Instagram Hero Channel Strategy, TikTok Trends Discovery, and Social Media 2026 Predictions

I’m doubling things up with my emails/newsletters. I want to coordinate all my goodness into two longer newsletters per month. This will allow me to dive into some of the deeper topics and do a series which will allow for more details and depth.

Let me know if there are burning questions you might have…

This week’s Topics:

• Why Insta Rocks
• Where Trends Start
• How to Find Them (if you’re not on TikTok already)
• Social Media Set Up

Part 1: Why Instagram Should Be Your Hero Channel (Even Though TikTok Starts Trends)

Trends Aren’t Just for Dance Videos (And How They’ll Grow Your Business)

Hello [contact.first_name],

Let’s talk about social media trends because I know what you’re thinking: “That’s not for my business.”

Wrong.

Here’s why trends are one of the smartest moves you can make for your social media strategy. No really. And let me spell it out for ya.

1. Trends give you instant visibility.

When you use trending audio, the platform pushes your content harder. Period. Instagram and TikTok prioritize content that uses popular sounds because it keeps people on the platform longer. That’s how you get in front of people who’ve never heard of you.

2. Every trend works for every business.

“But I sell insurance/accounting services, trends don’t apply to me.”

They absolutely do. Every trend can be adapted. Take the success trend going viral right now: “Tell me you’re [profession] without telling me.” A lawyer can turn themselves walking into court into viral content with this trend. Accountants can do the same with tax jokes. Chiropractors can poke fun at people’s bad posture.

The trend gives you the format and the audio. You just adapt it to your reality. That’s what makes it work for ANY business.

3. Trends aren’t about being cringe. They’re about reach.

This is the big one. The algorithm rewards trend participation by pushing your content to people who don’t follow you yet. That’s how you break out of just reaching your existing audience.

If you’re not incorporating trends into your content strategy, you’re leaving reach on the table. Reach = growth.

Start with one trend this week. Adapt it. Post it. Watch what happens.

This week’s challenge: Pick one trend, adapt it to your business, and post it. Then tag me so I can see what you create!

Part 2: Where Trends Start (And Why Your Hero Channel Matters)

Where do trends come from?

90% of trends start on TikTok.

TikTok is the trendsetting platform and it is highly innovative. The best creator platform out there. And it’s where trends begin.

Instagram, YouTube, and others gravitate and copy ideas.

TikTok has been out of the top trending algorithm since day one, and every other platform has been playing catch-up since. If you’re not on TikTok, you’re seeing trends in second place.

So if all trends start on TikTok, why wouldn’t you make TikTok the origin point for most “viral” platforms?

Here’s the truth: TikTok is not being indexed by Google. Instagram is.

Your content on Instagram is being cataloged by search engines. It becomes part of your discoverability on your website and your newsletter on LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.).

TikTok content? Not part of that equation. It should be a part of your marketing ecosystem, no doubt about that.

This is why I tell everyone at least learn from channels:

Watch TikTok. See what the are and what when. Then use the screens seen by Instagram, so that you pick up the screens seen by Instagram, LinkedIn etc.

Your content on Instagram is being cataloged by AI, and it’s affecting your credibility.

Language learning models like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and others are indexing content from across the web to build their knowledge base. When someone searches for expertise in your niche, what comes up is determined by what AI can find, understand, and trust.

And right now, LinkedIn articles and Instagram content are one of the most powerful ways to establish your authority in these systems.

TikTok content? Not part of that equation. It should be a part of your marketing ecosystem, no doubt about that.

This is a big line. The algorithm rewards trend participation by pushing your content to people who don’t follow you yet. That’s how you break out of just reaching your existing audience.

So if all trends start on TikTok, why shouldn’t you make TikTok the origin point for most “viral” platforms?

Here’s the truth about social media as we close out 2025 and jump into 2026:

The algorithm isn’t the enemy. It’s handing you opportunities every single day through trends, audio, and discoverability. But only if you know how to use it.

Most businesses are still treating social media like a megaphone. Post and pray. Hope someone sees it. Wonder why nothing’s working.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Leslie, and I help businesses turn social media strategies into real, tangible engagement. I’m More specifically, I help busy business owners who are tired of posting into the void. Now’s the time to actually growing you.

I offer training for you and your team on:

• How to spot trends early (and adapt them to your business)
• Building a sustainable content machine that doesn’t burn you out
• Using trends, SEO, and platform algorithms to your advantage
• Creating an online presence that makes people stop, pay attention, and remember you when your new clients models like Chat GPT to write and trust contactable when you new clients need

Ready to level up?

If you’re tired of putting in the work on social but not seeing results, DM me “SOCIALS” and I can help you put your Instagram making group? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send you details.

And if you ever want that Instagram making group? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send it to you next.

See you in two weeks,

Leslie Lyon

Part 3: How to Find Trends on TikTok (Without Living on the App)

You don’t need to scroll TikTok for hours to stay on top of trends. Here’s how to find what’s working without it becoming a second job:

1. Use TikTok’s Trend Discovery Page

TikTok literally built a trend finder for you.

How to access it:

• Open TikTok
• Tap the “Creative Center” (you can also Google “TikTok Creative Center”)
• Tap Trends, then choose Songs, Hashtags, Creators, or Videos

You’ll see real-time trending audio, how fast it’s growing, and what niches it works best for. This data is gold for deciding what trends to jump on.

2. Scroll Your For You Page with Strategy

Your FYP is a personalized trend forecast.

Look for:

• The same song/format appearing
• The same format (e.g., trending)
• The same dynamic (e.g., trending)

When you see something 3 times in 10 minutes, that’s an active trend.

Bonus: Your FYP shows you trends relevant to your niche, which is more valuable than jumping on a random viral trend.

3. Search “Trending Sounds” or “Viral Sounds” in TikTok’s Search Bar

Type:

• “trending sounds”
• “viral beats”
• “viral sounds”

Creators and trend pages come live for you daily. Quick, easy, done.

The Best Shortcut (The One Most Creators Don’t Use)

Save the sounds you see trending on your scroll throughout the week. Then when you batch record content, you already have a list of sounds that are actively working.

This keeps you ahead of the trend while saving you hours of hunting later.

Bottom line: Set aside 10 minutes twice a week to check the Creative Center and scroll your FYP. Save what’s relevant. That’s it. You’re now trend-ready without TikTok taking over your life.

Part 4: Here’s the Truth About Social Media as We Close Out 2025 and Jump Into 2026

The algorithm isn’t the enemy. It’s handing you opportunities every single day through trends, audio, and discoverability. But only if you know how to use it.

Most businesses are still treating social media like a megaphone. Post and pray. Hope someone sees it. Wonder why nothing’s working.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Leslie, and I help business owners and teams turn their social media into real, tangible engagement and revenue. But More specifically, I’m tired of posting into the void, frustrated by low reach, increase engagement, and revenue. But More specifically by Find growth optimizing the tools the platforms are already giving you.

I offer training for you and your team on:

• Spotting and using trends strategically (without looking cringy)
• Building a sustainable content system that doesn’t burn you out
• Using trends, SEO, and platform dynamics to your advantage
• Creating an online strategy that makes people remember you when they’re ready to buy

Ready to level up?

DM me “SOCIALS” and let’s build a strategy that actually works for 2026. Because here’s here’s Podcast’s 23.5 I trust confidence can help you put your trends dominate your social media in 2026.

And if you ever want that Instagram sticking going? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send it to you next.

See you in few weeks,

Leslie Lyon

Next newsletter we will be discussing:

• Important Changes to 2026 Social Media Strategy
• Multi-Generational Agency
• Branding + Sales Friendly with Integrity

See you in two weeks, Leslie Lyon