How Do Companies Get People Interested in Their Social Media?

To get a better handle on how companies can gain more social media attention, we focused on three mainstream brands. Each brand has a spectacular handle on how to “do” social media.

The following brands know how to engage and relate to their audience.

1. Netflix

Through the past few years, Netflix has earned a spot on a few “best brand social media accounts” lists — and for good reason. The original content creating and movie/television streaming rental service has a Twitter account that manages to stay trendy while maintaining a wry sense of humor.

Although the streaming service has crafted an affable online personality, it also shares its user data in an interesting, engaging way. According to Newswhip, Netflix expertly uses user data to craft original content… And track user behavior.

For example, in a December 2017 tweet, Netflix lightly jabbed 53 of their users for a strange binge-watching quirk.

To the 53 people who've watched A Christmas Prince every day for the past 18 days: Who hurt you?

— Netflix US (@netflix) December 11, 2017

That tweet got a lot of engagement — including at least 450 thousand recorded likes and so much interactive commentary — and earned the company “free promotion” via short spots on various news networks and talk shows.

The takeaway: Don’t be afraid to use user data to engage users. If you know a portion of your audience likes X, share that in an engaging way. That tweet could help you reach people in your audience who don’t know there’s a product out there “specifically” for them.

2. Glossier

Glossier began as an online-only beauty startup. And since the brand’s beginning, it’s always maintained a relatable, down-to-Earth online voice.

In addition to maintaining a “real” online personality, the company also asks its very engaged client base about the products they like — and what new products the company should formulate. These interactions could be one of the reasons that Glossier maintains a very interactive, diverse Instagram account.

For example, the beauty brand shares everything from funny memes to engaging how-to beauty videos. And recently, the brand has received a lot of positive attention for featuring diverse people in its Instagram photos and videos.

The takeaway: Keep content diverse and representative of the population. You can get a lot of views with cute memes, but you can attract more longterm clients with representation.

People want to see “their self” when looking at photos and watching videos. Because by now, all brands should know that their audience isn’t made up exclusively of tall, thin, young white women or people who would like to look at tall, thin, young white women.

Keeping ad campaigns diverse will better reflect the people who buy or are thinking about buying your product.

@paha_minne_nahghi_win wears Lash Slick ➿

A post shared by Glossier (@glossier) on May 16, 2018 at 7:37am PDT

3. National Geographic

National Geographic maintains an incredibly engaging Twitter and Instagram accounts. In addition to sharing beautiful photos and videos, the brand often tells its users stories.

For example, while writing this piece, National Geographic was in the middle of its #PlanetORPlastic campaign. Through the campaign, the brand used photos and videos paired with engaging captions. Each caption told a story about how plastic is affecting the Earth and its creatures. Other photo/story telling campaigns have garnered attention, too. The Instagram post below is part of the #BanDeathNets campaign.

The takeaway: Tell a story. The story doesn’t have to pull heartstrings or be political; it just has to engage followers. When powerful, engaging words are paired with beautiful content, people won’t look away, and will follow to make sure they never miss “the ending.”

Photograph by @paulnicklen taken on assignment for @natgeo // A sunfish (Mola mola) is inspected by a group of playful Pacific White-Sided Dolphins. In today’s day and age, it is truly shocking that a state like California allows mile long nets to kill indiscriminately with a bycatch rate of 65%. Sunfish and dolphins are just two of the species that are killed in these nets. But you are helping this archaic fishing practice come to an end. Last month, over 115,000 of you signed the petition to #BanDeathNets and it's clear that governments are listening. On May 30th, the California Senate passed #SB1017, a bill that will transition California away from driftnets, 32-0. Though this is fantastic news for Pacific coast marine wildlife, the fight isn't over yet. The bill still needs approval in the Assembly to become law. Thank you for #TurningTheTide. #followme on @paulnicklen to see a thousand pound plus sun fish dwarf a diver. For @sea_legacy. #nature #naturelovers #instagood #photofotheday #gratitude

A post shared by National Geographic (@natgeo) on Jun 2, 2018 at 11:13am PDT

YNOT’s special reports on social media will continue through the end of the month. Read more about this month’s theme here.