Who needs Facebook when you’ve got Vero? Or why use Instagram when there’s Caffeine? Okay, you should still use the major social media platforms for marketing your brand, but they shouldn’t be the only options.
The lesser-known social media apps still provide a good platform for promoting your travel brand and offering an alternative method to build an audience. But which social media, other than the big hitters, are worth your attention? That’s what we’re finding out with this guide to alternative social media apps for travel brands.
The obvious one: TikTok #️⃣
We won’t pretend that we’ve just discovered TikTok. But if your travel brand doesn’t have a social media marketing plan that incorporates the latest social media craze, then you might need to rethink your strategy.
During lockdown, TikTok grew exponentially and gained a ton of new fans. It’s a big hit with Generation Z (a prime travel demographic) and has more than 800 million users worldwide. Brands are really embracing TikTok now, using it as a platform to show off a lighter side of their personality. If you’re not already on TikTok, it’s time to create an account.
The organic one: Vero 📸
Offering an alternative to Facebook and Instagram, Vero is a photo-sharing app built on a model that doesn’t have any ads or algorithms. That means it’s entirely organic, which appeals to a significant number of social media users who are getting bored of suggested posts on their timelines.
Even though the app launched in 2015, only now – amongst the growing privacy concerns on social media apps – is Vero enjoying plenty of exposure. It uses a subscription model, which may put off some. However, there are benefits, with subscribers potentially acting as high-level leads–plus its photo-first element allows you to really showcase appealing holidays and get users in the mood to book a holiday.
Brands on Vero can feel confident they’re building a more defined audience, one that has already shown a willingness to spend money for the right quality of service. With 500,000 users joining the platform in just 24 hours in 2018, Vero is using this year to make its mark in the world of social media.
The less intrusive one: Telegram 💌
Slowly but steadily, Telegram continues to gain traction. The strong security measures in places make it an attractive option for those concerned about privacy matters. Users on Telegram enjoy encrypted and self-destructive messages, as well as a completely free service without ads.
Brands are using it as a place to broadcast to their audiences, and it’s a great way for you to keep those in travel communities up to date with all the latest goings-on. Telegram is a great way to reach a new audience alongside the other social media options out there.
The TV-like one: Caffeine 📺
Created by ex-Apple employees, Caffeine encourages you to broadcast live for friends and followers. As a travel brand, you can get in on the act, using it as a place to live stream to your audience without any of the noise that comes with Instagram and Facebook broadcasts.
This app holds enormous appeal with Gen Z and provides you with the chance to be early adopters on the platform and find a niche market where you can showcase the best of your brand.
The outsider: Tumblr ✍️
Okay, so Tumblr is anything but new. Yet, in 2022, it continues to evolve into a dynamic platform. A place for blog articles and memes, Tumblr’s audiences are hyper-focused and therefore dedicated to the accounts they follow.
A new owner purchased the platform in 2019, injecting fresh life into an app that is often regarded as the last bastion of a friendly social internet. If you’re looking to do something a little different with your social media marketing this year, Tumblr could provide the perfect platform.
Its obvious use is blog posts, creating interesting articles, and building a local community of Tumblr followers. At its best, Tumblr is a tribal social media platform. Getting traction there could prove to be a masterstroke in your attempt to gain new followers and customers.
2022 and beyond
If you’re wondering about some of the alternative social media apps that are gaining steam in 2022, now you should have a good grasp of what is worth trying. We don’t know what 2023 holds in the world of apps just yet, but the entries on our list allow you to grow an audience away from some of the larger, more broad platforms.
