One of the most important things we think the media can do is connect small business owners and creatives across industries and markets to give them an opportunity to learn form each other. The insights on trends in particular can be transformative if our communities were better connected and so we’ve tried to create a space where folks can share the trends they are seeing and read about trends other sharp entrepreneurs are seeing.
Julia Offenberger
The growing influence of AI in content creation and audience engagement, alongside a shift away from social media platforms like Meta and X, are two of the biggest trends shaping marketing today. People are craving more personalized, meaningful digital experiences, and AI is both enabling and challenging marketers to meet those expectations in new ways.
A prime example is the rise of AI-driven content creation tools, which allow brands to generate everything from ad copy to blog posts in seconds. While this has been a game-changer for efficiency, it also comes with risks. I’ve experimented with AI-generated social media captions, and while they are often technically “correct,” they tend to lack personality and emotional depth. My advice: use AI as a starting point, and always refine content manually to ensure it aligns with your brand or client’s voice. Read more>>
Rogers Healy
We’re living in the golden age of entrepreneurship—barriers to entry are lower than ever, but that also means competition is at an all-time high. Social media, e-commerce, and digital marketing have leveled the playing field, which is great… but it also means the noise is LOUD. The founders who will succeed are the ones who know how to cut through the chaos with authenticity, strategy, and an undeniable work ethic.
The real winners? They’re not just selling a product or service—they’re building a MOVEMENT. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about playing the long game. Read more>>
Taylor West
One of the biggest trends I’m seeing right now? The rise of personal brands for business owners—and honestly, I love to see it.
Entrepreneurs are finally realizing that their business isn’t just about the product or service—it’s about them. People want to buy from people. They want to connect, be inspired, and feel like they’re part of something bigger. And what better way to do that than by documenting the entrepreneurial journey publicly? It’s like reality TV, but with more business lessons. Read more>>
Travis Myers
One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in the film industry is the growing importance of creating a strong online presence. While this isn’t entirely new, it’s become even more crucial now. For instance, I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful this can be—one of my videos went viral, reaching millions across multiple platforms. This experience highlighted the immense opportunity in consistently sharing what you do online. People are finding success simply by taking the time to showcase their work regularly. If I were to start over, I’d definitely focus on creating more content around my daily work, as there’s incredible power in building that online presence. Read more>>
Scott Harkey
The biggest trend I’m seeing at the moment, like many industries, is artificial intelligence. Emerging technologies have been providing content at scale for brands. AI is certainly providing small ways to help marketing professionals optimize efficiency, providing opportunity for faster edits. It has its challenges in terms of providing truly breakthrough creative content that’s differentiated in a marketplace. The biggest concern I have around AI is the flood of content that will emerge that’ll push us into a sea of sameness. There will be tons more content created, and it will not all be top notch. That’ll put increased pressure on creative teams to put more emphasis on fantastic strategy and creative content. Read more>>
Marissa Sturkey
Within the social media space, trends are changing so quickly and I find it difficult at times to keep up with the algorithm. Since I create content for Food and Beverage companies specifically, I’ve found what works with certain audiences and what doesn’t perform as well. Short-form videos and reels are on the top of the trending charts right now and 15-30 seconds is the sweet spot. I think combining aesthetic visuals and adding an informative voiceover to explain a simple recipe is the perfect way to catch the viewers’ eye. When it comes to social media, engagement is the main thing brand partners want to see. It’s not necessarily the amount of likes you get per post but who’s bookmarking your recipe video into a folder for later? Read more>>
Gianluca Piovani
The biggest trend I’m seeing in the creative industry is the rise of AI agents.
Right now, most people see AI as a tool for scripting, editing, or automating engagement. But what’s coming next are AI agents acting like digital employees—creating, strategizing, and even negotiating deals on behalf of brands and creators.
Because of this, content is becoming commodified. The barrier to entry is disappearing—anyone can generate clips, write captions, and mimic top creators. Our feeds are getting flooded with low-effort AI slop, and we’re already seeing people gravitate toward a more raw, authentic approach. Read more>>