August 2024 has been a dynamic month, with the Summer Olympics in Paris taking center stage and sparking a fresh wave of social media trends. Alongside the global spectacle, we’ve seen a rise in unlikely micro trends and the subtle shift as summer transitions into fall.
Trends can offer marketers and brands on social media some great lessons as they attempt to understand audience behaviors. So, let’s dive into the trends and memes of August 2024 that really stood out to uncover the factors behind their virality.
If you’ve heard anyone use the words “demure” or “cutesy” within the last few weeks, you can thank Chicago-based TikTok content creator Jools Lebron. The trend started when Lebron talked her audience through her ‘very demure’ approach to workday attire. In the video, she says, “You see how I do my makeup for work? Very demure. Very mindful.”
The original video has now garnered over 50 million views, sparking a viral micro-movement. Now, thousands of TikTok users have shared their own takes on how they stay ‘demure’ and ‘mindful’ while going about their daily routines.
What we can learn from this trend: The “demure” trend is a prime example of how simple, relatable content can ignite viral conversations. Jools Lebron’s content resonated because it was authentic and relatable. The rapid spread of this trend shows the potential of micro-movements to grow into viral sensations.
The 2024 Summer Olympics was not only an impressive showcase of peak athleticism but also the source of plenty of memes. Thanks to a handful of unforgettable participants, the internet had its fun churning out relatable content. Two of these iconic Olympians were Turkish pistol sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec, whose nonchalant stance won him some aura points, and Australian breakdancer ‘Raygun’, whose unusual dance may have lost her some aura points.
What we can learn from these trends: Major events (especially sporting events) will always spark memes and trends. This is the world we live in now. It’s up to marketers and brands alike to not only be ready for when these trends happen but anticipate them months in advance.
Yep, another 1-second social media trend has arrived. A couple of months ago, we saw the ‘Slow Blink’ trend take off, and its success was so huge that a new version has popped up. This time, it’s all about finger-snapping—and it’s just as versatile.
Thanks to Instagram’s replay feature, where reels automatically loop if watched to the end, these 1-second videos practically guarantee that users will watch them multiple times. With minimal effort and big potential for reach, creators are jumping on the bandwagon to see if they can rack up views.
What we can learn from this trend: Ordinary social media users are more marketing-savvy than you might think. Trends like these that go viral are not started by digital marketers or social media experts but by regular users who understand the basics of how the algorithm works.
August is the unofficial end of summer, and many take this time to look back on the summer fun they had. But of course, the question has to be asked: “Did you even have a good summer if you didn’t post about it on social media?”
Summer recaps are nothing new, but this year, the trend has emerged in full force. Thousands are taking the opportunity to show off their adventures, travels, and food experiences. Unsurprisingly, these types of trends also spark a ton of CapCut templates to be made and shared with users.
What we can learn from this trend: As the seasons change, so do trends on social media. Brands and marketers should take advantage of seasonal trends and anticipate what trends might emerge as the seasons change (i.e. sweater weather, pumpkin spice latte, etc.).
Billie Eilish may have released her newest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, a few months ago, but her hard-hitting song, ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER,’ has continued to make rounds on TikTok. Since its upload, the song has inspired over 800k TikTok videos.
Fans have understood the song’s moody sentiment and are pairing it with videos of friendship, relationships, pets, and all the simple joys of life.
What we can learn from this trend: New song releases from major artists mean big trends on social media. Just like the trends we’ve seen surrounding Sabrina Carpenter, Charlie XCX, and Chappell Roan, fans are using artists’ songs as soundtracks for their lives. Whether the vibe is empowering, moody, or ‘brat,’ social media users will create content that resonates with the mood of the music.
If there’s anything we’ve learned, it’s that the internet never misses a chance to turn anything into a trend. From Olympic memes that had us all questioning our dance skills, to TikTok users showing off their “demure” office looks, it’s been a whirlwind of content.
For marketers and brands, the lesson is simple—stay on your toes and be ready to jump on social media trends faster than you can say “pumpkin spice season.” Whether it’s a viral song or a sporting event, the opportunities to connect with audiences are endless. Just don’t wait too long, or next thing you know, we’ll be onto sweater weather memes.
At That RANDOM Agency, we’re always letting our curiosity lead us to new insights that apply to the digital landscape. Check out our other blog posts on our Random Thoughts page or schedule a discovery call today!
