4 Social Media Tactics Top Brands Use to Succeed

September 27, 2024

Thrive on Social Media

Social media has evolved from being an optional channel to becoming a critical part of every successful brand’s marketing strategy. While many industries have made this shift seamlessly, much of the maritime world is still struggling to turn their social media efforts into a meaningful asset.

At Nautical Network, we’ve proven that even traditional, offline-focused industries like maritime can thrive with social media in the digital space. With over 4.8 million followers, we have mastered the dynamics of social platforms to build a highly engaged community. Through our own experience and partnerships with major maritime brands, we have learned firsthand what strategies work effectively and which ones fall short.

In this article, we’ll break down four effective strategies that successful maritime brands are using to differentiate themselves, create meaningful engagement, and ultimately turn their social media presence into a powerful tool for driving revenue.

1. User Generated Content

Successful maritime brands know that not every piece of content has to be professionally produced to have an impact. They utilize the power of user-generated content, where real customers share their experiences, providing a natural form of social proof. For instance, a charter guest might post an Instagram story highlighting their day at sea, which the provider can then feature on their channel—showcasing the experience from a genuine customer perspective.

This type of content is effective because it feels authentic and relatable, encouraging audiences to trust and engage with it. UGC fosters a sense of community around your brand, transforming customers into brand advocates who support your message without the polished tone typical of traditional advertisements.

Successful brands often create user-style content themselves to add a human touch to their social presence. Simple tools like gimbals and basic mobile editing skills can empower internal teams to produce authentic content that feels just as relatable, bridging the gap between polished branding and real-world experiences.

2. Trends & Updates

The next recurring factor that we see successful brands do is something we ourselves are very dedicated to doing, is to spend a lot of time keeping up to date with trends, algorithms and platform updates. By jumping on trends, these brands send signals that they are active, responsive, and tuned into the current digital landscape, making their content more relevant and shareable.

Keeping up with trends allows brands to quickly establish themselves as industry leaders. By keeping audiences informed on hot topics such as industry regulations or market changes, they become trusted sources of information that users turn to for updates.

If you also combine this with constantly being at the forefront of changing algorithms and platform updates, you create a very good starting point. By taking control of doing the utmost in this way, and creating content according to what works at the moment, you leave nothing to chance and can expect significantly better traction compared to publishing aimlessly.

3. Consistency

Consistency is crucial for building a strong brand identity and maintaining long-term audience engagement. Brands that uphold a consistent tone, visual style, and message across all platforms become instantly recognizable, creating a sense of familiarity and trust. This consistent presence helps brands stand out and become a natural extension of their core values.

A unified message not only builds reliability but also keeps audiences engaged. In today’s digital landscape, where attention spans are shorter than ever, your followers expect regular content that is interesting, educational, or inspiring. If your brand fails to deliver, they’ll simply move on to one that does.

The challenge for many brands, especially those with a limited social media team, is maintaining this consistency. All too often, the task falls on busy employees who, without the right resources or strategy, struggle to sustain momentum—leading to inconsistent posts and weakened engagement. Successful brands recognize the value of allocating resources to maintain consistency, which ultimately strengthens their position in the market.

4. Data-Driven Decisions

One of social media’s greatest strengths is the instant feedback it provides—something that traditional marketing methods cannot match. Successful brands leverage these real-time insights to create strategies based on what their audience responds to, making every post more targeted and impactful.

Analyzing metrics like engagement, demographics, and performance helps brands fine-tune their messaging and approach. This deep understanding allows for smarter decision-making, whether it’s adjusting content formats, testing new ideas, or predicting what will resonate next.

Data-driven strategies mean brands can continuously optimize their content and track what’s working, building a solid foundation for long-term growth. The ability to measure and adjust in real-time ensures that social media spend is used effectively, leading to better ROI and sustainable success.

Ready to Amplify Your Output?

These strategies are highly effective but need to be executed correctly to deliver tangible results. Successful social media management requires more than just good ideas—it demands consistency, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of what resonates with your audience. From keeping up with platform changes to creating engaging content and analyzing performance, success ultimately comes down to execution.

At Nautical Network, we’ve built our success—and that of our clients—on mastering these key elements. With over 4.8 million followers and years of experience, we understand how to build social brands that not only stand out, but also drive revenue.

Contact us today to learn more about our social media management services and take your brand’s social presence to the next level!