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Summer is slowly making its appearance in the UK, and the start of a new season means new trends to boost your social media marketing.
Seasonal promotions are one thing, but jumping on what’s popular on social media – whether it’s a trending song, challenge, or story – is where brands can truly reach their audience.
As well as the usual fun and lightheartedness, this month’s trends lean heavily on relatable content, which is something that can go a long way for brands looking to connect with their customers on a more personal level.
To help you out, we’ve been keeping a close eye on what’s trending across social media and have pulled together six of the biggest trends worth jumping on this May.
1. My top 5 horror movies
Sound: The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
We all have things that we hate or situations that immediately ruin our day. And this is exactly what “top 5 horror movies” is all about.
This trend has exploded on TikTok in the last month, with people sharing five of their own “horror stories” – whether that be everyday annoyances, things they don’t like, or moments in the past that they’d rather not talk about.
The trend’s vast popularity has inevitably caught the attention of many businesses, each of them sharing their personal horror stories. The humour and relatability of this trend means it’s easy for small businesses to jump on the bandwagon and connect with their target audience in a way that feels natural and not forced.
Source: Dollysdesserts (TikTok)
Source: Made By Mitchell (TikTok)
2. I’m yer son, I’m yer dad
Sound: I’m yer son, I’m yer dad – Barry Smith (TikTok user)
TikTok being TikTok means that the most unexpected sounds tend to gain the most traction. This time, an upbeat techno song by user Barry Smith – in which he and his son go back and forth with “I’m your son, and I’m your dad” – is making the rounds on the platform.
The song’s sudden popularity has led to over 13,000 posts with users recreating their own versions. It has also led to businesses putting their own spin on the trend, using the sound to have two products “sing” to each other – whether it’s large vs small or old vs new.
The fun element and silliness of this trend is a good way for businesses to show product differences or features in a way that’s entertaining rather than overly polished or sales-driven.
Source: Currys (TikTok)
Source: Subway UK & Ireland (TikTok)
3. Everything hallelujah
Sound: EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH – Justin Bieber
While the “top 5 horror movies” trend is all about sharing what we hate in life, “everything hallelujah” flips the script by focusing on gratitude and the little things we love.
Using the song “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH” by Justin Bieber, this trend involves people sharing a list of their favourite small moments, followed by “hallelujah” at the end.
For businesses, this trend is a chance to show off the best of their offerings, while mixing in a few universally loved moments – like better weather, sweet treats, or a well-earned lie-in at the weekend – to tap into that sense of relatability that is often sought out on social media.
Source: Little Moons (TikTok)
Source: Wild Refill (TikTok)
4. I Like It
Sound: I Like It – Party Pupils
Trending songs on TikTok rarely follow a predictable pattern as they can either be brand new releases or hits from decades ago that suddenly find a second life on the platform.
Lately, Party Pupil’s remix of “That’s the Way (I Like It)” by KC and The Sunshine Band has captured a lot of attention on TikTok, with 145.4K posts using the song.
As it’s the song itself that makes up this trend, there’s no set structure that needs to be followed. This means that businesses can use the sound however they want in their content – whether it’s for product promotion, announcing a new product line, or what makes their business stand out from competitors.
Source: Candy’s Cupcakes (TikTok)
Source: M&S Heswall (TikTok)
5. Shake your money maker
Sound: Money Maker – Ludacris
While the lines “shake your money maker” in Ludacris’s 2006 hit may refer to something else entirely, people on TikTok are leaning into it in a very literal (and comedic) way.
Specifically, the trend starts with someone facing the camera and looking as though they’re getting ready for a dance. However, when the song’s beat drops, they physically start shaking a second person in the video – usually their own partners or spouses.
But for businesses, the “money maker” in question here is their best-selling product, adding a twist to the format. Instead of a person, brands “shake” their top item, turning it into the star of the video.
Source: P.Louise (TikTok)
6. Work besties
Sound: Kunlun – George Shaw, Úyanga Bold
Planetarium – Justin Hurwitz
Having one or several “work besties” can make even the most stressful work days manageable.
This trend opens with a simple shot of one person’s feet on the ground, soon joined by two others. It then cuts to a sequence of close-ups of three pairs of hands holding different items, such as pens, cups or tea, and items that are sold by the business.
Businesses can use this trend to once again tap into the relatability of everyday life. It’s also a subtle way to showcase products while giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse of team culture, which can make a brand feel more human and approachable.
Source: Argos (TikTok)
Source: Primark (TikTok)
Trends may come and go, but strong engagement has lasting impact. Read our TikTok for Business guide to discover how to create content that showcases your brand, connects with your audience, and delivers real results.
