your August trends and news recap

And just like August is in the rearview! This month was busy and full of new updates and trends, so we might as well just hop in and not waste another second!

trend alert: 'I'm going to hold your hand'

I'm going to hold your hand while I say this trend. This is your moment to share your hot take or say the thing people might not want to hear. Whether it's calling out an industry "ick" or giving your audience some tough love, this can be a time to educate your audience on your expertise. 

how to use it:

Start your video by saying, "Let me hold your hand while I say this..." is a great attention grabber. Then, dive right into your hot take, industry ick, or tough-love truth. Keep it authentic, back it up with your expertise, and end with a call to action your audience can use.

trend alert: 'who said that?'

The "Who said that?" trend pairs boldness with humor, making it a great tool for brands looking to show personality while still staying polished. The format plays on dramatic delivery, starting with a confident or cheeky statement made off-camera or while turned away.

how to use it:

Pick a concise, attention-grabbing statement that showcases your brand's personality or perspective. Record yourself delivering it off-camera or turned away, then turn to the lens and ask, "Who said that?" It's a quick way to inject humor and authenticity into your messaging.

Instagram update: new features

Instagram has rolled out three long-tested features to all users: re-posts, a friend map, and a new “Friends” tab in the Reels feed.

The most talked-about of the three is re-posts, not because the feature is unusual (it’s standard on many platforms), but because Instagram has avoided adding it for years. The concern? That making re-posting too easy could reduce the amount of original content being shared.

how to use it:

To re-post on Instagram, tap the paper airplane icon under a post and select “Repost.” The content will appear in your followers’ feeds and in a dedicated Reposts tab on your profile. For best results, add your own caption or note to share why it’s worth highlighting, so your feed stays authentic and engaging.

TikTok update: new app?

TikTok is expanding its “Out of Phone” advertising program, bringing TikTok content to even more real-world screens like shopping malls, taxis, gyms, cafes, and even water refill stations. Originally launched in 2023 with billboards and cinema promos, the program has steadily grown to include user-generated content and now offers even more visibility for both brands and creators beyond the app.

how to use it:

To use TikTok’s “Out of Phone” program, brands can extend their ad campaigns to real-world screens like billboards, gyms, taxis, and cafes through TikTok Ads Manager. For creators, producing engaging content and partnering with brands boosts the chance of being featured beyond the app.

This has been one of my favorite months yet! I don't see September slowing down, so you know just where to find me in a month's time. In the meantime, I’ll keep up with everyone on socials! I'd better see these trends in use.