Onslow County Tourism received the Platinum Award for Best Social Media Marketing during the North Carolina Travel Industry Association’s Tourism Leadership Conference and Award Banquet held on October 12, 2023. This accolade highlights the success of the OnlyinOnslow campaign, developed in collaboration with N.C. Tripping, aimed at boosting social media engagement and followers, particularly on Instagram.
The OnlyinOnslow initiative is a strategic social media project that promotes the diverse attractions of Onslow County. According to Salem Clarke, the Onslow County Tourism Manager, “This Platinum Award is a huge recognition of the power of strategic collaboration and creative content.” Clarke emphasized that by partnering with N.C. Tripping and showcasing unique destinations—from the agricultural fun at Mike’s Farm to the stunning landscapes of Hammocks Beach State Park—the campaign successfully navigated competitive challenges.
The campaign’s effectiveness is underscored by impressive metrics. It garnered over 1.69 million impressions across various platforms, achieved more than 1.08 million video views, and recorded over 72,300 engagements. Additionally, Onslow County Tourism saw a gain of more than 500 followers on Instagram. These figures illustrate how strategic influencer partnerships and engaging storytelling can yield substantial results, even for organizations with more modest marketing budgets.
County officials highlighted that the campaign’s success demonstrates the potential of targeted digital outreach. By leveraging high-quality content and influencer collaborations, Onslow County Tourism effectively competed against larger tourism offices with significantly higher marketing expenditures, thus maximizing their return on investment.
Overall, the recognition at the conference not only boosts the profile of Onslow County but also reflects a growing trend in the tourism industry. Smaller organizations can achieve remarkable results through innovative and creative social media strategies, proving that effective digital storytelling remains a key driver of engagement and audience growth.
