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A Brand’s Guide to Xiaohongshu (Red) in China

Last updated on March 13, 2024

A Brand’s Guide to Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) in China

In the bustling digital landscape of China, one platform that stands out for its unique blend of social media and e-commerce is Xiaohongshu (小红书), also known in English as “Little Red Book”, or simply “Red”.

With over 300 million registered users, this app is not just a trendsetter; it’s a powerful tool for foreign brands aiming to make their mark in the Chinese market. But why is Xiaohongshu such a coveted platform for international companies, and how can they utilise it to its full potential?

This guide unveils the strategies that can help foreign brands thrive on Xiaohongshu, blending authenticity with strategic insight to capture the hearts and minds of Chinese consumers.

Overview:

Understanding Xiaohongshu

Xiaohongshu stands out from Western platforms like Instagram by focusing more on lifestyle inspiration, product recommendations, and genuine reviews rather than mere entertainment. This platform has become a beacon for young, urban females, primarily born after 1999, representing 70% of its user base. These users are on the hunt for more than just products — they’re seeking stories and lifestyles to inspire their own.

Situated primarily in tier 1 and tier 2 cities, Xiaohongshu’s audience boasts significant purchasing power, making it an ideal space for premium and overseas brands. Unlike other social platforms, content featuring popular international brands on Xiaohongshu tends to receive more engagement, highlighting the community’s appetite for quality and exclusivity.

This presents an invaluable opportunity for foreign brands to do more than just sell products. Xiaohongshu allows brands to weave compelling narratives around their offerings, fostering a community of dedicated followers. It’s not just about transactional relationships — it’s about building lasting connections through shared stories and values.

A Brand's Guide to Xiaohongshu (Red) in China - app

For brands looking to convert interest into sales, the journey often extends beyond Xiaohongshu.

While the platform does feature a native store system, the lion’s share of transactions typically migrates to popular e-commerce platforms in China such as Tmall, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, where traffic and potential customer reach are significantly higher.

However, the relationship with the customer doesn’t end at the point of sale. Channels like WeChat official accounts and WeChat groups offer a golden opportunity to nurture a closer bond with customers, turning them into brand advocates. Satisfied customers can further bolster a brand’s presence on Xiaohongshu by sharing their product experiences and recommendations, creating a virtuous cycle of engagement and loyalty.

Why Brands Should Leverage Xiaohongshu

1. Access to an Engaged Community

In China, the opinion of peers is gold, with 64% of consumers relying on word-of-mouth before making a purchase, as noted by McKinsey. Xiaohongshu thrives on this, offering detailed “shopping notes” filled with texts, photos, and clips to guide buying decisions.

2. A Gateway to Young Consumers

The platform is immensely popular among millennials and Gen Z, a demographic known for its purchasing power and openness to international brands.

Fashion Trends China 2023 - Laid-back
Xiaohongshu users sharing their outfit of the day.

3. Content-Rich Environment

With a focus on high-quality, authentic content, Xiaohongshu favours brands that can tell compelling stories and provide value to its users.

Strategies for Success on Xiaohongshu

1. Create Authentic and Relatable Content

Content on Xiaohongshu thrives on authenticity and relatability.

Foreign brands have found success by moving away from polished, advertisement-like content and embracing a more genuine, down-to-earth approach. Sharing behind-the-scenes looks, real user testimonials, and informative content that adds value can set your brand apart.

Remember, the goal is to ignite conversations and foster a community, not just push for immediate sales.

2. Leverage the Influence of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)

Collaborating with KOLs on Xiaohongshu can amplify your brand’s reach and credibility. Choose influencers whose image aligns with your brand values and who have a genuine connection with their followers. This partnership can introduce your brand to potential consumers in a natural and trusted way.

Top 5 Pet Market Trends in China for 2023 - Dog Restaurant Shanghai
Xiaohongshu users sharing their experience in dog cafes in Shanghai

3. Engage with the Community

Engagement goes both ways on Xiaohongshu. Beyond posting content, actively interact with users by responding to comments, participating in discussions, and even asking for feedback. This level of engagement not only boosts your brand’s visibility but also builds a loyal community around it.

4. Understand Cultural Nuances

Understanding and respecting Chinese culture and consumer behaviour is paramount. Foreign brands need to be mindful of cultural sensitivities and preferences.

This could mean celebrating Chinese festivals through your content, incorporating local trends into your marketing strategies, or simply ensuring your language and visuals resonate with Chinese aesthetics and values. Localising your content doesn’t mean losing your brand identity — it means adapting your messaging to be more relatable and engaging for the local audience.

Considerations Before Leaping onto Xiaohongshu

The Niche Audience Dilemma

For brands eyeing a predominantly female audience with interests spanning travel, cosmetics, and lifestyle, Xiaohongshu could be your golden ticket. Yet, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Navigating the digital landscape of China requires a nuanced approach, much like choosing the right social platform for a North American brand. Each platform serves a different purpose and audience, and Xiaohongshu is no exception.

Fashion Trends China 2023 - gorpcore

This platform may seem smaller, especially when you stack it up against giants like WeChat and Douyin. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in its targeted user base — predominantly female and from China’s top-tier cities.

Industries such as skincare, cosmetics, and fashion find a thriving audience here. A quick look at the volume of promotional content posted monthly can offer valuable insights into whether Xiaohongshu aligns with your brand’s marketing objectives.

So, while Xiaohongshu might not be a universal solution for every global brand’s marketing strategy, understanding its role and potential impact could be crucial. Depending on your market focus and strategic goals, simply knowing about Xiaohongshu’s existence and its audience’s preferences might influence your approach to marketing in China.

The Cost of Entry

Xiaohongshu charges a relatively high commission fee, typically around 15 to 20%. In addition to this, there is an up-front deposit cost of 20,000 Yuan (approximately US$2,900), and a monthly platform fee ranging from 10,000 to 60,000 Yuan (US$1,450–$8,900). Moreover, there may be other fees and costs such as ad spend and fees for engaging with KOLs.

The platform’s commission fees and associated costs, though on the higher side, are part and parcel of accessing this lucrative market. Brands need to weigh these financial considerations carefully.

Key Takeaways

For foreign brands, Xiaohongshu offers a dynamic platform to connect with a vast and engaged Chinese audience. The secret to success lies in understanding the platform’s unique culture, prioritising engagement and authenticity, and seamlessly integrating your brand into the daily lives and conversations of users. By adopting a strategic, community-focused approach, your brand can not only thrive on Xiaohongshu but can also build a loyal customer base in one of the world’s most lucrative markets.

At WPIC Marketing + Technologies, we specialise in helping global brands navigate and thrive in Asia’s dynamic digital marketplaces. Whether you’re looking to enhance your brand’s presence, engage with a broader audience, or drive e-commerce sales, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s transform your brand’s digital strategy and tap into the power of Xiaohongshu together.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your brand achieve its goals in China’s vibrant digital ecosystem.

FAQs: Navigating Xiaohongshu for Global Brands

What specific content strategies have proven successful for global brands on Xiaohongshu?

Successful content strategies on Xiaohongshu focus on authenticity, user engagement, and leveraging KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders). Global brands often find success through creating genuine, relatable content that showcases real-life experiences with their products or services. This could include how-to guides, lifestyle content that integrates products naturally, and user-generated content that encourages community interaction.

WPIC supports brands in developing and executing content strategies that not only resonate with Xiaohongshu’s user base but also align with the brand’s identity and objectives, ensuring a natural fit within the platform’s ecosystem.

The Chinese market presents unique challenges, including strict regulatory requirements and distinct cultural preferences. Global brands must navigate these complexities to engage effectively with consumers on Xiaohongshu. This involves understanding and adhering to local laws and regulations regarding advertising and content, as well as tailoring content to match the cultural and aesthetic preferences of Chinese consumers.

WPIC provides invaluable support in this area, offering expertise in regulatory compliance and cultural adaptation. Our solutions help brands to seamlessly integrate into the market, ensuring that  brand’s marketing efforts on Xiaohongshu are both compliant and culturally resonant.

The KPIs to measure success on Xiaohongshu often include engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), follower growth, and the quality of user interactions, which may differ from the focus on Western platforms that might prioritise reach and impressions.

Additionally, conversion rates and the effectiveness of KOL partnerships are critical metrics. The platform’s unique user behaviour, emphasizing community trust and genuine recommendations, requires brands to adopt a more nuanced approach to performance measurement.

WPIC’s data analytics and market intelligence tools to help brands identify and monitor the most relevant KPIs for their Xiaohongshu campaigns, ensuring that they can effectively measure success and adjust their strategies for optimal performance.

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