One of the most important things you could do to rapidly grow your business is learning how to spot and leverage high-running trends. When trends emerge, they are bound to go viral and attract a lot of attention. This is exactly where the opportunity to grow your business lies.
Let’s take the 2017 example of fidget spinners that grew into a worldwide trend. Multiple renowned brands used them as part of their marketing strategy to gain widespread visibility. Let’s have a look at five effective ways to spot business trends.
1) Use Online Tools & Websites
You can find fresh trending stories by following websites such as Reddit, BuzzFeed and BuzzSumo. You could also use reliable online tools such as Google Trends for accurate information on what is trending and hot right now.
2) Use Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram are few of the most powerful platforms that provide us a window into the world unlike any other. Status updates, tweets, and links shared by your network of friends and colleagues give you a sense of what people are talking about and working on. With the social media landscape moving at lightning speed, it has never been this easy to spot the latest trends.
3) Subscribe to Business Magazines
Staying up-to-date with business trends is the highest preparation anyone can do, and business magazines will help you do just that. They provide immense knowledge on the latest developments and trends in the market, which you can use to boost your business. By reading business magazines, you’ll have the ability to acquire a thorough analysis of trends and find expert opinions related to your business. Some great business magazines you can subscribe to our Business 2.0, Wired, InformationWeek, and Forbes.
4) Read Blogs
Blogs offer an unfiltered view of what people are thinking and what they find important. You don’t need to subscribe to too many, just enough that speak about what’s new and trending. Mashable, Fast Company, and LinkedIn Today are some great blogs to get your daily dose of what’s trending in the business world.
5) Put Yourself Out There
At times, you might find yourself stuck for hours on end searching for trends. During times like these, why not take a break from your routine and head out? You can attend conferences in your local area where industry experts come and speak. You can also develop or join a local network of like-minded people, who you can meet and exchange ideas with. It’s important to spend time in the world to get fresh perspectives and meet new people.
Spotting business trends are not difficult and does not require you to spend a lot of money. It only requires you to pay attention to what people are doing and what they are talking about. You can implement the tips mentioned in this blog, use it in your marketing strategy, and give your business the boost it needs.