TikTok Trends We’re Loving (and how brands can use them)

Sahail Ashraf posted on 10 March 2023

TikTok runs on trends. It’s fast-moving and fun. The latest craze or idea spreads like wildfire. But which are the best? And how can brands use them?

Whether you’re an absolute pro or still finding your feet, you’ll know how TikTok is proving to be a great platform for brands. With its quick and easy entry point and the ability to reach a lot of people instantly, it’s somewhere brands need to be.

A large part of TikTok is the trend aspect. It’s a fast-moving platform, and you’ll get nowhere if you aren’t aware of what is popular. At the same time, trends on TikTok are generally short-lived. If you’re not an early adopter, you may find your input becoming quickly redundant. 

The following trends are worth looking at if you’re a social media marketing professional or a brand that wants to make a mark on TikTok.

Disclaimer: Bear in mind that this platform needs to be carefully managed from the point of view of brands. Trends are fleeting, and they may not be suitable for a brand you are working with.

In other words, don’t get involved in a TikTok trend if it doesn’t make sense for your brand.

The Wednesday Dance

This one may not make sense for your brand.

The Netflix series Wednesday, which quickly became a worldwide hit, had a scene in it where the titular character danced. Being Wednesday Addams, it was a little weird.

It took off on TikTok. Even famous stars like Lady Gaga tried it out. Now, we know that not everyone is comfortable with dancing, and you don’t have to dance to gain traction on TikTok (although dancing is a big part of it), but there is some scope here for certain kinds of brands.

Is your brand a little edgy? Does it fly in the face of convention? This one may be worth a spin. You don’t even have to dance, just jump on the trend and use the music with other visuals. Hashtag the hell out of it, and you should be working with content that actually resonates with your audiences.

Is it for brands?

Yes, if you have that unconventional feel. As of March 2023, this trend is still there, and still being added to. 

Fancy a twirl?

Photo Hacker

Anyone who has spent time on social media platforms knows that images are everything. But a recent trend on TikTok is all about using photos in a fun way.

The idea is simple. Imagine someone hacks your phone and then has access to all of your photos. Then imagine that your photos are completely harmless and therefore incredibly funny.

There have been ‘photo hacker’ TikToks where a cat has had their photos hacked and the resulting TikTok is just that cat being a cat. It’s funny when you see it. We promise.

Is it for brands?

Absolutely. Any brand that can laugh at itself should be doing this. It’s pretty timeless too. Get some ‘a day at the office’ photos and run with it. 

The satisfying video

These are a little strange, but have really become super popular on TikTok. Essentially, they are videos of processes, such as soap cutting or freezing water, that are ‘satisfying’ to watch.

They are almost seen as therapeutic for audiences. And yes, they are strange, but they are also incredibly popular on TikTok, and perhaps one of the few trends that don’t ever go out of style.

Is it for brands?

We’re not competely sure on this one. You could take it one way and simply jump on a staisfying trend with your own contribution. See someone squeezing a tube of toothpaste and then do it yourself, that kind of thing.

Again, it’s really all down to how your brand is perceived. If you see a satisfying trend and think it will chime with your audience, then definitely give it a go and watch that data. If it works, you are officially a brand that can get involved in the satisfying trend.

Some trends to jump on in 2023

The above trends are very much recent and ones to think about in the short to medium term. However, there are some things to look out for in 2023 that are a little more evergreen, and should from part of your long term content plan.

Branded hashtag challenge

You create your own hashtag and then ask people in your audience to create content around that hashtag. It’s a deceptively simple idea but one that has only become more popular and on-trend on TikTok.

It has pretty much limitless potential. If you get your audience engaged with a hashtag that creates a lot of UGC (user generated content), that content (with your branded hashtag) has the potential to become a trend in itself.

Humour

Good old-fashioned humour will always be a trend on TikTok. It’s how you use it that counts though.

It is so important to be authentic on TikTok with humour. If you’re trying to be funny, you just won’t succeed. Instead, look for a slightly quirky take on current events or trends and aim to make people laugh that way.

Pop culture

This links to the Wednesday Dance idea earlier on. By jumping on elements from movies, TV and music you can develop trend content.

This requires that you have your finger on the pulse a little. But by being in touch with what people consume in popular culture, you’re able to develop content that is, well, popular.

Trends are basically popular concepts and ideas. Know pop culture. Soak it up, and use it to ensure you are part of, or responsible for, the next trend on TikTok.

Are you a social media marketing professional? Well, we’ve got great news for you. Locowise has all of the data you need to get the most out of your campaigns. And we also have super useful data on your TikTok accounts (and the TikTok work of your competitors). Try it today.