5 Social Media CTA Examples That Drive Engagement
Call-to-action (CTA) examples from real brands offer inspiration for businesses looking to boost engagement. Today, I’m diving into five high-performing social media CTA examples from well-known brands, breaking down their brand voices and explaining how to apply these strategies effectively.
Wendy's Twitter Challenge
Example: In the now-iconic #NuggetsForCarter campaign, Wendy's set a challenge: Carter had to get 18 million retweets for a year’s supply of free nuggets. This witty, challenge-based CTA blew up, generating millions of interactions, all while reinforcing Wendy’s playful and daring brand voice (SocialPilot).
Brand Voice Profile:
Witty: Wendy’s is known for its sharp, humorous responses.
Engaging: The brand interacts with its audience like a friend.
Bold: It pushes boundaries in how it interacts with competitors and customers.
Relatable: They connect with everyday pop culture moments.
Fun: Wendy’s uses lighthearted fun as a cornerstone of its social strategy.
When to Try It: If your brand can pull off a playful, conversational tone (think food trucks, lifestyle brands, or entertainment companies), creating a challenge like this is a great way to drive engagement. Avoid this approach if your brand needs a more formal tone (e.g., healthcare or legal services).
KFC’s Tag-a-Friend Challenge
Example: KFC leveraged a simple but effective CTA by asking users to tag a friend who should pay for the Nashville Hot Saucy Nuggets. This “Tag-a-Friend” CTA is a prime example of social interaction boosting visibility and engagement (Sprinklr).
Brand Voice Profile:
Friendly: Casual, approachable, and inviting to all.
Interactive: Engages customers directly, focusing on social connection.
Down-to-Earth: No frills, KFC speaks to the everyday customer.
Irreverent: A dash of cheeky humor spices up their posts.
Tempting: With strong imagery of their menu, KFC drives craving-based engagement.
When to Try It: For social brands, e-commerce, or products with a fun, casual tone, "Tag-a-Friend" CTAs can increase shares and broaden reach. This isn’t appropriate for more serious industries, but it works perfectly for food, fashion, and fun events.
Nike’s QR Code CTA
Example: Nike took a different approach by incorporating a QR code that, when scanned, prompted users to download their Training Club App. The action-focused CTA was simple: “Scan this code to download the Nike Training Club App” (Semrush).
Brand Voice Profile:
Inspirational: Nike’s CTAs often challenge their audience to take action.
Action-Oriented: They focus on movement—both literally and figuratively.
Global: Their voice resonates with people worldwide.
Modern: The brand is tech-savvy, embracing cutting-edge techniques.
Motivational: Nike always pushes its audience toward self-improvement.
When to Try It: If your brand targets active or tech-driven consumers, QR code CTAs work well. It offers a quick way for users to engage with your app, product, or landing page. This tactic isn’t ideal for businesses that don’t rely heavily on mobile interaction or apps.
HelloFresh’s Contest CTA
Example: HelloFresh Canada crafted a contest CTA: “Like, tag, and follow to win” with an engaging giveaway campaign. The incentive of free meals boosted their social reach and gained tons of new followers (Social Media Dashboard).
Brand Voice Profile:
Friendly: Simple and approachable, like talking to a foodie friend.
Helpful: HelloFresh provides value with recipes and meal planning tips.
Personable: It makes customers feel like part of a community.
Informative: Clear instructions and details make their CTAs easy to follow.
Inclusive: They invite a wide audience to participate, regardless of experience level.
When to Try It: Contests and giveaways are perfect for any brand looking to boost followers or engagement quickly. Be mindful of how many you run, though—overdoing contests can exhaust your audience.
TOMS “Learn More and Shop” CTA
Example: TOMS encourages users to “Learn More and Shop,” softening the typical sales pitch by focusing on the social cause behind their products (SocialPilot).
This CTA aligns perfectly with their brand’s philanthropic nature.
Brand Voice Profile:
Conscious: Always focused on social good and giving back.
Empathetic: Their messaging is compassionate and customer-centric.
Positive: Promotes uplifting messages and causes.
Genuine: TOMS speaks with authenticity, reinforcing trust.
Mission-Driven: Their brand voice always ties back to the larger mission of helping others.
When to Try It: This approach works well for brands that champion a cause or engage in social responsibility efforts. If your brand focuses on sales alone, this CTA might not be the best fit.
Take Their Lead
When using CTAs in your social media strategy, be mindful of your brand’s tone and goals. Each of the examples above offers a way to engage effectively without alienating your audience. Whether it’s a challenge, contest, or socially conscious CTA, make sure to tailor your approach to fit both your brand voice and your audience’s expectations.
By experimenting with these real-world examples, you can find a CTA strategy that drives action, increases engagement, and strengthens your brand presence.
