than to check it out yourself. Have some fun!
Find accounts you like, look up to, or take inspo from. Sometimes just noticing what similar businesses are posting is the secret. You can find out what’s trending, what's doing well, and what is going out of style.
Follow some brands or businesses, check out your feed everyday and take note of anything that catches your eye. This could be anything from an Instagram post concept to a post that has the most engagement you’ve ever seen.
Try to take some of the stress out of it. It's fun to see what the next new social media trend is going to be! Remember, knowing what your target audience wants to see is so cool.
Take advantage of the tips and tools and get to planning.
Hold on… We can help too!
Simple, right?! Jk, we know that was a lot, and coming from people on social media all day, we feel you. BUT we also have plenty of experience to help you out!
To help you get started here are the top 10 trends to keep up with for 2024!
At Scott Social, we understand the importance of a new social media trend and industry trends in general. And as a business owner, following all of these changing tips and tricks isn’t that easy. Some may even say it starts to feel like a full-time job… literally.
That's where we come in! Scott Social works with a diverse range of clients and their socials. From posting memes to informational content, we pride ourselves on staying true to each client’s mission and creating matching content.
Ready to take your social media presence to the next level? We invite you to partner with Scott Social. Let us elevate and streamline your social media strategy, so you can focus on what you do best—growing your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your social media goals.
WRITTEN BY:
Annalise Keiper
Spring Intern 2024