Mediaboss Marketing

Social media is an informal and interconnected system of interpersonal exchange online. It has become the preferred method of propagating business or brand awareness to a global audience. It is used as a marketing tool to connect customers and potential clients in a dynamic environment. Social media has the power to shape consumer attitudes and preferences. It can make or break a brand.

Social media marketing is simply the usage of social media platforms and sites to advertise a product or services. While the traditional terms such as web marketing and e-marketing are no longer synonymous with modern business, social media marketing continues to gain popularity for researchers and practitioners alike. If you are looking for an expert social media marketing agency, do check out Gawdo.com .There are numerous such platforms and some of them include: blogs, forums, podcasting, video, image, and social networking. As more people continue to use these platforms, there have been questions on how these activities can be attributed to the marketing practices.

A social media marketing strategy is designed to increase the visibility of a brand or product. It is done by producing content that will resonate with consumers. This content is then shared through various mediums, including message boards, social networking sites, discussion forums, and social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Some marketers also opt to build a personal website that can be used for social media marketing. Content created for this purpose then gets repurposed in different forms including news stories, blog posts, press releases, podcasts, and the list goes on.

SMM uses the following types of social networks: Web 2.0 social networks SMS and MMS networks Friend bots RSS feeds and plug-ins Social media marketing companies to help marketers with their SMM needs. Their services offer SMM campaigns based on specific target audience, demographics, geography, and product insights. SMM campaign planning involves collecting and analyzing data, strategizing approaches and developing tactics. There are many types of SMM; here are some of them:

An SMM campaign begins by understanding consumer trends and buying habits and then crafting a strategy to reach out to them. The goal is to promote products or services that are already popular. In most cases, a social media marketing firm is hired to provide a cohesive campaign plan and manpower to execute it. These firms can also do all the work for the business. They include developing and monitoring promotional campaigns, choosing the right keywords and monitoring and organizing social media networks for optimal results.

A popular alternative to SMM is to create and manage an online presence using websites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These platforms like Facebook and Twitter allow for easy sharing of photos, videos, information about sales and discounts and various other visual content. On the other hand, social media marketing can also be achieved by creating a dedicated page on the main website of a company and having fans and followers sign up to the page. Twitter is another good example; it allows businesses to tweet about important and relevant news from their enterprise.

One of the best ways to get customers to engage with a brand is to use social marketing campaigns, which in turn, build up brand awareness. It is also capable of connecting with businesses in other countries, tapping into a global market that can become an untapped resource. Examples of social media marketing tools that can increase a companys visibility include websites like Linkedln and Twitter.

SMM can also incorporate video advertisements, pay per click search engine advertisements, and paid internet advertising. SMM firms usually sell advertising space to companies and projects that need them. They offer marketing services that help businesses enhance their websites, blogs, and social media marketing efforts. With so many SMM options available marketing through online channels has proven to be very effective and convenient. SMM is all about getting the message out in front of audiences. If done effectively, it increases brand awareness, increases market share, increases revenue and profits, and helps businesses establish a competitive advantage.

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Gawdo.com Explains The Role of Social Media Marketing in Marketing - ABCmoney.co.uk

But what if the thought of all this posting, sharing, liking, boosting, engaging, following and whatnot else leaves you cold? Should you suppress these feelings and slog over social media anyway?

It may be music to the ears of social media dodgers that, according to Gina Hollands, Commercial Director from creative marketing agency PMW thats the worst thing you can do. For marketing to be effective, it needs to be authentic, says Gina. If your heart isnt in one type of marketing and you do it regardless, your audience will see right through it and the outcome wont be desirable it could even be detrimental for your business.

So, in this age of social media seeming to be the only way to win the hearts and minds of consumers everywhere, whats the alternative if its just not your bag? Here, Gina gives her top five tips.

Identify where your strengths lie and focus on these. So, if youre a great networker, spend your marketing time networking; if you enjoy liaising with the media, then make PR your go-to marketing strategy; if youre more of a personal relationships type, then make a few appointments to have coffee with people you already know in the industry and see where these conversations take you. When you concentrate on what you do well, your results will be better and youll enjoy the process a lot more.

If you just think you might not like social media, but havent ever really given it a go, then try it out you might be surprised how you take to it. There is a lot of prejudice around social media that its just a bunch of teenagers dancing around or people sharing pictures of their dinner, but in fact, many a contact can be made and a deal done when you get it right. Consider taking a beginners course or asking a friend who knows their way around the platforms to teach you the basics, and go from there. If you still dont like it after a few months, then at least youve tried. But if you dont try, youll never know!

Love it or loathe it, it is no secret that social media has propelled many a brand from zero to hero. Thats not to say of course that its the only way to market a business, but it is definitely a cost effective and accessible way. It may be that you have absolutely no motivation to go there, however, and if that is the case its worth paying someone else to take the pain away. Depending on how far you want to go with your social media, you could enlist the help of a local freelancer to create your pages and make a few posts or, if you want to really get serious with your social and use it as a platform for advertising your brand and providing insight and analysis, then hiring a social media specialist could be the answer.

It may be hard to believe, but you can still market your business without the need to turn to social media immediately. Certainly, once finances allow, it is wise to invest in hiring a third party to undertake your social media if you dont want to do it yourself, but in the meantime, consider other routes to market, such as trade fairs, traditional advertising, press releases, events and other marketing methods which suit you and your brand.

We always say at PMW to do something well or dont do it at all. Diluting your marketing budget by spreading it too thinly across an array of marketing platforms wont get you anywhere, other than destination disappointment. Its better to choose one marketing method which appeals to you, which you can afford and which suits your brand and do it well. Once youve perfected that, consider investing the return from this activity into your second chosen platform, and repeating the process.

The key things to remember when marketing your brand are to remain within the realms of affordability and if youre doing your own marketing likeability. When youre authentic to yourself, your passion will shine through and marketing success should follow.

Read this article:
How to market your business when you really, really HATE social media - Business MattersBusiness Matters

This weekend marked the Pink Dot 2021 virtual event which was held on Saturday 12 June. The annual live event took to the form of livestreaming this year for the second time running, andwas hosted by actress Pam Oei and Harris Zaidi. This year, the event urged supporters toleave messages of love online, and also urged businesses to light their stores in exclusive pink lights andjoin the livestream. Jumping on the initiative was LOEWE Singapore which tinted two entrances of Casa LOEWE Singapore at ION Orchard pink to show its solidarity with the LGBTQ community. In a press statement,LOEWE shared that the move was done in line with the Pink Dot event and explained that this was the first time the brand participated in such a local initiative. LOEWE said that it is proud to be "lending support to the freedom of love".

Meanwhile, brands such as M.A.C Cosmetics, Sephora, and Converse also showed their pride and support for the LGBTQ community in Singapore going beyond the simple rainbow coloured change of their social icons. M.A.C Cosmetics Singapore for example featured several of its allies and members of the LGBTQ community on its Instagram feed. On its first pride-related post, the brand called for its fans to use the "#MACLovesPride" to show their "LGBTQIA+ love". This started off the streamline of pro-LGBTQ posts it shared featuring several individuals such as makeup artists Alif Alwee; member of House Of Miss Joaquim Farrah Shamrock; and social media influencer Melvin Tseng among others.

Sephora Singapore also took to its Instagram page featuring social media influencer Preeti Nair;digital editor at Wine&Dine food magazine,Adriel Chiun; members of The Sg Boys podcast; and global director of artistry and education at Tatcha Beauty,Daniel Martin. They were seen in an Instagram story series by Sephora titled "Power of Love" displaying "Love Portraits" celebrating love and self-love. The various individuals shared on the Instagram stories their take on Pride Month and what it meant to them. Similarly, Converse Singapores social media team put up Instagram posts around its #ConverseAllStars sharing the stories of what Pride Month means to these stars. The individuals featured are Minh Hoang (from Vietnam),Pat Cortez (from the Philippines), and Cayes Hotwheels Hong (from Singapore).

MARKETING-INTERACTIVEs Adland's Diversity & Inclusion Index recognises Asia's change-makers who are pushing the boundaries and cultivating a culture for tomorrow.Nominate case studies of your D&I initiatives for workforce in Asia today!

Global executions

Globally, weve seen many brands also taking a stance to show their love for the LGBTQ community. Clothing brand H&M, for example, launched its Beyond The Rainbow campaign featuring stars and its employees and urged for stories to be shared from everyday fans through a web app. LEGO also showcased its support for Pride through launching its LEGO Everyone is Awesomebuildable display model. The set isinspired by the iconic rainbow flag which is used as a symbol of love and acceptance by the LGBTQ community and features 11 monochrome mini figures each with its own individual hairstyle and rainbow colour. And keeping true to its colourful personality,SKITTLES also displayed its solidarity to Pride month for the second year in a row releasing its limited-edition SKITTLES Pride Packs featuring grey packaging on the outside and all grey candies inside. Its release was done in partnership with LGBTQ media advocacy group, GLAAD.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, PR professionals share that giventheglobal support pride month and the inclusivity of the LGBTQ community, when brands generate awareness through campaigns showing support forthe movement, both parties benefit as collective voices enable change, and allow for a greater acceptance of LGBTQ communities within our society, family, workplaces and communities.

However, what is important to remember is that consumers want to see "companies walk the talk through empowerment" and move beyond tokenism, said one PR professional under anonymity. "LEGO's rainbow-coloured Everyone Is Awesome brick set symbolising inclusivity from a young age is a great example of brands showing solidarity towards the LGBTQ cause. What has been the most impressive expression of support towards the transgender community is Bangladesh's Boishakhi TV appointing Tashnuva Anan Shishir as its news anchor," she said.

She added that people feel empowered by being a part of this larger collective. This is important as many segments of society are still not comfortable accepting LGBTQ communities and celebratingPrideMonth will play a large part in normalising conversations about the cause. She added that brand-led PR campaigns possess the responsibility of keepingthe conversation going beyondPrideMonth, through showcasing the company's support to LGBTQ beyond June.

"[The PR industry] can sustain communications and highlight a brand's commitmentto the social cause. The scope of the cause has transcended beyond just adopting the rainbows that sprout during June, to instead become an integral part of the DE&I initiative," she added.

While PR professionals may be gifted storytellers, what they must now do is begin to take a leadership position in championing the cause for Pride."What the PR industry is not doing is using its own collective power. Together, if they create an agenda, they will be taken far more seriously and carve a niche in the society beyond just storytellers," she added.

Sharing a similar sentiment, managing director, Asia, growth and innovation of Zeno Group, David Lian said: "Brands with a purpose need to demonstrate action towards their purpose. This means walking the walk instead of just talking the talk."

Brands have come to understand that not everysocial issue or incident is an opportunity to trendjack and create a rushed social post. This means brands need toclearly define their purpose. Social causes are not "one size fits all", which require brand and agencies todevote ample thought into answering what their brands' values are and what does it stand for. Also, the brand needs to decipher what it can do to effect change in the issue it decides to champion.

"We live in an era where the power of communications to effect change is becoming more and more tangible and it is the marketers who are custodians of the budgets and voices of the brands that can put this power to good use," Lian said.

Aside from this, social marketing agencyGOODSTUPH, recently launchedmerchandise in line with Pink Dot Singapore 2021, shining the spotlight on the trans community with proceeds going to The T Project. The T Project is a Singaporean social service group providing shelter and other social services for the transgender community. The campaign features portraits of people from the local transgender community, putting them in the spotlight and on a pedestal with a crown on their heads, bringing them to the forefront in this edition of the Pink Dot.

Related articles:GOODSTUPH throws weight behind trans community with Pink Dot SG merchPink Dot SG 2020 axes physical event due to large gatherings advisoryPride Month in SG: How brands are showing their support and colourful personalities

Link:
Analysis: Brands in SG beam pink with pride on social and retail - Marketing Interactive

It still feels too early to be planning for the holiday shopping rush, but according to Snapchat, it most definitely is not, which is why this week, it's launched its new holiday resource hub for marketers, providing insight into key trends and behaviors that businesses need to note within their planning.

The main element of Snap's new holiday hub is an 8-page guide to key trends, which documents largely the same data as presented in the above video clip.

As Snap notes, the key impetus of the early publication of the guide is to help businesses get to planning, with Snap advising that marketers should look to launch their holiday campaigns in October, when interest begins to rise.

The 'Get the Gift of Results' guide also includes key trend insights, tips, and usage notes around Snapchatter engagement leading into the holidays, and pointers on its ad products.

It also includes more specific notes related to Snapchat's evolving AR tools and features, and how they can fit into your approach.

If you're looking to reach younger audiences, then Snapchat should definitely be on your radar, and its evolving ad tools provide increased capacity for reach and engagement, which could play a key role in maximizing your holiday marketing push.

Which is another reason why it could be good to start planning now - if you were thinking of implementing an AR campaign, for example, you may need a fair lead time to get the plan in place, test the feature, etc.

Either way, there are some valuable notes and pointers here, with two different versions of the guide available to provide insights to marketers in various regions.

You can access Snapchat's new holiday resource hub here.

Read more from the original source:
Snapchat Launches New Holiday Season Guide and Resource Hub to Assist With Campaign Planning - Social Media Today

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Just a few days after the polls closed in Floridas 2018 general election, Rick Scott, then the states governor, held a press conference outside the governors mansion and made a stunning accusation.

Scott was running for a US Senate seat, and as more votes were counted, his lead was dwindling. Targeting two of the states most Democratic-leaning counties, Scott said there was rampant fraud.

Every person in Florida knows exactly what is happening. Their goal is to mysteriously keep finding more votes until the election turns out the way they want, he said, directing the states law enforcement agency to investigate. I will not sit idly by while unethical liberals try to steal this election from the great people of Florida.

Scott eventually won the election, and his comments eventually faded. But the episode offered an alarming glimpse of the direction the Republican party was turning.

A little over two years later, fanned repeatedly by Donald Trump throughout 2020, the myth of a stolen American election has shifted from a fringe idea to one being embraced by the Republican party. The so-called big lie the idea that the election was stolen from Trump - has transformed from a tactical strategy to a guiding ideology.

For years, civil rights groups and academics have raised alarm at the way Republican officials have deployed false claims of voter fraud as a political strategy to justify laws that restrict access to the ballot. But the way Republicans have embraced the myth of a stolen election since Trumps loss in November, is new, they say, marking a dangerous turn from generalized allegations of fraud to refusing to accept the legitimacy of elections.

Supporting the idea of a stolen election has become a new kind of litmus test for Republican officeholders.

Republican election officials in Georgia and Nevada who have stood up for the integrity of the 2020 election results have been denounced by fellow Republicans. Republican lawmakers across the US have made pilgrimages to visit and champion an unprecedented inquiry into ballots in Arizona, which experts see as a thinly veiled effort to undermine confidence in the election. One hundred and forty-seven Republicans in the US House voted to overturn the results of the November election absent any evidence of voter fraud and after government officials said the 2020 election was the most secure in American history.

Voter suppression is not new, the battle lines have been drawn over that for quite some time. But this new concern about election subversion is really worrisome, said Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, who studies election rules.

The willingness to deny election results comes amid heightened concern that Republicans are maneuvering to take over offices that would empower them to block the winners of elections from being seated. Several Republicans who have embraced the idea that the election was stolen are running to serve as secretaries of state, the chief election official in many places, a perch from which they would exert enormous power over elections, including the power to hold up certifying races.

I do think its a relatively new phenomenon, unfortunately, and disturbing, said Edward Foley, a law professor at the Ohio State University who has written extensively about the history of contested elections in the US. Weve had disputed elections in the past, but weve never had the denial of the basic mathematical reality of counting votes.

The effort to undermine the election results appears to be working. A majority of Republicans, and a quarter of all Americans, believe Trump is the true president, according to a May Reuters/Ipsos poll. Sixty-one per cent of Republicans believe the election was stolen from Trump, the same poll showed.

Rohn Bishop, the chairman of the local Republican party in Fond du Lac county in Wisconsin, said it was damaging to have such widespread uncertainty about the results of elections and was generally supportive of efforts to restore confidence. But he noted his dismay that Republicans continued to push lies about the election. He noted that the Republican party of Waukesha county, a bastion of GOP voters, recently hosted a screening of a film backed by Mike Lindell, a Trump ally and prominent election conspiracist, that pushed false claims of fraud.

We need to win back those suburban Republican voters that Waukesha county used to turn out, not keep poking them in the eye by forcing down their throat more of this election stuff, Trump stuff they dont want to hear, he said. I dont know why its so hard for Republican elected officials to tell the base the truth. That would help.

Alexander Keyssar, a Harvard historian who studies elections, noted that there was a long history in America of using fraud as an excuse to push back on gains in enfranchisement among Black and other minority voters. White voters are becoming a smaller share of the US electorate, data shows. There are definitely echoes of this now, he said. There has always been an inclination to see new voters of different ethnicities or appearance as agents, or unwitting agents of fraud.

Mac Stipanovich, a longtime Republican operative in Florida who is now retired, said the lies about the election provided a kind of cover for those unable to concede they were a shrinking minority in the population.

In the past, party elders, party leaders exploited the crazies in order to win elections and then largely ignored them after the elections, he said. What has happened since then is that Trump opened Pandoras box and let them out. He not only let them out, he affirmed them and provoked them. And so now theyre running wild and they are legitimatizing these delusions.

While there have been other nastily contested elections in US history President Rutherford B Hayes was labeled Rutherfraud and His Fraudulency after the contested election in 1876 both Keyssar and Foley said it was difficult to find a comparison to what was happening now.

Weve never had that. Weve never had McCarthyism-style fabrication of a conspiracy theory applied to the process of counting votes I would say its especially dangerous when its the electoral process, Foley said. Because its the electoral process that ultimately allows for self-government. When the mechanisms of self-government kind of get taken over by a kind of McCarthyism, thats very troubling.

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How Republicans came to embrace the big lie of a stolen election - The Guardian