Using Bookstagram and BookTok Trends Without Losing Your Brand

Trends can be a great way to get your content in front of new readers. The trick is learning which trends to use and how to use them as inspiration while still creating content that sounds and feels like you.

1. Choose Trends That Fit

You don’t have to participate in every trending sound, meme, or format (and you really shouldn’t either).

Before jumping in, ask yourself: Can I naturally connect this to my books, genre, writing process, or readers?

If you’re forcing the connection, skip it. There will be another trend tomorrow, or even later that day, if I’m being honest…

2. Adapt the Trend to Your World

Instead of copying a trend exactly, put your own spin on it.

A popular “POV” format could become:

“POV: You moved to a charming small town and slowly realized everyone is lying to you.”

A “things I love” carousel could feature your favorite tropes, writing rituals, or books in your genre.

Use the format people already recognize, then make the content yours.

3. Pay Attention to Reader Trends, Too!

Trends aren’t limited to sounds and video formats. Watch what readers are talking about.

Are people suddenly obsessed with a particular trope? Are “books that made me cry” posts everywhere? Is your genre having a moment?

Join those conversations when they’re relevant to your work.

4. Don’t Abandon Your Regular Content

Trends can help with discovery, but they should never become your entire strategy.

Keep sharing the content your audience already knows you for: writing updates, behind-the-scenes moments, book recommendations, reader conversations, and your own perspective.

That familiar content is what helps new followers get to know you after a trending post brings them in.

5. Move Quickly

Trends have a short shelf life. If you see one that fits, don’t spend two weeks perfecting your version.

Create it, post it, and move on.

Final Thought

Trends are tools. Use them when they give you a fun or timely way to talk about your work. Skip them when they don’t. The goal is to get discovered by new readers while still giving them a reason to stick around once they find you.