Capitalising on What's Hot

Moments of shared excitement have the power to capture public attention on a massive scale, even among those not normally engaged with the topic- think back to when England reached the semi-finals in the 2021 Euros. When something becomes a trending event, it presents a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with audiences, spark conversations, and increase visibility.

This raises an important question: as an industry, are we sometimes guilty of letting these moments pass us by, missing opportunities for business growth?

How can you create a buzz for your business by riding the wave of trending topics?

1. Identify relevant trends - Trends come in all shapes and sizes and don’t need to be directly linked to the marine industry. They can stem from global events, local celebrations, major news stories, competitions, or even light-hearted viral challenges. The key is to spot the ones that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience.

2. Get involved - Use a trending topic as a springboard for engagement. Your response doesn’t need to be costly or complicated. You could host a themed event, offer a time-limited promotion, run a topical competition, or create an eye-catching display to attract passing customers. The goal is to be timely, relevant, and memorable.

3. Leverage social media - Go beyond standard, generic hashtags and create content that is keyword-rich and directly linked to the trend. Use relevant hashtags to improve discoverability, and craft posts that invite interaction, whether through comments, shares, or user-generated content.

Incorporating trending topics into your existing marketing plan is a cost-effective way to give your strategy an extra boost. By acting quickly, thinking creatively, and joining the conversation while it’s still hot, you can amplify your reach and strengthen your connection with your audience.