Archive for August 2015

It's Never Too Late To Start Now!!

04:47:00 2 Comments A+ a-

It’s been 11 years since I last used my NOKIA 2100, which practically does a mere decent job of calling...

However…

Now currently looking at my Samsung S4, where I will never leave my phone alone for more than 5 minutes or never  leave my home without… rather forgetting my house keys… it shows things HAS changed…

FACTS: Do you know? “As of now, Apple has sold 700 million iPhones globally?"
 (Ingraham, 2015).


Mobile phone plays an important role in our daily lives. In this modern day, most people I know, will not think twice about saying they can imagine their life without this gizmo.

Are you one of them? Who constantly check your Facebook newsfeed, constantly check in at Foursquare the minute you enter a location? Refresh your Instagram posts every 10 minutes, perhaps?

Well, because these apps has transform the society to be come like that...

 “Mobile social media is defined as a group of mobile marketing appliances that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content”
(Kaplan, 2012). 

For businesses, it is critical to tap into mobile social media marketing as it is a fundamental approach to a promising future. Being able to empower user-generated content, simply transforming a simple brand message into a viral marketing phenomenon. This depicts the WOW effect that never been seen with old traditional marketing.

The concept of app usage has transformed any mobile users experience from a novelty to a necessary component. From a location based app (Foursquare), to an app to share user's thoughts and feelings anonymously (Secret), mobile dating app (Tinder) as well as an app to keep user aware of the crime in the neighborhood (SpotCrime Map). With million of apps being rolled out everyday, regardless of age, race or interest, there is an app for EVERYONE. 


Kaplan has identified the "4I's" of the mobile social media usage that businesses have to be aware of in this challenging new environment.. (article: http://www.sciencedirect.com/)


#1. Integrate 
Application has to be part of the user's life. Shopping app for example, (http://www.groupon.com.au) & lifestyle app (http://cudo.com.au/) has utilize the mobile social media to send exclusive range of discounts and offers to those users who has downloaded the app. "it's App-ening!"

       #2. Individualizing 
It is necessary to have a highly personalized company-to-consumer interaction. Activities has to take into account of users preferences and interests. Generic campaigns as opposed to individualized are also most likely to be ignored. 

#3. Involve
Never forget!! Apps have to encourage highly engaging conversations and involve their customers. It would be a good idea to involve users in some form of interactive story or game. This would encourage users to share their experience between the company and the user's own social network. 

#4. Initiate
Harness the power of user-generated content! Trust me, it can be more influential on user's purchasing decision, particularly millennial.


World of the social media is not slowing down, and at the warp speed its moving, it is not planning to anytime soon. Start making an app!! Never forget in today's society, "what considered science fiction today can be a reality tomorrow!" - Kaplan, 2015

Have you heard of some of these apps before?


Tindog 

Similar to Tinder, Tindog aims to connect dog lovers with other dog owners nearby. Users can browse through recommended profiles and swipe "YES". Using this app, your dog will never have to walk in the park alone again. :D

Roomi

 Are you looking for a new roommate? Roomi would make your life easier by finding compatible roommates. 
HowAboutWe

With "Tonight", HowAboutWe's latest features, users will be able to get hooked up in under FIVE minutes for a date in the SAME evening. WOW! 


Been Verified

 Okay... and if you think you have found the perfect guy on the dating app. It's best to start downloading "Been Verified". It's the world's first background check app. Billion of public records right at your fingertips. From checking their criminal history to property record, current contact info, and not forgetting checking their relatives and neighbors! 


 Leave some comments below! :) let me know what other useful apps out there.. :D 






Importance of Digital Analytics

20:18:00 4 Comments A+ a-

Did you know.....E-Bay is the world's largest marketplace!?!? Started with just one computer programmer, now it has over 15,000 employees. 

The Internet is the main culprit

Here is why: 

Internet has made purchasing things accessible and at a click of a "button" consumers can purchase OR sell items at a second. Businesses are the biggest WINNERS as they overcome geographical limitation, gain new customers with search engine visibility, lower costs, eliminate travel time and costs & remain open 24/7. 



"Digital Analytics is the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data from your business and the competition to drive a continual improvement of the online experience that your customers and potential customers have which translates to your desired outcomes (both online and offline)"

- quoted by Avinash Kaushik 

#1. Customers

Have you heard of the saying that the customer is always right?! Well, thats true! Customers are the most important element of a business. Because...CUSTOMER = PROFIT. This means that businesses must focus on the customer needs and wants, which puts the customer in full control . The business must be able to understand what the customer wants in order to rake in $$$. eBay for instance, has a search engine, which enables the customer to tailor make their preferences, this means the customer can SAVE TIME and effectively search for their products. As such, businesses must constantly innovate and stay relevant.

#2. Continual Improvements 

Measurement:
Quantitative and qualitative data analysis is paramount in this sector as it measures the customer base of eBay (whether there is an increase in customer OR a decrease in customer). It is focus on obtaining business objectives and tracking consumers.

 Reporting:
To make it into lay man terms so the business can access their performance objectives and whether they are achieving it. (By doing this, eBay would be able to access their position in the market and know what their competitors pricing). This would be a critical factor in business decision making.

Analysis:
Do you even think the world's largest marketplace keeps up with the trend? Well damn right, they do! Fashion, jewelry, electronics... etc.. eBay needs to stay competitive in a fluctuating market similar to how the media keeps up with the Kardashians.. Its that dramatic!

Test:
Problem?? no problem. Testing allows you to find different solution to the problem and find the right answer and even discover new things.

Stay with me peeps....

#3. Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Quantitative allows you to track your customers what their searching for, what they want, what they need, what they like. BUT just quantitative alone, ain't getting you no where. (that's old school)  Now, in recent times, Quantitative comes together with qualitative data. This means that eBay can track customers profile and their habits holistically. For instance, what color blouse you just bought?? eBay would even know...

#4. Measuring Outcomes

eBay must have a business objective and a measurable outcome. As an online business, eBay utilizes online information support efficiently. They are able to contact the customer or even assist with the customer's demand with a "click of a button". This would help with macro conversion so that eBay will know when customer purchases are met. From day one, eBay has successfully met their measurement outcomes and therefore have been a proven success in the online world.


Therefore, all these factors are crucial to attaining a successful business in the 21st century, where digital commerce is in trend. Don't forget to leave some of your ideas and views on the comment box below!! :) 




Facebook: Four Segment Marketing Strategy Framework

07:10:00 19 Comments A+ a-

To tap successfully into the power of social media, where would one start?

Facebook platform has over 1.3 billion active users worldwide (Facebook, 2013). 

Many organizations has been increasing their attempts to mobilize the power of social networking sites. Mixing both online and offline worlds, some firms have been making use of Facebook as a way to reach out to consumers. 

According to Hodis, Sriramachandramurthy & Sashittal (2015), electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) reflects the "true power of the modern consumer". This shows that the tool alone (Facebook) provides marketers the type of value they could not get anywhere else. 

Despite Facebook being an ideal medium in this current generation to reach to its customers, it is unfortunate that many have forgotten the unique interaction of the Facebook environment, which are basically meeting friends, interacting and building relationships with one another. 

Have you gone on your Facebook news feed and wondered how irrelevant and annoying the advertising such as buying a year's worth of car shampoo? 

Yeah... I thought so too. 

With social media becoming a greater influence in our everyday lives, marketers should start taking notes on how to utilize the Four Segments of Facebook Marketing Strategy.



Different from generic marketing platforms, Facebook requires brand-consumer dynamic and novel marketing approaches. 
#1. Entertainment Chasers
Low level of both consumption and creation

I'm sure we all have that one friend who's constantly on their phones. They use Facebook as a means to see what everyone is up to. They are called Entertainment Chasers. Facebook has somewhat become their medication to cure boredom, frequently sending stupid game requests to persuade their 34809238410328 "friends" to join them in their quest for adventure.


Okayyyy....

·      

How Brands can Leverage:
-By using advergaming, contests & quizzes, marketers would be able to hold their loyalty. With the help of some monetary award it can lead to some powerful word of mouth 

#2. Attention Seekers
high level of creation and low level of consumption

Another friend you can find on Facebook are the ones who are known as the "Drama Queens". They think of themselves as the spawn of Kim Kardashian, posting millions of "omg-look-how-pretty-my-hair-is" selfies and inspirational quotes that mean nothing next to their selfies. These 'celebrities' who feels obligated to update you with snapshots of their glamorous lives are called Attention Seekers.


·    How brands can leverage:
- As they are often Facebook "celebrity" endorsers, brands interacting with this attention seekers are able to create the necessary social business. It would also make the brand unexceptionally "cool" among their social circle.

#3. Devotees
high level of both consumption and creation

Do you spends hours and hours on Facebook? Do you often share long posts and prefers long reads over pictures? And do you frequently like and comment on your friend's status updates? Guess what?! You're a Facebook Devotee!!


How brands can leverage Devotees:
- Thought of as the ideal "brand ambassador", they can create, post and disseminate their own brand related content. These posts and content coming from the fans can be more profitable than the brand itself.

#4. Connection Seekers (That's ME!)
·      High level of consumption and low level of creation 

Like me, you use Facebook to enhance relationships with people you see on a daily basis, and keep in  contact with friends and family who have travelled overseas, we are counted as Connection Seekers. We see Facebook as a virtual hangout, limiting our posts to only little bits of entertaining articles/videos or important life events.

·  
How brands can leverage FB Connection Seekers:
- Introduce entertainments that enable them to interact and make new friends, as they perhaps can be the Brand's Facebook page "regulars".


 Conclusion:

Therefore, businesses joining social media platforms, should understand their online consumer behavior. It is important for the brand to gain acceptance and become a valued member of the social media community. Businesses need to understand that not every user on Facebook is equally the same. Understanding key consumer characteristics and act hyper-socially is the fundamental concept to succeed online as a brand.  (Hodis, Sriramachandramurthy & Sashittal, 2015, cited in Moran & Gossieaux, 2010)


So these are basically the type of people you’re friends with on Facebook, let me know at the comment below what are your ideas? AND which category would you be position at? :D




Reference List: 

Hodis, M. A., Sriramachandramurthy, R & Sashittal, H. C. (2015). Interact with me on my terms: a four segment Facebook engagement framework for marketers, Journal of Marketing Management.


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