Posting just to post
In the weird and wild world of social media, we often view the post itself as the end of our journey. Let’s say you want to post a fun photo to Instagram of you and your friends. First, you pick out an outfit. Then, you and your friends take roughly 75 different pictures. And lastly, you go through the painstaking task of creating a clever caption for your new Instagram post. Once you post, you just sit back and watch the likes roll in (hopefully).
Social media has the extraordinary power to connect so many people. So, I think it should be used for more than just “fit pics” and selfies. The posting of content should not be the end of an action, but rather the beginning.
What makes Greenpeace so special?
An organization that seems to share a similar belief is Greenpeace (@Greenpeace). As an international environmental organization, Greenpeace has cultivated a great Twitter page that not only informs but also encourages lifestyles that help our planet. In the age of burning forests and rising oceans, Greenpeace is using social media in a very necessary way.
Greenpeace provides its followers with a wide variety of content. One of the most engaging forms of media that Greenpeace utilizes is educational video. For example, there is the #ProtectTheOceans series where Greenpeace travels the world uncovering the issues that threaten our oceans today. In addition to the videos, Greenpeace shares articles educating their followers on climate updates and scientific studies. The international organization also shows their support quite often to those participating in climate strikes across the globe.
A more light-hearted approach to social media Greenpeace uses is to encourage a more plant-based diet. Greenpeace does this by sharing helpful tips with their followers, or simply stating, “Junk food doesn’t need to junk the planet.” As a vegetarian who is trying to transition to an exclusively plant-based diet, I appreciate how Greenpeace makes this lifestyle change seem easy but still effective.
Why Twitter and what's the point?
Twitter is an ideal location for this diverse array of content from Greenpeace. The social media platform allows Greenpeace to post text, video, and images in a seamless, consistent feed. Aside from media, Twitter is also great for the environmental organization because it allows them to discuss global current events in a very public way.
Whether you are using Twitter and other social media to promote your business, an event, or even just your own personal brand, I believe there are lessons to be learned from Greenpeace. We should use the connections that social media gifts us to educate people, to inspire them into action, or to simply make the world a better place.
