Read this before your competition does 🚀

The internet moves fast, and keeping up with trends can feel like chasing a caffeinated squirrel. 🐿️ Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up everything you need to stay ahead of the game. In today’s newsletter, we’re diving into:

🔥 The top trends shaping buying behavior right now – because knowing what customers want before they do is a superpower.

🎶 Instagram’s Top 5 Sounds – the hottest audio to make your Reels pop (because silence is so last season).

📅 Quick wins to add to your strategy – easy tweaks that make a big impact.

📸 What to post to build trust and boost engagement – because your brand deserves more than just likes.

Now that the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day rush are behind us, what’s next? Consumers are shifting gears, and if you’re looking to stay ahead, here are the top trends shaping buying behavior right now:

1️⃣ Late-Winter Sales Boom

Shoppers are still in deal-hunting mode. With Valentine’s candy on clearance and post-holiday discounts everywhere, businesses that offer flash sales or “last-chance” promos can grab attention.

2️⃣ Sustainable Shopping is the Move

Consumers (especially Gen Z) are prioritizing eco-friendly brands. If your business has sustainable products, packaging, or initiatives, now’s the time to highlight them!

3️⃣ AI-Powered Personalization

More shoppers expect brands to know what they want before they do. Personalized product recommendations, chatbots, and AI-driven customer service are becoming standard. If you’re not using AI yet, consider starting small with automated responses or personalized email campaigns.

4️⃣ Local & Small = Big Wins

The "support small businesses" trend isn’t slowing down. Customers are leaning into community-driven shopping, so showing up at local markets, partnering with nearby businesses, or running hyper-local social media ads can boost visibility.

5️⃣ Spring Break & Travel Spending

People are already planning spring getaways! If your business is in travel, fashion, fitness, or anything remotely related, start marketing those products now. Limited-time bundles and early-bird discounts work well.

6️⃣ Subscription Models are Thriving

More consumers are opting for convenience – whether it’s subscription boxes, meal plans, or VIP memberships. If there’s a way to create a recurring revenue model for your business, this could be a big win.

7️⃣ Short-Form Video is Still King

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are the way to engage customers. Businesses using quick, engaging videos to showcase products, answer FAQs, or share behind-the-scenes content are seeing higher conversion rates.

8️⃣ AI-Generated Content = Controversy

While some businesses are using AI for marketing and content creation, consumers are divided on it. Transparency matters – if you use AI, be open about it while keeping a human touch.

9️⃣ "Experience Over Product" Mindset

People want more than just things – they’re spending on experiences. If you can tie your product to an experience (events, workshops, exclusive perks), you’ll stand out.

🔟 Fast & Flexible Payment Options

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay are still growing. Small businesses that offer multiple payment options tend to see higher checkout rates.

Need a trending sound to level up your next Reel? Click on the photos below to jump straight to the hottest audio on Instagram right now! 🎶🔥

1. I Ain't Worried (Instrumental) - by @alhaniimusicdit)

📌 Best for: Highlighting milestones, team wins, or a "then vs. now" moment in your business journey.

💡 Post Idea: Share a major business glow-up, such as your first-ever sale vs. now, a new storefront reveal, or a look at how your brand has evolved over time. Bonus points for throwback footage or photos to really show the progress!

2. sunkiss - by @regenwindundstrum

📌 Best for: Small businesses with a playful brand personality, especially in retail, food, or service industries.

💡 Post Idea: Use this sound to highlight a “before vs. after” transformation: a product restock, customer makeover, fresh-baked treat coming out of the oven, or even an employee going from “Monday morning mode” to “Friday energy.” Add a fun on-screen caption like “POV: When you realize your favorite [product/service] is back in stock” or “The moment you find the perfect gift at [your business name]” for extra engagement!

3. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU - by @partynextdoor

📌 Best for: Local boutiques, coffee shops, and quirky small businesses looking to show off their personality.

💡 Post Idea: "When customers ask if we ever take a day off..." 🎭 Film a montage of your team working non-stop (making coffee, stocking shelves, packaging orders, and just generally hustling) with exaggerated, over-the-top energy. End with a shot of someone dramatically collapsing into a chair with a coffee (or cocktail) in hand. Caption it: "Sleep? Never heard of her. Running a small biz is a 24/7 reality show. 🎬✨ #SmallBusinessLife"

4. 15 Minutes - by @sabrinacarpenter

📌 Best for: Small businesses that want to highlight their best-selling product, customer favorites, or a must-try experience.

💡 Post Idea: Start with a mysterious close-up or blurred shot of your product/service while the audio plays. As the beat drops, reveal what everyone is obsessed with – whether it’s a signature dish, a viral product, or a service people keep coming back for. Overlay text: “If you know, you know. And if you don’t… now you do.”

🔹 Bonus: End with a call to action like “Tag a friend who needs this ASAP” or “Have you tried this yet? Drop a 🍽️/🛍️/🔥 if you have!”

5. High Fashion - by @addisonraee

📌 Best for: Small businesses with a loyal customer base, local shops, or brands with a playful personality.

💡 Post Idea: Create a “Customer Starter Pack” reel featuring the must-have items, habits, or inside jokes that define your brand’s biggest fans. For example:

• - A coffee shop could show “The Regular’s Starter Pack” (favorite drink order, cozy corner seat, loyalty card).

• - A boutique could do “Fashion Lover’s Starter Pack” (trendy tote bag, statement earrings, signature scent).

• - A fitness studio could feature “Gym Member Starter Pack” (hydration goals, go-to leggings, post-workout selfie spot).

Let Your Team Do the Talking 🎤

Want to build trust and boost engagement? Let your employees take the mic! Employee-generated content (EGC) makes your brand feel more human and helps customers connect with the real people behind your business.

Here’s how to make it work in different industries:

• ☕ Cafes & Restaurants – Have your baristas or chefs share their favorite menu items or behind-the-scenes kitchen moments.

• 🛍️ Retail & Boutiques – Let employees showcase their favorite products and how they’d style or use them.

• 💆‍♀️ Salons & Spas – Post quick day-in-the-life clips or tutorials from your stylists.

• ⚒️ Home Services & Trades – Show before-and-after transformations or DIY tips from your crew.

Big brands like Loewe and Fenty Beauty are already rocking EGC, but this isn’t just for the big leagues – real voices build real connections. Give your team a platform, and watch the engagement roll in!

Got a burning social media question? Wondering how to get more engagement, what to post next, or if hashtags still matter? 🤔 Now’s your chance to pick a marketer’s brain – no consulting fee required! Drop your questions in our quick survey, and we’ll tackle the hottest topics in an upcoming newsletter. Whether it’s content creation, branding, or social media trends, we’ve got you covered.

📸 Why Your Business Needs Pro Branding Photos

In today’s visual-first world, your brand photos do more than just look good – they build trust, tell your story, and make you stand out. High-quality, custom images create that instant connection with potential customers, showing them who you are and why they should choose you.

Think about it: Would you rather engage with a brand that uses generic stock photos or one that showcases real people, real moments, and real personality?

A strong visual identity makes your business more recognizable, credible, and engaging across your website, social media, and marketing.

Ready to level up your brand? Check out the full article from Sara Zarrella From Sara Zarrella Photography at HeyRhody.com to learn how professional branding photography can set you apart.