Hey
Trends move fast. One minute, everyone’s talking about a viral meme, and the next, it’s old news.
But here’s the real challenge – how do you turn trends into actual conversions? Because chasing trends just for engagement won’t do much for your bottom line.
I’ve seen brands go all in on a viral trend, racking up likes and shares, only to realize it didn’t translate into sales. That’s because there’s a difference between riding the trend and using the trend strategically to drive action.
Here’s what I’ve learned from running thousands of Meta ad campaigns: trends work best when they seamlessly tie into your product, your audience, and your offer. When done right, trending content can:
- Lower CPMs because people naturally engage with familiar content.
- Increase CTRs by making ads feel fresh, relevant, and timely.
- Reduce ad fatigue since trends are always evolving.
So how do you make trending ads that don’t just get attention—but actually convert? Here are 20+ ways to turn viral moments into high-performing Meta ads.
How to Turn Viral Trends Into Meta Ads That Actually Convert
- Leverage viral memes but tie them back to your product’s core message.
- Use trending sounds from Instagram Reels and TikTok in your video ads.
- Reference cultural moments like award shows, sports events, or viral news.
- Create “What Everyone’s Talking About” ads that position your brand in trending discussions.
- Jump on trending hashtags and phrases, but make sure they align with your brand.
- Use AI-generated trend reports (Google Trends, Exploding Topics) to stay ahead.
- Drop limited-time offers that align with current trends.
- Turn current events into relatable ad angles without being insensitive.
- Leverage influencer reactions to trending topics and insert your product naturally.
- Use real-time audience polls related to a trending debate.
- Capitalize on movie releases, anniversaries, or nostalgia-driven trends.
- Create seasonal content that aligns with holidays, but with a unique twist.
- Reference industry shifts in your ad copy to appear cutting-edge.
- Spin viral social media challenges into engaging ad creatives.
- Repurpose trending Twitter/X discussions into quick-hitting ad copy.
- Turn pop culture references into ad hooks that immediately connect.
- Run flash sales inspired by big cultural events happening in real-time.
- Use AI chat trends (e.g., ChatGPT hacks) to engage tech-savvy audiences.
- Play with trending visual aesthetics, like Y2K design or minimalist storytelling.
- Adapt to current economic or market conditions in your messaging.
- Test newsjacking—but ensure it’s relevant and won’t age poorly.
Trends create instant relatability. But the key is not to force it. If your audience wouldn’t naturally engage with a trend, don’t shoehorn it into your ads. The best trending ads feel organic and effortless.
If you’re unsure whether a trend will work for your brand, ask yourself:
- Can I connect this to my product’s core message?
- Does this trend align with my audience’s interests?
- Will this still make sense a month from now?
If the answer is yes, go for it. If not, sit it out—there will always be another trend around the corner.
Happy advertising.