Content Outline

1. Introduction
   • A. Definition of Brand Advocacy
   • B. Importance of Brand Advocacy Examples
2. Types of Brand Advocacy Examples
   • A. Social Media Advocacy Examples
   • B. Customer Advocacy Examples
   • C. Employee Advocacy Examples
3. Successful Brand Advocacy Examples
   • A. Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Campaign
   • B. Glossier’s Customer Advocacy Strategy
   • C. Starbucks’ Employee Advocacy Program
4. How to Foster Brand Advocacy Examples
   • A. Providing Exceptional Customer Service
   • B. Encouraging User-Generated Content
   • C. Creating a sense of Community
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Brand advocacy has become an essential part of every marketer’s strategy. It is a powerful way to increase brand awareness, build trust, and drive sales. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the top brand advocacy examples that have been successful in recent years.

Brand advocacy is all about creating a community of loyal customers who are passionate about your brand and are willing to promote it to others. According to a study by Nielsen, 83% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over other forms of advertising. This is why it is crucial to invest in it.

In this post, we will analyze some of the best brand advocacy examples, including:

• The Apple brand advocates
• The Nike+ Run Club community
• The Coca-Cola “Share a Coke” campaign
• The Starbucks Rewards program

We will discuss how these brands have leveraged brand advocacy to create a loyal customer base and increase their bottom line. So, let’s dive in and explore these examples in more detail.

Introduction – A. Definition of Brand Advocacy

Brand advocacy is a marketing approach that focuses on using loyal customers to promote a brand through word-of-mouth marketing. It is a powerful way to build brand awareness, improve customer loyalty, and increase sales. According to a study by Convince & Convert, brand advocates are 50% more likely to influence a purchase decision than a typical customer.

Brand advocacy is not new, but social media has made it easier for customers to share their opinions and experiences with a brand. As a result, companies are investing more in these programs to encourage customers to become advocates and share their positive experiences with others. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of it and provide examples of successful brand advocacy programs.

What is Brand Advocacy?

Brand advocacy is a marketing strategy that focuses on turning loyal customers into brand ambassadors. These customers are passionate about the brand and are willing to promote it to others through positive word-of-mouth marketing. These programs aim to identify and engage with these customers to encourage them to share their experiences with others.

Brand advocacy is different from traditional marketing because it relies on the customers to promote the brand, rather than the brand promoting itself. This makes it a more authentic and trustworthy form of marketing, as customers are more likely to trust the opinions of their peers than traditional advertising.

Examples of Brand Advocacy Programs

• Dropbox’s Referral Program – Dropbox incentivizes its customers to refer new customers to the platform by offering additional storage space for every referral. This program has been highly successful, with 35% of Dropbox’s daily signups coming through the referral program.
• HubSpot’s Customer Love Program – HubSpot’s customer love program recognizes and rewards customers who are advocates for the brand. Customers can earn rewards by writing reviews, referring new customers, and participating in online communities.
• Dell’s Employee Advocacy Program – This program encourages its employees to share company content on their personal social media accounts. This program has been highly successful, with Dell’s employees generating over 4,000 social media posts per week.

These examples demonstrate the power of brand advocacy and how it can be used to drive customer loyalty and sales. By incentivizing customers and employees to promote the brand, companies can create a loyal customer base that is willing to promote the brand to others.

Introduction – B. Importance of Brand Advocacy Examples

Brand advocacy is a marketing strategy that involves leveraging the power of satisfied customers to promote a brand. In today’s world, where consumers have access to a wealth of information and are increasingly skeptical of traditional advertising, it has become an essential tool for building brand awareness and driving sales.

One of the most effective ways to showcase the power of brand advocacy is by providing examples. These examples can come in many forms, including case studies, customer testimonials, and social media posts.

There are several reasons why these examples are so important:

• They provide social proof that your brand is worth engaging with
• They demonstrate the real-world benefits of using your products or services
• They showcase the passion and enthusiasm of your most loyal customers

According to a study by Ogilvy, brand advocates are 50% more likely to influence a purchase than traditional advertising. This is because consumers trust the opinions of their peers more than they trust the claims made by companies.

Some great examples of brand advocacy in action include:

• The Starbucks Rewards program, which incentivizes loyal customers to promote the brand on social media
• The Apple AirPods Pro, which have garnered a cult following among music lovers and tech enthusiasts
• The Nike SNKRS app, which allows sneakerheads to connect with a community of like-minded fans and stay up-to-date on the latest releases

By studying these examples and others like them, brands can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t when it comes to building brand advocacy. With the right approach, this can be a powerful force for building brand loyalty and driving sales.

Types of Brand Advocacy Examples

Brand advocacy is a powerful marketing strategy that can help your business grow and reach new customers. There are several types of these examples that you can use to promote your brand and increase your customer base. Here are some of the most effective types of brand advocacy:

• Employee advocacy: Encouraging your employees to promote your brand on social media and other platforms can be a powerful way to reach new customers. According to PostBeyond, content shared by employees receives 8 times more engagement than content shared by brand channels.
• Customer advocacy: Happy customers can be some of your best brand advocates. Encouraging them to leave positive reviews on sites like Yelp and Google can help attract new customers. According to Vendasta, 92% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase.
• Influencer advocacy: Partnering with influencers who have a large social media following can help you reach new audiences. According to TapInfluence, influencer marketing can generate up to 11 times the ROI of traditional advertising.
• Community advocacy: Building a strong community around your brand can also be an effective way to generate brand advocacy. Encouraging community members to share your content and engage with your brand can help you reach new audiences and build trust. According to Social Media Today, 78% of consumers say that brands with strong communities are more trustworthy.

Overall, there are many different types of brand advocacy examples that you can use to promote your brand. By leveraging the power of employee, customer, influencer, and community advocacy, you can build a strong brand that attracts new customers and generates long-term growth.

Types of Brand Advocacy Examples – A. Social Media Advocacy Examples

Social media advocacy is one of the most popular forms of brand advocacy today. It is a cost-effective way for businesses to reach their audience and build brand awareness. Below are some examples of social media advocacy:

• Employee Advocacy: Encouraging employees to share company content on their personal social media accounts. This can increase the reach of the content and build trust with potential customers.
• Influencer Advocacy: Partnering with social media influencers who have a large following to promote a brand’s products or services. This can increase brand visibility and credibility.
• Customer Advocacy: Encouraging satisfied customers to share their experience with the brand on social media. This can increase brand loyalty and attract new customers.

According to a study by Convince and Convert, content shared by employees receives 8 times more engagement than content shared by brand channels. Additionally, a study by TapInfluence found that influencer marketing generates 11 times higher ROI than traditional forms of digital marketing.

Overall, social media advocacy can be a powerful tool for businesses to build brand awareness and trust with their audience. By leveraging their employees, influencers, and satisfied customers, brands can increase their reach and credibility on social media platforms.

Types of Brand Advocacy Examples – B. Customer Advocacy Examples

Customer advocacy is one of the most powerful types of brand advocacy. These are some of the most effective ways to turn your customers into brand ambassadors:

• Reviews and testimonials: Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews and testimonials on your website or social media pages. According to Invesp, 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. This means that reviews and testimonials can have a huge impact on your brand’s reputation.
• User-generated content: Encourage your customers to share their experiences with your brand on social media. This can include photos, videos, and stories. According to Campaign Monitor, user-generated content can increase engagement by 28%.
• Referrals: Encourage your customers to refer their friends and family to your brand. According to ReferralCandy, referred customers have a 16% higher lifetime value than non-referred customers.
• Brand advocacy programs: Create a program that rewards customers for promoting your brand. This can include discounts, free products, or exclusive access to events. According to HuffPost, brand advocacy programs can increase customer retention by up to 18%.

These are just a few examples of how customer advocacy can benefit your brand. By encouraging your customers to promote your brand, you can increase brand awareness, improve your reputation, and drive sales.

C. Employee Advocacy Examples

Employee advocacy is a powerful tool that can help companies increase their brand reach and credibility. By leveraging their employees’ social media networks, companies can amplify their message and connect with new audiences. Here are some examples of successful campaigns:

• IBM: IBM’s employee advocacy program, called “IBM Voices”, encourages employees to share company news and content on their personal social media accounts. This has resulted in a 5x increase in the company’s social media impressions.
• Dell: Dell’s “Social Media and Communities University” trains employees on how to effectively use social media for advocacy. This has led to a 48% increase in Dell’s social media referrals.
• Hootsuite: Hootsuite’s employee advocacy program, called “AMPLIFY”, incentivizes employees to share company content on social media. This has resulted in a 5x increase in the company’s social media reach.

Employee advocacy not only helps companies increase their brand reach, but it also helps to build trust and credibility with consumers. According to a study by Edelman, 53% of consumers trust employees more than the company’s CEO or PR department.

Implementing an employee advocacy program requires a structured approach and clear guidelines. Companies need to provide training and resources to their employees to ensure that they are representing the brand in a positive and consistent manner.

Overall, employee advocacy is an effective way for companies to leverage their employees’ networks and increase their brand reach and credibility. By providing the right tools and training, companies can empower their employees to become brand advocates and help to drive business success.

Sources: IBM, Edelman, Hootsuite

Successful Brand Advocacy Examples

Brand advocacy has become an essential part of a company’s marketing strategy. It involves loyal customers who promote a brand to their network, resulting in increased brand awareness, customer acquisition, and sales. Here are some successful brand advocacy examples:

• Dropbox: Dropbox’s referral program incentivizes users to invite their friends to join the cloud storage platform. This strategy has been successful, with Dropbox increasing its user base by 3900% in just 15 months.
• Zoom: Zoom’s success can be attributed to its customers’ advocacy. Its users rave about its ease of use and reliability, resulting in word-of-mouth promotion and a loyal customer base. This has led to Zoom’s market valuation skyrocketing to over $100 billion in just a few years.
• Apple: Apple’s loyal customer base is a result of its advocacy strategy. Apple products are marketed as a lifestyle choice, and its users are proud to be associated with the brand. This has led to Apple being the most valuable brand in the world, with a brand value of over $300 billion.

These successful brand advocacy examples show the importance of creating a loyal customer base that promotes your brand. By incentivizing your customers and providing an exceptional user experience, you can turn them into brand advocates who will promote your brand to their network. These examples also highlight the tradeoffs involved in this strategy, such as the need to provide a high-quality product or service and the importance of maintaining customer trust.

Overall, It is a powerful marketing tool that can lead to increased brand awareness, customer acquisition, and sales. By studying these successful examples, you can learn how to create a successful advocacy strategy for your brand.

Successful Brand Advocacy Examples – A. Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Campaign

It is a powerful marketing tool that can help companies gain brand loyalty and increase sales. Nike’s Colin Kaepernick campaign is a prime example of successful brand advocacy that resonated with its target audience. Nike took a bold stance on social issues and leveraged the power of its brand to create a campaign that sparked conversation and generated buzz.

The Key Factors of Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Campaign

• Embracing Controversy: Nike’s campaign embraced controversy and took a stand on a polarizing issue. By featuring Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback known for his protests against racial injustice, Nike aligned itself with a social movement that resonated with its target audience.
• Authenticity: Nike’s long-standing history of supporting athletes who take a stand on social issues added to the authenticity of the campaign. This helped to build trust with its audience and create a deeper emotional connection.
• Engaging with Social Media: Nike utilized social media to amplify its message and engage with its audience. The “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything” hashtag was used on social media platforms, including Twitter and Instagram, generating millions of impressions.

The success of Nike’s Colin Kaepernick campaign is evident in the numbers. The campaign generated $6 billion in sales and a 31% increase in online sales in the days after the campaign launched. Furthermore, Nike’s stock price increased by 5% after the campaign, adding $6 billion to its market value.

In conclusion, Nike’s Colin Kaepernick campaign is a prime example of successful brand advocacy that resonated with its target audience. The key factors that contributed to the success of the campaign include embracing controversy, authenticity, and engaging with social media. By taking a bold stance on social issues and leveraging the power of its brand, Nike was able to create a campaign that sparked conversation and generated buzz, resulting in increased sales and market value.

Sources:
Business Insider,
Forbes

Successful Brand Advocacy Examples – B. Glossier’s Customer Advocacy Strategy

B. Glossier is a beauty brand that has mastered the art of customer advocacy. With a customer-centric approach, Glossier has managed to create a cult-like following of loyal customers who advocate for the brand on social media, blogs and other platforms. This has made the brand one of the most successful brand advocacy examples in recent times.

Why Glossier’s Customer Advocacy Strategy Works

• Authenticity: Glossier’s marketing campaigns are centered around real customers and their experiences with the brand. This authenticity resonates with customers and creates a sense of trust.
• Simplicity: Glossier’s product line is simple and easy to use. This has made it easy for customers to recommend the products to others.
• Engagement: Glossier actively engages with customers on social media and other platforms. This has created a sense of community around the brand, and has encouraged customers to share their experiences with others.

Glossier’s customer advocacy strategy has resulted in a highly engaged customer base that advocates for the brand on a daily basis. In fact, Glossier’s Instagram account has over 2.8 million followers, and the brand has been mentioned over 37,000 times on Twitter in the last year alone.

The success of Glossier’s customer advocacy strategy proves that a customer-centric approach can pay dividends for brands. By focusing on authenticity, simplicity and engagement, Glossier has created a loyal following of customers who are proud to advocate for the brand.

For more examples, check out this list of successful brand advocacy campaigns.

Successful Brand Advocacy Examples – C. Starbucks’ Employee Advocacy Program

Starbucks is a company that has always been known for its innovative marketing strategies. One of the most successful of these is the Starbucks Employee Advocacy Program, which has proven to be an effective means of increasing brand awareness and loyalty.

The program is designed to encourage Starbucks employees to share their experiences and knowledge about the company on social media platforms. By doing so, they become brand advocates, helping to spread the word about Starbucks and its products to their friends, family, and followers.

There are several key factors that have contributed to the success of the Starbucks Employee Advocacy Program:

• Employee Engagement: Starbucks employees are some of the most engaged and passionate individuals in the industry. The Employee Advocacy Program taps into this passion, giving them a platform to share their stories and experiences with others.
• Authenticity: The program encourages employees to be themselves and share their authentic experiences with the brand. This creates a more personal connection with customers and helps to build trust and loyalty.
• Empowerment: Starbucks employees are given the tools and training they need to be successful brand advocates. This includes access to a library of content and resources, as well as training on how to use social media effectively.

According to a recent study, companies with employee advocacy programs see a 26% increase in year-over-year revenue growth compared to companies without such programs.

The Starbucks Employee Advocacy Program is just one successful example. By empowering employees to share their stories and experiences, companies can create a more authentic and engaging connection with their customers, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness and loyalty.

Sources:

• BusinessWire

How to Foster Brand Advocacy Examples

It is a powerful marketing tool that can help your business grow and thrive. When customers become advocates for your brand, they are more likely to share positive experiences with others, which can lead to new customers and increased sales. Here are some tips on how to foster brand advocacy:

• Provide excellent customer service: Customers are more likely to become advocates for your brand when they have a positive experience with your company. Make sure that your customer service is top-notch and that you go above and beyond to meet their needs.
• Engage with your customers: Engage with your customers on social media and other channels to build a relationship with them. Respond to their comments and questions, and show that you value their input.
• Create a loyalty program: Offer incentives to customers who repeatedly purchase from your company. This can include discounts, free products, or other rewards that encourage them to continue doing business with you.
• Showcase customer success stories: Share stories of customers who have had a positive experience with your company. This can help build trust with potential customers and encourage them to become advocates for your brand.
• Encourage user-generated content: Encourage customers to share their experiences with your brand on social media and other channels. This can include photos, videos, and reviews that showcase your products or services.

By implementing these strategies, you can foster it and create a loyal customer base that will help your business grow. For more examples and information on brand advocacy, check out this Forbes article on successful brand advocacy campaigns.

How to Foster Brand Advocacy Examples – A. Providing Exceptional Customer Service

One of the most effective ways to foster this is by providing exceptional customer service. When customers have a positive experience with a brand, they are more likely to become advocates and share their experience with others. In fact, according to Impact, 71% of consumers who have had a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend the brand to friends and family.

So, how can you provide exceptional customer service and foster brand advocacy? Here are some tips:

• Respond quickly and empathetically to customer inquiries: When customers have questions or concerns, it’s important to respond quickly and show empathy towards their situation. This can help to build trust and strengthen the relationship between the customer and the brand.
• Go above and beyond to solve problems: When a customer has a problem, don’t just provide the bare minimum to resolve the issue. Instead, go above and beyond to provide a solution that exceeds their expectations. This can help to create a memorable experience that the customer is likely to share with others.
• Personalize the customer experience: Customers appreciate when a brand takes the time to personalize their experience. This can include addressing them by name, recommending products based on their previous purchases, or sending personalized emails.

By providing exceptional customer service, you can not only create a positive experience for your customers, but also foster brand advocacy. When customers become advocates, they can help to promote your brand and attract new customers.

How to Foster Brand Advocacy Examples – Encouraging User-Generated Content

One of the most effective ways to foster brand advocacy is by encouraging user-generated content (UGC). UGC refers to any content – whether it be text, images, or videos – that is created by your brand’s audience. By tapping into the creativity of your audience, you can create a powerful marketing tool that not only showcases your brand but also builds a community around it.

The Benefits of User-Generated Content

• UGC is cost-effective – it’s essentially free advertising for your brand.
• UGC builds trust – consumers are more likely to trust recommendations from their peers than from brands.
• UGC increases engagement – when consumers create content for your brand, they become more invested in it.
• UGC expands your reach – when consumers share their content on social media, it exposes your brand to a wider audience.

How to Encourage User-Generated Content

1. Create a branded hashtag – a unique hashtag that your audience can use to tag their content when they post it on social media.
2. Host a contest or giveaway – offer a prize to your audience for the best UGC related to your brand.
3. Feature UGC on your website and social media – showcase the best UGC from your audience to encourage others to create content.
4. Partner with influencers – work with influencers to create UGC that showcases your brand in an authentic way.

By encouraging user-generated content, you can foster brand advocacy and create a strong community of brand loyalists. So, start brainstorming ways to tap into the creativity of your audience and see the benefits for yourself!

For more examples and tips, check out ImpactBND’s blog post on brand advocacy examples.

How to Foster Brand Advocacy Examples – C. Creating a sense of Community

Creating a sense of community can be a powerful way to foster brand advocacy. When customers feel like they are part of a community, they are more likely to become loyal to the brand and to recommend it to others. Here are some ways to create a sense of community:

• Engage on social media: Social media platforms are a great way to connect with customers and create a sense of community. Responding to comments and messages, sharing user-generated content, and hosting social media contests can all help to foster a sense of community.
• Create a forum: Creating a forum on your website can be a great way to bring together customers who are passionate about your brand. This can also be a valuable resource for customers who have questions or need help with your products or services.
• Host events: Hosting events, both online and in-person, can help to build a sense of community around your brand. This can include webinars, meetups, and conferences.

According to a study by Convince and Convert, 42% of consumers who complain on social media expect a response within 60 minutes. This highlights the importance of engaging with customers on social media in a timely manner.

Creating a sense of community can be a powerful way to foster brand advocacy. By engaging with customers on social media, creating a forum, and hosting events, brands can build a loyal following of advocates who will recommend their products or services to others.

Conclusion

It is an effective way to increase brand awareness and loyalty. By leveraging the power of your customers, you can create a community of brand advocates who are passionate about your brand and willing to share their experiences with others.

Throughout this post, we have discussed several inspiring brand advocacy examples, including Starbucks’ #RedCupContest and GoPro’s user-generated content campaigns. These examples demonstrate the power of user-generated content and the importance of engaging with your customers.

To create a successful program, it is important to identify your most loyal customers and provide them with the tools and resources they need to share their experiences with others. This can include creating a branded hashtag, offering exclusive discounts, and providing a platform for customers to share their stories.

Ultimately, brand advocacy is about building a community of loyal customers who are passionate about your brand and willing to spread the word. By investing in this, you can increase brand awareness, drive sales, and create a lasting impact on your customers.

For more information on this and how it can benefit your business, check out this article from Sprout Social.