Fall social media trends for small businesses

Written By Aubrey Mesman

Happy spooky season, everyone!

It is officially one of my favorite times of the year. Pumpkin spice is back, the leaves are changing, and the temperature is dropping (unless you live in Iowa…tell me why it’s 91 degrees today? Diabolical). 

However, for small business owners, fall is more than simply a time to get cozy under a blanket – it’s also a great opportunity to jump on some viral social media trends that will land well with all types of audiences.

Feeling stuck on what to post this autumn season? Try a few of these fun ideas!

PHOTOGRAPHERS

GHOSTFACE PHOTOSHOOT
TikTok sound: "Psycho Killer" Trend - @bizzarespookystories
Inspiration: Ghostface Trend - @keepingupwithmuva 

@keepingupwithmuva, @heycenzlie, and @stylebyexclvsives on TikTok

The Y2K-inspired “Psycho Killer” photo trend is sweeping the internet. These AI-generated photos feature a young woman, typically talking on the phone or doing her makeup. However, when you look closer, you’ll see the likes of Ghostface or Michael Myers hovering ominously in the background.

Since most of these “photoshoots” are actually AI generated, this creates an opportunity for you to showcase your unique skills! Put your own creative spin on the trend, and highlight your craft by taking real photos that AI cannot replicate. Let the spooky vibes commence by posting your photos on TikTok to the sound linked above!

FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOSHOOT
TikTok sound: Any fall-themed sounds (recommended sounds linked below!)
Inspiration: @bellawangphoto (Instagram), @abby.gphotography (TikTok), @sadieegarcia (TikTok)

@bellawangphoto (Instagram), @abby.gphotography (TikTok), and @sadieegarcia (TikTok)

From stylish outfits to warm drinks, from autumn colors to changing leaves, the “fall aesthetic” is all the rage on social media right now. Lean into that by going to the source – nature!

Find a state park, acreage, pumpkin patch, orchard, or any other location that shows the beautiful effects of autumn. Have your model(s) wear fall-inspired outfits and colors, and maybe even play around with some festive props. When your photos are complete, post them to Instagram or TikTok to any fall-themed song or TikTok sound (sound ideas linked at the bottom of the page!).

SHEET GHOSTS
TikTok sound: Ghost Trend Sound -  @nattywack 
Inspiration: @nattywack (TikTok,) @itsonly_feli (TikTok), @natenorell (TikTok)

@nattywack, @itsonly_feli, and @natenorell on TikTok

Every year when Halloween time rolls around, so does the sheet ghost trend. This photoshoot is super fun, festive, and simple!

  1. Find a fun backdrop/location, some friends, a white sheet or two, sunglasses, and a few props (if you want!)

  2. Have your models throw on a sheet and sunglasses and pose against the backdrop

  3. Share your photos and BTS content on TikTok to the sound linked above

Boom! You’re done!

CLOTHING STORES/BOUTIQUES

PUMPKIN HEAD FIT CHECK
TikTok sound: Pumpkin head trend - @loupyaudios
Inspiration: @diariesofdemi (TikTok)

@diariesofdemi on TikTok

As an owner of a clothing boutique, you may be looking for fun, creative, trendy ways to show off your products. Enter the pumpkin head trend! This video is very fun and easy to make — just follow the steps below!

  1. Find a small/mini pumpkin

  2. Style a friend in various clothing items from your store

  3. Have your model stand in front of your backdrop (could be your store, a pumpkin patch, fall foliage, etc.)

  4. Hold your phone to film in one hand. With the other, position the pumpkin to where it covers your model’s head, but you can still see the outfit

  5. Have your model spin around to show off the outfit, making sure the pumpkin stays over their head the entire time

  6. Repeat with different outfits and products from your store

  7. Put all of the videos together to the sound linked above

Congrats – you have yourself a trendy TikTok!

OOTD/FALL OUTFIT INSPO
TikTok sound: Any fall-themed sounds (recommended sounds linked below!)
Inspiration: Fall OOTD - @itsgretawilson (TikTok), Fall outfit inspiration - @shophunnyhouse (TikTok)

@itsgretawilson and @shophunnyhouse on TikTok

Outfit videos will never go out of style. For small businesses, this content is a great way to showcase your fall products AND the face(s) behind your business! Set aside some time to film yourself (or your staff) wearing different outfits from your shop.

You can turn these videos into a series by posting OOTD (outfit of the day) videos throughout the week/month, or you could style your products for others to use as “fall outfit inspiration.” Set your videos to your favorite fall sound, and you’re done! Keep it casual and keep it real – simplicity is key! 

A WEEK OF FALL OUTFITS
TikTok sound: Week of outfits sound - @sasha_fuks or any fall-themed sounds (recommended sounds linked below!)
Inspiration: A week of outfits - @elliesuebarrows (TikTok), A week of outfits - @megskaiser on TikTok

@elliesuebarrows and @megskaiser on TikTok

This trend is a cousin of OOTDs and is here to stay in the TikTok fashion community. To make it even better, it is quick and easy to put together — you just have to remember to film!

Take one short video each day of yourself wearing an outfit from your shop (I recommend being in the same spot each day to make your video cohesive). At the end of the week, compile all of your short videos into one. Crop the videos and add text to highlight which day is which. Finally, add your favorite fall song or the sound linked above. Easy peasy!

COFFEE SHOPS & CAFES

“MAKE SOME FALL DRINKS WITH ME!”
TikTok sound: None necessary – just the background noise! (but you can add your fav fall sound if you want to)
Inspiration: @thenitrobar (TikTok), @b3lkis.b (TikTok)

@thenitrobar and @b3lkis.b on TikTok

This is a fun, simple trend that social media users love to see!

Show the process of making the unique fall drinks on your menu. Make sure to add the names of each drink as well, so people know what to order! To boost engagement even more, ask viewers to comment their favorite drink or the one they’re most excited to try.

STICKER TREND
TikTok sound: Sticker trend sound - @obagel_family 
Inspiration: @obagel_family (TikTok), @augusta.emporium (TikTok)

@obagel_family and @augusta.emporium on TikTok

This viral trend is showing up across all types of businesses in the food and drink industry! However, it is a little bit trickier. Here is a step-by-step guide to partaking in this impressive and fun trend!

  1. Make sure you have photos of all the fall drinks on your menu (preferably being held by someone so it looks more realistic)

  2. Use your favorite photo editing platform to remove the background from these photos, creating a “sticker.” Save these to whatever device you will edit the video on

  3. Film yourself or an employee walking into frame holding a fall drink/food item and showing it to the camera. Have them hold this position as long as necessary, and then walk out of frame. 

  4. Open CapCut and add in the raw video.

  5. Click “Overlay,” “Add overlay,” select the first sticker/photo you want to use, and adjust it to fit naturally over the product in the original video (this should give almost a 3D effect to the product)

  6. Trim and crop to the desired length

  7. Repeat with the rest of the stickers

“YOU WANNA GO GRAB COFFEE?”
TikTok sound: You wanna go grab coffee sound - @sofia_mcoelho 
Inspiration: @melissaamale (TikTok), @lilytamay1 (TikTok), @cambu2_  

@melissaamale, @lilytamay1, and @cambu2_ on TikTok

Every fall, this sound & trend is all over “For You Pages” everywhere. Lucky for you, it’s super simple!

Take videos of the small details throughout your coffee shop – making drinks, the store layout, signage, fall decor, etc. This is a great way to show off the “fall vibes” and aesthetic throughout your shop, which resonate strongly with many social media users.

FITNESS STUDIOS/INSTRUCTORS

“IT’S OFFICIALLY FALL”
TikTok sound: It's officially fall sound - @scorpioofilms 
Inspiration: @thepilatescave (TikTok)

@thepilatescave on TikTok

Show off your decor with this trendy Gossip Girl audio!

Take some moody clips of all the fall-vibes happening at your studio, and put them together to the sound liked above. Focus on the small details, like decor, signage, and the special features of your gym! There’s no such thing as too extra!

THEMED CLASSES
TikTok sound: Any fall-themed sounds (recommended sounds linked below!)
Inspiration: @bodybarchicago (TikTok), @thepilatescave (TikTok), @kenziewesp (TikTok)   

@bodybarchicago, @thepilatescave, and @kenziewesp on TikTok

Fall is the PERFECT time for…..THEMED CLASSES! Get into the fall/Halloween spirit by highlighting your themed classes on TikTok & Instagram Reels.

If your studio held themed classes last year, you can reuse any content you took back then. If you are new to the fall theme this year, don’t worry! Take some time to film yourself or some friends/staff demonstrating what the classes will look like. This is a great way to showcase the fun ways your studio is celebrating the fall season.

“SQUATOBER”
TikTok sound: Either just you talking, or any fall-themed sounds (recommended sounds linked below!)
Inspiration: @elliott14brown (TikTok), @anastasiatoks (TikTok)  

@elliott14brown and @anastasiatoks on TikTok

While it might be too late to start “Squatober” from day 1, it’s not too late to show your workouts on social media!

Showcase your gym’s workout for each day of “Squatober” to keep viewers updated on your studio’s fall fitness journey and to encourage them to join in on the fun!

Aubrey Mesman
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A Rainbow in the Grass