When avoiding homework, the internet is a great distraction! I came across a blog post that sparked my interest. http://www.vitaminimc.com/2011/11/the-future-for-marketers-shopper-and-digital-marketing-converge/ Katie had some really good points about the social media marketing tools and e-commerce. She had mentioned the over whelming amount of articles and blog posts about using social media and the internet for marketing. There are articles on what to do, what not to do, what sites to use, and what social media to stay away from, etc. Unfortunately the internet and social media are not going to magically sell the product for you. They are just tools for marketers to use, but you have to learn how to use them for your target audience and your product. You can read 1,000 articles on what to do, but until you try it for your product, you will never know what will work properly. Yes, trial and error is the true and brutal test, but you will remember what you learn better than reading any article. I am not saying the articles or information out there are not to be trusted. I am saying that some of the best marketers in the world were willing to take a risk, and take another until they got it right. Humans are not perfect and they are not expecting perfection in advertisement; they just want to know why your product is perfect for them. So take a risk and use social media; it may pay off big time!!
It has been statistically proven for many brands that true return on social media movements is not always substantial. It is not a magic wand that immediately draws in an array of new customers or consumers, but it does draw awareness. Furthermore, awareness at little or no financial cost to the organization. Trial and error is always going to play a role in marketing. Even the best products or greatest companies must prove themselves by producing quality items and creating a demand for them.
ReplyDeleteBy using social media, a company is able to quickly, efficiently and cheaply parlay their message to an enormous audience, and that is something that cannot be overlooked. No matter how compelling the appeal of a product may be (by way of social media marketing or other mediums) it is ultimately the product that will sell, so a combination of trial and error along with social media and the Internet seem to make a great pair for any marketer.
This is an interesting take on the topic of social media advertising. It is true that social media is just a tool, and the tool is of little use if not in the hands of a craftsman. The intricacies behind social media marketing are extensive, but what good are they without a basic fundamental understanding of strategic marketing?
ReplyDeleteWell, perhaps social media sites to make the lives of marketers easier in some aspects. The ability to instantly reach numerous consumers at great distances is invaluable. I once read that the technology of today builds the technology of tomorrow. By that standard, the technology of tomorrow builds the technology after that. I wonder if the same is true for IMC. Do today’s IMC principles help to build tomorrow’s IMC universe? What standards of practice with social media marketing pass onto the next generations marketing scene?
I agree that Social Media is well worth the risk and (like Mike states) makes the lives of marketers easier, but I would also add that it in someways it has made it harder. The problem I foresee with the excessive use of Social Media for advertising is clutter. With so many companies seeing social media as a viable and cheap medium how do you design an advertisement that stands out from the rest?
ReplyDeleteTo me the ultimate goal of social media is to have your advertisement go viral, but how many of these potential ads actually make it to that point? The potential is there, but it is not fool proof. It is true that to effectively use social media you must first have an understanding of strategic marketing, but I wonder is does luck play a role in this as well and do you embrace that aspect or try to eliminate it?
I think social media is very helpful in the work world and in every day life, but I think it can also be harmful int he professional world. I think we need to be very careful on how we market ourselves.
ReplyDeleteUsing social media for marketing makes sense and will become increasingly important. Mike pointed out that the technology of today builds the technology of tomorrow and that this will have different impacts on future generations. Future generations will increase the percentage of computer savvy people resulting in greater importance for social media marketing techniques. Even so, I agree with Brandon’s position on clutter. I think social media ads will just fade into the background as consumer’s exposure to them increases. To get a customer’s attention the ad will have to be extremely shocking or novel.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly true that the increase in social media ads will cause "vagueness" with consumer exposure. Today, social media advertising is an inexpensive way to get a business's message across to the masses. I imagine, this targeted marketing tool will become what radio advertising is today. Radio advertising was once "the marketing vehicle of choice", but with the invention of Sirius Radio and XM Radio, advertising on traditional radio is like trying to hit a moving target. Even if you listen to traditional radio in your car, how often are you really listening? Most drivers are distracted these days (either on the phone, checking email, eating, etc.). Social media will eventually fall into this same trap.
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