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Social Media Tips: How the Best Brands Capture Attention in a Crowded Feed (ft. SKKN, Fenty Beauty, Red Bull)

Written by Lynne Clement | Aug 8, 2025 12:00:00 PM

Some brands are actually fun to follow. 

They aren’t just flooding your feed with promos or chasing every trend.
They post content that feels natural to the platform. It’s relevant, well-timed, and built around what their audience actually wants to see.

You follow them because the content is really good.

There’s no step-by-step playbook for that. But brands like SKKN, Fenty Beauty, and Red Bull have figured it out. They understand their audiences and show up in ways that actually connect.

In this post, we’ll break down five social media tips they use to stand out, earn attention, and build real loyalty. You can steal any of them.

@skkn Vanity goals. Add a touch of texture to your bathroom with our home decor collection. @almusha.agd ♬ original sound - SKKN BY KIM

1. Content ≠ Clutter: Focus on Value Over Volume

There’s a myth in social media that more content equals more results. But flooding your feed doesn’t guarantee engagement and it can do the opposite. When everything feels like filler, your audience learns to scroll past without even noticing.

The brands that stand out understand one simple rule: post less, say more.

Red Bull is a masterclass in this. They’re not posting daily motivational quotes or jumping on every trend. Instead, they create high-quality, cinematic content like extreme sports clips, behind-the-scenes athlete stories, and documentary-style series that fans actually search for. Their YouTube channel, in particular, feels more like a media brand than a product account. For more on creator-led storytelling that builds loyalty, check out what brands can learn from the Outdoor Boys YouTube channel.

What makes it work isn’t the quantity. It’s the intention.

Before hitting publish, ask yourself:

  • Does this entertain, educate, or emotionally connect?

  • Would someone stop scrolling for this, or even seek it out?

  • If it disappeared tomorrow, would anyone miss it?

That’s the bar. Not frequency, but value. Value is what the algorithms are built to reward with metrics like watch time, saves, and shares. 

 

2. Use UGC to Build Trust & Reach

If you're trying to grow a brand online, your best content might not come from your in-house team. It might come from your customers.

User-generated content (UGC) has become one of the most trusted, high-converting forms of social proof. Why? Because it doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels real.

A makeup artist sharing their favorite foundation routine.

A fan showing off their product haul.

A tutorial that starts with, “This isn’t sponsored, I just love it.”

Fenty Beauty leans into this better than most. Scroll through their feed, and you’ll find reposted content from everyday users and micro-creators using their products, especially those with unique looks, techniques, or personalities. These aren’t overly polished brand shoots. They’re real people, showing real results. And that’s exactly why they work. Want to work with creators who already align with your brand? Here’s how.

The key isn’t just to reshare. It’s to invite. Fenty encourages creators to tag the brand, join hashtag challenges, and showcase their looks. That creates a steady loop: customers feel seen, others are inspired to join in, and the brand gets a constant stream of authentic content that builds loyalty and extends reach.

@allurebyhamsha Recently @fentybeauty had the Next Fenty Face contest & unfortunately I wasn't eligible to apply because im not a resident of the US, BUT if I could apply this is the video I would've used❤️ I had so much fun creating this & hope you guys enjoy it😅 - It would mean so much if you tagged @fentybeauty for me❤️ - Ib: @ksenyka_ofc - Products Used: @fentybeauty Gloss Bomb Ice Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper in Hot Cherry @fentybeauty Pro Filtr Foundation in 290 @fentybeauty Caramel Cutie Bronzer - #nextfentyface #fentyface #glossbomb #glossbombice #glossbombheat #fentybeauty #allurebyhamsha #thenextfentyface #contest ♬ som original - Ksenyka

Want to start? You don’t need a massive following or budget. Try:

  • Running a contest around creative product use
  • Asking followers to share tips or stories using a branded hashtag
  • Reposting with thoughtful commentary or a thank-you

People trust people. Let them help you tell your story. But make sure they’re the right people. A single mismatch can derail your campaign—just look at this cautionary tale.

@madsbaileybabe This is ya sign to pull up to #TheNextFentyFace @Fenty Beauty ♬ Redemption - FigoBeatz

3. Format Matters: Platform-Native Always Wins

Cross-posting the same video across every platform might feel efficient but it rarely performs well. That’s because each platform has its own rhythm, style, and unwritten rules. What works on TikTok doesn’t necessarily work on Reels. And YouTube Shorts is a different beast entirely.

Brands that win treat each platform like its own language. They don’t just resize a video. They reshape the format, tone, and editing style to match the expectations of that audience. That’s what platform native storytelling looks like—content that feels at home in the feed, not like a repurposed ad trying to fit in.

Take SKKN by Kim Kardashian. On TikTok, the brand leans into native-first content: GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos, voiceovers using trending audio, and raw, unfiltered skincare routines filmed in a casual, handheld style. These clips feel like they belong on TikTok, rather than a brand barging in uninvited.

@katiefanggg Grwm using all @Fenty Beauty ♬ original sound - Katie Fang

The payoff? Higher save rates, more shares, and better comment engagement because the content feels familiar, not forced.

Here’s how to make your own content feel more native:

  • Watch what top creators in your niche are doing. Study their cuts, captions, pacing, and sound choices.

  • Use in-app tools (like TikTok’s text overlays or Instagram’s audio library) rather than editing everything externally.

  • Ditch the polished promo feel when it doesn’t fit. Lo-fi often wins attention faster than high-gloss.

Here’s one of the most important social media tips: tailor your content to fit the unique culture and expectations of each platform

Don’t be the brand repurposing YouTube ads on Reels. Be the brand that feels like it belongs so that your content gets watched, shared, and remembered.

4. Don’t Just Post—Prompt Interactions

Some brands treat social media like a bulletin board: post, walk away, repeat. But the best ones treat it like a conversation.

Scroll through Red Bull’s Instagram Stories, and you’ll notice something right away: they’re not just broadcasting. It’s a two-way conversation. Fans get polls about upcoming events, chances to vote on tricks, and CTAs that challenge them to submit videos. Red Bull makes it easy for fans to participate.  

That interaction doesn’t just build community. It signals relevance to the algorithm. When people engage, whether by voting, commenting, sharing, or tagging a friend, it boosts visibility and reach.

You don’t need a massive campaign to start doing this. Just get into the habit of ending your posts with something that invites a response:

  • “Which one would you pick?”

  • “What would you name this shade?”

  • “Tag someone who needs this today.”

Even a simple prompt can turn a forgettable scroll into a moment of connection.

Want to take it even further?

Try a weekly interactive feature, like a product poll, rapid-fire Q&A, or a “this or that” using Stories or Reels. It’s a small shift in strategy that makes a big difference in engagement. 

5. Track What Really Matters

It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing likes and views. They’re the most visible numbers and ones people tend to brag about. But in social media, visibility doesn’t always equal value.

The brands making real progress aren’t asking, “How many people saw this?”

They’re asking, “What did people do with it?” and they’re measuring what matters.

Take SKKN’s TikTok content. Some of their highest-performing videos don’t rack up millions of views—but they earn sky-high save rates. Why? Because the content is useful. It shows actual skincare routines, not just aesthetic product shots. That kind of content gets bookmarked, rewatched, and shared in group chats. That’s the kind of signal platforms love.

Engagement rate, average watch time, saves, shares—these are the metrics that tell you whether your content actually connected. They point to content people want to keep, not just scroll past. Here’s a quick gut-check for your next report:

  • Did people save it?

  • Did they share it?

  • Did they comment on something real (not just emojis)?

  • Did they watch past the first 3 seconds?

If the answer is no across the board, the problem isn’t the algorithm. It’s the content. Here are some red flags to keep in mind when you’re evaluating influencer analytics.

@seananthonyv FENTY SENT ME A GIANT HIGHLIGHTER?! 😱😱🤯🤯 This is one of my fave summer drop this year as a glitter fan!! @Fenty Beauty Diamond bomb is iconic and I'm so happy they expanded the collection 🤩✨ #makeup #beauty #viralmakeup #beautytips #makeuphacks #fentybeauty #highlighter ♬ Quirky Suspenseful Indie-Comedy(1115050) - Kenji Ueda

Social Media Tips: Dos and Don’ts for Smarter Content in 2025

Do:

  • Repurpose creator content across touchpoints

  • Use interactive tools like polls, sliders, and quizzes, especially in Stories

  • Flex your visual tone by platform while staying consistent with your brand voice

Don’t

  • Chase reach without a reason—optimize for actions

  • Post just to stay active—post with a goal

  • Ignore your audience—comment back, reply, engage

 

Actionable Tips to Implement Now

  • Run a TikTok A/B Test: Compare two hooks and see which drives more engagement
  • Audit Your Last 10 Posts: Did they include a prompt? Would you stop scrolling?
  • Reshare 3 Pieces of UGC: Add commentary or gratitude to make it feel personal
  • Use AI tools: Tap into Influencity Smart Search, Canva Magic Write, or ChatGPT to keep your ideas fresh

These actionable social media tips are quick to try and can reveal what’s resonating with your audience right now.

Be the Brand People Want in Their Feed

The brands winning on social media today aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones creating content that feels intentional, relevant, and worth the scroll.

They post less—but better.

They turn their audience into collaborators.

They speak the native language of each platform.

They prompt action, not just awareness.

And they measure what actually matters.

SKKN, Fenty Beauty, and Red Bull didn’t build loyal followings by accident. They built trust, earned attention, and stayed consistent with content that felt human even at scale.

You don’t need a massive team or budget to do the same. You just need to show up with purpose and let the results shape your next move.

Ready to Level Up?

Try Influencity’s Smart Search to find the top creators, audience trends, and platform insights that can sharpen your social media strategy, and earn more attention for your brand.