4 examples how to do publicity on social media and 2 how not to

Publicity stunts are all around us. Sometimes we’re aware, sometimes we aren’t. Get with the trend, but be aware and do your research.

Publicity stunts are all around us. Sometimes we're aware, sometimes we aren't. Get with the trend, but be aware and do your research.

Social Media marketing is not different than any other type of marketing

Which means that you apply the same marketing rules to that channel as well. Today I’m gonna talk about one of the elements of the promotion mix: Publicity.

Starting, as usual, with the question

After posting my article about the meaning of digital marketing, a repeated question that I got was whether I had any interesting examples of publicity stunts on social media.

Of course I had examples, but there is a very big premise to this story: ROI.

So keeping that little question in mind, let’s get started.

My personal favorite: Hilton Suggests

Hilton Suggests is a Twitter account created by Hilton to give an amazing informational service to tourists who are looking for ideas and suggestions for attractions to see, restaurants to eat at or just places worth a visit. All of this, unsolicited, and simply by tweeting!

They have a great social listening team who are always scouring the twitterverse for questions. They’re all hospitality experts or foodies who are super informed in what’s hot.

a twitter screenshot from hilton suggests

Now for something more serious: Burgers

Burger King has been a very serious player in the publicity stunt game, even creating a website for their “peace offer” to McDonald’s for peace day 2015.

Between halloween pranks and fake hacked twitter account prank, they show real interest in appearing on social media channels as a friendly and humoristic brand that isn’t taking itself too seriously.
burger king hacked twitter account

Author: Shay Stibelman

Digital marketing consultant in Milan, Italy. Born in Israel, raised in Germany by Russian parents. I help small and medium businesses get their digital marketing game on point. Perfect their website, landing pages, funnel marketing and social media strategies, in order to increase ROI and optimize that ever elusive marketing budget.