I’m just going to go ahead and say it—I dislike social media trends, and it is probably not for the reason you think. The pressure to use the latest trending audio, reel templates, and catchphrases has created a ton of bland, copycat content that may provide a quick “hit” but does nothing to build a strong and authentic brand identity and followership. Yes, I said it. Most new trends are not here to help you build your brand identity. They are not for longevity, which is why they are called a trend.
I was recently working with a new client who loved a reel I created but insisted I use some trending audio that was the wrong fit for the reel and their overall branding. To me, it was the equivalent of using a funeral dirge for a wedding announcement- completely inappropriate, a total disconnect to the visuals, and just wrong for the overall brand. I understand the temptation for content creators to jump on the trending bandwagon for quick and easy “likes”, but it can leave you with no consistent message, followership or identity…and feeling empty.
The real challenge in today’s social media world is to create authentic, real content that is not only brand-appropriate but attracts the right audience- meaning future clients. Short-term likes or views do not equal long-term QUALITY. Read that again, please. What works is being true to your brand values, goals, and most importantly, YOURSELF – it is so much more effective than constantly trying to adapt to new trends and conforming to what is currently “popular” when it’s clearly not a good fit for you.
Establishing the right brand “voice,” visuals, and identity takes careful strategic planning and consistency. Businesses that have weak branding or no long-term plan in place (or a savvy social media manager to guide them!) are the ones most susceptible to the pressure to follow these trends because they don’t know who they really are and what they represent. If you are having a hard time finding the real you, ask yourself the following questions when creating your content:
Does the copywriting or visuals used sound or look like me?
Does this content resonate with the audience or clients I’m trying to attract?
Is this content a reflection of my unique viewpoint, personality, and creativity, or am I just desperate to post something?
If the answer is “no” to any one of the above, step away from your laptop or phone, and schedule a consultation with your nearest social media marketing company (I think I know one!).
Be yourself. Be authentic. Know your brand values, and don’t be afraid to let your uniqueness shine in your content, my friends. There’s only one YOU, and you are pretty awesome.
We promise!
