How to Learn from Trend-Signals & Social-First Content

How to Learn from Trend-Signals & Social-First Content

Author: Convince & Convert July 26, 2024 Duration: 35:47

Leaning into social-first content can help you connect to the trends that your audience is already engaged with. The key to great social-first content? Being a content consumer yourself, says our guest this week, Byron Stewart, Associate Director of Social Media at Team Epiphany.

Full Episode Details 

By tapping into the current online culture and trends, you're in the perfect position to jump onto new opportunities to expand your brand's reach. That's what Bryon found when he worked at Foot Locker. As he was scrolling on Twitter at the gym, he spotted an opportunity to jump on a meme about Machine Gun Kelly being a Foot Locker employee. Not long after he posted, the Tweet went viral. This is a perfect example of how you can build social-first content (sometimes with minimal work) with a consumer mindset – a key theme running through this episode with Byron.

Byron shares his advice for social pros who want to leverage trends the right way, take risks, get leadership buy-in for campaigns, and how to work effectively with creators.

We also hear his thoughts on tackling burnout in the era of being "chronically online" and why his top tip for social pros is to commit to continuous learning. The episode leaves us with Byron's thoughts on the creator economy and his approach to identifying and leveraging emerging trends for different brands.

In This Episode:

  • 2:48 - Byron explains his new role at Team Epiphany
  • 3:38 - How Foot Locker went viral with a Machine Gun Kelly post
  • 8:40 - Advice for social pros to do something similar while protecting their brand
  • 10:36 - How Byron stays informed about current culture with a consumer mindset
  • 12:46 - How Byron identifies important trends, tracks them, and applies them
  • 14:51 - Byron's take on brand relationships with creators
  • 17:35 - The biggest changes in the platforms affecting the creator economy
  • 20:02 - Ways he'd like to see Instagram and TikTok evolve
  • 22:30 - Byron's favorite types of content
  • 23:59 - How to avoid burnout as a social pro
  • 25:45 - How Byron kickstarted the employee advocacy program at Foot Locker
  • 29:45 - Advice on getting buy-in to start making employee-generated content
  • 31:20 - Why Byron loves being a social media advocate
  • 33:00 - Byron's top tip for social pros

Resources 

Visit SocialPros.com for more insights from your favorite social media marketers. 


For years, Social Pros Podcast has served as an essential meeting point for those who do the real work in digital marketing. Created by Convince & Convert, this isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical realities of managing social media within larger business ecosystems. The conversations here consistently explore how platforms intersect with brand strategy, content creation, public relations, and paid media, moving beyond hype to examine measurable impact. You'll hear directly from the people behind the profiles at major organizations like Google, Reddit, Uber, and Oracle, gaining insight into their successes and the challenges they navigate daily. The longevity of this podcast is a testament to its value, offering a accumulated wealth of knowledge from hundreds of candid interviews and expert commentaries. Each episode functions like a focused case study, breaking down the "how" and "why" behind decisions that drive genuine business results. If you're looking to understand the evolving role of social media beyond the latest trend, this series provides a grounded, insider perspective that has educated a generation of marketing professionals. Tune in to hear the actual pros discuss the work that rarely makes it into a polished tweet or case study.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Social Pros Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Why Sacrifice Makes Social Better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:22
If you feel like your social strategy has plateaued, Michael Corcoran, Ex-Head of Social at Ryanair and Managing Partner of Frankly, has some bold suggestions for how you can refresh your approach on this episode of Soci…
What a Top Social Media Voice on LinkedIn Thinks About B2B [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
Cut through the noise on LinkedIn with expert advice from Social Media Strategist and Brand Marketer, Jacqueline Joyner, as she joins this episode of Social Pros. Full Episode Details When it comes to creating and consum…
How FIBA 3x3 Went from the Streets to the Olympics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
Some brands are built for social media, and FIBA 3x3 is certainly one of them. Their Digital Content Manager, Esteban Gonzalez, shares how their community-led strategy transcends borders on the Social Pros podcast. Full…
That's the Thing about... Jay Acunzo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:46
If there's one message social pros should live by, it's to trust ourselves. Find out why as Jay Acunzo, Host of Unthinkable and Co-Founder of Creative Kitchen, returns to Social Pros. Full Episode Details When it comes t…
Why Brands Need to Think Like a Creator [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
Social media is bursting full of all sorts of creator content. But what lessons can social media marketers take from influencers? We ask Eric Gray, founder of Maverick Content Studio, on Social Pros. Huge thanks to our a…
Notion's Community-Driven Approach for Social Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
Have you heard of Notion? You've probably already been asked that question… and there's a good chance that it's already your "second brain." Like all great products, it's the community and the users who make it, so we sa…
Orangetheory's Approach to Building A Strong Community on Social [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
How can global brands cultivate a strong sense of community that keeps their audience interested and engaged on social? We ask Anthony Yepez, Associate Director, Social Media at Orangetheory Fitness, as he returns to cha…
Mastering Employer Branding Through Storytelling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:40
Sharing the personal stories behind your brand can empower your employees, build audience connection and attract future talent. But where do you start? Hear top tips from Jonathan Hatch, Talent Brand Program Manager at Z…