Social Shoutout: Target

What is Target?

Target is a department store retailer with over 1,800 stores in the United States and 350,000 team members worldwide. The company offers high-quality and on-trend merchandise at affordable prices, and they take pride in keeping their stores clean, spacious, and guest-friendly. Customers can find just about anything they may need at their local Target or online at target.com including; groceries, clothing & shoes, electronics, furniture, office supplies, and much more.

How did we discover Target?

Many of us here at IDG grew up shopping at Target, and some of us even have a “Target addiction.” With this love for Target already established, we stalked them on their social media profiles, and we were not disappointed! Their photos are bright, lively, and it reminded us of how much we enjoy shopping at Target.  

How well does Target know their audience?

It’s easy to tell that Target knows their audience because of the way they interact with their customers, and how they keep up with the trends their customers are interested in. Their Instagram is filled with their customers’ photos that they reshare which drives engagement. Also, since they know their audience can’t help but buy things they don’t need (they just have too good of deals), their Twitter has in-trend memes tailored about that much needed #TargetRun. Their social media profiles are more than just company announcements and promotions; they’re about relating to their customers first and foremost.

What can you take from Target?

Target’s social media is unique to their brand, and it’d be hard for anyone to do exactly what they do. However, there are definitely a few things they do very well that we can learn from.

1. Target (almost) always has a call to action. On Instagram, Target tags their products in each photo. So, if you see it, you like it, you want it, you got it. Instagram users can click on “Tap to view products” and quickly see the product details and buy it! It’s that easy. Similarly, on Facebook, each post has a direct link to the product or article on their website. Lesson learned? Have a call to action because it will boost your posts’ engagement.
2. Target highlights their exclusive brands and merchandise. From “Only at Target” clothing lines, like Mossimo, to Hearth & Hand Home Collection from Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, Target has 36 brands that are exclusively sold at their stores. Not to mention music artists who promote and sell their album only at Target, such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Carrie Underwood, Paul McCartney, and much more. Their infamous “Only at Target” and “Target Exclusive” labels make their customers feel like they are part of something special just for shopping there. Their exclusivity is welcoming though and is done in a way that invites non-Target-regulars to join in too.
3. Target’s customer service goes beyond the stores. One of Target’s primary values is to ensure their customers’ happiness. That’s why their customer service isn’t just limited to in stores and on the phone with the guest services hotline. When customers complain on their social media posts, what do they do? They kindly respond, offer to help, resolve the problem, and lastly, sign off with their name. Customer service reps signing off with their names not only gives personalization to the situation, but customers feel at ease because they are talking to a real person, not just a mystery representative or a robot.  

Of course, there is so much more that Target does well with their social media, but these are our favorite components of their social marketing strategy. What do you think of Target’s social media game?

Stay tuned every month for another company social shoutout! If there is anyone you think is absolutely KILLING IT in the social media realm, don’t hesitate to let us know and we will make sure to give them a follow!