5 social media trends to try right now | April
Adobe Express is teaming up with social media expert Rachel Karten to bring you five high-impact post ideas every month. With over a decade of experience in social marketing — including her time at Bon Appétit Magazine — Rachel knows what works. She also writes Link in Bio, a must-read Substack newsletter for social pros.
We get it — consistently creating engaging content is one of the biggest challenges of running a social account. That’s where Rachel comes in! She scrolls the internet so you don’t have to, curating the most effective post formats that drive engagement. Each month, she’ll break down five proven ideas — plus easy ways to bring them to life with Adobe Express.
April: 5 social ideas to try
April is all about spring cleaning … our feeds. Use this month to consider what’s working and what’s not. Once you have an idea of what’s resonating. (Hint: check out the shares on a post!) I’m challenging you to focus on only putting up posts that feel really good. No posting just for the sake of posting! Because if you don’t enjoy something, it’s likely your audience won’t either. Let’s dig in.
1. Digital flipbook
Create a digital flipbook with the hold and slide dots trend. On mobile, users can press down on the dots of a carousel and swipe through for an effect that’s like a fast flipbook. To participate utilize 10–20 slides to create movement — each slide should move slightly to create the action you're looking for.
- Examples here and here
- Express tip: Adobe Express makes it easy to upload and arrange your images in an Instagram Carousel — just add text overlays, preview the flow, and schedule directly from Adobe Express with Content Scheduler.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFsaJ18pSDs/?hl=en&img_index=1
2. A grid for the grid
Create a grid for the grid. This satisfying format is for the brands that love mood boards and #aesthetics. Shoot your product against the same backdrop and then organize the shots into one grid shot. It’s a satisfying post format that always engages.
- Examples here and here
- Express tip: It’s easy to design the perfect grid on Adobe Express with Instagram’s latest aspect ratios, so you can skip the hassle of manual resizing. Need more visuals to complete your look? Use Generate Image to create AI-powered images that match your brand’s look and feel — no extra budget required.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCtyh1DRs6n/?hl=en
3. Show the process
You put a lot of work into that recent product drop, so show the process. Pull together original sketches, naming ideas, and prototypes for a BTS post. Audiences love getting a peek behind the curtain of what it takes to run a business.
- Examples here and here
- Express tip: With Adobe Express, you can quickly upload and arrange multiple video clips, add transitions, and polish your behind-the-scenes footage — all in just a few clicks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-0UC8NPINA/?hl=en&img_index=1
4. Spin the background
Want to dance? The “place your thumbs here and to spin with us!” format will forever be engaging. To participate, find a character in your brand's universe to “dance” with. By prompting users to place their thumbs in the right position and then spin the background around, it’ll give the illusion of a dance. More wholesome moments on social media in 2025!
- Examples here and here
- Express tip: Instantly remove backgrounds from images in Adobe Express, then layer them over a video to create dynamic, interactive content. Add one-click animations or text overlays to enhance the effect and make your post pop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEiYCuSSjT7/
5. Create a collage
Channel your inner artist and craft a collage. The tactile nature of a collage is a nice juxtaposition to the digital scroll. Even if it’s just a photo of layers and textures, it’s still satisfying to look at. Make it IRL or draft it in Adobe Express!
- Examples here and here
- Express tip: Use the Collage Maker in Adobe Express to build a base layout, then layer in images, textures, and design elements for a handcrafted, dimensional feel.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0eFXnptbOs/?img_index=1
Ready to get posting? Remember, this month we’re all about using Spring as an opportunity to plant the seeds of a successful social presence. That means putting every post through the filter of “would I share this with a friend?” and “does this bring me joy?” Can’t wait to see what you come up with!