Should you follow social media trends? Or your creativity and passion? Can the trends make it even more fun ... or can it instead become performance-fuelled and annoying? How do you actually maintain a good relationship with social media ...?
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Social media ... for fun or bloody serious?
It started as a hobby and a social activity. People posted pictures of their daily lives and 'chatted' with friends and acquaintances online. And that's still the case to some extent, on Facebook and Instagram. But today it is very clear that social media is also (sometimes largely) about marketing, sales, performance and the quest for Likes.
Almost all companies use social media in their strategy, in one way or another, and much of what we see in the feed is related to different companies. At the same time, influencers are trying to get free skincare products in exchange for good-looking films, and young people can be desperate for Likes and validation.
It's not uncommon to hear people say about social media that "it used to be fun" and "now it's become a pressure". It can be in jest sometimes, but it can also be deadly serious.
Following social media trends - or your passion?
One problem, when something becomes important to you, is that you start to analyse it and try to perform better. We can recognise this sometimes. For us, Facebook and Instagram are relatively important, as they are platforms where we can communicate with our readers and followers. So we should keep up to date and do the 'right thing'.
We read a lot and we also get lots of tips. One week we're told that "You have to make reels if you want to grow on Instagram" and the next week we should start a Facebook group, or a podcast or a TikTok account. Yes, absolutely... It's certainly wise advice in many ways. The problem is that it's hardly going to be any good if you don't think it's fun.
It's a good idea to make the films in specific ways too, according to the trends. Sometimes it should say "POV" (Point of View) and other times it should say "This is your sign to go to ..." or "Steal my guide to ...". You should preferably alternate pictures and films, and suddenly Instagram posts should not be short but super long with informative guides in the style of "20 things to do in Barcelona"... Or was it something else this week? I don't really remember ...
Finding a balance between trends and desire
If you're instagramming just for yourself and your friends, to relax for a while, then you really don't need to worry about trends or strategies. (Unless you think a trend looks funny - then that's great!)
If you run a business or have a stated purpose for your social media, it might be a good idea to keep an eye on things. MenThat said, you really don't have to jump on every trend. We're starting to feel a bit the other way round. That it's best (and most fun) if everyone does their own thing, no matter what happens to be trending this week.
So we'll continue to use social media in our own way, which is to showcase destinations and share experiences from our travels around Sweden, Europe and the world. You'll get to see us too, of course - but if there are any weird trends or poses with pouty mouths, then either Peter has lost it completely, or we're hacked...
So, if you want to follow our fairly trend-free Instagram, you can check out @freedomtravelnews!
What is your relationship with social media trends?
Do you use social media, and if so, what is your relationship with them? Do you follow new trends on Instagram or TikTok, and if so, is it because it's fun or because you think "it's important to keep up"?
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Ditte says:
I am actually quite uninterested. I don't care a bit about trends or anything else or to keep up - I don't understand what it would be good for when it comes to me. How others do is up to each individual. If one is to make a living with the help of social media, it will of course be different.
I basically use Facebook to join two groups. Nothing else. TikTok not at all. On the other hand, I use Instagram but completely without caring what others think .
08 May 2024 - 10:12
Helena says:
Thanks for your input Ditte! Yes, I think maybe the thing is to find how you want to use social media yourself, in a good / healthy / creative way. There can certainly be many ways, and it is important to find what suits you, regardless of others.
10 May 2024 - 20:13
Frido says:
A good strategy, stick to it!
The likes chasing is not only prevalent among young people but I see it in my parents' generation (born in the 40's and 50's) my god they chase likes without giving a thought to whether the content they are putting out makes sense. The fejsbook addiction is total. I myself have stopped using social media over 10 years ago and stick to reading blogs as a hobby and serious news sites in general.
08 May 2024 - 13:32
Helena says:
You're probably right that it's not just young people Frido...! Thanks for your input! Nice that you found what works for you! I myself have not managed to free myself so (and of course need social media in our work) so instead try to find the right approach 😉
10 May 2024 - 20:14
BP says:
How do you actually maintain a good relationship with social media..., you ask. The answer is simple - you don't, and you dare to refuse Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, among others.
I am totally trendless myself, which applies to pretty much everything, not just social media. And it doesn't make me sick, quite the opposite.
I even feel really sorry for trend-setting people. What enormous pressure they must put themselves under - a perpetual rat race. No, thank you!
08 May 2024 - 18:35
Helena says:
Your solution to this sounds soooo simple! I think it can be excellent, for some, to simply not use social media, but not for everyone. We need social media in our job, so then we have to wrestle a bit with how we relate instead 😉 Agree, if it becomes too "trensuktande" it can be much more work than fun ...
10 May 2024 - 20:16
Maria says:
Instagram is what I use most. Facebook a little bit. And I do what I want because those are my accounts. Those who want to follow are welcome but I rarely follow trends, unless it's something fun😜
I post where, when, how I want. Those who follow me have been loyal for years so it's probably a good thing.
14 May 2024 - 17:27