How Brands Are Utilising Social Media During COVID-19 ??

There's no doubt that COVID-19 lockdown's worldwide have had a profound impact on digital habits.

Due to social distancing regulations and the need for all retail stores to close, how else have the public been shopping? Online, of course. This is causing brands to revitalise their social media campaigns and target their current and new audiences.

The coronavirus pandemic is deepening users' immersion in social media at a moment when society had just begun to question it.

Lots of people have been asking me about what other brands have done across their social media platforms during these challenging times, so here a few case studies that I hope will inspire you to think a little more outside the box now and in the future:

TodayTix  

TodayTix, which are a well-known theatre ticketing company that offers ticket lotteries and ￡20 on the day front row seats for the best shows, have changed their name to TomorrowTix - they got the idea from Annie The Musical, specifically from the line ‘the sun will come out tomorrow’.

In order to serve their customers, they’ve introduced daily/weekly twitter quizzes, as well as fun games they can join in with. Plus, if you tune in on Friday’s on Facebook, they’re offering live Theatre Quizzes that are hosted by popular musical theatre actors; last weeks was Miriam-Teak Lee from &Juliet! in aid and opportunity to donate to NHS Charities Together – Click here to re-watch or stay tuned for anymore quizzes.

On top of this, they’re currently running a ‘Save A Seat’ campaign so that they can provide 1,000 frontline workers with front row seats to shows - for anyone who donates, they get 10% of their next show and exclusive invites to shows – click here to donate! https://hello.todaytix.com <- Bravo, by the way!

Three 

Three; the well-known phone network, recently did an interview with Holly & Co, which is a ‘SME: SOS’ company that offers free resources to support, empower and inspire the small business community - https://youtu.be/pNHqdTWL-MQ. 

They’ve also partnered with them to offer a lending hand and support Holly & Co to provide small businesses with the best resources to get their businesses off the ground! 

Three has over 172,000 followers on Twitter and are using that platform to boost the publicity of smaller brands to start getting their name out there and with them partnering with SME:SOS, they’re giving away different work necessities like a new desk, online courses for Photoshop or whatever you may need – tune in every Friday at 3pm on Holly’s Instagram (@HollyTucker) where she goes live with ‘Holly’s Small Business Tea Party’ to do these giveaways. If you’re a SME, click here to find out about the cool resources Holly & Co. are offering.

What is also cool, is that they’re offering a couple of freebies and discounts for those that are the Three network; this consists of a 1-month free subscription for revision resources for students, a free 4-week course of your choice to learn a new skill and 25% off Deskmate products to help boost productivity and wellness at home - https://www.three.co.uk/stay-connected-offers. 

GymShark

From the start of lockdown, GymShark have changed their social media name to HomeShark, because in their words; ‘some of you need reminding to stay home’.

 They’re offered live streams on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram full of fitness activities you can do at home, or as they like to call it ‘A GymShark Event. But, Make It Online’. 

They’ve also branched to different audiences as well as their current audience; their live-streams feature famous YouTubers like KSI and the Sidemen to bring in younger fans and Nicole Scherzinger to bring in Pussycat Doll fans – click here to find out the full event line-up: https://www.gymshark.com/blogs/news/gymshark-lift-online?utm_source=Twitter%20&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=GymsharkLiftOnlineTW

Oh, and if you want to re-watch their Instagram live, hop over to their Instagram page and check out the ‘IGTV” section. It’s great to see such a huge brand bring together a diverse audience in the name of fitness!

Theatre Royal Norwich 

With theatres closed nationwide, they had to think innovatively about staying front of mind and keeping engagement up across their social media platforms. They recently ran a #MusicalWorldCup over on Twitter to see which Musical really is the BEST musical. Personally, I think Evita should have won, but that's just my opinion. A well-executed campaign from start to finish by Max Hilton who is the extremely talented Digital Communications Officer at Norwich Theatre Royal. Even the official Les Mis Twitter account got involved!

GiffGaff

GiffGaff Have been asking their customers to get vlogging their tips and tricks to staying sane during lockdown, given the damage the lockdown is doing on individuals mental health, I think this is a wonderful idea. Check out their Instagram (@GiffGaffMobile) for their tips on how to be a great vlogger – just in case you’re planning to go down the YouTuber career route, it's a good laugh, promise! 

And there you have it, five great brands that are taking social media by storm and helping their customers through lockdown! 

Are you struggling to come up with content ideas and compiling an effective social media strategy for your business? Feel free to drop me a PM, or alternatively email me: [email protected]

Stay safe and OTBC.

Chris