Brand Building: Help! What is BeReal?

By: Emilia Vieni

In an age where social media has become known for perfect editing, glamorous filters and showing carefully curated moments, one of the newest and fastest growing platforms BeReal is here to shake up the game and promote a more authentic way to share content. So what exactly is BeReal, and how can brands get in on it? Let’s dive in a little more:

How Does BeReal Work?

The epitome of BeReal is authenticity. Once a day, users are notified of a two-minute window where you can snap a shot of what you are currently up to, in real time. If you miss this window, you can’t see other people’s photos or view the “discover” page until you post. Users are allowed to retake photos, but the catch is that the app will then show the number of times that person tried to capture their BeReal moment.

So, How Can BeReal Work for My Brand?

With ads being restricted from this app, BeReal presents an interesting challenge for brands looking to create a presence on one of Gen Z’s new favourite platforms. 

Chipotle is a popular example of a brand utilizing their BeReal profile effectively. They offered a free meal to the first 100 customers who used the coupon code posted on the account, which got noticed. The post wasn’t glamorous or over-edited. A simple phone-camera shot with the code written on their takeout bag.

Other types of videos worth experimenting with on the platform include behind the scenes footage (meetings, events, office life), sharing user-generated content, and anything that brings awareness to help others in need. At the end of the day, BeReal recognizes that since the pandemic, the days of flashy influencers are no longer as relatable. Gen Z wants integrity, and to acknowledge public adversity. 

The Bottom Line

So, yes, brands do have a place on BeReal, and it’s a great platform to showcase a more human, relatable side to your brand. Another pro is the simplicity of it all. No more elaborate edits that take hours to organize. It’s one photo that’s meant to appear natural, present, and real. As social media continues to progress, it’s fascinating to see a different ethos this time around. We definitely recommend giving BeReal a try.