With the changing of the seasons, many internet users found themselves “falling” (get it?) for a slew of fun, new social media trends. September gave us instant hit music, loveable mammals, and plenty of political humor to boot. Let’s take a look at what trends got folks online talking during the month of September and what we can learn from them to start properly calling out “viral-worthy” content as we see it.
This trend first reached its impressive social heights in the early summer. But it has stuck around into the first “-ber” month for a great customizable TikTok/Instagram template. To participate in the trend, users identified something that brings them happiness or gets them out of a funk and filled in the blank after “I just needed a…”, soundtracked by Madonna’s 1983 hit “Holiday”. Many took the opportunity to share their beautiful photos or videos of said thing. Others simply cut to a humorous clip of themselves participating in whatever activity they choose.
The lesson here? Never miss an opportunity to customize a trend to fit your brand/personality. If the popular audio leaves an invisible blank for you, fill it in!
Following the September 10th presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, we were blessed with a smorgasbord of meme-able moments. It’s hard to believe that this is what politics looks like in 2024, yet here we are. While these may not be prime examples of marketable content for your brand, we think you might want to take note of the value that exists in utilizing hot topics like a presidential debate to reach new audiences.
Whether we’re talking about wild accusations, casual roastings, or hard-to-hide reactions, the debate did not disappoint in the way of virality. Here are just a few things that came out of the debate:
If you are a social media manager, you should keep a close eye on social media for "meme-able" content the day after a big event like this. You’re almost guaranteed an instant hit and if you can get creative without being too controversial, you’re golden.
We simply can’t forget about Moo Deng, the precious baby hippo at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand that everybody fell in love with during the month of September. Dubbed an “unlikely TikTok star” by Forbes, Moo Deng became an overnight sensation when images of her biting someone’s leg (in an adorable manner), getting sprayed down, pet, and lifted by a zookeeper began circulating. If there’s one thing people love, it’s a too-cute-for-words animal like Moo Deng – especially if their little personalities present the chance to be "meme-ified".
Here are a few examples of how online users took her cuteness and ran to create some next-level, shareable “aww” moments:
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the content that can be created from Moo Deng’s sweet little existence. She can literally be edited into almost any setting, such as your workplace or favorite landmark. Her facial expressions are simply unmatched and quite relatable – perfect for comparing to the struggles of everyday life. The best part is, if done right, even the silliest trends can show marked improvement in your reach and engagement. You should never rule out a trend before considering all the ways you could make it work for you!
Lastly, we want to highlight another great customizable trend that was a big hit with the girlies in September: the “This and yap.” trend. The term “yap” made a big resurgence this year, with Gen Z repurposing it as a method of self deprecation (Are You Talking, or Are You 'Yapping'?), or defining a conversation as something of little importance.
Now, the internet has found a new way to present your ideal day, showcasing the places, things and overall vibes necessary for a proper yap.
Some inspo for your next yap session, if you please:
Since the photo dump is arguably on its way out, you may want to consider this alternative for a great way to put your day of memories on display.
That’s a wrap on our favorite trends and memes from September. We hope you learned a lot from this variety of social hits and feel inspired to conquer your next month of content (even if you have to take it day by day with these trend cycles). Trending content always presents a refreshing new way to keep our audiences engaged and wanting more – even if it’s just for the laughs at first. As you search for inspo in the coming months, keep an eye out for opportunities to capitalize on trending audios, easily customizable templates, and big cultural moments alike.
At That RANDOM Agency, we utilize two of our core values – curiosity and collaboration – to bring you consistent content helping you learn about the great digital landscape and how to operate like a boss within it. Check out our other blog posts on our Random Thoughts page or schedule a discovery call today!
