America’s Most Social Small Businesses Face-Off

Winner: Legendary Whitetails

It’s evident that Legendary Whitetails, or @DeerGear, has one of the most engaged, supportive and loyal fan bases out there. Every tweet that the brand sends into the Twittersphere gains a great deal of traction and triggers rounds of conversation. DeerGear uses many clever hashtags that appeal directly to its target market (the brand sells whitetail hunting apparel), such as #WeAreLegendary, #YouMightBeFromTheCity, #EatVenison and #TraditionTuesday.

This hunter’s haven speaks well to its audience, and through the course of this competition has received tremendous support from its Twitter followers, who are singing the company’s praises in 140 characters. The brand does an effective job of utilizing giveaways, engaging in friendly banter with its followers and responding to issues or inquiries promptly — and we’re also impressed with the custom-designed Twitter background, profile photo and cover photo, which adds an aesthetic appeal to the page.

The challenger, @ShortStackLab, is very attentive when it comes to curating a page that will hold value for its intended audience — marketers and other companies looking to capitalize on social. ShortStack links to external marketing sources and to its own blog Socially Stacked, and makes a point to respond to followers’ queries and comments. We’re particularly impressed with ShortStack’s sportsmanlike efforts in offering to feature Legendary Whitetails’ mobile applications on the ShortStack blog — true sportsmanship right there. We’ve got to give them a nod of appreciation at taking the challenge as it’s intended: a friendly competition.

The challenger, @ShortStackLab, is very attentive when it comes to curating a page that will hold value for its intended audience — marketers and other companies looking to capitalize on social. ShortStack links to external marketing sources and to its own blog Socially Stacked, and makes a point to respond to followers’ queries and comments. We’re particularly impressed with ShortStack’s sportsmanlike efforts in offering to feature Legendary Whitetails’ mobile applications on the ShortStack blog — true sportsmanship right there. We’ve got to give them a nod of appreciation at taking the challenge as it’s intended: a friendly competition.

Ultimately, Legendary Whitetails wins this one with its large audience, unique brand voice and enthusiastic follower engagement.

> Follow the Contest HERE <

Winner: Legendary Whitetails

> Follow the Contest HERE <

*February 28, 2014*

Earlier in February, Mashable challenged small businesses all over the country to tell them why they deserve the title. After receiving a flood of submissions from businesses across a variety of industries, they vetted the entrants by dissecting their social presences, consumer engagement, short responses and company size and revenue numbers (not every small business stays small forever).

Now, They’re excited to announce their selections — 32 small businesses that are killing it on social. They’re tweeting up a storm, Facebooking from sunrise to sundown and pinning and Instagramming like you wouldn’t believe.

> Follow the Contest HERE <