Social Media and its Effects on Marketing Today
By Ryan Gumb
Social media has become a regular part of everyday life for countless individuals around the world. When we wake up in the morning the first thing that we do is grab our phones to check our social media accounts. In fact, for many of us, the time spent sleeping is the longest period of time we go without checking our social media accounts. It is an undeniable fact that social media has made its way into our society in a variety of different aspects. One of the greatest ways that it has impacted society can be found in modern marketing and advertising.
Prior to the emergence and subsequent boom of social media, the faces of marketing and advertising were very different. What is now known as “traditional media,” was referred to simply as “media.” Television and radio ads, as well as print ads in newspapers and magazines, were often the direction that marketers opted to go in. Often times, press releases would need to be drafted and submitted to news publishers in order to get the word out about whatever it was that was being promoted. With the emergence of the internet, digital advertising began to blossom. Buying ad space on websites became commonplace, whether it be through side banners, videos, pop-ups, or even via blogs. While all of these methods of marketing and advertising still exist to this day, they have become less prevalent in the wake of social media marketing.
Social media has allowed companies to connect more directly with their customer base than ever before. Customers now have a tool at their disposal that will allow them to directly contact a company that they plan to do business with, allowing for customer service to take place at a rapid, and sometimes instantaneous pace. Social media also provides companies with an opportunity to promote themselves in a very cost effective manner. It may cost money to pay a social media manager or to run paid ads, but social media is still cheaper than many of the other methods of advertising that had previously been more popular.
Some companies even opt to utilize services such as Sendible and Hootsuite which allow them to streamline and queue social media posts in advance. Social media has also brought forth the emergence of “influencers.” Influencers are individuals with significant followings on social media who partner with brands in order to promote their products or services. They essentially act as thought leaders, influencing their followers to patronize the brands that they are working with. Many companies have found success by making use of social media influencers, and this has provided them with another method that they can utilize to connect with potential customers.
Additionally, social media gives companies an opportunity to establish a brand personality for themselves. Wendy’s is a prime example of this brand personality development. Wendy’s is famous for their Twitter account, which is snarky and sarcastic, often times making witty comments back at people who reach out to them on the platform. Often times, they will even throw a friendly jab at some of their biggest competitors, such as McDonalds and Burger King. This tongue-in-cheek approach has worked very well for Wendy’s, but brands must be careful, as social media can lead to offensive conversations and ruin the reputation of the company. The minute that something is put on the internet, especially on social media, it is there forever, and many companies have experienced severe backlash for things that they posted online.
In conclusion, social media has completely changed the landscape of the world of advertising and marketing. Brands now have direct access to customers, and customers now have direct access to brands. While this may mean that it is easier than ever to reach a customer base, it is not necessarily a completely positive thing, as brands are more under the microscope than ever before, and must now make sure that everything they say and do is being perceived positively by the general public. The use of targeted social media ads, influencers, and positive direct customer interaction can establish strong reputations and personas for companies who would have had a hard time growing a few years ago.
Generational Marketing in 2019
By Ryan Gumb
When developing a marketing strategy, age and generation are factors that need to be taken into account. We’ve all heard terms like “Millennials,” and “Baby Boomers,” thrown around, but what do they actually mean? And how do you figure out which generation that you’re a part of? Well, unfortunately… it’s not so simple. There is a lot of debate over the exact point of time in which one generation transitions into another. However, our behavior and media habits can give us a clearer explanation about which age bracket we truly belong in.
Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
Unlike the other categorized groups, “Baby Boomers”, are consistently defined as people who were born between the years 1946 and 1964. This generation began right after the end of World War 2; Baby Boomers grew up in the midst of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and experienced the beginning of the civil rights movement. Many consider them to be hard working but old fashioned. Although they make use of traditional media more than any other generation, they tend to love Facebook!
Generation X (1965- Approximately 1979)
Generation Xers are somewhat caught between two different worlds. They are old enough to remember growing up in a time without technology, but young enough to witness the technology boom and its impact on their professional lives. They are typically avid television watchers, and have a stronger grasp on technology and social media than Baby Boomers.
Millennials (Approximately 1980- Late 1990’s)
The years that define Millennials are wildly unclear. Some say that the millennial generation ended in 1994. Others claim that it lasted until 1996 or even 2000. Millennials tend to be greatly misunderstood, and are often mocked for their reliance on technology and their obsession with social justice. Millennials tend to be very technologically savvy, and are proficient in managing social media accounts across various platforms. Although most still watch television, more and more are making the decision to cut the cord on traditional cable and opt for streaming services instead. Impactful events like the 2008 Recession and 9/11 have shaped this generation’s view of the world.
Generation Z (Late 1990’s- Present)
Some argue that Generation Z ended in 2015, while others claim that today’s newborns are still considered Gen Zers. This is a generation that has had access to technology from birth. From playing with their parents’ phones and tablets at an early age, to getting their own mobile devices, Generation Zers have never known a world without technology. They are the largest generation, making up approximately 25% of the population.They are extremely tech savvy, and nearly addicted to the world’s most popular social media platforms. Statistics show that they spend at least three hours a day on mobile devices.
For marketers, understanding the trends of these generations is very important. If we can understand their values and passions, we can deliver more relevant ads in the right places and at the right time.
Why and How to Launch a Podcast
Convenience.
In this fast-moving, digital age, convenience is key – that’s why, after losing a ton of holiday sales to Amazon, Toys ‘R’ Us has decided to close an additional 200 stores. After all, shopping online from your living room couch is far more convenient than driving to the store, finding a parking spot, searching a 20,000 square-foot-building for the item you want to buy, then standing in a long line of frustrated parents and screaming children waiting to pay.
Even utilitarian tasks, such as checking the weather and turning on the lights, are being simplified with products like the Amazon Echo and Google Home.
But making things convenient isn’t enough to attract millennial shoppers. If you want this demographic to spend their money on your product, you have to give them content- and not just any content either. Millenials want valuable content that can be consumed effortlessly in a short period of time while they drive, work out, do laundry or tackle any other task that requires less than 100% of their attention. Podcasts are a perfect medium by which to deliver your message because they tick off both boxes.
Launching a podcast is one of the best ways to spread awareness about your business, cause, hobby or message. Approximately 24% of Americans (67 million people) above the age of 12 listen to podcasts monthly. That’s a staggeringly large number of potential disciples primed to receive your message. If that statement of fact didn’t sell you on the reach of podcasts, consider this- 21% of Americans practice Catholicism which means that podcasts are more common in this country than a 2,000 year-old religion.
So now that you’re convinced that podcasts are far reaching, you will need to establish a format that people will want to follow. Unfortunately, there is no “secret sauce” for building a successful podcast. However, there are a few tips and tricks that will increase your chances of engaging your audience and attaining steady growth.
Consistency is important when launching a podcast. Know how many hours you are able to dedicate to your podcast, then build a schedule for creating and posting your content and stick to it. Be realistic when determining the amount of high-quality content you are capable of producing and the number of hours you are willing to put in. Remember, if you want your audience to be loyal to you, you must be loyal to them.
Professional equipment and a suitable environment can make a good podcast great. Be sure to use state-of-the art equipment, and top-notch software to deliver the highest-possible sound quality to your audience. Each and every episode becomes an audible representation of you and your company so don’t cheap out.
Generating content that your target audience considers valuable is one of the most important steps in creating a successful podcast; do your research. Keep yourself open to suggestions and try to find interesting guests who can relate to your audience.
It is important that your content lives on a variety of different platforms to allow your audience an opportunity to listen, engage, and comment with ease. Remember, content and convenience are essential.
Hiring a professional to edit and distribute your podcast can increase the number of active listeners and keep them interested.
Lastly, it is important to give your podcast a title that will grab people’s attention and help them understand your goals.
The wealth of voice-activated technology available on the market today is making podcasts more accessible. You can take advantage of this valuable and cost effective medium to tell your story to the millions of people waiting to hear it.
Need help building or marketing your business podcast? Contact us on one of our social media pages or call at (718)-873-4004.
Politika will launch its company podcast, “Vonsense: Navigating the Digital Landscape”, on March 1st. We will be providing tips on digital marketing, public relations and the ever-changing world of social media. Don’t miss out!
Blurred Lines: Why Social Media Marketing Just Got Tougher
By Joseph Corrado Quadara
If you’re an avid social media user (like 80% of the U.S population) you’ve probably noticed the frequent updates that take place on your favorite platforms. These changes happen so often that users are left confused and frustrated. Seems counter-intuitive since the purpose of the platform is to provide a positive user experience.
It seems like social media companies are spiraling deeper and deeper into a game of Monkey in the Middle. On one side are the billions of loyal users essential to a company’s success. On the other side are the millions of businesses/advertisers who pay the bills. With update suggestions from both sides, the company is regularly forced to make a choice between generating revenue and keeping its users happy. It’s a tough position to be in and the problem doesn’t end there.The executives of these companies must continually improve their platform to keep up with existing competitors.
With these constant pressures, the reputation and uniqueness of these platforms are at risk. Facebook users are becoming frustrated with the number of advertisements in their newsfeed. Unhappy customers? Time for another change.
” The first changes you’ll see will be in News Feed, where you can expect to see more from your friends, family and groups. As we roll this out, you’ll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media,” said Mark Zuckerberg in a recent post.
Good news for users but bad news for businesses who purchased Facebook advertising in order to be seen. It seems like Mr. Zuckerberg is focusing more on the user-experience and less on his bank account which has ballooned to a whopping $73 billion.
As a direct result of keeping up with the competition, the less wealthy, Twitter was forced to make some big changes. Since its inception, Twitter has been famous for its limiting the number of characters in its posts. This 140 character platform was once so popular that the act of creating a post, “tweeting,” was given a name by its users and included in the OED (Oxford English Dictionary). Caving to the pressure to assimilate, Twitter is now allowing users 280 characters in their Tweets, crushing the platforms only unique feature and leaving President Donald Trump’s entertaining tweets the only reason to sign on.
You don’t have to be psychic to know that social media platforms will continue to change. However, you do need to stay on top of these changes if you want to continue to use them as an effective marketing tool for your business. Unless your business is social media, the best way to capitalize on the platform would be to hire a professional. At Politika, our Social Media Managers remain up to speed on the newest platform updates. We analyze your business goals and create a plan to achieve them in an effective and measurable manner. As the line that separates one social media platform from another is becoming more and more blurred, the experts at Politika will focus on making your marketing campaign a complete success!
The Times Have Changed: Social Media and Relationships
