21 Jan Why your company should suck it up and get trendy

Between the countless Bird Box memes, the 10-year aging challenge and the next one that is about to come out next week, you’re bound to be inundated in your social feeds with the latest trend. Whether you’re all for it and excited to participate, or someone who says they would never partake, when it comes to your business there are certain advantages to getting trendy.

“Society changes its perception with these trends and begins to expect the memes or challenges once they are an apparent trend, the reader pays more attention to them, and the overall social media audience wants to be a part of something more connected,” says Jennifer Vickery, CEO of National Strategies Public Relations. “That’s why as marketers or executives, it’s important to pay attention to and even participate in the trend as you have a greater ability to connect in a different way with more people.”

The first thing Vickery advises with social trends in the business space is to keep it about the brand and not get personal. “Excellent marketers will see the 10-year aging challenge as a way to quickly and efficiently tell a piece of their brand’s history. They can grab a photo of a product, service space, or staff member from 10 years ago and one from today and quickly show how the company is aging well versus someone who is posting a photo of themselves personally and tying it to the brand in an uncomfortable way,” says Vickery.

She also cautions about going beyond the trend and knowing when it to call it quits. For example, she mentions that the Bird Box trend, for example, is probably at this point past its greatest marketing advantage prime. “If your company chooses to just jump on the Bird Box meme creation or association, make sure it’s not to be seen as jumping on the bandwagon or being too late to the scene. Make sure your brand is always being associated with being right in the prime of each trend; never past it.”

As marketers and executives, it can be a challenge to operate your current workload while paying attention to trends and getting the timing right with your social accounts. “When participating in social media trends, ensure it feels genuine, never forced, makes sense for your brand’s messaging, and connects with people. If you’re struggling to make it fit your message or keep up with the trend, skip it and just wait until another day or so when something new hits!”

If you’re thinking of ways your organization can be trendier, feel free to contact us at (813) 865-3093 and let us help with a brainstorming session.