When a trend clashes with your brand’s values, here’s a quick playbook: Know Your Values: Make sure your team is on the same page. Only join trends that fit. Assess Impact: If the trend doesn’t align, skip it or address it carefully. Be Open: If you respond, explain why clearly to build trust. Offer Your View: Share content that reflects your values instead of joining the trend directly. Watch Reactions: Be ready to respond respectfully if needed. Learn for Next Time: Use each experience to refine your approach. Staying true to your values builds loyalty and credibility.

Keep your brand's values at the heart of everything you do, because they define who you are. Trends and hashtags come and go, but strong brand values stand the test of time.

Anything forced is an instant mood killer. Also, to the casual eye it will likely seem that you are trying too hard. Effortless, elegant, and entrenched are the keywords and the brand's core messaging must not be tampered with at any cost. Best strategy, ignore. Watch the leaves float by and wait for your turn. Or, if you are feeling particularly nippy, maybe position your stand to attract the audience that feels the popular trend is a bit too much.

Know Your Brand: 🎯 Understand your brand's core values and mission. This will be your compass when navigating the stormy seas of social media. Be Selective: 🔍 Not every trend is worth chasing. Pick and choose the ones that genuinely resonate with your audience and align with your brand's voice. Add Your Spin: 🌀 Even if you're using a popular hashtag, put your unique twist on it. Share a personal story, offer a fresh perspective, or ask a thought-provoking question. Listen to Your Gut: 👂 If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don't be afraid to step back.

It's in this scenario that your brand values are diametrically opposed to the trending hashtag; it's vital that authenticity and integrity over temporary popularity. First, figure out whether you are genuinely connected with your brand's mission and your audience using this hashtag. If you are not, then you create your own content from your values speaking about similar things, taking a stand without compromising your integrity. You can also, in the same breath, say something enlightening or point of view that brings refreshing perspective into the conversation while relating it respectfully to your brand. You have to get consistency right on values but at a cost of failing to capture some trends sometimes.