this or that: may the content be with you
The fastest way to figure out what social media content actually connects with your audience is to compare posts side by side. Same topic, different execution. Some stop the scroll, others gets ignored.
So let’s play this or that with these May the 4th posts and examine why the force is strong in some pieces of content, but others fade out.
who actually connected with Star Wars fans?
May the 4th is one of those low-risk pop culture moments politicians love to jump on. Wide recognition, soft tone, it’s an easy joke. But the execution and effort put in can deliver wildly different results.
the star wars skit.
Victorian MPs Jackson Taylor and Tim Richardson teamed up on their May the 4th effort; using the day to highlight policy around the Allan government’s work from home policy.
This one required effort to dress up, act and film, a bit of film footage and a few techniques in editing to make Tim’s holo-council appearance authentic.
This reel was actually first posted six week ago and then recycled for Star Wars Day with a slightly snappier opening.
The result: 3400 views (slightly more than the initial post) in a day. But with 78 reactions and three comments, engagement was lower the second time around.
the Ai movie poster.
Queensland’s Sam Skywalker O'Connor teamed up with Jedi Jarrod Bleijie sharing an Ai generated move poster and policy with their audience.
The concept is clear and easy to digest, and doesn’t get stuck in the weeds of the policy. A great way to stay visible and keep promoting an existing policy.
The location tag is a nice little addition.
The result: 254 likes, 28 comments.
the empire strikes back attack.
Jarrod Bleijie doubled down on May the 4th and the Opposition with a quick zinger reel.
The Queensland Deputy Premier filmed a quick piece to camera with his lightsaber and a cutting remark for Labor and their CFMEU comrades.
The controversy attracted views and engagement on a piece of content that was very quick to create - with the added bonus that it could make that lightsaber a tax deduction… (check with your accountant, I don’t do financial advice!)
The result: 13.8K views, 279 likes, 167 comments.
the "I exist, here's a grogu” reel.
Cressida O’Hanlon’s reel had no story, no policy, no attack or joke… but she does have a Grogu.
This reel is the social media equivalent of a wave from across the room. Polite, forgettable, gone.
The result: 2823 views and 60 likes. One of her better but not best performing posts.
the lesson: pop culture days are a hook, but you need to back your lightsaber up some jedi mind tricks. If you're going to show up, bring something to the party. A policy, a story, a call to action, or a bit of Sith Sorcery to give your audience a reason to stop scrolling.
Here’s some more inspo for next May.
