Choosing the right social media trends is key to achieving your goals. -Match with Brand Values: Pick trends that align with your brand’s message. -Know Your Audience: Use trends your audience cares about. -Stay Relevant to Goals: Ensure the trend supports your business objectives. -Look for Engagement: Focus on trends that spark interaction. -Check Trend Timing: Use trends while they are still popular. -Platform Fit: Make sure the trend suits your chosen platform. -Assess Impact: Prefer trends with lasting value. -Watch Competitors: See how similar brands use trends. -Test in Batches: Experiment to find what works. -Stay Authentic: Use trends in a genuine way.

In my experience as a marketer, the following has always worked for me: 1. Aligning the brand objective with the target audience 2. Studying the trend that is patronized by my target audience 3. Analysing if it is a fad or if it has some teeth 4. Figure out the kind of people latching on to the trend 5. I also analyze the quantity and quality of the engagement of the trend 6. Crafting a message by integrating the brand or the message seamlessly and not making it look like a 'force fit' 7. Finally the true measure is the outcome of the initiative Personally speaking, I am vary of focusing or leaning only on trends as it comes across as if the brand does not have an original voice.

Trends come and go and after a while the shiny new penny gets dull and dated from overuse. Do the research——find what motivates your audience, understand their behaviors and what they have an affinity for and be there with messaging and tactics in those moments that matter (cliche, I know).

First, analyze your target audience to understand their preferences and behaviors on different platforms. Then, align relevant trends with your brand values and goals, testing and adapting your content to ensure it resonates while staying authentic.

While social media trends can be a great way to achieve virality, marketers must ensure that the trends they choose to jump on aligns with their brand and also fits the kind of content their target audience will typically consume.

To select social media trends that align with your objectives: Clarify Objectives: Match trends to goals like brand awareness, engagement, or lead generation. Know Your Audience: Focus on trends that resonate with your audience’s interests and platform preferences. Evaluate Longevity: Decide between short-term viral trends or longer-lasting movements. Check Resources: Ensure your team can create content and manage any required budget. Industry Fit: Choose trends that are relevant to your industry and observe competitors. Analyze Data: Stay Authentic: Use UGC: Opt for trends that encourage user-generated content. Move Fast: Jump on trends early but avoid being too late. Monitor & Adapt: Be flexible to changes or controversies.

The majority of brands do this mistake, the mistake of replicating the trend. Don't. Ask these questions before you start: 1. Does your brand personality resonate with the tone/messaging adopted to in the trend? 2. How would you customize it? Social Media platforms and consumers need originality. 3. Are your competitors adopting to such trends? If yes, what's the engagement? 4. Finally, why this trend specifically?

Typically I avoid working with "trends" as part of my strategy specifically. IF there is an opportunity to include one, then perfect. Whether it fits 100% with my objectives or not, if I can make use of it, I'll put it into the daily tasks but I most certainly avoid dictating my entire strategy around trends. The way I choose which to include would be if a creative way of incorporating our product comes along but nothing that would completely take our audience by surprise (unless planned to do just that).

Stop looking for the next trend or hack. Pick your social media channels based on your customer and your messaging should reflect your brand values and positioning. Adopt a long term focus. Expect to be in the game for years

With countless trends emerging, it's easy to feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything. However, it’s important not to follow every trend that comes your way. Instead: - Identify what resonates best with your target audience and user personas—understand what they are truly engaging with. - Ensure the trend aligns with your brand’s core values and tone, without compromising your brand image. - Focus on delivering authentic content—while it's useful to observe competitors, avoid copying their strategies without purpose.