Conversations matter. The topics that spark lively discussion across the internet provide a unique window into what ideas, events, and issues are capturing public attention right now. As business leaders and professionals, tuning into these trending discussions can yield valuable insights to inform our work.
In this age of information overload, filtering signals from noise is an essential skill. Platforms like Reddit, where crowdsourced upvoting determines viral content, can offer a useful gauge of what’s heating up in the cultural conversation.
Bringing these real-talk topics over to LinkedIn not only makes for engaging social posts, but forging these connections across different internet communities can demonstrate thought leadership. This guide will explore best practices for:
- Researching what popular topics are trending on sites like Reddit
- Analyzing why these themes are striking a collective chord
- Repackaging these discussions for the professional context of LinkedIn
So let’s dive right into the active art of identifying trending topics and mobilizing social conversations across platforms, communities, and contexts!
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Inside the Reddit Conversation Machine
Dubbed “the front page of the internet”, Reddit is an internet juggernaut and goldmine for cultural pulse-taking. To leverage Reddit effectively for trend-spotting, it’s important to understand what makes this platform tick.
Decentralized Structure
With over 430 million monthly active users and 303.4 million posts in 2022, Reddit is one of the most visited sites worldwide. But unlike traditional social media, Reddit has a decentralized structure organized into:
- Subreddits – Niche communities focused on specific topics like technology, sports, health, etc. There are over 2 million subreddits with their members, rules, and conversations.
- Posts – Links, images, or discussions prompt individual users to submit to subreddits. Other users can then upvote, downvote, or comment.
- Karma – Users gain “karma” when their posts/comments get upvoted as a gamified popularity indicator.
So by tapping into different subreddits, you can take the temperature on anything from celebrity news to quantum physics.
The Viral Formula
Unlike social platforms driven by follower counts, on Reddit ideas take center stage. Subreddit members curate content based on what they find funny, interesting, controversial, or compelling.
Successful posts that strike a chord can quickly go viral across the ecosystem. Karma-chasing users take cues and replicate formats of popular posts.
The most upvoted Reddit posts of all time provide useful examples:
| Post | Subreddit | Score | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA’s official response to Star Wars Battlefront controversy | r/StarWarsBattlefront | 683,000 | Fan frustration |
| Healthcare please! | r/pics | 411,000 | Political protest |
| We’re a small indie studio comprising… | r/gaming | 322,000 | Subversive humor |
Also Read – Has anyone gotten a job via LinkedIn?
Chapter 2: Reddit Data Analysis for Trend Spotting
The sheer scale and multi-faceted nature of Reddit conversations pose analysis challenges. Some key questions in filtering signal from noise include:
- Which subreddits offer the richest trend forecasting?
- What metrics indicate viral traction?
- How to identify the next big topic gaining momentum?
Follow these tips to leverage Reddit data more effectively:
Use Reddit Search Operators
Reddit’s syntax helps drill down within specific subreddits. Useful operators include:
- “Flair” e.g. flair: news filters r/worldnews posts by designated category
- “NSFW” filters explicit content
- “Site” finds links to a given website e.g. site:nytimes.com
- “Self” limits to text posts without links
- “OR” searches multiple terms e.g “lifestyle OR health” and finds posts matching either term
Pro Tip: You can filter further by adding a subreddit name e.g. “site:nytimes flair: news politics”.
Analyze Metrics and Tendencies
- Upvote Percentage – The higher the percentage of upvotes per view on posts, the hotter and more viral it’s going. Anything above 85% signals a potential trending topic.
- Upvote Velocity – More than 5k-10k in the first hour indicates fast momentum.
- Comments Sentiment – Analyze the tone of user comments on posts. Controversy and strong reactions also signal resonance.
Use Third-Party Analysis Tools
Services like RedditList analyze activity surges indicating trending topics. RedditMetrics charts subreddit growth. Keyword tracking can identify rising themes.
Google Trends is another useful supplementary source for wider search data. Cross-referencing platforms build a fuller picture.
Track Contextual Indicators
External events, news cycles, public figures, etc. often catalyze viral memes:
- Anniversaries e.g birthdays of celebrities fuel nostalgic tributes
- Entertainment releases like games/movies spark commentary
- Public figures gaining notoriety move further into the spotlight
- Holidays like Halloween inspire festive posts in anticipation
- Tragedies/Disasters become communal digital grieving spaces
Staying abreast of the news and cultural events calendar can help recognize catalysts propelling topics into the online conversation.
Chapter 3: Filtering Quality Conversations to Curate
With so much colorful Reddit commentary out there, determining what conversations are meaningful enough to migrate takes consideration:
Assess Substance
- Does discussion move beyond superficial to grapple with something deeper?
- Is the topic substantive and touching on pressing societal issues?
- Does conversation yield constructive takeaways applicable professionally?
Fluffy subjects might spread wider initially, but weightier themes often reveal key tensions requiring resolution at the societal or industry level.
Evaluate Insights
- What fresh perspective does this dialogue offer?
- To what extent could these ideas provoke a re-evaluation of assumptions in your field?
- Do viewpoints represent underserved groups missing in mainstream discourse?
Viral posts that disrupt established narratives signal shifts in public outlook. These are at the frontier of evolving cultural attitudes.
Consider Comment Quality
While pithy zingers get upvotes, more thoughtful commentary moving the conversation forward is far richer. Some characteristics include:
- Bridging viewpoints through solutions-oriented discourse
- Sharing expertise like personal experiences or technical insights to advance collective understanding
- Reflecting sensitively by grappling with nuances and complexities involved
Prioritize comments embodying empathy, wisdom, and compassion over knee-jerk hot takes.
Chapter 4: Cross-Pollinating Trending Discussions
Once you’ve identified promising discussions, creative repackaging is key for migration between internet communities.
Know Your LinkedIn Audience
Understand follower demographics across:
- Industry
- Seniority
- Location
- Areas of expertise
- Personal interests
This determines optimal framing, terminology, and cultural references to resonate professionally.
Adapt Tone For Purpose
Match discourse formality to platform norms:
- Reddit – Casual, conversational, humorous
- LinkedIn – Professional, thoughtful, insightful
Adjust prose without losing emotional power in translation. Find natural cadence blending voices.
Spot Common Ground
Uncovering shared concerns, values, and objectives between audiences highlights universality:
- Where do professional and personal interests intersect around this topic?
- What core issues at stake here have industry-wide relevance beyond public discourse?
Reveal interdependence driving both conversations.
Offer Actionable Perspectives
Contrast critique-only commentary with constructive takeaways by:
- Translating observations into questions prompting reflection
- Distilling advice and best practices applicable professionally
- Outlining follow-up steps for real-world problem solving
Spotlights solutions-building pathways forward.
Feature Multimedia
Embed graphics enhancing ideas:
- Infographics visualizing key data/insights
- Photos capturing public reactions
- Video clips profiling voices from grassroots discussions
Vivid multimedia spotlights voices at the heart of the conversation.
Chapter 5: Best Practices for LinkedIn Trending Topics Discussions
Getting attention amidst LinkedIn’s firehose of industry commentary is an art. Some proven techniques include:
Timeliness
- Publish at peak virality when public interest is highest
- First-mover advantage before saturation sets in
- Tie commentary to key dates like awareness events
Strike a strategic balance between catching the wave early and giving context time to develop.
Stir Emotion
- What feelings are stirred by this issue – anger, hope, anxiety?
- Spotlight moving personal stories that make statistics stick
- Ask thoughtful questions inviting reflection
Cut through the noise by connecting hearts as well as minds.
Headline Hooks
Use tactical headline copywriting to seize the reader’s attention:
- Curiosity gaps with crucial info missing
- Shocking stats showing unintuitive data
- Pop culture references linking trends
- Challenge assumptions with edgy opposing viewpoints
- Cliffhanger phrasing that demands clicking for satisfaction!
Yet ensure sensitivity avoiding clickbait exploitation of issues.
Comment Community
Seed ongoing dialogue through open-ended lines of inquiry:
- What are your thoughts on the implications highlighted here?
- What resonated with your own experiences?
- Where do you see the potential for positive change?
Sparking communal soul-searching around collective blindspots drives momentum.
Tag Strategically
Attract key voices who need to participate:
- Industry thought leaders
- Public figures involved
- Impacted demographic groups
- Grassroots advocates
- Influential institutions
Curating a cross-section of perspectives enriches discourse.
Chapter 6: Case Studies Demonstrating LinkedIn Trend Migrations
Some real examples highlighting effective trending topic migration between Reddit and LinkedIn include:
1. The Anti-Work Phenomenon
- Reddit: Viral post – “After years at my dead-end bar job I finally quit without notice” sparks widespread resignations.
- Translation: Article – “The Great Resignation’s Deeper Impetus: Rethinking Work-Life Purpose”
- Takeaway: Sparked soul-searching on workplace culture and meaning.
2. AI Art Ethics
- Reddit: Heated debate – “Can AI art be considered art?” in r/Art sparks clashes between creatives and techies
- Translation: Post – “AI Art backlash reveals deeper reckoning needed around ethics of technology disruption”
- Takeaway: Prompted a more nuanced evaluation of tech’s societal impacts.
3. Generative AI Risks
- Reddit: Experiments generating AI horror stories on r/TwoSentenceHorrorStories go viral, concerning many with medium’s power if misused
- Translation: Article – “Dark Side of ‘Delightful’ AI: Mitigating Enterprise Risks Of Generative Models”
- Takeaway: Flagged need for ethical guardrails when deploying emergent technologies.
Also Read – Has anyone gotten a job via LinkedIn?
Chapter 7: Measuring the Impact of Trend Discussions on LinkedIn
Mastering the art of transferring compelling discussions to LinkedIn can significantly boost audience engagement and thought leadership.
However, determining effectiveness requires assessing impact beyond vanity metrics like views and reactions.
Survey Followers
Solicit direct feedback on the resonance of themes covered. Measure against core objectives like:
- Did the post-change hearts and minds on this issue?
- Has commentary expanded perspectives contextually?
- Are new solidarities and alliances emerging across groups discussing this collectively?
Center-affected voices in evaluating impetus for attitudinal shifts.
Track KPIs Strategically
goes beyond immediate reactions to measure ongoing ripples:
- Do followers cite your commentary when discussing issues elsewhere months later?
- Has post unlocked access as recognized authority to participate in key conferences/initiatives advancing issues?
- Have stakeholders implementing solutions proactively contacted you seeking input based on capital created taking an early stand?
Indicator metrics should gauge the depth of meaningful change catalyzed.
Assess Aligned Action
The most important impact metric is behavioral shifts reflecting priorities outlined in trending topics coverage:
- Are companies reporting increased leadership accountability on cultural issues called out?
- Have policymakers proposed legislation addressing structural societal problems raised?
- Have funded initiatives or campaigns emerged tackling key areas highlighted for intervention?
Tracking discourse consequence as public pressure converting to power for reform.
By diligently assessing real-world change against values espoused around resonant issues, we evolve an understanding of effective trend discourse contribution converting clout into collective uplift.
Conclusion: Towards Responsible Trend Leadership
Hopefully, this guide has outlined actionable techniques for making the most of online discourse trend analysis and cross-pollination.
As thought leaders our responsibilities extend deeper with trend commentary potential to catalyze viral shifts. Like an influencer blogger once said in a popular tweet:
With a great platform comes great accountability.
By consciously leveraging our professional privilege to selectively amplify solutions-oriented perspectives from grassroots voices often unheard, we can play our part in driving society forward positively.
May our contributions reflect wisdom and compassion empowering progress. Onward!
What are your top insights on responsibly identifying and advancing key trending discussions? Share tips so we can all learn!
