Less Prompting, More Thinking
- Writer for DDI on Medium
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Updated: 6d
I think it’s fair to say there’s a trend here?!
If you follow the rabbit hole, you’ll arrive in 2021:
No Hassle, No Worries, No Cock N Bull Stories, was created for TheBrandTUB after working with a client, who in his review of working with me, said “no hassle, no worries…”
It isn’t window dressing. The message is about the professionalism experienced when someone works with me.
I added voice, but the crux of my insight came from a recurring theme I observed in my client reviews.
I’ll admit, while creating the copy, I felt it sounded cool. But it would have missed the mark of brand alignment if it was only cosmetic.
I guess the good news is that in Trinidad and Tobago, you could ride the ignorance of the public because real branding isn’t a thing here. But if that weren’t the case, audiences of the aforementioned service providers, and influencer would have perceived this “trend” as superficially inserting themselves into a conversation.
Not in a timely or clever way. Just straight up for show.
The message wasn't important.
Do you still think owning the conversation with a trend is a scarlet letter on your longevity as a brand?
Not all trends happen organically. Not all trends are rooted in facts. Some trends are manufactured with malicious intent.
In those situations, hijacking a trend to own the conversation matters. But only if the truth is on your side. When Keith Rowley spoke out about Trinidad's position on the rising tensions between the US and Venezuela, people were disgusted because of the signing of The Southcom Human Rights Initiative one year prior.
But, whether you’re starting the conversation or joining it, my point here is that assessing a trend's relevance is a brand conversation, and make sure you're not entering a conversation you negatively inspired.
Ask important, hard questions, like “Does this trend actually align with my brand?” and “Will my audience care?” Finally, will it feel authentic, forced, or hypocritical?
The aforementioned No, No, No trend feels inauthentic. What my clients experienced as professionalism was reduced to empty flair. No question.
TAKING THE TREND OFFLINE!
The problem with local small service businesses chasing trends when they don’t know who they are as a brand, because they're sipping the GPT kool-aid, is that joining the conversation feels off.
It’s about an additional income stream when work is slow. Not about the mission.
A brand thinks deeper than that.
I’ve helped lawyers spread their brand’s message to their clients for the holidays in very simple but clever ways. I’ve admired how a small business can use its brand’s personality to create a trend while greeting its clients after the holidays. And I've seen 1 man shows start a revolution in their neighbourhood because of what they believe in.
A trend should add to your brand’s story.
But timing is everything.
Think Oreo’s “You can still dunk in the dark” tweet in 2013.
Many things locally had to come together first for my point of view and creativity to merge into this article.
In closing, I hope this helps you think of authentic ways to wrap your brand in a trend or start your own trend. Just remember to consider what the topic is about so you’re not being noticed for the wrong reason, or so you can lead the conversation when others join it.
Shake Your Cock N Bull Graphic Designs, my free Facebook group is exclusively for local founders who want to give their most secret fears about being online a good shaking, so they can venture online with confidence!
