As Social media is our cheapest way of marketing and growing users, Its not only important to have a social presence, strategic planing on how to guide and maximise the channel is key to success I have done some digging into how companies have used it to their advantage, and how others have built on social share with a strategy. Social media share – Apps can facilitate social invites, where users can invite friends to join the app directly from their contact list or social media connections. And your alternative is! build a Google Adverts campaign and pay to get customers, that’s expensive. Expand the app’s user base through word-of-mouth referrals.

Good examples of Social Sharing companies:

1. Uber: Uber, the ride-hailing and food delivery company, leverages social sharing through referral programs, where existing users can invite friends to join the platform using personalized referral codes. Both the referrer and the new user receive credits for rides or food delivery orders, incentivizing existing users to share Uber with their social networks.
2. Dropbox: Dropbox, a cloud storage and file-sharing service, grew rapidly through its referral program, which rewarded users with additional storage space for inviting friends to join the platform. By encouraging users to share Dropbox with their contacts via email, social media, or direct messaging, the company significantly expanded its user base.
3. Casper: Casper, a mattress and sleep products company, utilizes social sharing by encouraging customers to share their unboxing experiences, reviews, and photos on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Casper also runs referral programs where customers can invite friends to try Casper products, earning rewards for both the referrer and the new customer.
4. Peloton: Peloton, known for its connected fitness equipment and subscription-based workout classes, capitalizes on social sharing by allowing users to share their workout achievements, class participation, and progress on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Strava. This encourages users to share their Peloton experiences with their social networks, driving brand awareness and engagement.
5. Trello: Trello, a project management and collaboration tool, integrates social sharing features that allow users to share boards, tasks, and project updates with team members and collaborators. Users can also share Trello boards publicly or privately with specific individuals, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing within teams and communities.

Once i understood the mechanism how a business could use social sharing as a tool to grow user, i then looked at companies that i think perfected it for the service they were promoting. 3 such companies are: WhatsApp, Spotify, Airbnb

WhatsApp, a messaging app owned by Facebook, allows users to easily invite their friends to join the platform directly from their contact list or social media connections. Here’s how it works:

1. Contact List Integration: WhatsApp automatically syncs with users’ contact lists, making it easy to see which of their friends are already on the platform. Users can quickly send invitation messages to contacts who aren’t using WhatsApp yet, encouraging them to join.
2. Invite Links: WhatsApp provides users with invite links that they can share via social media platforms, email, or other messaging apps. These links allow new users to join WhatsApp directly by clicking on the link, simplifying the onboarding process.
3. Group Invites: WhatsApp also enables users to create group chats and invite multiple contacts at once. This feature encourages existing users to invite their friends to join group conversations, increasing the likelihood of new users joining the platform.
4. Broadcast Messages: Users can send broadcast messages to multiple contacts simultaneously, informing them about the benefits of joining WhatsApp and encouraging them to download the app.

Spotify allows users to invite their friends to join the platform directly through various social channels. Here’s how Spotify implements social invites:

1. Social Media Integration: Spotify integrates with popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Users can easily share what they’re listening to on Spotify directly to their social media profiles, encouraging friends to check out the app.
2. Collaborative Playlists: Spotify offers collaborative playlist features, allowing users to create playlists with friends and invite them to contribute. This not only fosters social interaction within the app but also encourages users to invite their friends to join Spotify to participate in collaborative playlist creation.
3. Shared Links and Codes: Spotify enables users to share links to specific songs, albums, or playlists via messaging apps or social media platforms. Additionally, Spotify occasionally offers referral codes or discounts for premium subscriptions, incentivizing existing users to invite friends to join the platform.
4. Follow and Discover Friends: Spotify allows users to connect with friends and see what they’re listening to. Users can follow their friends’ profiles, share music recommendations, and discover new music through their social connections, encouraging more users to join the platform to connect with friends.
5. Concert and Event Sharing: Spotify provides information about concerts and events based on users’ music preferences. Users can share concert details with friends via social media or messaging apps, creating opportunities for social gatherings and further promoting the app.

Airbnb utilizes social invites to expand its user base:

1. Referral Program: Airbnb offers a referral program where existing users can invite friends to join the platform. When a new user signs up using the referral link provided by an existing user, both the referrer and the new user receive credits or discounts on their next booking. This incentivizes existing users to invite their friends to join Airbnb, thereby expanding the platform’s user base.
2. Social Media Integration: Airbnb integrates with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Users can easily share their travel experiences, upcoming trips, or listings they find interesting on Airbnb directly to their social media profiles. This not only promotes Airbnb to their social network but also encourages friends to join the platform to explore shared travel experiences.
3. Group Trips and Invitations: Airbnb allows users to plan and organize group trips with friends or family members. Users can invite others to join their group trip directly through the Airbnb app, sending invitations via email or through social media platforms. This feature encourages existing users to invite their social connections to join them on Airbnb for group travel experiences.
4. Host Referrals: In addition to guest referrals, Airbnb also offers incentives for hosting referrals. Existing hosts can invite friends to become Airbnb hosts, and when the referred friend successfully hosts their first guest, both the referrer and the new host receive rewards. This encourages existing hosts to invite their friends to join Airbnb’s community of hosts, further expanding the platform’s accommodation options.
5. Events and Experiences Sharing: Airbnb offers a variety of experiences and activities hosted by locals in different destinations. Users can share their booked experiences or upcoming events with friends on social media, inviting them to join or explore similar experiences on Airbnb. This not only promotes Airbnb’s unique offerings but also encourages friends to join the platform to participate in shared travel experiences.

Considering the many ways social sharing can boost your business, it’s wise to bring in an agency to fine-tune your plan. They’ll assess your strategies, spot areas for improvement, and craft a tailored plan for growth. With their expertise, you can navigate social media complexities and drive real results.