What It's Like to Sell on Top of a Trend

Selling on top of a trend feels like riding a wave that pushes you forward without much resistance.

Customers start appearing from places you never expected, creating opportunities you couldn’t have planned for.

Suddenly, your brand starts to build itself. What used to take years can now happen in a fraction of the time—at least 2x faster.

You gain visibility in your industry, and word spreads about your offering. It almost feels like things click naturally, and working becomes more enjoyable.

You're doing what you love, and the market is receptive.

The momentum you gain from being aligned with a trend makes the entire process rewarding.

What It’s Like to Sell Against a Trend

Selling against a trend, on the other hand, feels like you're constantly swimming upstream.

Finding customers becomes a relentless challenge. It’s not that your product or service lacks value, but there’s no natural demand to support it.

Building a brand in these conditions is a slog, taking at least 5x more effort and time. It can feel demotivating when your ideas aren’t landing or when securing a simple customer meeting feels like pulling teeth.

You’re constantly pushing against the grain, which makes working feel more like a struggle than an enjoyable endeavor.

There's an underlying frustration because, despite your best efforts, progress is minimal.

How to Identify Trends

Spotting trends early can make all the difference. Here are three ways to get ahead:

1. Talk to People: The best insights often come from casual conversations. What are people excited about? What challenges do they keep bringing up? The more you engage with others, the more you can pick up on emerging needs.

2. Read the Media: Trends are often reflected in news articles, blogs, and opinion pieces. Keep an eye on industry reports and follow thought leaders who have a pulse on what’s happening in your market.

3. Ask People About Their Feelings: How do people feel about the current economy or the state of your industry? Are they optimistic, anxious, or neutral? People’s emotions can be early indicators of changing trends.

I’ve found LinkedIn to be an excellent platform for gauging what’s happening in the business world.

It’s a space where professionals share their opinions on everything from economic outlooks to emerging market demands.

I constantly use it to keep a finger on the pulse of where things are headed.

Don’t be afraid to change direction if sales aren’t happening.

Being adaptable is key.

Jumping on trends early can propel you forward, while sticking too long to something that isn’t working can hold you back.

Selling successfully is as much about timing as it is about the product or service itself.

When you align your offer with a trend, it feels almost effortless.

But if you find yourself fighting to make sales happen, it might be time to shift gears and find a trend you can ride.

BR,

Tomi