10 Best Brands on Social Media & What You Need to Do in 2024!

In today’s digital age, social media is like, totally essential for businesses wanting to connect with their peeps and boost their biz.

Here at Social Think, we’re all about dishing out practical social media tips and tricks to help brands crush it online.

So, in this article, we’re gonna dive into some of the raddest brands on social media and chat about what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Best Brands on Social Media

In digital marketing, having a strong social media presence is very important for any brand that wants to succeed.

Top brands use social media platforms to reach their target audience, raise brand awareness, and boost sales. The best brands on social media show us how effective social media marketing can enhance a brand and create long-lasting connections.

These brands have perfected the craft of grabbing attention and building brand loyalty online. They do this through creative marketing campaigns and engaging social media content. Let’s look at what makes their social media strategies unique.

Nike

Nike is a powerhouse on social media, with a massive following across multiple platforms. The brand’s success can be attributed to its inspiring and motivational content that resonates with its target audience.

Instead of just promoting products, Nike showcases stories of athletes and everyday people pushing their limits and living active lifestyles. They align their content with brand values like determination, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

Nike leverages influencer marketing & partnerships, user-generated content creation, and powerful video storytelling to foster an emotional connection with followers.

With a consistent brand identity and active community engagement, Nike has solidified its position as one of the top brands on social media, with over 300 million Instagram followers and about 38 million followers on Facebook.

Netflix

Netflix has mastered the art of social media marketing by creating highly engaging and relatable content for their largely millennial and Gen-Z audience.

They excel at tapping into pop culture trends and creating funny memes, leveraging user-generated content, and interacting with followers in witty, humorous ways. Netflix’s social media team is known for their quick, clever responses that make fans feel heard and appreciated.

They also skillfully use social platforms to generate buzz for their original content through creative tactics like exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and interactive campaigns.

Fostering a strong sense of community and consistently entertaining their audience, Netflix has become one of the most successful brands on social media.

Starbucks

Starbucks has cultivated a strong social media presence by focusing on customer engagement, user-generated content, and storytelling.

They regularly encourage customers to share photos of their Starbucks experiences, which helps create a sense of community and increases brand reach through authentic content.

Starbucks also leverages social media to promote new products, run interactive campaigns, and gather valuable customer feedback and insights. The brand maintains a friendly, approachable tone and often shares heartwarming stories that humanize the company.

Through its strategic use of social platforms, Starbucks has built a loyal following and established itself as a leader in social media marketing.

Dove

Dove has distinguished itself on social media through its commitment to promoting body positivity, self-esteem, and real beauty. Their content often features real women’s stories and challenges conventional beauty standards perpetuated by the media.

Dove’s #RealBeauty and #NoDigitalDistortion campaigns have gone viral, sparking important conversations about confidence and authenticity. They maintain an empathetic, supportive tone across social channels and encourage followers to embrace their unique qualities.

By aligning their social media strategy with their brand purpose of redefining beauty, Dove has cultivated a highly engaged community and positioned themselves as a socially conscious, impactful brand.

Apple

Apple is known for its sleek, minimalist aesthetic on social media, which perfectly aligns with its iconic brand image. They use platforms like Instagram and Twitter to showcase their latest products and innovations through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling.

Apple also leverages influencer partnerships and user-generated content to authentically reach new audiences and build excitement around launches. While they maintain a curated, aspirational feel, Apple also uses social media to provide helpful tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engaging interactive content.

Through its cohesive visual style and strategic mix of content, Apple has solidified its status as a top brand on social media.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has long been a leader in social media marketing, consistently creating content that evokes happiness, togetherness, and nostalgia. They are masters at tapping into cultural moments and adapting their messaging to resonate with diverse global audiences.

From its viral “Share a Coke” campaign to its heartwarming holiday ads, Coca-Cola knows how to create shareable content that strengthens its brand identity. They also use social platforms to highlight their sustainability efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

With a focus on storytelling and emotional connection, Coca-Cola has maintained its position as one of the most beloved and engaging brands on social media.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s has built a strong social media presence by embracing humor, pop culture trends, and user-generated content. They often include memes, celebrity partnerships, and timely references in their posts to keep their brand relevant and relatable.

McDonald’s also uses social platforms to highlight new menu items, run exclusive promotions, and give followers a behind-the-scenes look at the company culture. They maintain a friendly, conversational tone and actively engage with customers through comments, replies, and retweets.

Striking a balance between entertainment and promotion, McDonald’s has cultivated a highly engaged social media following that spans generations.

Airbnb

Airbnb uses social media to inspire wanderlust and showcase the unique, authentic experiences its platform offers.

Their Instagram feed features stunning photos of homes and destinations from around the world, encouraging followers to dream about their next adventure. Airbnb also shares compelling stories of its hosts and guests, highlighting the personal connections and cultural exchanges facilitated by its service.

They leverage user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and interactive features like polls and questions to foster a sense of community. Through its visually-driven, emotionally resonant social media strategy, Airbnb has positioned itself as a leader in the travel industry.

National Geographic

National Geographic is renowned for its breathtaking photography and storytelling, and its social media presence perfectly embodies this identity. They use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to share awe-inspiring images and short videos of wildlife, landscapes, and cultures from around the globe.

National Geographic’s social media content not only entertains but also educates, sparking curiosity and concern for the planet. They often highlight their conservation efforts and research expeditions, inviting followers to learn more about pressing environmental issues.

With a perfect blend of visual artistry and purpose-driven messaging, National Geographic has cultivated one of the most engaging and impactful social media presences.

OREO

OREO has developed a playful, creative social media presence that revolves around its iconic cookie. They are known for their quick-witted, timely posts that often piggyback on current events and pop culture moments.

OREO’s social media team is skilled at creating content that feels fresh and relevant while staying true to the brand’s fun, lighthearted identity. They also frequently engage their followers through interactive campaigns, contests, and user-generated content initiatives.

Consistently delivering clever, shareable content and fostering a sense of community, OREO has become one of the most beloved and successful brands on social media.

What Most Successful Brands Have in Common?

While each of these brands has its unique approach to social media marketing, there are several key elements that they all share:

1. Authentic and relatable content: The best brands on social media create content that feels genuine and relatable to their target audience. They understand what their followers want to see and engage with, and they deliver it consistently.
2. Strong brand identity: Successful brands have a clear and consistent brand identity that shines through in all of their social media content. From the visuals they use to the tone of their copy, everything aligns with their brand values and personality.
3. Engagement with followers: The top brands on social media don’t just broadcast content; they actively engage with their followers. They respond to comments and messages, ask for feedback, and create opportunities for two-way communication.
4. Adaptation to new trends and platforms: The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and the best brands are able to adapt quickly. They stay up-to-date with the latest trends and platforms, and they’re not afraid to experiment with new formats and strategies.

Strategies Used by Top Brands

Looking at how top brands use media shows effective ways to connect. They often partner with influencers and focus on providing great customer service. These brands know that social media is not only for sharing information but also for talking with their audience.

Listening to what real people say and quickly handling any issues, they show they care about customer satisfaction.

Let’s take a closer look at these smart strategies.

1. Engaging Content: One of the key strategies used by top brands on social media is creating engaging content that resonates with their target audience. This can include a mix of informative, entertaining, and inspiring posts that encourage followers to like, comment, and share.
2. Consistent Branding: Successful brands maintain a consistent brand identity across all of their social media channels. This includes using the same logo, color scheme, and messaging to create a cohesive and recognizable presence.
3. Influencer Partnerships: Many top brands partner with influencers to reach new audiences and generate buzz around their products or services. Collaborating with influencers who align with their brand values, companies can tap into new markets and build credibility with potential customers.
4. Customer Interaction: The best brands on social media prioritize customer interaction and engagement. They respond to comments and messages in a timely and helpful manner, and they create opportunities for followers to share their own experiences and feedback.
5. Targeted Advertising: In addition to organic content, many successful brands use targeted advertising on social media to reach specific demographics and drive conversions. Leveraging the targeting capabilities of platforms like Facebook and Instagram, companies can ensure that their ads are being seen by the right people at the right time.

Benefits of Strong Social Media Presence

1. Increased Brand Awareness: One of the biggest benefits of having a strong social media presence is increased brand awareness. Consistently posting engaging video content and static content and interacting with followers, brands can build recognition and stay top-of-mind with their target audience. Overall establishing a deeper level customer experience.
2. Improved Customer Loyalty: Social media provides an opportunity for brands to build relationships with their customers and foster a sense of community. Engaging with followers and providing valuable unique content can help companies improve customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.
3. Higher Conversion Rates: A strong social media presence can also lead to higher conversion rates, as followers are more likely to trust and purchase from brands that they recognize and engage with regularly.
4. Valuable Insights and Feedback: Social media provides a wealth of data and insights that brands can use to inform their marketing strategies. Monitoring comments, messages, and engagement rates helps companies gain valuable feedback about their products, services, and overall brand perception.

Challenges Faced by Brands on Social Media

1. Maintaining Consistency: One of the biggest challenges faced by brands on social media is maintaining consistency across all of their channels. With so many different platforms and formats to manage, it can be difficult to ensure that all content aligns with the brand’s overall identity and messaging.
2. Handling Negative Feedback: Social media provides a public forum for customers to share their experiences and opinions, both positive and negative. Brands must be prepared to handle negative feedback professionally and constructively, while also using it as an opportunity to improve their products or services.
3. Staying Up-to-Date With Trends: The social media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms, features, and trends emerging regularly. Brands must stay up-to-date with these changes to remain relevant and effective in their social media marketing efforts.
4. Measuring ROI: Measuring the return on investment (ROI) of social media marketing can be challenging, as the impact of social media on sales and revenue is not always immediately clear. Brands must develop a comprehensive strategy for tracking and analyzing their social media metrics to demonstrate the value of their efforts.

FAQ’s:

What Makes a Brand Successful on Social Media?

A successful brand on social media is one that consistently creates engaging and relevant content, maintains a strong brand identity, and actively interacts with its followers. They also stay up-to-date with the latest trends and platforms and use data and insights to inform their strategy.

Which Social Media Platform is Most Beneficial For Brands?

The most beneficial social media platform for a brand depends on its target audience and marketing goals. For example, Instagram is great for visually oriented brands, while Twitter is ideal for brands that want to engage in real-time conversations.

How Often Should a Brand Post on Social Media?

The ideal posting frequency for a brand on social media depends on the platform and the audience. On average, brands should aim to post at least once per day on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and multiple times per day on Twitter.

What Makes a Social Media Campaign Successful?

A successful social media campaign achieves its marketing goals, whether that’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating sales. It should also resonate with the target audience and encourage engagement and sharing.

Can Smaller Brands Compete With These Top Social Media Giants?

Yes, smaller brands can compete with larger brands on social media by focusing on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience. They can also leverage influencer partnerships and targeted advertising to reach new audiences and drive growth.

Conclusion

At Social Think, we’re all about how social media can totally rock for businesses of any size trying to connect with their peeps and grow like crazy. Checking out what the top brands are doing on social media can give us some seriously awesome tips on what actually works and what totally flops.

Whether you’re just a small business owner diving into social media or a big company ready to kick it up a notch, Social Think is here to have your back. Our crew of social media marketers know their stuff when it comes to dishing out killer social media advice and strategies to help brands crush it online and hit their marketing goals.

If you’re pumped to level up your social media game, hit us up today. Let’s team up and whip up a killer social media presence that brings in some serious results for your biz.