5 Food Brands That Just Get Social Media in 2023

As social media nerds, our team at Random loves browsing social media for brands that post unique and engaging content. Lucky for us, many of these brands just happen to be food-related. We're either really hungry at Random, or food brands have unlocked the secrets to social media success. Probably a little bit of both.

Join us on this scrumptious journey as we dive into the profiles of five food brands that are showing success on social media.  From mouthwatering visuals to ingenious pop culture tie-ins, these brands know how to capture your attention and keep you craving for more.

Pop-Tarts

Pop-Tarts has something absolutely crucial on social media: Relevancy. 

Creatively and seamlessly tying a brand's product to pop culture is no easy task. But hey, if Pop-Tarts can do it with their product, anyone can. Through clever and timely content, they manage to capture the attention of their target audience and beyond.

Here's an example of how they tied their brand to New York Fashion Week:

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A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus)

A few days after Apple announced its revolutionary VR headset, Pop-Tart announced its version of VR on social:

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A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus)

And finally, here's Pop-Tart's extraterrestrial targeted post in the wake of Congress' UFO hearings:

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A post shared by Pop-Tarts (@poptartsus)

By aligning with pop culture and current events, Pop-Tarts not only keeps its product at the forefront of consumers' minds but also fosters a sense of relatability and authenticity. This connection with trends and cultural references enhances the brand's relevance and resonance with its audience, ultimately driving brand loyalty and sales.

Alter Eco

Alter Eco, an organic, fair-trade chocolate brand, has mastered standing out by embracing what sets it apart. This attitude is apparent in their brand identity as well as content strategy. This alignment resonates with conscious consumers who seek products that align with their values. It's a shining example of how a brand can thrive by embracing what makes it different and making it the centerpiece of its messaging.

The method that Alter Eco uses to set themselves apart takes many different forms. Here is a more direct way the brand distinguishes itself from others in the market:

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A post shared by Alter Eco Organic Chocolate (@altereco_foods)

And here is a less direct way Alter Eco differentiates itself. By choosing to post raw or underproduced imagery, the brand shows its audience a more authentic side of its product:

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A post shared by Alter Eco Organic Chocolate (@altereco_foods)

Kraft Mac & Cheese

Of course, what you ate every lunch as a kid is popping off on social media. Kraft Mac & Cheese does a great job at keeping up with the trends going around social media. Not only does Kraft Mac & Cheese find ways to relate trends to their products, but they also actively search out trends that fit their brand and product. This makes the execution of their posts seamless and less desperate for relevancy.

Here's Kraft Mac & Cheese's spin on a popular TikTok sound from last month. I think we can all agree that a trend like this would be a no-brainer for a brand like theirs:

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A post shared by Kraft Mac & Cheese (@kraft_macandcheese)

Chobani

Chobani's approach to social media marketing is a textbook example of how to engage with an audience without the hard sell. Rather than bombarding their followers with constant product promotion, Chobani focuses on providing valuable content in the form of how-to guides, hacks, and tips. By sharing content that caters to its audience's interests and needs, Chobani establishes itself as a trusted source of information and inspiration.

This post, in particular, showcases Chobani's skill in going the extra mile to provide valuable content:

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A post shared by Chobani (@chobani)

And check out Chobani's artistic direction in this post! By using vibrant shapes, duo-toned imagery, and organic textures, Chobani ‹‹follows design trends that other proactive brands are starting to incorporate. Embracing current design trends helps Chobani stay in touch with the tastes and preferences of its target audience.

OLIPOP

OLIPOP, a "healthier" soda brand making waves, has crafted a social media strategy that's not just about the soda but the people sipping it. Far too often, brand content execution falls flat by not showing real people using, tasting, or enjoying their product. By featuring the beaming smiles of happy soda lovers, OLIPOP has brewed up an emotional connection that's as effervescent as their beverages.

The following post not only features a real person with the OLIPOP product but also references Taylor Swift in the caption?! What more could social media ask for?

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A post shared by OLIPOP (@drinkolipop)

Referencing a significant player in pop-culture conversation, such as Taylor Swift, is a brilliant choice from OLIPOP. It shows your audience that you understand something beyond your brand and empathize with your audience's interests.


These five brands aren't just satisfying our cravings but are also giving us a glimpse at what effective social media content should aim for. From Kraft Mac & Cheese's trend-chasing expertise to Chobani's value-packed approach, you can pull a lot of social inspiration from just these brands. So, we hope this deep dive has left you inspired (and hungry) for success in your social media endeavors.


Is your food brand lacking social media direction? We can help! Shoot us a message and share all your wildest dreams with us.

Why Building Photos Go Viral: A Random Social Media Study

As social media data junkies, our team at Random loves to explore the reasons why some of our social media posts perform better than others. The topic at hand? Why photos of buildings (that's right, buildings) tend to perform higher than other photos on social media.

The Building Blocks

In the ever-evolving landscape of content marketing, it's crucial to understand what resonates with your audience. Recent research and analysis of client data have revealed an intriguing trend: content featuring images of buildings significantly outperforms other types of content in both engagement and impressions. Let's delve into the numbers and the potential reasons behind this phenomenon.

For the purpose of this study, we stuck to one social media platform: Instagram. Our Social Media Analyst did some deep diving into our clients' social media profiles and collected any photos that displayed the exterior of their buildings. Once the sample of posts was collected, he proceeded to examine the posts based on various KPIs, keeping a focus on engagement and impressions. 

What Stands Out

  1. Engagement: Content with images of buildings averaged an impressive 89.5% better in engagement compared to the monthly content averages.
  2. Impressions: Such content also saw a 44% increase in impressions over their monthly content averages.

These statistics are compelling, suggesting that there's more to building imagery than meets the eye.

Breaking it Down

Hypothesis #1: Breaking the Monotony with Visual Appeal

Most content calendars feature a myriad of images, from people and products to landscapes and abstract graphics. However, our data indicates that there are usually no more than 1 or 2 photos of buildings per month in the case of our clients, Comerica Bank. As you can see, in Comerica Bank's Instagram feed, the scarcity could be a reason that these images stand out, breaking the content monotony. Their unique visual appeal might be the breath of fresh air that users need, prompting them to engage more with the content.

Hypothesis #2: Landmarks for Branding

Buildings, especially iconic ones, can serve as recognizable landmarks. When consistently featured in content, they can become synonymous with a brand's identity. Think of how the Eiffel Tower is instantly associated with Paris or how the Golden Gate Bridge is emblematic of San Francisco. By leveraging such powerful symbols, brands can create a strong visual identity that resonates with their audience.

Here are two examples of buildings that Comerica Bank holds near and dear to their heart. Their newest construction, known as Business HQ, and the Comerica Tower, both located in Dallas, TX, are pinnacle examples of how companies can use buildings as part of their brand image.

Hypothesis #3: A Sense of Geography and Relatability

Buildings inherently convey a sense of place. Whether it's a skyscraper in New York or a historic building in Texas, they ground content in a specific geography. This can foster a sense of relatability, especially among local audiences. For instance, this photo of the Comerica Tower amongst the Dallas, TX, skyline, may have resonated with our local audience and given them a sense of pride, ultimately making them more likely to engage with it.


While the exact reasons behind the success of building imagery in content marketing might remain a subject of debate, the numbers are clear: they work. Whether it's their rarity, their branding potential, or their geographical significance, buildings have carved a niche for themselves in the content landscape.

Brands looking to boost their engagement and impressions might consider incorporating more architectural imagery into their content strategy. After all, in the world of content marketing, it's all about building connections “ and what better way to do that than with buildings?

Break the monotony; let Random get your audience engaged! Contact us to learn more about how we can transform your social media. 

5 Unconventional Ways to Promote Your Podcast

It's no secret that the popularity of podcasts has risen in recent years, with millions of people tuning in to their favorites daily. But with so many podcasts available, it can be difficult to distinguish between the competition and entice new listeners. Despite their effectiveness, traditional marketing strategies like email blasts and social media promotion can occasionally fall short. So if you are stuck on how to make your podcast go viral, here are five unconventional strategies for podcast promotion that you might not have considered before.

Collaborate with other podcasters

  1. A great method to cross-promote your show is to collaborate with other podcasters in your niche. Connect with them and propose a joint episode or a guest appearance. You'll get access to a new group of listeners who may not have been familiar with your podcast otherwise.

Host a live event

  1. An excellent way to engage with your listeners and foster a sense of community around your podcast is to host live events. Try holding a meet-and-greet with your followers, a Q&A session with listeners, or a live recording of your show. Whether in-person or virtual, this could be a fantastic chance to interact more personally with your audience and even receive valuable feedback from them. 

Create a YouTube channel

  1. Since YouTube is a video-only platform, unlike podcasting, it can help you expand your audience. Experiment with creating brief video snippets of your podcast episodes, producing behind-the-scenes material, or recording guest interviews. This can be an effective method to advertise your show, helping you draw in listeners who spend more time on YouTube.

Leverage influencer marketing

  1. Influencer marketing has grown to be a popular strategy used by brands to reach new consumers. Finding influential people in your niche who have a sizable following can help you reach out to potential listeners. Start by contacting these individuals and asking them to promote your podcast to their audience. Offer them incentives and rewards like a commission or a guest appearance on your show. By collaborating with influential figures in your field, you can leverage their credibility and audience to increase traffic to your podcast.

Create a podcast trailer

  1. Crafting a podcast trailer is a terrific approach to getting the attention of potential listeners. A trailer is a brief introduction to your show that focuses on its distinguishing qualities and advantages. Think about producing an eye-and-ear-catching trailer that highlights your personality and the subjects you address. To draw in more listeners, you can share this on social media, your website, and other platforms.

Whether you try all or some of these ideas, promoting your podcast requires a little imagination and originality. You may expand your audience and draw in new listeners by utilizing collaborations, live events, YouTube channels, influencer marketing, and podcast trailers.  Keep in mind that marketing your podcast is a continuous process, so try out different approaches to see what works best for you.

We've got years of experience creating and promoting podcasts at Random, so let us help you! Send us a message below to learn how we can work together to boost your podcast. 

What Should I Post on LinkedIn? Engaging Post Formats to Try

LinkedIn is no longer a simple networking site where you only post when you're looking for a job. Today, in 2023, LinkedIn is used to share ideas, information, and useful content from all types of industry.

But with over 900 million users, posting on LinkedIn can be intimidating. New users often struggle figuring out what to post. If that's the case for you, we're here for you. Here are a few engaging post ideas to help you stand out!

Carousel Posts

Carousels work great on LinkedIn because it's a simple, digestible way to share your expertise on something. Not only are they simple to consume, but they're more interactive than a typical image post. LinkedIn influencers have been using carousels for a while now, but these posts are just as engaging as ever.

Carousels are a great way to showcase products, ideas, tips, and any other helpful information in a visual format.

Text-Only Listicles

Text-only posts have a huge impact on LinkedIn. Even in a world where videos and branded images are meant to catch our eye, text-only posts seem to perform very well on LinkedIn. Maybe it's because these posts seem more authentic and intimate to audiences.

Whatever the reason, breaking up text-only posts into listicles is a great way to share tips, hacks, or something you've learned recently.

LinkedIn Polls

LinkedIn Polls are probably the most simple posts to interact with. In essence, it's just a post with a question and some buttons. Everyone likes sharing their opinion on topics whether they be controversial or trivial. This is not only a great way to get increased engagement, but also a great tool to learn what your LinkedIn network thinks about a certain topic.

Personal Stories

Sharing a story from your own life is a great way to connect with your network on LinkedIn. You just need to make sure that it is something that offers value to whoever reads this. Posts like this don't even have to be centered around employment or work-related things.

I have seen dozens of personal story posts that deal with subjects about family, community, personal struggle, etc. The purpose of these posts is to show your values and personality, all while inspiring/entertaining your network.

Need additional help beefing up your LinkedIn game? Shoot us a message to get started!

The Power of (Canva) Brand Kits

Canva is quite possibly THE most popular tool when it comes to quick, easy, and efficient online design tools. If you don't already know about it, you're about to. In 2021, Canva had over 75 million users who used the platform for whatever reason it may be. The program is popular with (you guessed it) content creators, students, small businesses, and more. Although anyone can sign up for a free Canva account, there are several paid package options with upgrades.  

So, let's say you're a Canva Pro Member. But are you really utilizing all the features Canva offers? One key feature us avid users might not be taking advantage of is the ability to build a 'Brand Kit' directly into your team's space! The good news is, now you know about it. And some even better news is we're about to dive into the pros of Canva Brand Kits and the best practices when using them. 

The Basic Brand Kit

There are three main features you're able to utilize in a brand kit: logos, fonts, and colors. 

1. Logos

Logos Icon in Canva

Tired of uploading your logo every time you need to use it? Or scrolling through your recent uploads trying to find it? Here's your solution. With the brand kit feature, you're able to upload your logo and any other version of it you may need right to your brand kit. After uploading your logo(s), they'll be readily available to you in the ˜Logos' section of your utility bar (as shown to the right). 

PSA: If you manage multiple clients with various logos, this just might be your hail mary. 

2. Fonts

We can't tell you just how many fonts are in Canva, and who knows the amount that aren't. The majority of brands have their favorite fonts, but who wants to find those fonts every time you go to use them? Not us! 

Another great feature of Canva Brand Kits is the ability to pick fonts for your kit that will always be available to you when you look for them. In addition, as a pro member you can upload your own fonts if Canva doesn't have them available to you. 

3. Colors

Styles Icon in Canva

Just as we mentioned before, the same goes for colors. There is an endless number of colors to choose from and, again, every brand usually has a few colors in their palette. This is a great addition to the brand kit, as you're always able to find just the right shade of the color you need to match your brand when creating content. When you're creating content, find your way to the 'Styles' section of your utility bar and your brand kit colors will be there for you. 

Brand Color in Canva Example

For content creators, such as our Social Media Specialists, this is a great feature when creating content for multiple brands. The Canva Brand Kit allows us to separate our clients' brand colors, similar to the one you see for Random, and we can easily find our clients' brand colors to use for content creation. We LOVE a brand kit. 

4. Templates

A newer addition to the Canva Brand Kit is the ability to create pre-approved branded templates to help your team stay 'on brand' when creating content. Creators within your team on Canva have access to these templates which can be especially useful for business owners who use freelancers or are starting to grow their social media team. By utilizing the brand template option, your team will have an easier time staying consistent with your style guide and your feed will thank you! 

The Canva Brand Kit can be a major life - no, TIME - saver. No more scrolling endlessly through your files, memorizing font names, or referring back to your internal brand style guide to find that identical hex code. 

Love the idea of creating content with Canva for your brand but not so sure you want to take on the task? Contact us! Our Social Media Specialists are expert Canva users and know just how to help to give your brand a level-up.

How to Leverage Pinterest for Your Business

We've already shared why your business needs to be on Pinterest. (Have you read it? Are you on it already? Good!)

Now that you're there, you may be asking yourself: where do I go from here? How do I grow my business with Pinterest?

Remember that Pinterest is more of a search engine than a social media platform like TikTok or Instagram. Users come to Pinterest to discover new products, recipes, and ideas, rather than purely for socialization or entertainment. So, it's important to make your Pins as searchable and clear as possible.

Top Tips for Pin Creation

Use SEO in Pin Titles

Text is Best

Strong Images and Brand Visuals

Clear Board Descriptions

Quality over Quantity

Use Hashtags

Solve People's Problems

IGTV and Video

How to Sell on Pinterest

Influencer Campaigns

Shop the Look

List Items as Individual Pins

Claim All Accounts

Use Product Pins

Organic vs. Paid

Looking for help with your Pinterest strategy and content creation? Reach out to us below!