Brands on Instagram
Great update by Instagram meaning further engagement and increased exposure. From marketing point of view (think brands and company and company accounts), this is a great opportunity for the right brands.
Introducing Photos of You from Instagram on Vimeo.
If Cost-Per-Action Is On Your Mind
Let's be honest. As much as I like Facebook and consider to be an essential part of online marketing, there are some times when I would call this social platform a Failbook. On the other hand, problems are hidden opportunities and coming up with a smarter solution or different approach can bring you unexpected results. We all like little victories, don't we.
Since Facebook changed its algorithm in publishing stories, we'd regularly take advantage of promoted stories. Read about another, in some cases sure to be more effective approach.
READ ALSO: EXAMPLES OF OUTSTANDING FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS
Since Facebook changed its algorithm in publishing stories, we'd regularly take advantage of promoted stories. Read about another, in some cases sure to be more effective approach.
READ ALSO: EXAMPLES OF OUTSTANDING FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS
Apparently, There Are Five Stages of Grief and Six Stages of Social Media Transformation
In my books, it's rather a never-ending story, but we all hope for a nice happy end. A lot of useful information to be found in this presentation.
Let's get engaged!
Aim for engaging content, but let's be honest - without using 'promoted stories', you'll never reach high enough. Facebook is about reaching your customers when they are not at your store (for example) and building loyalty (helps you develop your business). Combined with special offers and product insights, you will get them buy the products and spread the word for you.
You've Come a Long Way, Facebook Baby
There is so much happening around FB these days, I can't wait to have a bit more time to actually write about it - hopefully before it will all become 'yeah that was ages ago' type of update.
Meanwhile... Hello conversion measurement!
READ ALSO: MARKETING GUIDE 2014
Meanwhile... Hello conversion measurement!
READ ALSO: MARKETING GUIDE 2014
Say 'Cleese' :)
Apparently, the word 'creative' has been largely over-used in 2012. Personally, I don't see it as a bad thing. Where is creativity, there is evolution.
I totally love this great article by BrainPickings and really enjoyed John Cleese's lecture about creativity. Happy 2013 ;)
I totally love this great article by BrainPickings and really enjoyed John Cleese's lecture about creativity. Happy 2013 ;)
Social media aggregation platform
Stackla: Does your social stack up? from Stackla on Vimeo.
Totally new level of social media - STACKLA reports on your social data, turns your social followers into database contacts and provides a new platform for sponsor integration. Very clever!
Social Networking Trends
Social networking is the most popular online activity worldwide
Social networking behavior both transcends and reflects regional differences around the world
The importance of Facebook cannot be overstated
Microblogging has emerged as a disruptive new force in social networking
Local social networks are making inroads globally
It’s not just young people using social networking anymore – it’s everyone
‘Digital natives’ suggest communications are going social
Social networking leads in online display advertising in the U.S., but lags in share of dollars
The next disrupters have yet to be decided
Mobile devices are fueling the social addiction
ComScore - BUILDING MORE INFORMED MOBILE STRATEGIES
READ ALSO: LOCAL SEARCH
Social networking behavior both transcends and reflects regional differences around the world
The importance of Facebook cannot be overstated
Microblogging has emerged as a disruptive new force in social networking
Local social networks are making inroads globally
It’s not just young people using social networking anymore – it’s everyone
‘Digital natives’ suggest communications are going social
Social networking leads in online display advertising in the U.S., but lags in share of dollars
The next disrupters have yet to be decided
Mobile devices are fueling the social addiction
ComScore - BUILDING MORE INFORMED MOBILE STRATEGIES
READ ALSO: LOCAL SEARCH
No ham in this spam
Makeuseof recently published a useful article about Spam and how spammers get your email address.
This is the sneaky one you need to watch out for:
On the topic of mailing lists, here’s another method that spammers sometimes use–and it’s a tricky one. If you’ve ever been subscribed to a newsletter or mailing list, you should know that at the bottom of every email they usually have an unsubscribe link.
Now, for most legitimate businesses, this unsubscribe link will do exactly what it’s supposed to do. If you’re receiving a newsletter from somewhere and it’s a newsletter that you purposely signed up for, then there shouldn’t be any problem with unsubscribing later.
But sometimes you’ll get spam email that poses as a newsletter and presents you with an unsubscribe option. In this case, that link could very well be deceptive.
Spammers send out these kind of emails en masse to randomly generated email addresses. By clicking on the unsubscribe link, you could actually be confirming the validity of your email addresses. This tells the spammer that your email address should be targeted with spam later.
This is the sneaky one you need to watch out for:
Method #2: Unsubscribe Links
On the topic of mailing lists, here’s another method that spammers sometimes use–and it’s a tricky one. If you’ve ever been subscribed to a newsletter or mailing list, you should know that at the bottom of every email they usually have an unsubscribe link.
Now, for most legitimate businesses, this unsubscribe link will do exactly what it’s supposed to do. If you’re receiving a newsletter from somewhere and it’s a newsletter that you purposely signed up for, then there shouldn’t be any problem with unsubscribing later.
But sometimes you’ll get spam email that poses as a newsletter and presents you with an unsubscribe option. In this case, that link could very well be deceptive.
Spammers send out these kind of emails en masse to randomly generated email addresses. By clicking on the unsubscribe link, you could actually be confirming the validity of your email addresses. This tells the spammer that your email address should be targeted with spam later.
Jingle bells and QR codes
Once upon a time, Santa was holding an iPhone, waiting for some children to be greeted. A child came along and added some toys to the wishlist, just on the spot, on the phone.
Not that I would be a fan of such Christmas, but the possibilities are fascinating. The right combination - signage/QR code or signage/screen - seems like a sensible and forward-thinking win/win solution. If nothing, more sophisticated leaflets are the way to go if you need to get people online.
Check this out:
This Christmas, Wallmart came up with a pop-up shop offering Barbie dolls, toy cars and Hot Wheels racetracks... in the subway station, Union Station in Toronto.
It's like choosing things from the shop windows, just the customers do not have to go inside the shop. Walmart asked kids, which toys they liked most (via Twenties Christmas hits) and included the top choices in its pop-up store.
The clever idea is not only that people do not have to go inside shops, but they can choose when to stop and it's done via their smart phones (and orders can be tracked down instantly too).
That just makes me wonder, who will be the first one in Australia to come up with such a concept.
View original post on BrandingCh.
Not that I would be a fan of such Christmas, but the possibilities are fascinating. The right combination - signage/QR code or signage/screen - seems like a sensible and forward-thinking win/win solution. If nothing, more sophisticated leaflets are the way to go if you need to get people online.
Check this out:
This Christmas, Wallmart came up with a pop-up shop offering Barbie dolls, toy cars and Hot Wheels racetracks... in the subway station, Union Station in Toronto.
It's like choosing things from the shop windows, just the customers do not have to go inside the shop. Walmart asked kids, which toys they liked most (via Twenties Christmas hits) and included the top choices in its pop-up store.
The clever idea is not only that people do not have to go inside shops, but they can choose when to stop and it's done via their smart phones (and orders can be tracked down instantly too).
That just makes me wonder, who will be the first one in Australia to come up with such a concept.
View original post on BrandingCh.
Fans and super fans - do you know who they are?
When shopping on the internet, people try to shop wisely - they do not buy impulsively first thing that flicked on their nose, but look up information, compare the competition, scan the reviews. According to research company Get Satisfaction 81% of customers are looking for information about the products on the website of the company. But also the Facebook page of the company have become a popular source of information - customers are interested in community of fans of the company and their opinions. The questions on Facebook can be answered from an authorized employee of the company, but also from active fans. Ambassadors (active customers) are for new customers a trustworthy source of information than the company itself.
According to Get Satisfaction There are four basic types of Facebook users that act as active members. They are Fashionista Proffesionals, Knights with Shiny Macs, Web-Building Techies and Bargain-Hunting Mamas.
Young women from 25 to 34 years included in the category are secured, childless, and interested in social media. They want companies to build a solid relationship, they are also willing to become ambassadors. They like special offers.
Young men (21-24 years) are those who want to try the latest technical innovations as the first, mostly having fun with other buddies. They are happy to share their experiences.
Similarly, on the other male group "Knights with Shiny iMacs", are mostly educated men aged 24-35 years, who are versed in the latest devices, social networks are active and their purchasing power is also not negligible. They do not mind to provide advise other customers and are happy for others when they are useful.
Mothers (35-44 years) are mostly interested in bargains and discounts. They like to communicate with other mothers and are therefore very beneficial for businesses - manage the family budget and spread their experience on, should it be cooking and product choices.
You can find the original infographics (and much more) HERE.
In addition to this clever graphics, let me add few things.
NEVER underestimate the power of young. Altough these four facebook groups are very well explained, there are one or two groups missing. Teenagers. I believe that they are the future force of social media. These are the ones making choices in terms of brands and products. These are the ones that will be there in the next 40 years, keeping your brand alive.
According to Get Satisfaction There are four basic types of Facebook users that act as active members. They are Fashionista Proffesionals, Knights with Shiny Macs, Web-Building Techies and Bargain-Hunting Mamas.
Similarly, on the other male group "Knights with Shiny iMacs", are mostly educated men aged 24-35 years, who are versed in the latest devices, social networks are active and their purchasing power is also not negligible. They do not mind to provide advise other customers and are happy for others when they are useful.
You can find the original infographics (and much more) HERE.
In addition to this clever graphics, let me add few things.
NEVER underestimate the power of young. Altough these four facebook groups are very well explained, there are one or two groups missing. Teenagers. I believe that they are the future force of social media. These are the ones making choices in terms of brands and products. These are the ones that will be there in the next 40 years, keeping your brand alive.
Twitter sharpening its beak
Somebody said that Instagram is for people who can't read. Another said that pictures say more than a thousand words. Twitter is one territorial bird and Instagram can be seen as a cuckoo application. Well, yes or no. But I agree that getting own photo app would be a smart move.
''Although adding photo filters to Twitter may seem like a trivial addition to a social network that processes nearly a billion 140-character missives every two days, it could prove to be an important part of the company’s business.'' NY Times Blog
Well, it is not only about having THAT idea. In my opinion, it is the execution and integration of right elements. You do not have to go far for such examples. I remember a web based photo editing app called Picnik which was eventually bought by Google as a new editing tool for Google+. Unfortunately it never really caught on and left many loyal Picnik users angry.
''Although adding photo filters to Twitter may seem like a trivial addition to a social network that processes nearly a billion 140-character missives every two days, it could prove to be an important part of the company’s business.'' NY Times Blog
Well, it is not only about having THAT idea. In my opinion, it is the execution and integration of right elements. You do not have to go far for such examples. I remember a web based photo editing app called Picnik which was eventually bought by Google as a new editing tool for Google+. Unfortunately it never really caught on and left many loyal Picnik users angry.
Marketing with 'gaming' is the new thing
''Kinect for Xbox 360 is changing the game. Well, it’s changing how you play games. And how you watch TV. And movies. And listen to music. Because with Kinect, there are no controllers. Or remotes. There’s just you. And if you ask us, that’s all you need'' Kinect.com
Let me get you an update on this. KINECT IS CHANGING THE MARKETING GAME. We talk about social media and how it is going to have big impact on everything. What we forget is the fact that digital intelligence (clever screens in particular) can enormously influence customers' experience and purchase decisiveness - from bus stops to window shopping.
Many brands, including Nike and Topshop, are at the starting point of this race for customer's attention. It will be interesting to see who will get out of breath first - if the customer or the retailer.
Imagine being able to try twenty-two dresses in two minutes. Or try how that gorgeous bag looks in your hand. And share the look on facebook or other social media.
Another clever but expected example of integration Kinect in branding is Nike's Kinect Training for Xbox. You bet that a person using this will not wear Addidas outfit.
Let me get you an update on this. KINECT IS CHANGING THE MARKETING GAME. We talk about social media and how it is going to have big impact on everything. What we forget is the fact that digital intelligence (clever screens in particular) can enormously influence customers' experience and purchase decisiveness - from bus stops to window shopping.
Many brands, including Nike and Topshop, are at the starting point of this race for customer's attention. It will be interesting to see who will get out of breath first - if the customer or the retailer.
Imagine being able to try twenty-two dresses in two minutes. Or try how that gorgeous bag looks in your hand. And share the look on facebook or other social media.
Another clever but expected example of integration Kinect in branding is Nike's Kinect Training for Xbox. You bet that a person using this will not wear Addidas outfit.
Instragram Web profiles
Instagram attempts to reach out to wider audiences, introducing new web profiles, with a header collage (resembling facebook's timeline) and grid column system (resembling pinterest's layout). Hard to say if this is a smart move, considering that over 60% social media traffic comes from mobile devices. For me personally it's thumbs up. To survive / sustain, every platform needs to evolve and update regularly. Keep your eyes wide open!
It's the little things
There is nothing more encouraging than seeing a local art institution (well not local and it is not an institution such as) being really creative and proactive when using social media. For the launch of their programme they substituted their normal landing page with an embedded YouTube video featuring a cute furry thing. Unfortunately this video had context Google ads at the end, that were slightly inappropriate (but well played for Google). Lesson learnt, I hope.
Email signature that generates you business leads
There’s a huge gap between email and the social and dynamic web of today and WiseStamp will help you to create your very own email signature. Go for it!
Google Updates Ranking Algorithm
Author Rank from Google search changes the way
How Google wants to ensure that search results point to the really good content? Simply it is the reputation of the numerical content creator, Author Rank affects the location of the generated text search. Thanks to social networks requiring real identity of the user, users have the option of linking Google+ profile with content they create - Google Authorship.
Rank by Author Google could integrate relatively early in the search algorithm. Author Rank means that one author will be able to take on different values at different topics. For example, one author may have a low ranking in the same topic, but in another it may be but very high rating. Google is considering about 200 different factors that will affect the value of Author Rank.
These should also feature information about the number of people in the circles on Google+ sharing and +1, published papers and such comments of other users' contributions. It can be another factor which can force you to use Google's rather neglected social network.
Source: www.forbes.com
Google + Authorship
DO IT NOW! If you create content on the internet, you need to make sure it is recognized by Google. This should be one of your first steps.
READ ALSO: GOOGLE+ SCORES ANOTHER PLUS
Outstanding examples of marketing with Facebook
Check out WINNERS OF FACEBOOK STUDIO AWARDS 2012.
Find out the best creative Facebook professionals:
- Is the work social? Are people and social interactions at the core of the idea?
- Does the work seize the creative opportunities of using Facebook? Do your Page posts have killer copy and great photography? Are you creating content that makes the Facebook experience better?
- Does it scale? Is it easy for people to interact with and share your content? Are you using Facebook marketing products to extend the reach of your message?
- Did the work drive business results? Did you deepen relationships with customers, increase sales and drive word of mouth at scale?
Packaging tips and trends
Great article found via Desktop Mag, summing up what you need to focus on - SHELF APPEAL / PROTECTION OF THE CONTENT / FREIGHT AND DELIVERY / PRINTING ON PACKAGING STOCKS.
History of Social Media
I don't think it is completely accurate but I appreciate the thought. It all depends how we define social media. What is interesting in this infographics is the relation between certain channels.
I think internet started to be social from the point where you were allowed to give feedback and express your thoughts while making them available to others.
![A History of Social Media [Infographic] - Infographic](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u3E_srKkEOkmirRNv9dwbednCFqj-BksjunfBEi6XG3A1RxgB5Uj8kGCnfKsQ-X7cUOcwlCv_Pr3pmMLowg4UVoTmHVyvHcnL3x6aqrkW9KPgZQ7Aa2t9PGXoqAFcLLGp5RkM=s0-d "A History of Social Media [Infographic] - Infographic")
I think internet started to be social from the point where you were allowed to give feedback and express your thoughts while making them available to others.
If you are in a relationship with Twitter, then get engaged to Twylah
Everyone talks about social media trends here and there, but it doesn't happen often when you see a new real deal. Twitter's stream now looks like a kid's mess comparing to Twylah's sophisticated and dynamic tweet-pages. So pay attention and get those loose tweets under control!
Mobile Marketing
Doesn't it make you wonder, how come all the people find their mobile devices more attractive than interaction with friends? Surely it's taken a bit out of context, but these days this is not an uncommon sight in caffees and restaurants. If nothing, it just proves that you need to integrate mobile marketing (including mobile version for your website) into your marketing strategy.
You asked for it... there are answers! In plain English
These videos are few years old but still relevant, so if you need to get your head around, start here...
Or see similar video about Twitter and Blogs.
Or see similar video about Twitter and Blogs.
What do your customers think about you?
Sesame Street is just like any other street. There are different businesses and you come across many different 'creatures'. Who do you think would your customers compare you to?
Imagine this was your website...
And this would be the feeling they would have after few more 'clicks around'
Your website is just like your customer service. If it doesn't work, it will show...
Imagine this was your website...
And this would be the feeling they would have after few more 'clicks around'
Your website is just like your customer service. If it doesn't work, it will show...
Just because you are loud does not mean you have great ideas
At least that is what Susan Cain claims. I guess it just requires nothing but common sense to realize that to produce outstanding team work results, you need introverts as much as extroverts. I can say from my own experience that introverts usually get the work done before extroverts, unless it's speaking out loud ;)
Watch this sweet short story and great creative effort...
Watch this sweet short story and great creative effort...
Where do you 'use it'? Apparently, bed / couch / kitchen are the most favourite places to use a tablet
Google published a new qualitative research on user behavior and tablets. Some of the results are more than expected. More or less, a tablet is a device for passive consumption of content. People on it mostly dealt with personal issues, playd games and read e-mails. More surprising, however, is that the number of people who use the tablet in bed equaled number of people using the tablet on the couch. Almost half of respondents also used tablets in the kitchen.
Tablet is often a bit of a supplementary activity made possible by the fact that people nowadays can deal with multiple screens at once. The most common shared activity is watching television. Together, these two activities can be handled by more than 60 percent respondents. In 40 percent, respondents were tracking the tablet and their additional activity would be eating and drinking, 27 percent also cooking. Tablets are not so much an escape from boredom from television, but often used to improve the experience of watching TV, perhaps searching for information related to the currently running program. The research, however, also worked out that the TV is often used as "background noise" while people were doing on the tablet completely unrelated activities such as checking email.
Google is obviously interested in the level of online purchases from tablets. According to the study, while 58 percent of users took some "pre-buy survey" on their mobile devices, but many of them then decided to complete the purchase on laptops or desktop computers. Activities associated with the acquisition were at 30 percent more common on devices other than tablets and shops (17 percent). The reasons mentioned included lack of stored credentials for e-shops or difficulty completing payment information on the touch screen tablets.
One of the research notes thus: "It is important to provide uninterrupted experience across all devices, users and to be able to activity started on one of your devices simply continue on another." Fulfilling this mission is a way for consumer electronics manufacturer and creator of websites and applications one of the most important tasks that have the potential to raise the level of e-commerce.
Sources: research.google.com ( Understanding Tablet Use: A Multi-Method Exploration )
Google is obviously interested in the level of online purchases from tablets. According to the study, while 58 percent of users took some "pre-buy survey" on their mobile devices, but many of them then decided to complete the purchase on laptops or desktop computers. Activities associated with the acquisition were at 30 percent more common on devices other than tablets and shops (17 percent). The reasons mentioned included lack of stored credentials for e-shops or difficulty completing payment information on the touch screen tablets.
One of the research notes thus: "It is important to provide uninterrupted experience across all devices, users and to be able to activity started on one of your devices simply continue on another." Fulfilling this mission is a way for consumer electronics manufacturer and creator of websites and applications one of the most important tasks that have the potential to raise the level of e-commerce.
Sources: research.google.com ( Understanding Tablet Use: A Multi-Method Exploration )
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