Oct 16, 2023
When you find that you have no idea what to post on your business account, incorporating social media trends can be the way to go. Trends are viral content on the internet that you can use to keep your account active and increase your following. Below are three trends your business should jump on:
User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-Generated Content (UGC) is media from various people in your community like reviews, photos, videos, and more. Content creators who consistently post UGC often have large followings, as their posts have their own appeal. Moreover, these content creators aren’t always tied to the businesses they feature, so they have some creative freedom and give honest recommendations. That’s why they can draw more attention to brands they use or talk about.
Short-Form Videos
From TikTok to IG Reels, short-form videos continue to gain dominance among social media platforms. Not only are short videos fun to watch, but they deliver the message in barely a minute. Which can be enough time in the fast-paced world we’re living in. Most people also find it easy to finish a short video, whereas they might skip or avoid longer videos altogether. So you should explore how you can incorporate short-form videos for your account.
Integrated Shops
Some social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have an integrated shop function that you can use. This shop function allows users to buy items directly on the platform without leaving the app. This feature is great to utilize as it eliminates steps in a person’s online shopping journey. If they want to buy your product, they will just tap on the item and checkout.
Although being trendy is good for business, there are frequently used social media practices that you may want to avoid. These practices are commonly used by certain brands to increase their following, stay relevant, or improve brand reputation. However, it can sometimes do more harm than good.
Posting Irrelevant Viral Content
Viral memes or videos often become a trend on social media, but you shouldn’t be quick to repost these things onto your page. While they may garner attention, they may be irrelevant to your content or brand identity. Moreover, you might not gain as much engagement because people would have seen the viral meme already. So whenever you see a viral meme, analyze whether it fits your image. If you can rework the viral meme to fit your brand, you can consider sharing that kind of content instead of just reposting the meme.
Talking Back to Customers
Nowadays, people enjoy seeing content of people talking back to customers, especially if the customers are rude and entitled. This viral phenomenon has even sparked a themed restaurant where staff insult and curse at their patrons. While this activity certainly seems trendy, in reality, it is never a good idea to talk back to your customers. Doing so can diminish the trust they have in your brand. Instead, always respond with genuine concern and sincerity in addressing their issue. If you can solve their problem, your customer will be more likely to repurchase your products.
Bandwagon Support for Social Causes
More and more businesses are supporting different social causes like Pride month. However, it seems more like a trend to boost their sales and engagements, as some of their support is performative or concludes when the movement’s designated month passes. Not only is their bandwagon support evident in their social media feed, but it can also be the subject of criticism from the community.
That’s why, when showing solidarity for social causes, your business’s support must be never-ending. You can also contribute in other meaningful ways, such as publishing content that gives your audience a deeper understanding of the cause. You can even donate a portion of your revenue to related non-profit organizations.
Social media trends can help you stand out, keep your account active, and engage your audience. That’s why you should take note of the trends above and know what you can and cannot incorporate into your social media plan.