Flucamp – a company that carries out paid clinical medical trials – keeps appearing on my newsfeed, but instead of annoying me like other ‘suggested posts’, I continually find the unconventional way the company communicates with Facebook users extremely engaging and entertaining.
In fact, I’m such a fan of flucamp’s Facebook personality, that I’ve considered applying.
OK maybe not, but I think there are a few takeaways here that others can learn from when divising a great Facebook strategy. Generally, flucamp has a distinct witty, scathing and funny personality that – unlike other brands on social – emulates the langulage and onine behaviour of most Facebook users. It shows an accurate understanding of the way people communicate with one another on the platform.
Looking at the company’s Facebook interaction, we’ve compiled 5 key takeaways:
1) BELITTLE TROLLS
Flucamp’s interaction with trolls is fantastic. Rather than pandering to critics (or ignoring them completely), flucamp tackles them head on and publicly outsmarts them. The results are really funny. Take this recent interaction with ‘Blackmagic Nighthawk’ for example:
‘Blackmagic’ thinks he’s clever for uncovering flucamp’s not-so-hidden agenda – but flucamp shoots his down for his low-quality banter.
Flucamp’s great use of sarcasm in trolling situations is also particularly noticeable. Here’s a great example:
Ironically, Gary is the now the idiot here. Flucamp’s responses to trolls are sharp, witty, and unbeatable – and they never cross the line.
2) BE REALLY FUNNY
Flucamp is funnier than most of my friends on Facebook. It’s not a forced, corny humour that is quite clearly branded – rather, it’s no different to everything else that appears on my feed. Flucamp sound like normal, funny people.
For example, telling potential flucampers that everybody dies is – on my watch – completely hilarious.
Also, this Bono joke. /\
3) YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE NICE TO PEOPLE
A common misconception: You have to be nice to everyone. You can be scathing! You can be mean! It’s funny and can be helpful to a brand’s image, as it shows personality. Robotic tepid responses don’t get any attention. These ones do.
4) BE HELPFUL
Being sarcastic and witty, of course, isn’t appropriate in every single situation – it comes across as arrogant. Flucamp don’t interact with every single person on Facebook in the same way – they adapt according to user. Mackenzie, for example, seems to know what she is talking about, so flucamp provide helpful answers that aren’t as provocative as others.
5) BE BRUTALLY HONEST
Tell it like it is. Most brands sugar coat responses. They come across as corny and a bit over the top. By working in an opposite manner, flucamp appear to be funny and cool – which means they are more likely to appeal to students (who can take two weeks off to get flu and go on a gap year).