February 4, 2025 • 5 mins
Tired of seeing the same social media trends recycled over and over? You’re not alone. 76% of social media users are overwhelmed by repetitive content (2024 HubSpot Study). People are zoning out, engagement is dropping, and if you’re blending in—you’re losing.
But here’s the truth: the creators and brands actually growing aren’t just following trends; they’re breaking them. So in this episode of The Social Media Reality Check, we’re diving into:
🔥 Why trend fatigue is killing engagement and what to do instead.
🔥 How to inject personality into your content and actually stand out.
🔥 Three actionable strategies you can implement today to make your content unforgettable.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔ Why TikTok & Instagram’s algorithms are shifting away from trends and toward original content.
✔ How to create a signature series so people instantly recognize your content.
✔ Why flipping the format can make your posts perform better than following trends.
✔ How making your audience part of your content boosts engagement & builds community.
✔ Real-world examples of creators who grew without selling their soul to the algorithm.
📌 Stats Mentioned:
📊 76% of social media users feel overwhelmed by repetitive content (HubSpot, 2024).
📊 TikTok trends burn out in just 48 hours—meaning trend-chasing is a losing game.
📊 78% of consumers feel more connected to brands that feature real customers or community members (Sprout Social, 2024).
📌 Examples of Creators Who Stand Out:
🎯 Chris Do (@thechrisdo) – Whiteboard breakdowns instead of trendy content.
🎯 Seth Godin – Minimalist text posts that cut through the noise.
🎯 Duolingo – Built viral success by involving their audience in content.
🔥 Actionable Takeaways: Implement These Today!
1️⃣ Create a Signature Series – Develop a recognizable content format that makes you a brand, not just a creator.
2️⃣ Flip the Format – Ditch cookie-cutter content styles and experiment with unexpected visuals or storytelling.
3️⃣ Make Your Audience the Content – Engage your followers by featuring their responses, comments, or experiences.
📌 Keep the Conversation Going!
💬 What strategy are you going to implement? DM me on Instagram @wheeler_marketing_agency—I’d love to see it in action!
📩 Found this episode helpful? Share it with a friend who’s stuck in the trend trap!
🚀 Ready to cut through the social media noise? Send us a DM or head to wheelermarketingagency.com and let's chat about your business.
🔔 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and never miss an insider growth strategy again.
Timestamps
Strategy 1: 02:08
Strategy 2: 03:03
Strategy 3: 04:00
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
welcome to the social media reality check
the show that cuts through the noise
and brings you real
actionable social media strategies that really work
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and with over 15 years of experience
managing social media for business
I'm here to share what's actually moving the needle
no fluff no outdated tactics
practical strategies you can implement today
(00:26):
hey everyone
welcome to the social media reality check
and today I am spilling
the tea on something that has been driving me crazy
lately
everyone and their grandma is posting the same content
like how many times
do we need to see another Instagram growth hack
you must try
that's basically just repurposed advice from 2018
(00:46):
we're in this weird era
where social media feels like a giant copy
paste machine but here's the thing
the people who are actually growing
aren't just following trends
they're breaking them
so today I'm talking about why trend fatigue is real
how to actually inject personality into your content
and some real life examples of creators
(01:07):
who ditch the trends and still won big
oh and of course
I have got three real strategies
you can implement today to make your content stand out
without selling your soul to the algorithm gods
so let's get into it okay
let's start with why
we're even having this conversation
right now 76% of social media users
say they are overwhelmed by repetitive content
(01:30):
according to a 2024 Hubspot study
people are scrolling seeing the same format
the same captions the same audios and just zoning out
and we all wonder why engagement has been tanking
it's because users are tuning out the noise
and if you look like everyone else
guess what you're part of that noise
TikTok trends used to last weeks
(01:51):
now they burn out in 48 hours
Instagram used to reward trendy audios
now they're prioritizing original contents
so if you've been wondering
why isn't my content hitting like it used to
audiences are craving something new
and that brings me to our first strategy
strategy No. 1 create a signature series
(02:11):
so people instantly recognize you
here's the problem most people are chasing trends
instead of owning a space
but let me tell you the fastest growing creators
are the ones who create something so recognizable
that when people see it they instantly know oh
that's you know who before even looking at the username
Tate Chris do
he's known for his whiteboard breakdowns
(02:34):
it's not fancy it's not trendy
but it's unique to him
and it's made him a thought leader
so here's how you can do it too
No. 1
choose a repeatable format that's easy to recreate
No. 2 make sure it plays to your strengths
if you're funny make it humorous
if you're a teacher make it educational
and No. 3 give it name because branding matters
(02:54):
if you post one off random trends
you're forgettable if you create a recognizable series
you become a brand huge difference
strategy number two flip the format
most people play it safe with the same old content
formats talking head videos
here's a tip carousels voice overs on trending audios
(03:15):
but here's something cool
unexpected formats perform ridiculously well
instead of a talking head
try text on screen with no face
it's great for you know
keeping the mystery instead of an infographic
post a handwritten note yes
literally scribble your tip on paper and take a photo
instead of another AI generated caption
(03:35):
tell a mini story that feels personal
example Seth Goden
he doesn't post fancy graphics
he literally just types short
bold thought provoking text on a plain background
and guess what millions of people read his stuff why
because it's different from what everyone else is doing
so if you're feeling like your content is blending
into the noise ask yourself
(03:56):
what's one small way I can present this differently
strategy No. 3 make your audience part of your content
you know what's more powerful than a viral trend
making people feel seen
I recently saw this study on Sprout Social that said
78% of consumers feel more connected to brands
that feature real customers
(04:16):
or community members example
look at how Duolingo went viral
not by chasing every trend
but by making their followers part of their content
here's how you can do the same
No. 1 pull your audience
and create content based on their answers
No. 2 feature real comments
or DMs in your posts with permission
(04:37):
of course and No. 3
create running inside jokes with your community
so they feel like they're part of something bigger
this is literally how fan bases are built
people love to feel like they belong somewhere
alright so let's recap real quick
trend fatigue is real
and people are tired of seeing the same
recycled content
create a signature series that makes your content
(04:59):
instantly recognizable
flip the format and ditch the same old video styles
and try something fresh
make your audience part of the content
because the more they feel involved
the more they are engaged
social media isn't about who can go viral the fastest
it's about who can be remembered
so this week I challenge you
pick one of these strategies and try it
(05:20):
DM me on Instagram
and tell me which one you're gonna implement
because I want to see you win
and if this episode helped you
take 5 seconds to share it with somebody
who's stuck in the trend trap
and I promise you they will
thank you later thanks for hanging out with me today
and catch you next time
on the social media reality check
remember social media doesn't have to be complicated
(05:41):
it just has to be real until next time
this is Danielle Wheeler
reminding you to keep it authentic
keep it strategic
and always get your social media reality check
welcome to the social media reality check
the show that cuts through the noise
and brings you real
actionable social media strategies that really work
I'm your host Danielle Wheeler
and with over 15 years of experience
managing social media for business
I'm here to share what's actually moving the needle
no fluff no outdated tactics
practical strategies you can implement today
(00:26):
hey everyone
welcome to the social media reality check
and today I am spilling
the tea on something that has been driving me crazy
lately
everyone and their grandma is posting the same content
like how many times
do we need to see another Instagram growth hack
you must try
that's basically just repurposed advice from 2018
(00:46):
we're in this weird era
where social media feels like a giant copy
paste machine but here's the thing
the people who are actually growing
aren't just following trends
they're breaking them
so today I'm talking about why trend fatigue is real
how to actually inject personality into your content
and some real life examples of creators
(01:07):
who ditch the trends and still won big
oh and of course
I have got three real strategies
you can implement today to make your content stand out
without selling your soul to the algorithm gods
so let's get into it okay
let's start with why
we're even having this conversation
right now 76% of social media users
say they are overwhelmed by repetitive content
(01:30):
according to a 2024 Hubspot study
people are scrolling seeing the same format
the same captions the same audios and just zoning out
and we all wonder why engagement has been tanking
it's because users are tuning out the noise
and if you look like everyone else
guess what you're part of that noise
TikTok trends used to last weeks
(01:51):
now they burn out in 48 hours
Instagram used to reward trendy audios
now they're prioritizing original contents
so if you've been wondering
why isn't my content hitting like it used to
audiences are craving something new
and that brings me to our first strategy
strategy No. 1 create a signature series
(02:11):
so people instantly recognize you
here's the problem most people are chasing trends
instead of owning a space
but let me tell you the fastest growing creators
are the ones who create something so recognizable
that when people see it they instantly know oh
that's you know who before even looking at the username
Tate Chris do
he's known for his whiteboard breakdowns
(02:34):
it's not fancy it's not trendy
but it's unique to him
and it's made him a thought leader
so here's how you can do it too
No. 1
choose a repeatable format that's easy to recreate
No. 2 make sure it plays to your strengths
if you're funny make it humorous
if you're a teacher make it educational
and No. 3 give it name because branding matters
(02:54):
if you post one off random trends
you're forgettable if you create a recognizable series
you become a brand huge difference
strategy number two flip the format
most people play it safe with the same old content
formats talking head videos
here's a tip carousels voice overs on trending audios
(03:15):
but here's something cool
unexpected formats perform ridiculously well
instead of a talking head
try text on screen with no face
it's great for you know
keeping the mystery instead of an infographic
post a handwritten note yes
literally scribble your tip on paper and take a photo
instead of another AI generated caption
(03:35):
tell a mini story that feels personal
example Seth Goden
he doesn't post fancy graphics
he literally just types short
bold thought provoking text on a plain background
and guess what millions of people read his stuff why
because it's different from what everyone else is doing
so if you're feeling like your content is blending
into the noise ask yourself
(03:56):
what's one small way I can present this differently
strategy No. 3 make your audience part of your content
you know what's more powerful than a viral trend
making people feel seen
I recently saw this study on Sprout Social that said
78% of consumers feel more connected to brands
that feature real customers
(04:16):
or community members example
look at how Duolingo went viral
not by chasing every trend
but by making their followers part of their content
here's how you can do the same
No. 1 pull your audience
and create content based on their answers
No. 2 feature real comments
or DMs in your posts with permission
(04:37):
of course and No. 3
create running inside jokes with your community
so they feel like they're part of something bigger
this is literally how fan bases are built
people love to feel like they belong somewhere
alright so let's recap real quick
trend fatigue is real
and people are tired of seeing the same
recycled content
create a signature series that makes your content
(04:59):
instantly recognizable
flip the format and ditch the same old video styles
and try something fresh
make your audience part of the content
because the more they feel involved
the more they are engaged
social media isn't about who can go viral the fastest
it's about who can be remembered
so this week I challenge you
pick one of these strategies and try it
(05:20):
DM me on Instagram
and tell me which one you're gonna implement
because I want to see you win
and if this episode helped you
take 5 seconds to share it with somebody
who's stuck in the trend trap
and I promise you they will
thank you later thanks for hanging out with me today
and catch you next time
on the social media reality check
remember social media doesn't have to be complicated
(05:41):
it just has to be real until next time
this is Danielle Wheeler
reminding you to keep it authentic
keep it strategic
and always get your social media reality check
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