Trends change in the blink of an eye, and staying updated is the only way to stay ahead. For me, being active on all social media platforms makes a world of difference and helps me lead a team that’s curious and connected. We hold regular huddles to share trends, brainstorm ideas, and learn from one another. Collaborating with brands gives us valuable, real-time insights into what resonates with audiences. We also rely on data to validate our instincts and refine our strategies. Moreover, I feel it’s about encouraging a culture where experimenting and risk taking become the team’s second nature.

It is important to stay ahead of trends in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. I like to recommend including a lot of data on social proof of trends within the strategy for clients to reach their specific target niche. By keeping relationships with influencers with millions of followers who are actively engaging with the specific target market across the USA, there is a direct correlation with sales. Regularly communicate with as many influencers. Get them on retainer if you need to. This makes a difference because being ahead of the trends on social media can convert directly to an increase in sales.

To keep your #SocialMedia team ahead of the curve, encourage continuous learning through industry webinars, workshops, and certifications. Monitor platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and trend-tracking tools such as Google Trends or BuzzSumo. Follow thought leaders, competitor accounts, and social media updates from platforms like Meta or TikTok. Schedule regular brainstorming sessions to share insights and trends. Use analytics to identify emerging patterns in audience behavior. Lastly, allocate time for experimentation with new formats, features, and content styles to adapt quickly to evolving trends. #SocialMedia

Keeping your social media team ahead of trends requires continuous learning and proactive strategies. Encourage team members to follow industry blogs, attend webinars, and subscribe to newsletters from platforms like Hootsuite or Social Media Examiner. Set up regular brainstorming sessions to share insights and analyze successful campaigns. Leverage tools like Google Trends or BuzzSumo to spot emerging topics. Promote experimentation with new formats—like Reels or AI-driven content—and review analytics to gauge effectiveness. Finally, foster a culture of adaptability and curiosity, ensuring your team not only stays informed but also knows how to apply trends creatively and strategically.

You can read all the newsletters and join all the webinars you like, but you’ll always be one step behind. Social media trends move at the speed of culture. If you truly want to stay ahead and capitalize on them, hire someone who speaks the language of social media fluently—someone who lives and breathes the platforms. Then, trust them. Give them the autonomy to act fast and adapt in real time. Trends don’t wait for approval chains

Implementing regular training sessions can help, but the most important thing you can teach is encouraging your team to spend time researching and staying up with the trends. This shouldn't be forced quarterly, but rather something organic that they do because they love social media and want to be successful. You also have to empower them to jump on trends because you trust the trend they lean into won't negatively affect your business. If you wait too long for approvals, the trend will be a thing of the past.

I agree with what Freddie-Fitz Gibbon shared - find someone that really enjoys the platform, and give them autonomy. I saw an interesting post recently diving into how Zara noticed their target users posting elevator selfies, so their ad campaign became that - their models taking pics of clothing in elevators. As a solo, it's challenging to keep up (or stay ahead) of trends. Every additional tool is additional work. If you're a solo or on a small team, rather than trying to keep up with trends, I would suggest finding 1 or 2 themes that are winning, and optimize those as much as possible. If you're in a position to grow, then you can consider examining trends