6 Twitter Superstars We Love
So how do you “do” social media right? We’ve selected six accounts that we love—and ones we think you can learn from, too.
Brands
- What makes them awesome: Virgin Atlantic uses Twitter as a fantastic brand expansion tool. The company posts a variety of content, including honoring aircrafts going out of commission, corresponding with customers to resolve issues, and engaging with their audience by answering questions and holding contests. Virgin Atlantic’s practices attract new followers by offering incentives to visit its social pages. They also encourage participation by providing rewards that tie to the company’s products.
- Key takeaway: Be social with your social media accounts. Create content that entices readers to follow through on what you’re asking them to do, such as retweet a post, enter a contest, or respond with a comment of their own. Leverage Twitter and its capabilities—like hosting giveaways, starting (and continuing) conversations, and showcasing visual elements of your brand, to name a few—to their full extent.
To celebrate the 1st bday of our 787 Birthday Girl we surprised fans in London and NYC with treats #787surprises ✈?? https://t.co/AIiCBuEjBL
— Virgin Atlantic (@VirginAtlantic) October 30, 2015
- What makes them awesome: Netflix has undeniably captured the attention of its audience. Think about this: Who isn’t talking about “Netflix and chill”? It’s the fun, new way to relax (or date!). Invite a friend (or that date), grab a spot on the couch, order some takeout, and voila—you’re settled for the night. Netflix’s brand voice—playful, flexible, loyal to its customers, and (most of all) entertaining—is visible by how the company curates its Twitter account. Their fun, jovial posts and entertaining GIFs of shows and movies scream “We get you!” to their followers.
- Key takeaway: Make a true effort to show your audience that you, too, “get them.” While you can find social media best practices on a zillion websites, only you can pinpoint the exact formula that will get your audience buzzing. Try posting at different times throughout the day and make note of what works best for you. Experiment with a few topic “themes” to generate buzz and see which one gets the most engagement. Don’t forget, there’s no exact science behind social media followings—keep trying until you receive a Netflix-type response, yourself.
Get serious. You love pepperoni. #resolutions #WithBobAndDavid https://t.co/i6HYBVfavN
— Netflix US (@netflix) October 26, 2015
Marketing experts
- What makes him awesome: With more than 171,000 followers, marketing aficionado Jay Baer is clearly devoted to – and engaged with – his audience. Regardless of where he is or what he’s doing, Baer has no qualms finding a quiet spot to record a two-minute video to chime in on the “hottest” news of the day for his Facebook account. Baer is tuned in across all social platforms and keeps his audience engaged and informed with his commentary, informational posts, and consistent “on-air” social presence.
- Key takeaway: Be timely and frequent with your posts. Your audience will notice your commitment to keeping your social media account fresh and up to date – a great way to get them to continually follow your work.
Ep 1 of my new video podcast game show Who’s That Hater. Today = @chrisducker Watch and win! https://t.co/0yG6vQJXFE pic.twitter.com/eN5a9xHpOe
— Jay Baer (@jaybaer) October 14, 2015
- What makes him awesome: Marketing thought leader Chad Pollitt grew the follower base of his digital magazine “Relevance” from zero in 2014 (when it launched) to more than 50,000 in just six months. Pollitt is frequently asked about how he accomplished this, and offers several tips for other like-minded social users looking to grow their audiences.
- Key takeaway: Pollitt’s example of explosive growth shows that when it comes to Twitter, what you put into it is what you get out of it. Without a solid strategy, making one post here or there isn’t going to cut it. To be a social media superstar, know what your message is and share it often.
Twitter’s new executive chairman tweeted just 8 times before he got the job http://t.co/tVW84lIeJ0
— Chad Pollitt (@ChadPollitt) October 14, 2015
- What makes him awesome: Gary Vaynerchuk is a self-made success story. Launching Winelibrary.com, an online wine retailer, nearly 20 years ago, Vaynerchuk grew his family business from $3 million to $60 million in seven years. His followers actively engage with him—not just liking and favoriting his posts, but retweeting, buying his services and products, and ultimately driving sales. How did he get to this point? By being nothing but himself.
- Key takeaway: Be yourself. As Vaynerchuk advises, “Be generous. Be informative. Be funny. Be inspiring. Be all the characteristics we enjoy in other human beings.” Your social media accounts represent you not only as a person, but as a brand. Grow your own personal brand—and give your followers a taste of your personality—by adding your own unique flair to your social accounts, as Vaynerchuk has.
I’m and Overnight Success: Gary Vaynerchuk https://t.co/XsbY1okhxf
— Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) November 1, 2015
- What makes him awesome: President Barack Obama now has more than 65 million followers on Twitter, more than any other politician on the platform. The president has set a great example for those in public positions looking to engage with a large audience. He shows his support for various issues, causes, or individuals, while asking for support in return.
- Key takeaway: If anything, President Obama’s Twitter account calls attention to the issues that matter to him. Don’t be afraid to use your online presence to share messages and information about topics that are important to you.
Big polluters and climate change deniers are standing in the way of progress—fight back: https://t.co/Suca7L4Qer pic.twitter.com/UeLwhEwg4Q
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 29, 2015
It’s important to remember that practice makes perfect. If you follow the examples above, your social platform will undoubtedly grow, but at the same time, don’t hesitate to try something new as you plug away. Experimenting with posting times, particular wording, types of content, etc., is the only way you will know what works best for you and your audience. You have your own voice to introduce to the world!