For nearly three decades, River Rat has been the go-to destination for thrilling tubing and rafting experiences in Townsend, Tennessee and Hartford, Tennessee. Nestled in the scenic embrace of the Great Smoky Mountains, River Rat offers unique outdoor adventures that combine the serenity of nature with the exhilaration of river sports. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and expertly guided tours, River Rat has become a beloved staple for both locals and tourists seeking an unforgettable river experience.
In an era where a digital presence is paramount, River Rat recognized the need to elevate their social media engagement to mirror the exciting and inviting nature of their river adventures. With a strategic focus on Facebook and Instagram, River Rat embarked on a mission to enhance their brand visibility and engage potential visitors through compelling content that highlights the beauty and thrill of their outdoor adventures.
We came on board to capture the spirit of River Rat’s adventures through eye-catching visuals and engaging social media content. Leveraging our expertise in digital marketing and content creation, we focused on producing high-impact, short-form videos and engaging content that resonate with the adventure-seeking audience. The challenge was maintaining a consistent and captivating social media presence amid environmental hurdles like unpredictable weather and varying water levels. We tackled these by employing a flexible content strategy that adapted to real-time conditions, ensuring that every post was not only beautiful but also informative and timely.
Utilizing our RAGtag service (monthly content creation subscription) was imperative for capturing the dynamic and trendy content that defines River Rat’s brand. One standout example was a tubing highlight reel that showcased the best moments of a tubing adventure and fun on the river, reaching over 4 million people organically and becoming a viral hit.
The results were clear: River Rat’s social media platforms saw unprecedented growth in engagement and followers since our takeover, including follower growth of 7.7k during the 2023 season and 16.4k follower growth in 2024, and organic reach up 100% in 2023 and 601% in 2024. This success translated into increased interest and bookings, solidifying River Rat’s reputation as a top adventure destination.
Moving forward, River Rat plans to continue their partnership with Big Slate Media to navigate the digital landscapes of future seasons. With plans already underway for a grand campaign celebrating its 30th anniversary, the focus will remain on leveraging organic content and creative storytelling to highlight the best of River Rat’s tubing and rafting adventures.
Through innovative social media strategies and a commitment to quality content, River Rat is set to continue making waves, attracting adventure enthusiasts, and creating lasting memories on the river.