Similar to Walt Disney's original idea for Disneyland, the Disney Parks social media program is driven by the simple notion that making guests happy is a key to success. Since launching the successful Walt Disney World Moms Panel, Disney Parks Blog and other channels, the program's strategy has revolved around listening, building relationships, creating, and sharing relevant stories and participating in online conversations.

As the man behind The Disney Parks Blog, Thomas shared with us a series of real Disney Parks success stories and shared examples of what keeps the company's most powerful social program moving forward and grabbing attention of people around the world. 

It all comes down to Brand Journalism. 

And using your social channels to amplify your message. Act as a news team. 

Now you're probably asking where you should start! Disney Parks is some big footsteps to walk in... but it's possible!

1. Create characters around your team members.

Not everyone can turn your employees into deep-dive characters like Disney does, but you can create subject matter experts (SMEs) out of your team members. Use these people to share your stories in a creative and personal way. 

2. Let people drive your social program. 

Your social program should revolved around your people. Feature your employees and your customers in your content. Share what they're doing and what matters to them because this is what will speak to your audience. His most bold (and true) statement was, "People connect to people, not to logos." Humanize your company!

3. Purposeful storytelling makes for remarkable experiences.

A good storyteller knows its audience. Creatively carve out stories and create experiences out of them for your audience. Often times the behind-the-scenes aspects of your business end up being what is most interesesting to your audience. And remember to be authentic, this is crucial to storying telling. Every aspect has to be right, down to the very last detail.

4. Train people to look at your mediums.

Create a schedule, an editorial calendar, then run your social program like a newsroom. Being able to rely on certain information at a certain time will help you to train people to seek your content. 

5. Crowdsource.

Use others to tell your story. Use your audience as brand advocates and invite them to share their story, which is your story, on your mediums. Use their imput to curate a news portal. While is is good practice to use others, do not rely on them solely. As a communicator, you will need still need to mine for stories and report out on them.

What does success look like?

Once you get off the ground running, your audience will tell you what works and what doesn't. They will start to dictate your content. Follow things they get the most likes, comments, and shares and do less of what gets the silent treatment from your audience. As your audiences' acception grows, so will your networks and the content that you deliver to them. Thomas says with Disney Parks Blog, they started with seven stories a week and now they are publishing seven or more stories a day! 

NOTE: This was written live during the #RaganDisney conference. Please stop by later for a more robust edition.