Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but trend-chasing is exhausting.
Fashion trends. Food trends. TikTok video trends.
I’m all for a good trend. Trends can be energizing and sometimes a smart way to get in front of new people. But at what point does chasing the next big thing pull you away from what actually grows your business?
One minute you’re scrolling in peace, and the next you’re being promised $50K months if you “just follow this one thing.” But the longer I do this work, the more grounded I am in the strategies that never change.
So recently, I found myself wanting a happy medium between exploring new social media and online marketing trends and keeping timeless, unfadable strategies at the foundation of how I plan. I want to give you a few simple tips on how they can actually work together.
Trend #1: The AI Shortcut
AI is having a moment, and rightfully so. Most business owners I talk to use AI for writing emails, generating ideas, or outlining launches. Some even use it for visuals or video scripting, the way that creators like Ali Abdaal do.
AI can save you time, get you into action faster, and help you test and scale content variations faster.
But here’s a reminder:
Your audience connects with your voice. Remember that what you put into AI via prompts is what you get out. If you give generic prompts, your content will sound like the next person’s who did the same thing, and your audience will simply scroll by.
Your next step:
Write smarter, personalized prompts with clear instructions. Before using an AI tool to write a blog post, use a series of conversational prompts to research and outline the post. Upload a writing sample of your original work before using it to write the full blog. Then edit it to sound like you or your brand.
AI is powerful. Your perspective is priceless.
Trend #2: The Big Desire for Follower Growth, Likes, and Viral Posts
Virality and getting tons of new followers feels exciting.
But the truth is: Virality is unpredictable. Authority is intentional.
Your brand grows when the right people follow your content and stay engaged consistently. I love following creators on Instagram like Brooklyn Coffee Shop who have grown largely because of their storytelling and ability to produce fun, entertaining, and relatable content. They grow not by chasing trends, but by creating consistent, recognizable content with a clear story. And they don’t spend a dime to create it!
Since Instagram posts, TikToks, and Pinterest pins show up in Google search, your content isn’t just content anymore. It’s part of your long-term discoverability.
Your next step:
Choose one core message or theme you want to be known for. Then repeat it across multiple formats:
- videos
- carousels
- infographics
- emails
- text-only posts
People like James Clear (author of Atomic Habits) have built successful brands by repeating one idea over and over again.
Trend #3: Data and Micro Insights: The Most Underrated Advantage
This isn’t a flashy trend, but it’s where businesses truly win.
Big brands don’t guess what their customers want. They pay attention to behavior and adjust accordingly. Leaning into data is both a trend and timeless marketing at its core.
You don’t need dashboards or analysts. Just observe what your audience consistently responds to.
Your next step:
Once a week, spend 10 minutes reviewing:
- Which posts got the most comments or saves
- Which emails got the highest open rate
- What questions people have asked
- What links your audience clicked
- Which products or pages are visited most often
Make one small adjustment based on what you learned. I recently launched a webinar series for one of my businesses and found that this works. We doubled our sign-ups by following this method.
Wrapping Up
Trends will always come and go, and you should absolutely use the ones that make sense.
But long-term success comes from these foundations:
- Use tools that elevate your voice.
- Share a clear, consistent message.
- Pay attention to what your audience shows you.
Do that, and every trend becomes a strategic advantage rather than another distraction pulling you away from the business you’re building.
A version of this article is published in the inaugural issue of The Online Business Edit! Read/download your free copy (plus my free “15 Secrets Only Facebook & Instagram Ad Experts Know” guide) here.
