Trend Spotter

---
name: trend-spotter
description: Identifies trending topics, hashtags, content formats, and cultural moments relevant to your brand. Helps time influencer campaigns for maximum relevance and engagement.
---

# Trend Spotter

This skill helps you identify and capitalize on trends that matter to your audience. It monitors social conversations, emerging topics, viral content formats, and cultural moments to inform influencer campaign timing and content strategy.

## When to Use This Skill

- Planning campaign timing and themes
- Identifying trending content formats to incorporate
- Finding viral moments to leverage
- Discovering emerging hashtags and challenges
- Understanding cultural conversations relevant to your brand
- Staying ahead of competitor trend adoption

## What This Skill Does

1. **Trend Identification**: Spots emerging trends across platforms
2. **Relevance Assessment**: Evaluates trend fit for your brand
3. **Timing Analysis**: Determines optimal moment to act
4. **Format Discovery**: Identifies trending content formats
5. **Cultural Monitoring**: Tracks cultural moments and conversations
6. **Competitor Tracking**: Monitors competitor trend adoption

## How to Use

### Discover Current Trends

```
What trends are relevant for [brand/industry] right now?
```

```
Find trending content formats on [platform] for [category]
```

### Plan Around Trends

```
What upcoming cultural moments should [brand] consider for influencer campaigns?
```

### Analyze Specific Trends

```
Should [brand] participate in [trend/challenge]? Analyze the opportunity.
```

## Instructions

When a user requests trend analysis:

1. **Define Trend Parameters**

   ```markdown
   ### Trend Analysis Parameters
   
   **Brand/Industry**: [name]
   **Target Platforms**: [platforms]
   **Target Audience**: [audience description]
   **Geographic Focus**: [regions]
   **Time Horizon**: [immediate/this month/this quarter]
   **Content Categories**: [relevant categories]
   ```

2. **Identify Current Trends**

   ```markdown
   ## Current Trend Landscape
   
   ### Trending Topics
   
   | Topic | Platform | Volume | Relevance | Lifespan |
   |-------|----------|--------|-----------|----------|
   | [Topic 1] | [platform] | High/Med/Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [days/weeks] |
   | [Topic 2] | [platform] | High/Med/Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [days/weeks] |
   | [Topic 3] | [platform] | High/Med/Low | ⭐⭐⭐ | [days/weeks] |
   
   ### Trending Hashtags
   
   | Hashtag | Platform | Posts | Growth | Brand Fit |
   |---------|----------|-------|--------|-----------|
   | #[hashtag1] | [platform] | [volume] | +[%] | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
   | #[hashtag2] | [platform] | [volume] | +[%] | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
   
   ### Trending Audio/Sounds
   
   | Sound | Platform | Uses | Origin | Brand Safe |
   |-------|----------|------|--------|------------|
   | [sound 1] | TikTok | [count] | [source] | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
   | [sound 2] | Reels | [count] | [source] | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
   
   ### Trending Challenges
   
   | Challenge | Platforms | Participation | Difficulty | Risk |
   |-----------|-----------|---------------|------------|------|
   | [challenge 1] | [platforms] | [level] | [easy/medium/hard] | [risk level] |
   ```

3. **Analyze Content Format Trends**

   ```markdown
   ## Trending Content Formats
   
   ### Video Formats
   
   | Format | Platform | Performance | Example | Adoption |
   |--------|----------|-------------|---------|----------|
   | [Format 1] | [platform] | [engagement] | [example] | Rising/Peak/Declining |
   | [Format 2] | [platform] | [engagement] | [example] | Rising/Peak/Declining |
   
   **Hot Formats Right Now**:
   
   1. **[Format Name]**
      - What it is: [description]
      - Why it works: [explanation]
      - Best for: [use cases]
      - How to adapt: [brand approach]
      - Example: [link or description]
   
   2. **[Format Name]**
      - What it is: [description]
      - Why it works: [explanation]
      - Best for: [use cases]
      - How to adapt: [brand approach]
   
   ### Emerging Formats to Watch
   
   | Format | Platform | Status | When to Adopt |
   |--------|----------|--------|---------------|
   | [format] | [platform] | Early adopter phase | Now for first-mover advantage |
   | [format] | [platform] | Growing | Next 2-4 weeks |
   
   ### Declining Formats to Avoid
   
   | Format | Platform | Why Declining | Alternative |
   |--------|----------|---------------|-------------|
   | [format] | [platform] | [reason] | [alternative] |
   ```

4. **Track Cultural Moments**

   ```markdown
   ## Cultural Calendar & Moments
   
   ### Upcoming Cultural Moments
   
   | Event/Moment | Date | Relevance | Lead Time | Opportunity |
   |--------------|------|-----------|-----------|-------------|
   | [Event 1] | [date] | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [weeks needed] | [opportunity description] |
   | [Event 2] | [date] | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [weeks needed] | [opportunity description] |
   | [Event 3] | [date] | ⭐⭐⭐ | [weeks needed] | [opportunity description] |
   
   ### Cultural Conversations
   
   **Active Conversations to Join**:
   
   | Conversation | Platforms | Sentiment | Brand Angle |
   |--------------|-----------|-----------|-------------|
   | [topic] | [platforms] | Positive/Mixed/Negative | [how to participate] |
   
   **Conversations to Avoid**:
   
   | Topic | Risk Level | Why Avoid |
   |-------|------------|-----------|
   | [topic] | High | [reason] |
   
   ### Seasonal Opportunities
   
   | Season/Period | Themes | Content Ideas | Influencer Angle |
   |---------------|--------|---------------|------------------|
   | [period] | [themes] | [ideas] | [approach] |
   ```

5. **Assess Trend Relevance**

   ```markdown
   ## Trend Relevance Assessment
   
   ### Trend: [Name]
   
   **Overview**:
   - What: [description]
   - Origin: [where it started]
   - Current Status: [rising/peaking/declining]
   - Platform: [primary platforms]
   - Audience: [who's participating]
   
   **Brand Fit Analysis**:
   
   | Factor | Score | Notes |
   |--------|-------|-------|
   | Audience alignment | [1-5] | [explanation] |
   | Brand value fit | [1-5] | [explanation] |
   | Content adaptability | [1-5] | [explanation] |
   | Risk level | [1-5] | [explanation] |
   | Timing window | [1-5] | [explanation] |
   | **Total Score** | [X/25] | |
   
   **Recommendation**: ✅ Participate / ⚠️ Proceed with caution / ❌ Skip
   
   **If Participating**:
   - Best approach: [how to adapt]
   - Timing: [when to post]
   - Influencer type: [who should create]
   - Risk mitigation: [how to stay safe]
   
   **If Skipping**:
   - Reason: [why not]
   - Alternative: [what to do instead]
   ```

6. **Monitor Competitor Trend Adoption**

   ```markdown
   ## Competitor Trend Activity
   
   ### Competitor Trend Adoption
   
   | Competitor | Recent Trends Adopted | Performance | Learnings |
   |------------|----------------------|-------------|-----------|
   | [Comp 1] | [trends] | [results if known] | [what to learn] |
   | [Comp 2] | [trends] | [results if known] | [what to learn] |
   
   ### Gap Analysis
   
   **Trends competitors are missing**:
   - [Trend 1]: [opportunity for you]
   - [Trend 2]: [opportunity for you]
   
   **Trends competitors are overusing**:
   - [Trend 1]: [saturation level]
   
   ### Best Practices from Competitors
   
   | Competitor | What They Did Well | How to Apply |
   |------------|-------------------|--------------|
   | [comp] | [execution] | [your approach] |
   ```

7. **Generate Trend Report**

   ```markdown
   # Trend Report: [Brand/Industry]
   
   **Report Date**: [date]
   **Time Horizon**: [period covered]
   
   ## Executive Summary
   
   **Top 3 Trends to Act On Now**:
   1. [Trend 1]: [why and how]
   2. [Trend 2]: [why and how]
   3. [Trend 3]: [why and how]
   
   **Trends to Watch**:
   - [Trend]: [when it might peak]
   
   **Trends to Avoid**:
   - [Trend]: [why]
   
   ## Priority Action Items
   
   ### Immediate (This Week)
   
   1. **[Trend/Opportunity]**
      - Action: [specific action]
      - Influencer approach: [type of creator]
      - Content format: [format]
      - Hashtags: [relevant hashtags]
   
   ### Short-term (This Month)
   
   1. **[Trend/Opportunity]**
      - Action: [specific action]
      - Timeline: [when to execute]
   
   ### Plan Ahead (This Quarter)
   
   | Opportunity | Timing | Prep Needed | Budget Consideration |
   |-------------|--------|-------------|---------------------|
   | [opportunity] | [date] | [weeks] | [notes] |
   
   ## Content Format Recommendations
   
   | Platform | Hot Formats | Content Ideas |
   |----------|-------------|---------------|
   | TikTok | [formats] | [ideas] |
   | Instagram | [formats] | [ideas] |
   | YouTube | [formats] | [ideas] |
   
   ## Hashtag Strategy
   
   **Trending to use**:
   - #[hashtag] - [context]
   - #[hashtag] - [context]
   
   **Brand + Trend combinations**:
   - #[brand] + #[trend] = [combination]
   
   ## Risk Assessment
   
   | Trend | Risk Level | Mitigation |
   |-------|------------|------------|
   | [trend] | [level] | [how to stay safe] |
   
   ## Next Steps
   
   1. Brief influencers on [top trend]
   2. Create content calendar incorporating [cultural moments]
   3. Monitor [emerging trends] for right timing
   4. Review trend report again on [date]
   ```

## Example

**User**: "What TikTok trends should a fitness brand leverage right now?"

**Output**:

```markdown
# TikTok Fitness Trends Report

## Top Trends to Leverage Now

### 1. "Hot Girl Walk" Evolution
- **What**: Walking content with self-improvement audio
- **Volume**: 2.3B views on related hashtags
- **Status**: Still growing, evolved into multiple variations
- **Brand Fit**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect for fitness apparel/supplements
- **How to Use**: Partner with lifestyle influencers for "walk with me" content featuring products

### 2. "75 Hard" / Challenge Content
- **What**: Fitness challenge documentation
- **Volume**: 1.8B views
- **Status**: Evergreen, consistent interest
- **Brand Fit**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great for supplements, programs
- **How to Use**: Sponsor influencers doing challenges, provide products as part of their journey

### 3. GRWM (Get Ready With Me) Workout Edition
- **What**: Pre-workout routines showing products used
- **Volume**: Rising trend
- **Status**: Early growth phase - first mover advantage
- **Brand Fit**: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect for all fitness products
- **How to Use**: Brief creators on "GRWM: Gym Edition" showing outfit + supplements + routine

## Content Format Recommendation

Best performing format: 15-30 second videos with:
- Hook in first 2 seconds
- Trending audio
- Text overlay
- Quick cuts

## Hashtags to Use
- #FitTok (42B views)
- #GymTok (18B views)
- #[Your product category specific]

## Action: Brief your influencers this week on GRWM Gym Edition content
```

## Tips for Success

1. **Act fast but thoughtfully** - Trends move quickly, but brand safety matters
2. **Adapt, don't copy** - Put your brand's spin on trends
3. **Consider timing** - Early is better, but not too early
4. **Monitor continuously** - Set up regular trend reviews
5. **Know when to skip** - Not every trend is for every brand

## Related Skills

- [audience-analyzer](../audience-analyzer/) - Understand what trends resonate with your audience
- [niche-researcher](../niche-researcher/) - Find niche-specific trends
- [campaign-planner](../../plan/campaign-planner/) - Incorporate trends into campaigns
- [content-reviewer](../../activate/content-reviewer/) - Ensure trend content is on-brand