The rise of corporate trolling in social media

Radically Transparent Published: December 01, 2022
The rise of corporate trolling in social media

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Episode summary

Corporate trolling in social media is on the rise. A tactic based on being fiery and quick-witted, corporate trolling has been a way for brands to attract attention in the new post-Wendy’s era.

Many organizations are shifting their social strategies across different networks to focus on becoming “professional trolls” in order to gain momentum and even go viral. While all marketers strive to do social media differently, is this really the direction brands should be heading?

Nish Veer, Director of Growth at MediaMonks reflects on companies like Pizza Hut UK, RyanAir, and others who have changed their strategy to become professional trolls in order to gain momentum and an audience. He dives into what B2B organizations can learn from a corporate troll strategy and how to examine your own social channels against competitors to tastefully do social media better.

Hot topics of this episode include:

  • Why businesses are turning to corporate troll marketing
  • How to effectively use troll marketing to improve your brand
  • The fine line between funny and offensive social posts and the key to trolling right

Meet Nish Veer

Nish has been in the IT industry for over 20 years, working for companies like Salesforce, Oracle, and Adobe. During this time, he also spent 6 years running Liverpool FC’s social media for the ANZ region, building an LFC-based podcast from scratch with 600+ episodes, a social media following of 40k people, and continues to be active on Twitter talking all things football, technology, and politics.

He now works for Media.Monks, a global marketing and technology company that works with some of the world’s leading brands, helping them to win the decade.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is corporate trolling in B2B social media and why are businesses adopting it?

Corporate trolling is an attention-grabbing social media tactic, often fiery and quick-witted, that B2B organizations are increasingly exploring. Businesses are turning to this approach to gain momentum, attract attention, and even go viral, shifting their social strategies in pursuit of distinctiveness and audience engagement in a crowded digital landscape.

How can B2B brands effectively use 'troll marketing' without damaging their professional image?

Effectively using 'troll marketing' in B2B requires navigating a fine line between funny and offensive posts. The key is to understand your audience deeply, maintain brand integrity, and execute with taste and precision. Learning from brands that have successfully adopted these strategies, B2B companies can aim to be witty and engaging without compromising their professional reputation or alienating their target market.

What are the critical considerations for B2B organizations before engaging in corporate troll marketing?

Before engaging in corporate troll marketing, B2B organizations must critically examine their brand values, target audience expectations, and the potential impact on client relationships. It's crucial to understand the nuances of this strategy, ensuring that any unconventional content aligns with business objectives and does not cross into territory that could be perceived as inappropriate or damaging to long-term trust and credibility.

How do B2B companies analyze competitors' social media to inform their own engagement strategies?

B2B companies analyze competitors' social channels to understand prevailing strategies, identify opportunities for differentiation, and inform their own approach to social media. This involves assessing what content resonates, observing new tactics like corporate trolling, and determining how to tastefully adapt or innovate to improve their brand's online presence and engagement without simply mimicking others.

Is corporate trolling a sustainable long-term strategy for B2B social media growth and audience building?

While corporate trolling can offer short-term gains in attention and viral potential, its sustainability as a long-term B2B social media growth strategy is a critical question. B2B organizations must weigh the fleeting nature of virality against sustained brand building, lead generation, and professional credibility. The focus should be on how to use such tactics judiciously to enhance overall brand perception and engagement rather than relying solely on shock value for enduring growth.

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