Whether you’re planning your 2026 content calendar or just trying to keep up with what the algorithm wants this week, we’ve got you covered. This edition is packed with trends, tips, and real-talk advice to help your brand show up smarter (and with less stress).

Inside today’s newsletter:

• 26 social media trends that’ll shape 2026—from messy content to community-first metrics

• Wanna get featured in print? How to make local media swoon

• Three Reels worth trying right now that are easy, effective, and small-business approved

The 26 Social Media Trends That’ll Shape 2026 (Yes, All of Them) 📲✨

Spoiler alert: going viral is out—building community is in.

If your feed feels a little… different lately, you’re not imagining it. According to Social Unicorns, social media in 2026 is less about going viral and more about being real. Messy beats polished, people beat brands, and community beats clout. Here’s the full download:

• Employee-generated content will rise
  Because we all trust Sarah from HR way more than a corporate slogan.

• More Founder-led content!
  Faces over logos. Human > brand.

• Everyone will be building a personal brand
  Yes, even your cat sitter is on LinkedIn now.

• The old internet will make a comeback
  Think Substack, Reddit, and forums with ✨vibes✨.

• In-house creators will be the hottest job
  Agencies? Over. Internal TikTok pros? In.

• Signature series will set creators apart
  Recurring content = loyal fans.

• Behind-the-scenes content will dominate
  Because people want the messy middle, not just the polished end.

• Intellectual influencers will win
  Big brains sharing big thoughts > #OOTDs.

• Community will become a real metric
  It’s not just about followers—it’s about connection.

• Anti-AI content will stand out
  Human-made = premium.

• Audiences will quietly shrink
  Time to re-earn attention. 👀

• The end of influencer culture as we know it
  RIP #ad, hello real talk.

• Messy aesthetic will outperform polished
  Imperfect is the new perfect.

• Founder-creators will rise
  Your fave startup founder is also your fave creator now.

• LinkedIn will be the coolest platform
  Weirdly, it’s giving “main character energy.”

• Less content, better content
  Quality > quantity. Finally.

• Brands will launch social shows
  Think Netflix meets niche TikTok.

• More IRL will matter
  Events, pop-ups, and face-to-face are back.

• Platform de-risking will be essential
  Don’t build your house on rented land.

• Creators will focus on developing their signature content style
  No more one-size-fits-all.

• Social commerce will finally scale
  Live selling and in-app shopping are booming.

• More brands & founders will launch newsletters on Substack
  Inbox is the new feed.

• Nano influencers will drive results
  Small but mighty, and very trusted.

• Comment sections will become the edge
  Talk back. It matters now.

• More people than ever will turn to content creation and entrepreneurship
  Because job security? Never heard of her.

• Creative boundaries will be pushed
  New formats, weird edits, and wild storytelling ahead.

The big takeaway: 

2026 isn’t about being louder — it’s about being more human. Fewer posts, stronger voices, real communities, and content that actually means something.

Wanna Get Featured in Print? Here’s How to Make Local Media Swoon 💌

Got a can’t-miss event, a new biz that’s making waves, or a product so cool it practically promotes itself? Love that for you. Now let’s get the word out.

Step 1: Send the scoop.

That means a press release with all the need-to-knows—who, what, when, where, why, and how. Make it clear, snappy, and easy to scan. (If your grandma would understand it, you’re on the right track.)

Step 2: Pics or it didn’t happen.

A good photo can be the difference between a quick delete and a front-page feature. Think high-res, bright, and eye-catching – no blurry basement shots, please.

Step 3: Know where to send it.

Not sure who to contact? No prob. Most outlets have a “Contact Us” page or a masthead listing editors and contributors. Poke around their website and find the person who covers your type of story—bonus points for using their name in your email (hi, personalization!).

Step 4: Hit send.

Whether it’s a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or lifestyle blog, send your pitch with a subject line that screams “Read me, I’m fabulous.”

Step 5: Don’t ghost yourself.

Didn’t get a reply? Totally normal. Most local media teams are small but mighty—and often buried in a mountain of emails. It’s totally OK to follow up (gently). Persistence > perfection.

 📣TL;DR:

Be clear, be bold, be photo-ready—do your homework, and don’t give up. Your story might be just the thing someone’s been waiting to tell.

Reel Trends to Try

If your Reels tab has been whispering “you should post more video” and you’ve been pretending not to hear it—this one’s for you. The good news? Today’s trending Reels aren’t about fancy edits or viral dances. They’re simple, human, and surprisingly fun. Here are two trends popping up everywhere that local businesses can actually use (without cringing).

Trend 1: My Top 10

Using a countdown audio, you reveal your top ten favorites one by one—products, places, tools, or moments—saving the best for last.

See an example here:

How to use it:
This trend is perfect for showcasing bestsellers, customer favorites, services, or seasonal highlights while building anticipation. It works especially well when you want to promote multiple things without overwhelming your audience.

Examples for local businesses:

• Retail shop: Top 10 customer-favorite items this month

  Restaurant: Top 10 menu items (or “what locals actually order”)

  Service provider: Top 10 tools, treatments, or results clients love

  Tourism biz: Top 10 things to do in town right now

Why it works:
The countdown format naturally boosts watch time because viewers want to see what ranks highest. It positions your business as confident and curated, while subtly guiding people toward your most popular offerings.

Trend 2: Matching Scene

This one is a certified “wait… how did they do that?” moment. The Matching Scene trend uses visual precision to create a clever illusion, and people can’t help but rewatch. You place a laptop in the foreground playing a pre-recorded video, then sit behind it and align your head and body so it looks like the screen’s arms and movements belong to you.

See an example here:

How to use it:
Use this trend to teach, demonstrate, or explain something in a visually unexpected way. It’s ideal for educational content, styling tips, tutorials, or process-based businesses.

Examples:

• Boutique: Styling tips that “come out of” the laptop

  Educator or coach: Bite-sized lessons with text or demos on screen

  Bakery: Decorating or assembling a product with a twist

  Creative business: Showing process + personality in one frame

Why it works:
The visual alignment makes people stop scrolling and often watch twice to understand what they’re seeing. That replay factor boosts retention, which helps the Reel travel further.

Trend 3: Animated Messages

Minimalist. Bold. Surprisingly addictive. The Animated Messages trend is all about letting text do the talking, and the hook. It’s a horizontal video where text appears word by word (or in short phrases), guiding the viewer through a message in a clean, modern, scroll-stopping way.

See an example here:

How to use it:
This trend works best for storytelling, positioning, or brand beliefs. Use it to explain what makes you different, share a customer insight, or say the quiet part out loud.

Why it works:
Animated text forces people to read along, which naturally slows the scroll and increases completion rates. When paired with strong copy and high-contrast design, it feels polished and intentional.