As a small business owner, staying on top of social media trends isn’t just about looking trendy, it’s about boosting visibility, increasing engagement, and turning followers into customers.
But here’s the catch: simply adding a trending hashtag to your post won’t cut it anymore. To truly use social media to grow your business, you need to go beyond the hashtag. Let’s break down how to make trends work for you.
Why Your Small Business Must Go Beyond Hashtags
Trends Drive Visibility
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter push trending content to a wider audience. If your business can tap into the right trend, you’ll reach potential customers without spending a dime on ads.
Consumer Behavior Evolves Quickly
What worked on social media last year won’t necessarily work today. The way people consume content is changing. Short videos, interactive posts, and authentic storytelling now perform better than static posts with a popular hashtag.
Engagement Matters More Than Just Reach
Getting thousands of views is great, but what truly matters is engagement. Are people commenting, sharing, and buying from you? The key to leveraging trends is using them to spark meaningful conversations with your audience.
Ways to Leverage Social Media Trends for Your Start-up
1. Jump on Viral Challenges
Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? Or the recent “Pass the Phone” trend? These types of challenges create massive engagement because people love to participate.
How to Use This for Your Business:
- If you run a fitness business, hop on the latest workout challenge.
- If you own a restaurant, try a trending food challenge and encourage customers to do the same.
Pro Tip: Always customize trends to fit your brand. Don’t just copy what’s popular—make it yours!
2. Use Trending Audio & Video Formats
TikTok and Instagram Reels have changed how people consume content. A trending audio track can make your video go viral faster than a written post ever could.
How to Use This for Your Business:
- Create a short behind-the-scenes video using a popular song.
- Show a before-and-after transformation (this works well for hairstylists, makeup artists, and interior designers).
3. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is when your customers create content about your business. Here free promotion at its best!
How to Use This for Your Business:
- Encourage customers to post about their experience and tag your business.
- Run a contest where people submit photos or videos using your product.
Why It Works: People trust real customers more than brand-created ads. Seeing others enjoy your products builds trust.
4. Engage in Niche & Community Conversations
Not all trends are global, many are community-driven. Instead of jumping on every viral trend, find trends that matter to your target audience.
How to Use This for Your Business:
- If you sell natural hair products, engage in trending discussions about Afro-textured hair care.
- If you run a food business, contribute to trending topics on healthy eating or traditional recipes.
The Goal: Be part of conversations that establish your brand as an authority.
5. Create Interactive Content
One of the best ways to use social media trends is to get people involved. The more people interact with your content, the better your reach.
How to Use This for Your Business:
- Run Instagram or Facebook polls to get customer opinions.
- Host live Q&A sessions where you answer trending industry questions.
- Use “This or That” templates to encourage engagement.
Why It Works: People love to share their opinions! Giving them a reason to comment or vote keeps your brand visible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Jumping on Irrelevant Trends – If a trend doesn’t align with your brand, it won’t help your business.
Ignoring Customer Engagement – Trends should create conversations, not just views.
Relying Too Much on Trends – Trends come and go; your brand strategy should be built on more than just viral moments.
Social media trends are powerful, but only when used strategically. Instead of chasing every viral moment, focus on trends that fit your brand and connect with your audience.
Now it’s your turn! What’s one social media trend you’ve seen recently that could work for your business? Try it out and see the results!