(Advertisement) Freshman year of college, we had an online directory where you could look up any student's phone, email, and photo. Regardless of what college administrators thought when they started it, most of us did it mainly to find an excuse to look at that cute boy or girl in our class and yell, me.
The entire platform went offline within a year due to the introduction of a wonderful new platform called Facebook. Facebook offered something new to a whole generation of students: the ability to connect with other students and upload photos and videos while expressing themselves through comments.
Fast forward to today, and Facebook is just as popular (and as likely to be used by parents as college students) as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
But this story does not end.
New social media platforms launch almost every day, and one of the most exciting (and popular) is BeReal
What is BeReal?
BeReal is an app that asks users to take a double-sided picture (front and selfie) at the same time for two minutes every day.
Source : Yahoo!
Unlike platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which allow users to post as many posts as they like using filters to optimize photos and videos, BeReal allows users to post once a day and does not include filters or other editing.
Authenticity of objective results. There's no way to adjust the scene, choose lighting, replay your shot (you can technically take as many shots as you want before sending, but viewers will be notified) or add filters. The app lets you and your friends simultaneously take raw photos of where you are and what you're doing The result is very different from the resources you see on other platforms.
(Here's my first BeReal photo as I write this article. Flattering, right?)
So how can you trade on this platform? We'll get to that in a moment, but first, let's take a high-level look at social media marketing for those familiar with the concept.
An overview of social media marketing
Social media marketing is a subfield of digital marketing that uses platforms like BeReal, Facebook and TikTok to promote products, services or brands. This may include creating and sharing content, displaying paid advertisements, and communicating with customers through comments and messages.
Social media marketing aims to increase brand awareness and ultimately increase sales. Social media marketing allows businesses to reach larger audiences and engage with them in more personalized and interactive ways, for example, search engine marketing (SEM). However, it also allows businesses to track and analyze the effectiveness of their marketing efforts through metrics such as engagement and clicks.
At least, that was all true until Birial came along.
BeReal is a different animal for digital marketers. The app does not support paid advertising and the Terms of Service specifically prohibits it from accepting approved ads.
So how can marketers use BeReal to grow their business?
Find out.
6 Marketing Strategies to Consider for BeReal
1. Use your other platforms to get followers
Many other brands, including Chipotle and BeReal, have used other social media platforms to gain followers. It is the most effective way to get targeted on the platform as it does not support paid ads or influencers. You can also pay influencers on other platforms like TikTok to share your BeReal link.
Source: Chipotle
2. OFFERS OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS
If you were one of the first to click on the Chipotle link in April, you received a promo code redeemable for a free burrito. Chipotle offers social media promotion (see Strategy 1), if BeReal wants to run your business, you can run similar ads in print, radio or podcasts, or wherever you're trying to reach an audience. Chipotle uses curiosity to get people to click, but you can try to keep it simple. "Get X free/discount when you follow us on BeReal!"
3. Be more original
I lived in Los Angeles a few years ago before moving to Nashville. And I thought if I went to a small southern town I could save some of the Hollywood that you see in Los Angeles on my first weekend in Tennessee, I turned around and thought there was a long line for breakfast. In fact, there were lines of people taking selfies in front of the popular Nashville landmark. I have never seen so many people with rings and selfie sticks in my entire life.
BeReal is based on the idea that people want authenticity, not agents. If you're new to this new platform, sit down with your team, create some basic guidelines about what business accounts are appropriate to post from and what aren't, then show your audience what it's like to be a part of it. your brand
4. Post jobs and gigs
The future of work includes more gigs, project-based contracts and fewer full-time employees. If you want to attract new talent while strengthening your brand on a new platform, consider job postings and gig opportunities.
One way to do this is to leave a simple alternate note (one or two lines at most - this can also be handwritten) so you'll be ready when you post the photo. Another option is to mention it in the photo caption. Of course, for this to be effective, you need followers.
5. Use it as an upgrade option
When I consult with business clients, I advise their employees to spend 10-20% of their time on innovation. This means deliberately brainstorming new ideas, taking the time to create and test pilot projects and see if they can bring something new and effective to the business.
BeReal is so new that people have to think about what to do with advertising. Because the benchmarks aren't made public, it's unclear whether Chipotle or other brands have much influence on the platform. Again, this enables your team to think outside the box. Even if BeReal doesn't survive in the long run, your innovations will be useful in other areas of your business.
6. Key to Gen Z
Gen Z is the first generation to emerge from social media, and they're not surprised to see glowing posts from millennials on their feeds. This platform was built for them, so let them create your content. While it's important to have brand guidelines and strategy and a line of communication that somehow extends to the top of your organization, don't let the rules of other platforms or channels drown out what you do here.
While being cautious, keep in mind that the platform is still small (21 million users, 3 million daily users as of July 2022) and currently has no way to monetize its business model. As my former boss said, this is a chance for your new teammates to "let their freak flag fly." Who knows, your BeReal campaign could be your company's best advertisement.
BeReal Tips
Plan ahead
While BeReal needs to be authentic, as a brand you want to maintain some consistency, such as including your logo in every image. So if someone goes into discovery mode or has followers, they will be subconsciously influenced by your brand.
Do not exceed the limit
Authenticity is everything at BeReal, so don't overdo it when planning ahead. You don't want to fake your professionalism. Instead, focus on native ads with your own unique touch.
to enjoy
People are on BeReal because they want to have fun. Keep your posts simple and interesting. Try it with your photos. "The time has come." And try to get a group together to make a plan. Avoid or be fooled. Interesting actions can get more people to respond to your posts
The future of BeReal
BeReal will be the current generation Facebook? It's too early to tell. After all, when Facebook and TikTok started, no one knew they would explode in popularity like they did. On the other hand, there was a brief period when everyone thought the clubhouse would revolutionize the industry, but after a brief boom, it fizzled out.
BeReal is a very new platform that doesn't provide much information yet. So far, it's not clear that one brand is the market leader (Chipotle is used by many as an example, but that's because their tweets make it easy to know they're on the platform, you can't find them. Bireal Google on profiles. )
Can you use BeReal for business? Yes Do you need to be on the platform? Maybe yes. Since the platform doesn't have a BeReal section for businesses, it's a good place for brands that want to experiment and get in on the ground floor of something that might close...and lose popularity.
BeReal Marketing Strategy. Relationship Fund:
- BeReal differs from other social media platforms in that it relies on raw authenticity rather than flashy, polished images.
- BeReal is still young and it's hard to find a brand there. This gives you more freedom and flexibility because people don't have an easy way to know the marketing decisions you try.
- The best way to gain followers and build brand awareness is to use your channels and other platforms to drive traffic to BeReal.
How the Hearst Bay area can help
If you're struggling to advertise your business, you're not alone. Many businesses have turned to a Hearst Bay social media agency for help and seen great ROI. They have experience with large and small companies in various B2B and B2C industries. Contact Hurst Bay Area today to learn more about our social media marketing solutions.