Social trends to Try Out this Week

Hoshi Rae Garratt
Jun 8
3 min read

Stuck on your brand’s socials? Need some inspiration, or looking for new trends to try out? Can’t face the impending doomscroll that comes every time you “research” trends? Not to fear! The Butter Popcorn team did it for you and compiled a list of easy, hot-off-the-press ideas that you can try out for your business this week.

“Wait… Let Me Wipe My Screen” Social Trends to try out

This first trend has been flooding our FYP this week, grabbing viewers' attention with an empty shot and text hook: “Wait… let me wipe my screen”. After covering the camera to ‘wipe’ the lens, transition to a new (more exciting) shot and finish the trend with “ahh, that’s better”.

Done well, this simple trend is super effective! We’ve seen it work best for cafes, bars and restaurants. Who doesn’t love transforming empty tables into a showcase of delicious spreads? Don’t let this limit you, though! This trend builds anticipation for any before-and-after reveal. Whether that’s a renovation, rebrand, or even just a bit of fun (maybe an empty chair then filled by your office’s social superstar?)

Instagram story of a blue mesh patio table and striped chairs, with text reading wait... let me wipe the camera

Outdoor café table with drinks, a salad bowl and wrapped sandwiches on blue mesh chairs, overlaid text much better

“Don't Worry, I Found Them Too”

For the next trend on our list, place the camera in a car boot (or office drawer) and show the POV from inside as you open it. You’ll need to give your best mobster impression and coolly text a reply to a notification bubble reading, “I’m sorry, we found a new insert profession/business now”, with “Don’t worry. I found them too.” TLDR? Position yourself as the best at what you do by placing your competition in the trunk.

The combination of an unusual angle/movement hook as the boot opens, a popular trending sound, and an unexpected comedic payoff gives this trend all the markers of a viral hit.

Instagram post of a man in a brown suit by a car, holding a phone, with text: Client: We found a new photographer, sorry! reply: No problem 😊

Low-angle view of a man in a vest raising his hand in an office, with Instagram-style text: Sorry, I found a different salesmen...

Freeze, Zoom, & Click

Want to give your viewers a closer look? Bring them into the action by freezing a shot and zooming in close to the details. e.g. freezing a waiter mid-walk in a busy restaurant and zooming into their tray of food. For each food item, label it with on-screen text.

We see a lot of potential to have fun with this one outside of the restaurant industry. Maybe you freeze your coworker and zoom into the ‘Starter Kit’ items that never leave their side? Or zoom into a calendar to announce key dates (sales, promotions, events, etc.)

TIP: ‘Webcore’ is the new shiny aesthetic right now. Easily incorporate it into this trend with desktop pop-up style labels and techy clicking sound effects.

Instagram reel screenshot: woman carries pastries and a mug in a cozy café, barista behind her, with a You are loved sign.

Instagram post of two women in a warm kitchen holding a tray of cheese and tomato toast with chips; text reads Cheese & Tomato Toast

Social Media Girl is Out of Office

The “Social Media Girl” is an essential part of the workplace now more than ever. Show what happens when she's not around, either with a comedic filming fail or a social takeover from an unlikely staff member.

For the comedic route, show an outsider's POV of your ‘Social Media Girl Stand-In’ trying to film regular content. Then cut to the results, which capture their focused face, after they unknowingly flip the camera instead. For a social takeover, choose your most charismatic staff member and fill a carousel with pictures of them around your store/office/business as they earnestly try to market it.

Bearded man in a black cap checks his phone behind a bar with cocktails and beer; text reads POv: The Social Media Girl Is Out Of Town

Bearded man in a backward cap takes a selfie in a bar; text says POV: The Social Media Girl Is Out Of Town.

Brand Socials to Watch

Now, this didn’t really fit into a distinct trend, but we had to mention it anyway.

We’ve been loving Curry’s (the appliance store) TikTok marketing strategy recently! Their videos are full of genuine staff interactions, well-known influencer collabs, popular trends/meme formats, and even a heated yet lighthearted rivalry with their competitor, Argos. It’s far from polished, but the DIY-style paired with planned, elevated concepts mean these videos not only feel native to the platform but are also successful.

It also reflects their current comedy-led broadcast advertisements under Curry’s “Beyond Techspectations” banner. The adverts humorously depict a "Code Blue" situation where customers are completely frozen in-store, stuck on which TV to watch the live football on. Luckily, Currys store colleagues step in to save the day, choosing the right TV with style and comedy.

Excited group in purple crowd around a microphone in an Instagram reel, with text: Gen Alpha will change the world and Gen Alpha:

Two men juggle a soccer ball outside a brick building; text reads Testing my reflexes at Soccer Aid. Playful mood.

Wrapping Up

And that’s it for this week! Next Monday, we’ll have a whole new list for you, so make sure you come back to check it out. Like these ideas, but still feel a bit lost on the execution? Or craving ideas more curated to your company? Get in touch and let us help you boost your online presence today!

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