3.1.7 How to Be Original in a World Obsessed with Trends
Building a Brand That Outlives the Algorithm
We are living in a content loop. Same hooks. Same sound bites.
Same aesthetic, recycled captions, and copy-paste funnels.
Trends that come and go before you’ve even built a response. And somewhere in the middle of that noise, you’re trying to build something original.
Something rooted. Something real. Something that won’t expire the minute the algorithm changes.
But originality is hard to measure — and even harder to maintain in a culture that’s obsessed with what’s performing. Here’s the truth: You can be relevant without being reactive. And you can be iconic without being everywhere.
Why Trend Culture Feels So Alluring (and So Exhausting)
Let’s be real:
There’s dopamine in doing what’s trending.
It makes you feel plugged in. Fast. Fresh.
You see others go viral or rake in sales, and you think:
“If I just adjust this one thing…”
And sometimes that works — for a minute.
But then it fades.
You lose the thread of your voice.
Your audience starts to get confused.
And suddenly, your brand feels more like a performance than a philosophy.
That’s not innovation.
That’s an imitation with good lighting.
Originality Isn’t a Vibe — It’s a Decision
At Opulence Studio, we define originality as:
Consistency of creative identity in the face of external influence.
That means:
You still experiment — but within a brand structure.
You’re aware of trends — but not led by them.
You infuse inspiration from culture without outsourcing your core message.
You build for legacy, not just for likes.
Being original isn’t about always being different.
It’s about being deeply aligned — consistently.
How to Know If You’re Drifting from Originality
Even the most visionary leaders get pulled off-center. Here are the signs:
You’re constantly updating your content strategy, but your messaging feels generic
You’re making moves based on what’s trending, not what’s true
You feel invisible unless you copy the format or tone others are using
You’re doubting your brand voice because it’s not “performing”
If that’s you — pause.
You’re not off track.
You’re just too plugged into the noise and not plugged in enough to yourself.
How to Lead with Originality in a Trend-Driven World
✦ 1. Identify Your Core Creative Language
Your brand has its own rhythm. Own it.
Whether it’s quiet, bold, academic, poetic, raw, funny, or refined — name your language. Then protect it.
Ask: What does my brand sound, feel, and move like — when I’m not looking sideways?
✦ 2. Set Trend Boundaries
You don’t need to block out every trend — but you do need rules for what you integrate.
Try these:
“Only if it aligns with my long-term positioning.”
“Only if it enhances my voice, not replaces it.”
“Only if it can be reshaped through my lens.”
✦ 3. Build a Timeless Content Bank
Not everything you create should be tied to culture or current events.
Create “pillar content” that:
Teaches core concepts
Shares personal leadership beliefs
Demonstrates your signature method
Showcases client transformations
These pieces should outlive the quarter — and build your authority over time.
✦ 4. Know Your Brand’s Reason for Existing
If you don’t know what your brand stands for, trends will do the standing for you.
Ask: If I never posted again, what idea or impact would I want my work to keep making?
That’s your anchor.
That’s your originality.
Your Reflection Questions
Let’s ground back into clarity:
Where am I mimicking what’s “working” instead of articulating what’s true for me?
What part of my brand feels more like performance than expression?
What’s one trend I can ignore this month — and what do I want to build instead?
The most powerful brands don’t chase trends.
They become the reference point others imitate.
Be the Source — Not the Echo
You are not behind.
You are not irrelevant.
You are simply being invited to go deeper than the scroll.
Because trend-driven brands have short shelf lives.
But identity-driven brands? They leave legacies.
You don’t need to be everywhere.
You just need to be anchored in something real.
—
At Opulence Studio, we help creative leaders and licensed professionals build original, sustainable, resonant brands that can’t be duplicated.
Learn how to develop your timeless brand voice at opulence.studio
