How TSA Is Making A Name for Itself on Social Media
I have tried to stay on topic with looking into the ways platforms are changing and updating themselves, and also the ways companies can utilize these updated features. However, when doing my research I run across articles every now and then that show these companies in action, much like the one I saw this week. It was an article featured on Entrepreneur that detailed how TSA has been killing the Instagram game. I have friends who have mentioned following them and I always just thought it was super random and nothing I personally would find funny. But, y'all. For a company who most people have negative or neutral opinions about, I was one of them trust me I can level with you, they are leveraging social media to break this stigma and it's pretty awesome.
Bob Burns is the social media specialist for TSA Public Affairs, AKA the man that gets to take credit as the mastermind behind the organization's strategic posts. Burns attributes the popular posts to the bizarre photos of confiscated items, travel tips, and adorable posts about some of the pups in their K9 units. All together, these posts have gained them over 800,000 followers on IG. Bob Burns also explains in the article that he hopes it shows the human side of their employees and organization as a whole. Burns follows this thought saying,"We're not just the federal employees in the bowels of some dark government building. We're real people." I decided to take a look for myself at some of the posts, one pictured below. Also as a side note- I had 10 friends following them on their own, which is more than I would have ever guessed.
Relating this back to everything I have tried to focus on the last few weeks in my blog, this kind of company action to leverage the platforms you have at your disposal can significantly boost your brand image. For a brand like TSA whom is normally met with negative opinion strictly because no one likes dealing with security at the airport, they have managed to establish a connection with their audience by adding some fun content to a very not-fun industry.
Bob Burns is the social media specialist for TSA Public Affairs, AKA the man that gets to take credit as the mastermind behind the organization's strategic posts. Burns attributes the popular posts to the bizarre photos of confiscated items, travel tips, and adorable posts about some of the pups in their K9 units. All together, these posts have gained them over 800,000 followers on IG. Bob Burns also explains in the article that he hopes it shows the human side of their employees and organization as a whole. Burns follows this thought saying,"We're not just the federal employees in the bowels of some dark government building. We're real people." I decided to take a look for myself at some of the posts, one pictured below. Also as a side note- I had 10 friends following them on their own, which is more than I would have ever guessed.
Relating this back to everything I have tried to focus on the last few weeks in my blog, this kind of company action to leverage the platforms you have at your disposal can significantly boost your brand image. For a brand like TSA whom is normally met with negative opinion strictly because no one likes dealing with security at the airport, they have managed to establish a connection with their audience by adding some fun content to a very not-fun industry.
Yes!! I love this idea! Going through the process of security when traveling is never a highlight of any trip, but I love that the TSA is combatting that stigma and successfully attempting to engage with people via social media. I think this strategy will improve the harsh image of the TSA that people tend to have and give their occupation title new life and humanization.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious! Like you, I had never seen any of their posts and had no idea what TSA was doing on social! I completely agree with you, though, that it is one great step they can take in improving their reputation. I think that for many years now TSA has slowly tarnished their reputation, between nationwide exposure to improper treatment of passengers and the lack of personality and politeness many of them possess. This Instagram almost makes them more human, more personable, more approachable. Depicting the TSA as witty and funny I think will definitely help their reputation. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHonestly I never would have known they even had an Instagram until your post! That is so funny to me I'm excited to go look at. Their use of humor and sarcasm is what is combatting their somewhat negative and lackluster persona. I think their strategy is brilliant - then know just how successful humorous memes are and have used this to lessen their harsh reputation and give themselves a personality. Great post and great insight!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! I had no idea that TSA was active on social media and that they had an Instagram account. I love how they use humor to get their points across instead of being so serious all of the time. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I love how you shined a light on something a majority of us have experienced, but never thought would have such a huge presence on social media. After doing a little stalking on the profile, it is inviting to see how much humor and fun these employees actually have, and I love that they allow them to show their humor and personalities because many times at the airport they maintain professional seriousness. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI love that you've found their Instagram profile! One of my friends introduced me to it a couple of summers ago and we've all found it to be pretty entertaining. TSA has also released a hilarious video featuring all of the super strange, funny, random, and totally bizarre things people try to sneak through security or openly bare. I can't remember if it ever got posted to their Instagram account since it is pretty lengthy, but it's definitely worth the watch and mention!
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