Posts Tagged ‘Facebook’
10 Things Not to Sell to Gen Y
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
A new twitter friend of ours, @JaredOToole, has turned me onto a website, Under30CEO.com
After browsing through various articles, I found myself giggling at one of their popular articles “10 Things Gen Y Won’t Pay For.” As a pessimist, I expected a dry list of what entrepreneurs should not try to sell to this jaded generation.
I was pleasently surprised by what I found. Here is the top ten list with my own descriptions and interpretation:
- Checking
Gen Y will not pay for checking. They grew up with free access because they were students and now they just expect it. And with the Battle of the Banks in today’s economy, we can google to find someone who will waive the fee. - Long Distance
As long as I don’t run my cell phone 24/7 and use all my weekday minutes, I’m good. My friend in Kansas is into texting anyway, so even another bonus. What about parents, you ask? My dad reads texts. My mom, not so much, but I can use the 10 minutes I saved everywhere else to talk to her. Oh and thank you for the rollover minutes, AT&T. They definitely come in handy. - Mail
I’m not sure if Gen Y would even know what the US Postal Service even was if not for getting packages shipped with the presents we bought ourselves online, birthday money from Grandma, and the occasional college material. With stamp costs on the rise (32, 42, 44?) why not just send an email? Oh wait. Because the inbox is just a chore list that needs to be checked off every day. Facebook has become the White Pages of Gen Y. With the messages and the chats and the people searches, it has become a key tool for many 20-somethings.
- Music
When Napster was forced to charge, there was a loud sound of hearts breaking across the seven seas. However, radio stations like Pandora and Slacker Personal Radio have reopened the doors for free music entertainment. Although Pandora has set an hour limit, these sites are flooded. And now with apps for Blackberries, iPhones, Androids, and more, these internet radio stations can go anywhere. Of course, if you want unlimited skips and no ads, there is a fee. But who needs that? Support the advertising industry and get free radio! - Wireless
I know what you’re going to say. Everyone has to pay for wireless. False. The first thing we do when we go anywhere with our laptop is search the network for free access to the web. Stealing? We beg to differ. Panera Bread, the library, and school campuses (for students and faculty, of course) offer wireless for free. Locations like Starbucks and Barnes and Noble are a joke, trying to charge almost $4 for internet. Even some charter buses are offering free wireless now! It’s true… I saw “Free Wireless on your trip” in big letters on the side of a charter the other day! - Travel Agents
Does this even need explaining? Between Expedia, Orbitz, and Hotels.com only to name a few, who needs someone to book things for you? You search, compare, and book. Love it! - Books
With all of the required reading we didn’t do in high school and all the Oprah-suggested reading we just haven’t gotten to, why should we buy books anyway? Between our computers, tv’s, and game consoles, we’re set. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes we enjoy the literary mind stimulation, but that’s what friends and libraries are for (yes, libraries still exist). - Mature Content
This one’s definitely not for everyone, but you can find just about anything on the Internet. Just clear your cookies, delete your history, and your privacy is protected. You certainly can’t do that on your cable bill. - News
I found out about Michael Jackson’s death on Facebook. Text messages spread like wildfire when a major event occurs “did u hear bout da olympic speedskater?!” Other than that, just go to Yahoo, MSN, CNN, etc. and you’ll get what you need online. - Directory Assistance
We laugh in the face of 411. Between Google, the majillion iPhone/Blackberry apps, and 1800-FREE411, the only thing we’re using the phone book for is to show off our superhuman strength.
Now that you know what not to try to get into when starting your own business, the next thing you need to do after you develop your product is to have a strong online presence. Between various forms of social media, making a website, designing logos, creating a brand identity, and developing a marketing plan, you may have your hands full. Let us help.
No Comments | Tags: blog, Entertainment, Facebook, Google, retail
Posted by Paulina in Uncategorized
Use Your Tools
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
It’s not the tool but how you use it.
You can have a group on Facebook, an account on Twitter, a photo collection on Flickr, and a channel on YouTube, but what does that mean to your brand?
Online marketing is more than just creating accounts online and hoping the search engines lead potential customers to them. You have to be active with your fans, followers, and subscribers. Social media is an important part of Internet marketing that allows you to build a more solid brand by having a human connection. Current customers are more likely to suggest your product to friends if they have a good experience.
However, if you leave your accounts idle, you are missing out on communication opportunities. Even if your potential customers don’t need your product or service right now, keeping them posted with fun facts, transfixing trivia, and pensive pictures will keep you at the forefront of their mind when your product/service becomes a need.
Not only that, but the more relevant information you post, the more searchable your brand becomes to potential customers. And with Google as today’s #1 search source, pleasing the Google Search Engine Gods could lead you down a path of Internet sainthood.
Ready? Set? Rock!
No Comments | Tags: advertising, blog, Facebook, Google, Internet marketing, marketing blog, search engine, social marketing, social media, social media marketing, Twitter, YouTube
Posted by Paulina in Online Marketing
A Shift in the Forces of Media
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Studies are proving that TV advertising is becoming less and less reliable. According to an article on MarketingProfs.com, “in 2010, most advertisers plan to move budget dollars away from traditional media to social media (77%), online advertising (73%), and search engine marketing (59%).”
There is talk that allowing fewer commercials per pod may be more effective, but with the population turning to search engines to find a resource to fulfill their needs, having a strong online presence is a must.
Social marketing tops the charts as the number one source advertisers and marketers will turn to for brand building. Through various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others, a strong brand strategy and marketing plan can have a huge effect on brand awareness. With these vehicles, you can build brand loyalty and an overall solid presence in today’s competitive market. By having a strong presence in social media, you allow your product/service users, fans, and, on occasion, addicts to feel like they belong have a place in the world of your brand.
But what good is being searchable when your web content is weak? That’s where web development and brand identity design come into play. Once your product or service reaches your target, the images they see need to tell them how you fulfill their need.
So give into the online tidal wave. Swim with the social media current. Develop a strong online marketing plan and you too can have a brand with substance.
Ready? Set? Rock!
No Comments | Tags: brand development, brand value, Facebook, Internet marketing, online advertising, Online Marketing, social marketing, social media, Twitter, website development
Posted by Paulina in Online Marketing
Why Your Brand Needs Facebook
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Top 10 Reasons Your Brand Should Be On Facebook
1. It’s already built. No need to wait for a design team to create a community on your company website.
2. Millions of customers and potential customers are already members. You won’t need to convince them to sign up for anything, give out their personal information, etc.
3. Follow the leader. Every time someone becomes a fan of your brand on Facebook, all of their friends will be able to see that on their Facebook Wall. If they are interested or curious, they will visit your page and possibly become fans too.
4. Easy customization. In addition to the many features Facebook fan pages already have, you can easily add your own with the Boxes feature.
5. Instant interaction with customers and potential customers by writing on each other’s walls, responding to comments, etc. Build relationships with customers that will increase their brand loyalty.
6. Advertising network is built in. Facebook offers fan page owners an advertising venue complete with analytics.
7. Customers/potential customers can interact with each other via the comments, wall, and discussions forum.
8. All the content about your brand that you post to Facebook is easily shared by your fans with all of their friends.
9. Earn credibility by associating your brand with the Facebook brand. Companies that are active on Facebook have more credibility as being current, fresh, and “now”.
10. Aside from the advertisements, Facebook is FREE. No investment necessary except your time and effort.
Bonus 11 – You can access Facebook on the road from a number of mobile applications.
1 Comment | Tags: Facebook, social marketing
Posted by Alyson in Online Marketing
New (Media) Workout Plan
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Designer/illustrator Patrick Moberg came up with The New (Media) Workout Plan.
Finally! I can feel better about myself for sitting in front of a computer all day. I’d like to see a before/after picture from those of you who start the New Media Workout Plan.
No Comments | Tags: Facebook, Google, Twitter
Posted by Jessica in Entertainment, Online Marketing
Quick Tip on Hashtags
Monday, September 28th, 2009
Ever notice a pound sign and a word or acronym at the end of a tweet? These are commonly referred to as hashtags, they are used to give context to a tweet, make discussions, conference information – easily searchable, and to group tweets together.
Quick Tip for Facebook/ Twitter:
#fb – Facebook. This handy little hashtag will update your Facebook status when you send a tweet out through Twitter. First you need to install the Selective Tweets Facebook app.
Tweet and Go!
No Comments | Tags: Facebook, hashtags, social networking, tips, Twitter
Posted by Stephanie in Online Marketing
Web Site Story
Monday, August 10th, 2009
No Comments | Tags: Facebook, Online Marketing
Posted by Jessica in Entertainment, Online Marketing
Michael Jackson and Social Media
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
I found out about Michael Jackson’s death from my boss, who read about it on Twitter. Within ten minutes that I found out about his death, I received four texts from friends and family with the news. Immediately after I heard about it, I went online to get the 411. I pulled up CNN’s streaming video about his death while I sat and watched my Facebook home page fill up with updates about his death. When I tried to logon to Twitter, it was not working with “too many Tweets.”
Turns out, I am like the rest of the world who naturally turns to social media sites for my information. They have been saying that Michael Jackson “broke social media” in all senses. He literally broke the websites like Twitter and Facebook when they were down for a period of time with too many users. He also broke all social media records.
On Facebook, the most popular person before Michael Jackson’s death was President Obama with 6 million friends. One week after his death, Jackson went from 80,000 fans to just over 7 million creating the largest fan base on a social media network.
During Jackson’s memorial service all trending topics on Twitter were about Michael Jackson.
Social media went crazy that day when some tried to take advantage of the situation. Bogus stories about Jackson’s death or other false claims about the deaths of people like Harrison Ford, George Clooney, and Jeff Goldblum. These false stories brought an even bigger frenzy to the internet with people trying to find out the truth. (Enjoy a funny clip here). It was quite a day for social media sites when Michael Jackson died. I am learning along with the rest of the world how powerful social media really is.
2 Comments | Tags: Facebook, social media, social networking, Twitter
Posted by Jessica in Online Marketing
How Effective is Social Marketing?
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009
A recent survey of nearly 1,900 businesses illustrates the effectiveness of 7 different social marketing tactics and how easily they can be measured.
Most people think that social networking is limited to social network sites like Facebook and MySpace. Surprisingly, this tactic ranked lowest on the list for effectiveness! Instead, the most effective tactics were participation in user reviews, blogs, and discussion groups (in that order).
One thing is for sure, the popularity of social tools have grown exponentially over the past year. Sooner or later, every business will recognize the long-term value of participation. Here is a breakdown of the results:
No Comments | Tags: Facebook, Internet marketing, MySpace, social marketing, social networking
Posted by Nathan in Online Marketing
- « Older Entries
- Newer Entries »
