How do you decide which industry trends are worth embracing?

[tranguyen]

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

With Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms, trends can take off in an instant — whether it’s the rise of small plates and shareable dishes, the shift from cozy daytime cafés to buzzing nighttime wine bars, or the growing focus on sustainability.

That got us thinking:

How do you decide which industry trends are worth embracing?

How do you strike the balance between staying true to your brand while adapting to new trends? Is there a point where catering to customers meets gently guiding them toward what they truly need, and staying within your niche?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s chat below. 👇✨

[HC_Charlie]

That's a great question @tranguyen and I think it's especially relevant for smaller businesses, because I think they are nimble enough to turn trends into sales more quickly. A larger corporation may have longer production and design timelines and corporate approvals, and by the time they have a new idea or product to market, that particular trend may already moved along. For a smaller business, if you can move quickly and take advantage of ANY trends, you may find success this way. I would personally find it exhausting to chase after trends and move so quickly.

I have to say my business/brand pretty much stays away from any hot current trend (fad) or whatever it may be called. A lot is probably some deeply rooted self preference here, as I personally lean toward more classic designs, fixtures, furniture, decor. When I see most new items like clothes and cars, one of my first thoughts are if  "that's going to look dated really quick!" LOL. I am NOT an early adopter of anything (especially tech...you won't find me standing in line when the next iPhone is released), and my car is over 20 years old...mostly out of necessity and finances; if I had a bigger budget I may feel more free to explore new trends, both personally and in my business.

Now with that being said....if something that at was time was "dated" or trendy, and it comes back into fashion, then for me that's a good thing and means it has some staying power. In those cases I may leverage those when I come up with new product designs. But cyclical trends usually take many decades to come back in style, so any trends I follow would probably be something like something from the 1970s or 80s coming back into fashion.

[Eris]

Keeping to your own personal identity can feel more genuine and be more fullfilling, that's what my artist friends say about painting for themselves vs. the public eye. I believe this is applicable here as well. 

Follow the trends that most fit your brand identity and morals, if my brand is humourous and personable I'd focus on those trends and guide the clients in by linking it back to the company, subtly or more directly depends on the audience response. 

Not that I'm any authority, but that's my opinion.

[indianathomas]

We are in the juice, smoothie, and bowl industry.  We follow industry trends by visiting different trends throughout the country.  If something looks interesting we will use Google Ads Planner to find how the item is trending.  

[guext65]

I did try all of those social media apps. I posted my products on my account one of the day. I don't think I got people to visit my website. But I did get many scam as digital marketing promotion people.

I still don't know how or what ways are working for me. Because it seen like people are afraid to click website link these days. 

[Twpchair]

They are! I don't follow many websites ill be honest. But I do follow a ton of Facebook, Instagram, etc pages. No clickbait, just post. Start off slow it's free advertising! Take advantage of all the new free tools by square. Social media is a great tool but it is just finding the right one for you and your business. 

[HandiBoyz]

i don't really follow trends. Whatever the product or service is, it has to be in my industry and part of my business focus before I will give it any attention.  Then it has to fit our business.  What problem does it solve for the customer? What is the value of the solution to the customer, low or high? How does it add value to our business? What is the cost for to the business?  To keep my answer simple, it has to be a fit or we are not interested.

[JessPoynter]

OoooOoooOoo!!! 
What a question!!! 

How do I decide which industry trends are worth embracing? 
In a word: research

Being in the hair (care & growth) business, there are a LOT of trends...balayage, ombre, teasy-lights, babylights, lived-in color, gray coverage, color balancing, bonding agents, bond-builders, etc. You know what all of those are: techniques. You could literally incorporate all of those into one service. On the hair growth side of the industry, trends get a lot more dangerous. Nutrafol. Hims. Hers. Rogaine. Nioxxin. Vegamor. All dangerous trends, in my opinion, because they're selling a hunch without actually going into the detail. 

So! After I do the research on the trend, then I look at how that plays into my whole brand vision. If it aligns, I will adopt a version of it (if it's technique, etc.) or I will look at referencing it in marketing content I generate across media platforms. 

Ultimately, trends don't typically change my whole business structure or model. In my business, trends can sometimes influence content messaging. 

[Twpchair]

Hello, I am going to send you a message to whichever is best for you either your Instagram or Facebook? 

[BrianaJo]

We're fine with jumping on some trends as long as it resonates with our mission. If it's outside of our branding, or our mission then we don't do it. Then if it would cost us more than we'll get out of it, or if it doesn't resonate with our local community, then we don't do it. It has to align, and flow easy so it stays genuine and sincere.

[Twpchair]

This is a thrilling journey! Picture this: my retail furniture store has nurtured a loyal clientele for over 12 years, and I get how change can be daunting for them. But guess what? I’ve just expanded into an exhilarating new area, and business is soaring to new heights! As a furniture store that always puts our local customers first, especially during the harsh Michigan winters, I’ve learned that these wonderful folks are our backbone, keeping us thriving seven days a week, year-round.

Now, here’s where it gets exciting! I’ve launched a brand-new section featuring decor that’s upcycled, recycled, and beautifully BOHO chic. I’m incredibly discerning about these pieces, and the results have been phenomenal—sales among the 18-30 age group are up a staggering 87%! With a major university just 15 minutes away, I began sharing sneak peeks of our new offerings on Instagram, targeting this youthful demographic. It's been a whirlwind of fun, excitement, and relentless energy! 

As business owners, we often find comfort in familiarity, but I recognized a strong demand in our area for something fresh and new. Customers were practically begging me to expand, and I leaped with a heart full of passion, remembering how it all started for me 14 years ago, running a small business out of my pole barn on weekends and holidays.

Initially, I envisioned a second location and a new building, but when the weather turned against me, I saw my backroom filling up with stunning inventory! My 12,000-square-foot storefront, 5,000-square-foot storage space, and loading dock for new inventory are now bustling with activity. My incredible staff encouraged me to open that 5,000-square-foot space, and I am so glad I did!

I’m making the most of social media—using the paid versions of Meta and Instagram to connect with customers. Both platforms have been invaluable, and I’m hyper-aware of my stats on Square, monitoring every click and like. Each week, I boost two posts to a 100-mile radius, strategically on Wednesdays, when my main clientele—mostly ladies—are planning their road trips. 

I engage daily with fresh posts to keep our store front and center in their minds, showcasing new items as they arrive. Social media is a phenomenal tool, and if you’re offered a representative, seize that opportunity! Work with someone who understands your vision, set a budget, and stick to it. Be very aware of how boosting works or you will be paying and paying. Start slow and low. Plus, Square’s features have been a game-changer for tracking our inventory—it truly feels like they’re on steroids with all their tools! I can't thank Beta enough for their hard work! They have saved me so much time, money, and headaches it's crazy. I utilize every tool and multiple advertising through them as well! I am not a tech-savvy person but I certainly feel like one when I am using Square tools. 

To all my fellow entrepreneurs: growth is exhilarating, but it’s normal to feel scared about change. If you want to push past that comfort zone and embrace new opportunities, take that chance! Listen to your customers, introduce small adjustments, and pay attention to their feedback. You’ll never know what’s possible until you try! I refuse to dwell on “what ifs” and instead urge you to leverage the tools at your disposal and GO FOR IT! You don't have to drop thousands of dollars to do this! Start slow and watch that little corner or extra space grow. I will apologize for the long post but as that person who gets comfy gets excited and rejuvenated it's time to share.