There’s no escaping the fact that keeping your website content fresh and engaging is a constant battle. The pressure to churn out original ideas can feel relentless. But what if there was a treasure trove of inspiration readily available, constantly bubbling with new possibilities? Enter social media – a vibrant ecosystem overflowing with trending topics and conversations. As you read on, we’ll be looking at just how you can use social media to create your own on-site content.

Trend Spotting on Social Media

Social media platforms are a dynamic source of trending topics, but how do you identify the topics with real content potential beyond a fleeting fad? Here are our tips to help you spot what’s worth tapping into, and what’s not:

• Become a Social Butterfly:  Flit across various platforms – X/Twitter, the ever-evolving landscape of TikTok, the visually-driven world of Instagram, and the niche communities found on Reddit. Each platform caters to different demographics and interests, expanding your trend-spotting reach.

• Follow the Influencers: Industry leaders often spark discussions around trending topics, giving you a heads-up on what’s gaining traction. Actively follow these accounts and engage with their content to stay ahead of the curve.

• Hashtag Hero: Hashtags are the key to unlocking trending conversations. They act as a filing system for social media content, allowing users to discover topics and discussions related to specific interests. Use relevant hashtags to discover topics generating buzz. Tools like this can help you identify trending hashtags within your niche and uncover hidden gems that haven’t yet reached mainstream popularity.

• Active Listening: Don’t just skim posts on autopilot. Pay close attention to comments, reactions, and shares on trending topics. This reveals what aspects resonate most with audiences, offering valuable insights for shaping your on-site content.  What questions are people asking? What frustrations are they expressing? What excites them about the trend? By truly listening to the conversation, you can identify opportunities to create content that addresses their needs and interests.

• Bonus Tip: Explore niche social media platforms like Discord or specialised forums. These communities often have passionate discussions around specific topics, revealing trends before they hit the mainstream. Dive into these communities to discover hidden gems and position yourself as a thought leader when the trend explodes in popularity.

Keyword Magic: Transforming Trends into Content

Once you’ve identified a promising social media trend, it’s time to translate it into high-performing content that attracts and engages your audience. Here’s how to use the trend as a springboard to unearth the perfect keywords and content themes:

• Keyword Research Tools: Leverage industry-standard keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to analyse search volume and competition for keywords related to the trend. This helps you identify keywords with high traffic potential, ensuring your content reaches the right audience. Don’t just focus on high-volume keywords – consider including long-tail keywords that delve deeper into specific aspects of the trend. These keywords often have lower competition and provide valuable content for genuinely interested users.

• Long-Tail Targeting: Social media trends often experience a surge of interest, but it’s short-lived. Consider targeting long-tail keywords that delve deeper into specific aspects of the trend. These keywords provide a more focused approach, attracting users who are genuinely interested in learning more. For example, instead of targeting the generic keyword “90s fashion,” you could target long-tail keywords like “how to style vintage jeans in 2024” or “best online stores for vintage 90s clothing.” By addressing user queries and delving deeper into the trend, you create valuable and targeted content that stands out from generic trend-chasing pieces.

• The Power of “Why” and “How”: People often take to social media to ask questions and seek solutions related to trends. Use tools like Answer the Public to find the “why” and “how” questions surrounding the trend, forming the basis of your content.  What are the common challenges people face with the trend? What are the misconceptions they have? By addressing these questions in your content, you establish yourself as a credible source of information and build trust with your audience.

As an example, let’s say a particular 90s fashion style is trending on social media. You can target long-tail keywords like “how to style Converse in 2024″ or “best online stores for vintage 90s clothing.” By addressing user queries and delving deeper into the trend, you create valuable and targeted content.  Instead of a generic “90s fashion is back!” article, you could craft a comprehensive guide titled “The Great Converse Comeback: A Guide to Styling Them for Everyone in 2024.” 

Benefits of Leveraging Social Media Trends

Now comes the exciting part – crafting incredible on-site content fuelled by social media trends! Here’s a deeper dive into how it benefits you:

• Enhanced Relevance and Engagement: Trend-aligned content demonstrates you’re in tune with your audience’s interests. You’re not just creating content in a vacuum; you’re actively participating in the conversations that matter to them. This fosters a sense of relevance, leading to higher engagement and user satisfaction. People are more likely to comment, share, and subscribe to your content if it feels fresh and speaks to their current interests.

• SEO Boost: A Higher Ranking on the Search Engine Ladder: Integrating well-researched keywords into your content optimises your website for search engines. When users search for information related to the trend, your content has a higher chance of appearing in search results. This increases organic traffic to your website, attracting new visitors who are actively interested in the topic.

• Pro Tip: Don’t just stuff keywords into your content for the sake of SEO. Focus on creating high-quality, informative content that naturally incorporates relevant keywords. Search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prioritise user experience. Content that is valuable and engaging will naturally perform better in search rankings.

• Content Creation Efficiency: Saving Time and Effort: Social media trends offer a readily available pool of content ideas, saving you time and effort in brainstorming new topics. You don’t have to start from scratch – the trend itself provides a spark of inspiration.  Repurpose trending topics into various formats to cater to different audience preferences. This could include blog posts, infographics, explainer videos, or even interactive quizzes. By leveraging the trend as a springboard, you can create a diverse range of content that keeps your audience engaged.

• Amplified Outreach: Leverage the popularity of social media trends to promote your on-site content. Share your content on platforms where the trend originated, sparking discussions and driving traffic back to your website. Promote your content using relevant hashtags and engaging visuals to capture attention in the fast-paced social media world. You can also reach out to influencers or publications involved in the trend to see if they’d be interested in sharing your content with their audience.

Building on the 90s fashion trend and your “Converse Comeback” guide, you could create a visually stunning infographic showcasing different ways to style Converse. Share this infographic on Instagram with relevant hashtags like #90sfashion #converse and tag popular fashion accounts. This increases the reach of your content and attracts new readers who might be interested in learning more about the trend.

Chasing the Next Big Trend

Social media trends are fleeting by nature, so staying updated is crucial. Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your content remains relevant:

• Schedule Regular Trend Scouting:  Dedicate specific times within your week to actively explore social media platforms, searching for trending topics and conversations. Don’t just rely on a passive approach – set aside dedicated time for trend spotting to ensure you’re constantly feeding your content pipeline with fresh ideas.

• Stay Connected with Industry News: Subscribe to industry publications, newsletters, and social media groups to keep your finger on the pulse of your niche. These sources often report on emerging trends before they hit the mainstream social media channels. By staying informed, you can anticipate upcoming trends and be one of the first to create content around them.

• Embrace Analytics: Data-Driven Decisions: Utilise website analytics tools like Google Analytics to track what content performs well based on user engagement and traffic. Look for patterns in popular content that might tie back to past social media trends. This can help you predict what kind of content might resonate with audiences based on current trends.  For example, if you notice that blog posts related to DIY projects consistently outperform other content, you could start exploring social media trends related to DIY and see if there’s an opportunity to create related content on your website.

• Think Outside the Box: For instance, imagine the 90s fashion trend is still hot. You could create a video showcasing how to style Converse with different clothing types, catering to a broader audience and offering a unique twist on the trend.  

• Anticipate What’s Next: By analysing past trends and industry forecasts, you can attempt to anticipate what trends might emerge next. Look for common threads and recurring themes to get a sense of where the conversation might be headed. This proactive approach allows you to be ahead of the curve and create content that resonates with audiences before the trend fully explodes.

By following these strategies, you can transform fleeting social media trends into evergreen content that attracts and engages your audience. Remember, consistency is key!  Regularly scan social media platforms, create high-quality content based on trending topics, and promote it effectively to establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche. Watch your website traffic soar and your brand recognition climb to new heights!

Bonus Tip:  Consider repurposing your content across different platforms. For example, a blog post on a trending topic can be turned into a social media thread, an infographic, or even a short video script. This maximises the reach of your content and ensures you’re getting the most out of your trend-spotting efforts.

Emerging Trends: A Glimpse into the Future

As the social media landscape evolves, staying ahead of the curve requires keeping an eye on emerging trends:

• The Rise of User-Generated Content (UGC): Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are heavily reliant on UGC. Consider incorporating UGC contests or challenges related to your brand or niche on your website.

• The Power of Authenticity: Consumers crave genuine connections. Infuse your content with a personal touch and showcase the human side of your brand.

• The Short Attention Span and Microcontent: Attention spans are shrinking. Explore creating bite-sized content formats like short video snippets or social media stories to engage your audience.

• The Evolving Role of Influencers: Influencer marketing is constantly evolving. Look for micro-influencers with engaged communities who align with your brand values.

By staying informed and adapting your content strategy accordingly, you can leverage the ever-changing world of social media to create engaging content that keeps your audience coming back for more.

Final Thoughts

Social media isn’t just a platform for endless scrolling and cat videos (although, let’s be honest, those have their place too). It’s a vibrant ecosystem teeming with inspiration for website content creators. By harnessing the power of trending topics, you can tap into a goldmine of ideas that resonate with your audience, propel your website to the top of search engine results pages (SERPs), and amplify your reach far beyond your current follower count.

Remember, social media trends might be fleeting, but their impact on content creation can be long-lasting. By transforming these trends into evergreen content – content that remains relevant and valuable over time – you’ll attract a loyal audience and establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche. Watch your website traffic soar, your brand recognition climb and your engagement skyrocket as you leverage the power of social media trends.

Still feeling overwhelmed by the content creation process? 

Here at Content Conga, we’re a team of skilled writers who can take your website content from bland to brilliant. We’ll help you craft compelling copy that resonates with your audience, leverages the power of trending topics, and propels your website towards success.  Contact us today to see how we can transform your social media buzz into content gold!