June 2, 2025

5W Public Relations: 5W PR Blog

Public Relations Insights from Top PR Firm 5W Public Relations

The Undeniable Power Of Behind-the-Scenes Content

Learn how behind-the-scenes content builds authentic brand connections, boosts engagement and strengthens PR efforts through transparency and employee stories

Behind-the-scenes (BTS) content has become a powerful tool for brands seeking to build authentic connections with their audiences. Companies like Warby Parker and Sprout Social have demonstrated how sharing internal processes, employee stories, and workplace culture can transform brand perception and strengthen public relations efforts. Research shows that audiences respond positively to transparent, genuine content that pulls back the curtain on business operations. This type of content helps organizations build trust, increase engagement, and create lasting relationships with their target markets.

The Value of Behind-the-Scenes Content in PR

Behind-the-scenes content serves as a bridge between brands and their audiences, offering an unfiltered look at company operations. When used strategically in PR campaigns, BTS content can generate significant results. According to social media analytics, posts featuring behind-the-scenes content typically receive 20-30% higher engagement rates compared to standard promotional content.

Companies like Warby Parker have mastered the art of BTS content through creative store tours and employee spotlights. These initiatives allow audiences to connect with the human side of the brand, leading to increased customer loyalty and positive brand perception. The authenticity conveyed through BTS content helps build credibility and trust, essential components of successful PR strategies.

Creating Engaging Day-in-the-Life Content

Day-in-the-life content provides audiences with an intimate look at company operations and the people who make it all happen. This format works particularly well across various social media platforms, where authenticity and relatability drive engagement.

To create compelling day-in-the-life content:

Start with employee spotlights that showcase different roles and responsibilities within your organization. These stories help audiences understand the expertise and dedication behind your products or services. For example, tech companies often feature their developers explaining complex processes in accessible ways, making technical work more approachable for general audiences.

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Document team meetings and brainstorming sessions to demonstrate collaborative problem-solving and innovation. This approach shows how ideas evolve and decisions are made, giving audiences insight into your company’s thought processes.

Share workplace culture moments, including team celebrations, office traditions, and casual interactions. These glimpses into daily life humanize your brand and make it more relatable to audiences.

Process Reveals: Building Trust Through Transparency

Process reveals offer detailed looks at how products are made or services are delivered. This type of content satisfies audience curiosity while building trust through transparency.

Manufacturing companies can show step-by-step production processes, from raw materials to finished products. Food and beverage brands often share behind-the-scenes looks at recipe development and quality control procedures. These reveals help audiences understand the value and craftsmanship behind products.

Service-based businesses can demonstrate their expertise by showing how they approach client projects. This might include sharing project planning methods, creative development processes, or problem-solving techniques. Such transparency helps justify pricing and builds confidence in service quality.

Integrating BTS Content into PR Strategies

Successful integration of BTS content into PR campaigns requires careful planning and execution. Start by identifying key brand values and stories that align with your PR objectives. Then, create a content calendar that incorporates various BTS formats across different channels.

Live events and product launches present prime opportunities for BTS content. Share preparation activities, backstage moments, and real-time updates to build excitement and engagement. This approach worked well for Sprout Social during their SXSW coverage, where behind-the-scenes content generated significant social media engagement.

Use BTS content to address industry challenges or common customer questions. This proactive approach to transparency can help manage public relations issues before they arise. For example, showing safety protocols or quality control measures can address potential concerns about product safety or reliability.

Measuring BTS Content Impact

Track specific metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of your BTS content:

  • Engagement rates on social media posts
  • Time spent on BTS content pages
  • Comments and audience feedback
  • Share rates and reach
  • Impact on brand sentiment
  • Customer survey responses regarding trust and transparency
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Compare these metrics against your regular content performance to understand the specific value BTS content adds to your PR efforts.

Interactive Elements in BTS Content

Adding interactive elements to BTS content can increase audience engagement and participation. Live Q&A sessions allow direct interaction between audiences and team members, creating authentic dialogue and building stronger connections.

Instagram Stories and Facebook Live features enable real-time sharing of behind-the-scenes moments. These platforms’ interactive features, such as polls and questions, encourage audience participation and feedback.

Consider creating virtual tours or 360-degree videos of your facilities. These immersive experiences give audiences control over their viewing experience while maintaining transparency about your operations.

Best Practices for BTS Content Creation

Follow these guidelines to maximize the impact of your BTS content:

Maintain authenticity by avoiding over-scripted or heavily edited content. Raw, genuine moments often resonate more strongly with audiences than polished productions.

Focus on storytelling elements that highlight your brand’s unique aspects and values. Connect individual stories to your broader brand narrative.

Protect sensitive information while maintaining transparency. Strike a balance between openness and protecting proprietary information or employee privacy.

Vary your content formats to keep audiences engaged. Mix photos, videos, live streams, and written content to maintain interest and reach different audience preferences.

Conclusion

Behind-the-scenes content represents a valuable tool for modern PR strategies. By sharing authentic glimpses into company operations, brands can build stronger connections with their audiences and establish lasting trust. Success requires a balanced approach to transparency, consistent content creation, and strategic integration with broader PR objectives.

To get started with BTS content:

  1. Identify compelling stories within your organization
  2. Create a content calendar incorporating various BTS formats
  3. Implement measurement systems to track impact
  4. Gather feedback from audiences and adjust strategies accordingly
  5. Maintain consistency in sharing behind-the-scenes content

Remember that authenticity remains key to successful BTS content. Focus on genuine stories and real moments that showcase your brand’s values and personality. With proper planning and execution, behind-the-scenes content can significantly enhance your PR efforts and strengthen audience relationships.