Going viral might seem like striking gold in the social media world, but often, it’s less about luck and more about strategy. One of the most effective methods for gaining massive reach and engagement is by riding the wave of trending challenges. Whether it’s a dance craze, a quirky DIY trend, or a hashtag-driven challenge, these trends create an opportunity for creative content creators to shine.

But how exactly do you create content that stands out amidst the noise of social media? The secret lies in taking the essence of these challenges and putting your unique spin on them. Below, we’ll break down five impactful ways to take advantage of trending challenges and maximize your content’s potential to go viral.

1. Use Trending Hashtags

Why They Matter

Hashtags are the lifeblood of discoverability on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. When a challenge goes viral, its associated hashtags will trend, creating an easy gateway for users to find related posts. Participating in these trends early and tagging your content appropriately can get your video or post in front of a broad audience.

How to Use Them

  • Stay Updated: Follow accounts that track trends or keep an eye on Twitter’s trending section and TikTok’s Discover page.
  • Combine Hashtags: Use the official challenge hashtag along with one or two related ones to connect to different audiences. For example, if you’re doing a #BottleCapChallenge, you can add hashtags like #TrickShots or #ViralChallenge for broader appeal.
  • Be Timely: Challenges have a lifecycle, with the most engagement happening shortly after they start trending. Post your content within this peak window to boost visibility.

Pro Tip: Keep your captions punchy. Pair the hashtags with a short, attention-grabbing phrase like “Can YOU do this? #FlipTheSwitchChallenge.”

2. Collaborate With Influencers

Why It Works

Influencers are often the catalysts that turn small trends into viral challenges. Their established audiences trust their content and are more likely to engage when they jump on a new trend. Collaborating with influencers enables you to tap into their followers and extend the reach of your own posts.

How to Do It

  • Choose the Right Influencer: Look beyond follower count. Focus on micro-influencers whose personal style or niche aligns with your challenge to make the collaboration feel authentic.
  • Co-Create Content: Team up with influencers to brainstorm creative takes on a challenge. For instance, if you’re tackling the #SavageDanceChallenge, consider choreographing a remix or introducing new moves.
  • Cross-Promote: Encourage your influencer partner to share your collaboration on their social platforms and vice versa. The more channels your content is on, the better your odds of going viral.

Example: Remember how singer Lizzo brought her unique energy to the Savage Dance challenge in collaboration with dancers on TikTok? Her twist became one of the most memorable renditions.

3. Use AR Filters and Effects

Why It’s a Game-Changer

Augmented Reality (AR) filters and effects can elevate a basic post into something highly shareable and visually striking. Many trending challenges now integrate AR elements to grab attention and encourage viewers to engage. From AI-enhanced beauty filters to interactive games, technology is giving creators more tools to innovate.

How to Do It

  • Explore Platform Options: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have built-in AR filters already synced to trending challenges. These are great for replicating popular content.
  • Customize Your Filter: If you want to go the extra mile, create a branded or personalized AR filter. Tools like Spark AR allow you to design unique effects tied to a challenge.
  • Enhance the Visual Appeal: Use AR for dramatic flair to make your content pop. For instance, replace the ice in the Ice Bucket Challenge with virtual confetti, or add glowing effects to a dance routine for the Glow-Up Challenge.

Pro Tip: Start or sponsor an AR-based challenge. For example, create a game-themed filter (like tossing coins into a virtual bucket) and pair it with an interactive hashtag.

4. Add a Unique Twist to Challenges

Why It Stands Out

While trends rely on the same basic idea being replicated, the posts that generally go viral add their own creative spin. Audiences love originality, and giving a trending challenge a fresh angle increases your chances of your content standing out in oversaturated hashtags.

How to Do It

  • Think Outside the Box: If everyone is doing the #EmojiOutfitChallenge with straightforward recreations, try transforming emojis into entire personas or unexpected interpretations.
  • Use Unexpected Props or Locations: Elevate your content by shooting in striking settings or introducing props people wouldn’t expect.
  • Add Humor: Comedy is one of the internet’s favorite genres. Adding a funny fail, blooper, or parody element to serious challenges (like doing the Bottle Cap Challenge indoors… and getting hit by the cap!) resonates with viewers.

Example: Remember the Flip the Switch Challenge? While most participants swapped outfits, some added pets or babies to the mix, creating viral hits due to the unexpectedly adorable results.

5. Engage With Your Audience

Why Interaction Matters

Social media thrives on engagement. Interacting with your audience not only boosts post visibility due to platform algorithms but also creates a loyal fan base that wants to engage with your content. The more accessible and responsive you are, the more likely fans will share your posts within their circles.

How to Do It

  • Invite Participation: Post open challenges with clear instructions, like, “Show us YOUR best Bottle Cap Challenge!” Add a catchy signature move to make your version identifiable, inspiring viewers to replicate and credit you.
  • Highlight Fans: Repost or comment on your audience’s attempts at your challenge. For example, brands often gain traction when they share user-generated content.
  • Use Polls and Q&A: Ask questions about the challenge in your stories or run polls to see which version your audience prefers. Keeping followers involved creates a sense of community around your posts.

Pro Tip: Use live videos! Hosting a live-streamed challenge (e.g., a time-sensitive dance-off) lets viewers feel like part of a special, unscripted moment.

The next time a challenge pops up in your feed, don’t just scroll past it. Jump in with your own spin, connect with your audience, and who knows? You just might be the next viral sensation everyone’s talking about!