The mobile messaging app landscape continues to be highly geographically fragmented, with different messaging services doing well in different global regions. Despite ongoing localised variety, messaging veteran WhatsAppremains dominant in multiple global regions, even as relative newcomer -to Android and iOS - BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), gets a foothold on the social chit-chat map of these two platforms.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Global Mobile Android/iOS Messaging App Map Dominated By WhatsApp — But BBM Bags A Foothold | TechCrunch
Global Mobile Android/iOS Messaging App Map Dominated By WhatsApp — But BBM Bags A Foothold | TechCrunch:
'via Blog this'
Thursday, November 21, 2013
An Insider's Guide to Social Contest Platforms - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
An Insider's Guide to Social Contest Platforms
'via Blog this'
One of the best ways for brands to garner visibility on the social Web is with promotions like contests and sweepstakes. The rules and regulations of social networks, however, can turn this fun task into a rather large headache.
For instance, Pinterest recently announced updates to its Acceptable Use Policy that put numerous restrictions on brands running contests and sweepstakes on the image-based social network. One of the rules prohibits brands from running contests that require participants to Pin from a specific selection, like a website or a list of pins. Conversely, brands on Facebook cannot ask their audience to share promotions on personal Timelines (including their own) as a way to enter a contest.
That being said, staying compliant with social network rules is actually just the tip of the iceberg. Brands must also take into consideration how they will track contest entries, host contest terms and conditions and announce winners. Luckily, there are a variety of platforms on the ‘Net that can ease the social promotion process – helping brands with everything from the content landing page to their marketing. Learn more about these platforms and their features below:
Wishpond
Supports Contests On: Facebook+Brands can run a variety of social promotions via Wishpond’s Contest Apps on their Facebook Pages, including contests for Pinterest and Instagram. This means, for example, that brands can create a Pin-to-Win contest that is actually hosted on Facebook. Aside from multi-channel contests, it is important to note that Wishpond’s robust Contest Apps are compatible with mobile devices, are compliant with Facebook guidelines, can be embedded on websites, enable brands to collect email addresses from participants and can even require participants to Like a page in order to enter a contest.
Piqora
Supports Contests On: Pinterest and InstagramPiquora supports contests and sweepstakes on image-based social networks Pinterest and Instagram. With Pinterest, brands can see which pins are most engaging, as well as view all participants and their eligibility in a single dashboard. The platform supports a variety of promotion types and provides templates so users can customize their contest landing pages. Brands can also launch Instagram hashtag contests with Piqora, which can help users grow their community and get discovered on the social network. Additionally, marketers can create customizable mobile-friendly landing pages for their Instagram contests and can monitor participation through an automated tracking dashboard.
Votigo
Supports Contests On: Facebook, Twitter, Vine, YouTube, Instagram, PinterestThe Votigo social marketing platform supports contests on most of the ’Net’s most popular social networks. Brands can leverage the platform to launch integrated Twitter, Facebook and Instagram contests, YouTube video contests, custom Instagram promotions and more. By integrating multiple channels into social promotions, brands can maximum their exposure and engagement.
Statigram
Supports Contests On: InstagramBrands can grow their Instagram following by launching photo contests through Statigram. In order to launch a contest with this platform, brands simply need to fill out a form and upload their Terms & Conditions. Then, the contest is promoted in Statigram’s contest directory and can be intertwined into a brand’s Facebook Page. Brands also have the ability to moderate contest entries, monitor contest performance and can announce winners and prizes on their contest page.
ShortStack
Supports Contests On: FacebookShortStack enables brands to create apps for Facebook contests, promotions and sweepstakes. Through the platform, brands can store entry data, implement voting and entry restrictions, as well as allow fans to enter promotions via their Instagram feed. Moreover, brands can also launch user-generated contests, where fans upload videos and photos to be voted on.
These are far from the only platforms that brands can leverage to launch contests.
- See more at: http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/pages/must-know-rules-amp-regs-for-hosting-social-contests.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter#sthash.3agZTfLs.dpuf'via Blog this'
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Pizza Hut overhauls mobile ordering to support skyrocketing volume
Pizza Hut overhauls mobile ordering to support skyrocketing volume
October 30, 2013
Pizza Hut mobile orders can be completed in under 30 seconds
Faster is better, at least when it comes to mobile ordering, hence Pizza Hut’s focus on enabling mobile users to place an order in seconds with its newly overhauled mobile applications and site.
Increasingly, mobile is proving to be an important way for pizza chains to build loyalty with customers, drive sales and differentiate themselves in an extremely competitive category. Pizza Hut’s refreshed mobile apps and site are GPS-enabled so users can easily find the nearest restaurant and discover location-based offers.
“We want to offer the most complete user experience, but in a way that is fast and convenient,” said Kurt Kane, chief marketing officer at Pizza Hut, Plano, TX. “For our most frequent customers, we think the speed of order is very important, and we worked hard to make that a major advantage of our new mobile site.
“We were the first to move into this space, so we had a head start but others continue to focus on this area as well,” he said. “Our approach is to give the mobile consumer the best experience in the category, and we think our new mobile Apps and Web site do just that.”
Streamlined ordering
The chain launched its iPhone mobile ordering app in 2009 at the same time that other pizza chains began experimenting with mobile ordering.
The chain launched its iPhone mobile ordering app in 2009 at the same time that other pizza chains began experimenting with mobile ordering.
Mobile ordering has proven to be a successful strategy for pizza chains.
Pizza Hut says digital ordering accounts for about 30 percent of deliveries and carryout traffic for Pizza Hut nationwide, with nearly half of digital orders coming from mobile devices. This is a 4,000 percent increase in Pizza Hut mobile ordering since 2010, making mobile the company’s fastest growing area of business.
Based on this success, Pizza Hut has been ramping up its mobile strategy over the past few years.
In the latest update, Pizza Hut focused on leveraging technology to improve the ordering experience for customers by making it more convenient.
For example, Pizza Hut worked with mobile designers and developers to produce a simplified ordering flow based on best-practice mobile navigation and user experience.
The company will add a reordering feature in the near future that will save orders enabling users to place an order in ten seconds.
Location-based offers
Pizza Hut has also added an “Inbox” and application badges for delivering deal messages to app users.
Pizza Hut has also added an “Inbox” and application badges for delivering deal messages to app users.
Deals will be offered based on location, making Pizza Hut’s apps the first in pizza category with this capability, according to the company.
Push notifications will be added to let customers know when their delivery order is on its way.
Additionally, the app will update in real-time so users can have instant access without downloading updates.
“[Push messaging] not only enables us to share our best deals and newest offers more directly with our customers, but it also enables us to communicate with them on a one-to-one basis about their order if need be,” Mr. Kane said.
“It’s new functionality,” he said. “We will only use it in a way that benefits our customer experience.”
Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Domino’s leads the mobile way for pizza chains
Domino’s leads the mobile way for pizza chains
By Rebecca Borison
The Pizza Tracker feature
Pizza Hut’s app
A mobile-friendly sweepstakes from Papa John’s
By Rebecca Borison
October 21, 2013
Domino's app
While many of the major pizza chains are dabbling in mobile campaigns and mobile offers, Domino’s is leading the pack in driving customer loyalty by focusing on providing faster and easier ways for consumers to order pizza via mobile.
With 35 percent of its $2 billion in global digital sales coming from mobile and more than 6 million downloads of its mobile application, Domino’s offers convenient ways for consumers to order via mobile. While many of the major pizza chains such as Pizza Hut and Papa John’s have been experimenting with mobile, pizza chains need to continue to focus on leveraging mobile for speedy transactions.
“Mobile is playing an important role for the pizza chains,” said Dirk Rients, senior vice president and director of mobile at DDB, Chicago. “Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s are making significant investments in digital and mobile, making it easier for their customers to place and track orders.
“In my mind Domino’s is utilizing mobile better than their competitors,” he said.
“An example of something that’s working is the Domino’s Pizza Tracker that is now available on mobile. Consumers feel comfortable when they can see what’s happening with their order at any given time.”
Mobile pizza
In today’s day and age, pizza chains owe it themselves to get mobile right. Their consumers are on mobile, and that is where they expect to engage with a pizza restaurant.
In today’s day and age, pizza chains owe it themselves to get mobile right. Their consumers are on mobile, and that is where they expect to engage with a pizza restaurant.
According to Mr. Rients, pizza chains should leverage mobile for speed, personalization, coupons, payment and tracking.
For example, Domino’s Pizza Tracker feature in its app lets consumers see where their order is and when it will arrive.
The Pizza Tracker feature
Additionally, consumers can create a profile within the app so that they can save their billing information and favorite orders and save time the next time they order.
“For Domino’s, [mobile] plays a huge role,” said Chris Brandon, head of public relations at Domino’s, Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI. “We strive to continue to offer the most convenient ways to order from Domino’s, and we are very pleased that we now offer an ordering app to Windows Phone users.
“Between our apps for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 8, Domino’s now covers 95% of the smartphone market with our app,” he said. “It is great for the consumer, and helps us continue to get better at offering mobile order – our fastest growing ordering method currently.”
According to Domino’s British master franchisee, the chain’s sales from mobile devices increased 102 percent year-over-year.
Boosting orders
By offering a mobile app and mobile ordering, pizza chains can provide their consumers with better and faster service.
By offering a mobile app and mobile ordering, pizza chains can provide their consumers with better and faster service.
It also provides more ways for a consumer to interact with the chain.
“Points of access are key. Giving our customers more places and ways to order our pizza, pasta and wings is what sets us apart,” said Caroline Masullo, director of digital experience atPizza Hut, Plano, TX. “In addition to our more than 6,300 restaurants in the US, customers can order Pizza Hut from PizzaHut.com, mobile web, iPad, iPhone, Android and even from their Xbox LIVE gaming platform.”
Oftentimes pizza chains’ number one consumers are young and mobile-savvy, so it makes even more sense for them to have a mobile presence.
“Ordering pizza through a mobile app is quick, easy and reduces errors,” said Melody Adhami, president/COO ofPlastic Mobile, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. “By opening the doors of m-commerce in the quick service restaurant industry, pizza chains are able to stay ahead of the curve and provide the best customer experience.”
Ms. Adhami believes that apps work better for pizza chains than mobile sites. She claims that apps are more convenient and create longer-lasting relationships with consumers where they return frequently.
However, she warns against creating apps that are too cumbersome and lacking in imagery. The apps need to be simple and easy to use.
Pizza Hut’s app
Pizza players
Domino’s is clearly showing its proficiency in mobile, but some of the other pizza restaurants are a little slow to catch up.
Domino’s is clearly showing its proficiency in mobile, but some of the other pizza restaurants are a little slow to catch up.
For example, last year Papa John’s tried using SMS, but got hit with a $250 million spam lawsuit for sending consumers messages without their consent.
A mobile-friendly sweepstakes from Papa John’s
Other chains, while maybe not as successful as Domino’s are still making admirable efforts in mobile.
Pizza Hut has used mobile ads in Us Magazine’s mobile site to drive foot traffic and mobile orders (see story).
The chain has also had success with SMS, asking consumers to opt-in to receive offers.
“Something we feel incredibly strong about is delivering truly exclusive deals via our SMS program,” Ms. Masullo said. “The quickest way to get opt-outs is to disrupt consumers in this very personal space with information they can get elsewhere. What we see consumers respond well to are our “text to join” programs like our Hut Lovers email program (Text Hut to 69488). With mobile, it’s all about keeping it fast and simple.”
Last year during the holidays California Pizza Kitchen encouraged consumers to buy digital gift cards via the chain’s mobile site (see story).
Despite Papa John’s snafu with SMS, they too have implemented interesting mobile campaigns, including a recent Super Bowl sweepstakes that was meant to educate consumers on how to place orders via mobile and online (see story).
“Pizza chains in the industry are generally ahead of other commerce players, in terms of mobile,” said Ms. Adhami.
“Mobile’s growing popularity provides retailers with an opportunity to deliver convenience to customers’ right in their pockets,” she said.
Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York
How small-to-midsize companies do mobile cost-effectively with minimal risk
How small-to-midsize companies do mobile cost-effectively with minimal risk
The Edelman Digital pyramid
October 21, 2013
A scene from an iPhone 5 commercial
For a smaller-sized company, mobile may look intimidating and costly at first glance, but with thoughtful and strategic planning, a small-to-midsize company can – and should – leverage mobile to boost its marketing.
A smaller company should probably not jump to create a mobile wallet or even a mobile application, but all companies can create a mobile-friendly site and SMS campaign on a fairly small budget. Companies need to view mobile as an investment similar to any other channel, one that requires time and planning, but can ultimately benefit a campaign.
“Many of the smaller clients we work with know they need a mobile strategy but are in the very early stages,” said Susie Ketterer, principal of Simantel, Peoria, IL, and president of the Advertising and Marketing International Network. “There's also a trend in online marketing where technologies become buzz words, and everyone reacts to needing a solution to accommodate.
“We've seen this happen with mobile where company managers demand their company ‘go mobile’ and as a result, teams react quickly without thinking through the strategy first,” she said. “In these cases, we are faced with having to re-architect their mobile presence as their first attempts miss the mark.
“Smaller companies with limited budgets need to focus on the areas of mobile delivery that have the largest capacity to impact customers. Understanding both strategic objectives and customer behavior is key to determining where and how to spend their dollars. For these companies just beginning, it makes sense that they would first consider investing in efforts that have high adoption.”
Investment by adoption
When a company is first setting out to enter the world of mobile, it should first and foremost look at its target audiences to see where theyare and what they are doing.
When a company is first setting out to enter the world of mobile, it should first and foremost look at its target audiences to see where theyare and what they are doing.
For starters, the general audience has vastly adopted SMS and mobile Web, while the majority are slow to adopt mobile wallets. Take this information into account, and start where your consumers are.
“When cost considerations drive mobile marketing, understanding user behavior is very important in determining the best use of marketing dollars,” Ms. Ketterer said. “Therefore it makes sense to invest in marketing efforts that have high adoption and low cost, which are the items toward the bottom of the [Edelman Digital] pyramid.”
The Edelman Digital pyramid
When you take investment and adoption into consideration, the obvious first moves are towards a mobile-friendly site and an SMS campaign.
Beyond the general trends of SMS and mobile Web, even smaller companies can find cost-efficient measurement and tracking methods to see how their target consumer behaves.
“We very often get asked early in an engagement to do a lot of benchmarking competitors,” said Stephen Burke, vice president of mobile at Resource, Columbus, OH.
“But you really need to look at your own backyard,” he said. “What are the trends for your mobile site, if you’ve run an SMS program how did it perform. We always advise, look at your own data as your core benchmark.
Drafting a strategy
Once a company has a deeper understanding of your consumer, it should begin to plan its mobile strategy.
Once a company has a deeper understanding of your consumer, it should begin to plan its mobile strategy.
According to Mr. Burke, every company needs to outline an 18 month road map that prioritizes five mobile marketing touch points: mobile advertising, SMS, mobile Web, app and testing.
Determine whether or not your goal is ROI or brand awareness.
“If they’re looking for ROI, they should look at things that drive conversions to purchase, and SMS is good for that,” Mr. Burke said. “If you’re a CPF brand, and you’re not driving directly to purchase, you might invest in an awareness campaign, which would be a mobile-friendly site linked to display advertising that.”
The most important thing to remember when drafting a strategy is the consumer.
Josh Walsh, founder and EVP of AdTheorent, New York, suggests that companies always ask themselves the following two questions: “Will my ad be shown to my core audience?” and “Will my core audience want to engage with this ad?”
To determine the answer to these two questions, testing is a must.
“Evaluate what targeting and creative options are available, test (don't be afraid to ask for a lower test budget. If the test proves fruitful you will become a long term customer), learn, repeat,” Mr. Walsh said.
“There is no ‘one size fits all’ mobile strategy based on revenue,” he said. “Companies need to take many factors into consideration when planning a mobile strategy such as the specific goals in terms of reach and actions, and really need to first look at their goals holistically and drill down to which strategies will support those.”
Financing tactics
At the end of the day, a smaller company is going to be more concerned about budget than a Walmart-sized one. However, that does not mean that mobile is impossible.
At the end of the day, a smaller company is going to be more concerned about budget than a Walmart-sized one. However, that does not mean that mobile is impossible.
For a company that has $200,000 to $500,000 to spend annually, Resource’s Mr. Burke advises that they analyze their own data and the data of three or four competitors. As appealing as it might seem, skip over an app; it is not worth prioritizing.
Improve your Web site to be mobile friendly, and then look at SMS.
Mr. Burke pointed to an SMS campaign that Sherwin Williams ran which yielded more than 50,000 opt-ins. The company spent less than $10,000 on the campaign.
In general, Mr. Burke estimates that a company can do SMS for under $50,000; an enhanced Web site for $100,000-$200,000; and an app for $200,000 plus. For a standard mobile ad campaign, he suggests taking 10 percent of your online budget and applying it to mobile.
Within mobile advertising, standard banners will be the cheapest, rich media the next most expensive and video the most costly.
“If I’m dealing with someone who has a modest budget, I try to start out with those two or three things that will show that it works,” Mr. Burke said. “For a low budget, getting their toe in the water client, start with a strategy, it does not have to be grandiose, update that strategy every year based on data you’re developing and industry benchmarks.
“My advice to CEOs is always find the person who has the clearest customer focus on your team, somebody who really knows your customer, and have them lead,” he said. “Make sure they have goals, and reward them if they achieve it.”
“You have to look at mobile as a capital investment, right now it’s being looked at as a series of tactical investments. Stop looking at mobile as tactical investment, and view it as strategic investment that is worthy of the CEO’s time and attention.”
Final TakeRebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York
Friday, October 18, 2013
MediaPost Publications: Over 50% Of Mothers Use Retail Apps
MediaPost Publications Over 50% Of Mothers Use Retail Apps
Rivaling the most tech-savvy demographics, moms continue to wow Madison Avenue with their ability to steer shopping trends and adjust household spending behaviors. More than half of moms use retailer apps (compared to a third of the general population), while 38% use apps for product reviews (compared to just 22% of the general population).
The findings come courtesy of Research Now and parenting site BabyCenter.com, which surveyed roughly 1,350 U.S. moms to reveal their consumption inclinations.
As mobile research and shopping grows, moms appear to be becoming more selective about which apps they use, the research shows. Across all categories, retailer app usage is up, while apps for deal sites, price comparisons, coupons, and barcode scanning are down.
Altogether, 47% of moms look up prices online while in-store, a full 72% report visiting retailer and shopping Web sites on their mobile phones, and a third use mobile to help decide where to buy specific products and services.
Nine out of 10 moms report noticing ads on their smartphones; 25% admit to clicking through for coupons. More than half of moms say the most appealing feature of mobile ads is a coupon offer, while nearly a quarter expressed appreciation for ads offering nearly deals.
In just two years, moms have increasingly taken to mobile for every part of the purchase funnel. Getting product ideas via mobile is up 125% since 2011; product recommendations via mobile is up 147% during the same period; comparing product features is up 133%; comparing product prices is up 114%; finding coupons and deals is up 118%; and deciding where to buy products is up 125%.
Moms research a variety of products on their phones, but buy different categories than they research, Research Now and BabyCenter found. For instance, 76% of moms research food and beverages with their smartphone (nearly twice as many as the general population), but only 14% have clicked to buy.
A key category for online purchases is apparel, BabyCenter and Research Now report. More than half of moms have researched clothing, shoes, or accessories with their smartphone, and over a third have made a purchase.
Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/211535/over-50-of-mothers-use-retail-apps.html#ixzz2i5fPuqmZ
Rivaling the most tech-savvy demographics, moms continue to wow Madison Avenue with their ability to steer shopping trends and adjust household spending behaviors. More than half of moms use retailer apps (compared to a third of the general population), while 38% use apps for product reviews (compared to just 22% of the general population).
The findings come courtesy of Research Now and parenting site BabyCenter.com, which surveyed roughly 1,350 U.S. moms to reveal their consumption inclinations.
As mobile research and shopping grows, moms appear to be becoming more selective about which apps they use, the research shows. Across all categories, retailer app usage is up, while apps for deal sites, price comparisons, coupons, and barcode scanning are down.
Altogether, 47% of moms look up prices online while in-store, a full 72% report visiting retailer and shopping Web sites on their mobile phones, and a third use mobile to help decide where to buy specific products and services.
Nine out of 10 moms report noticing ads on their smartphones; 25% admit to clicking through for coupons. More than half of moms say the most appealing feature of mobile ads is a coupon offer, while nearly a quarter expressed appreciation for ads offering nearly deals.
In just two years, moms have increasingly taken to mobile for every part of the purchase funnel. Getting product ideas via mobile is up 125% since 2011; product recommendations via mobile is up 147% during the same period; comparing product features is up 133%; comparing product prices is up 114%; finding coupons and deals is up 118%; and deciding where to buy products is up 125%.
Moms research a variety of products on their phones, but buy different categories than they research, Research Now and BabyCenter found. For instance, 76% of moms research food and beverages with their smartphone (nearly twice as many as the general population), but only 14% have clicked to buy.
A key category for online purchases is apparel, BabyCenter and Research Now report. More than half of moms have researched clothing, shoes, or accessories with their smartphone, and over a third have made a purchase.
Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/211535/over-50-of-mothers-use-retail-apps.html#ixzz2i5fPuqmZ
Thursday, October 10, 2013
5 Beautiful Business Blog Designs
5 Beautiful Business Blog Designs - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
- See more at: http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/archive/2013/10/10/5-beautiful-business-blog-designs.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter#sthash.uovbaLYM.dpuf
Blogs provide great value to digital enterprises. Not only can blog content be used for marketing initiatives on other channels (like social or email) and as a website traffic driver, but it can also help a brand generate trust from its customer base and gain authority within its industry.
In fact, HubSpot’s 2013 State of Inbound Marketing report reveals that 43 percent of marketers acquired a customer via their blog this year. And while much of a blog’s success depends on its content, aspects like design and functionality cannot be overlooked. After all, the most insightful article will not garner attention if it is hard to access or the layout makes it difficult to read. To get inspiration for your business blog design, check out the examples below:
Teavana
Design Takeaway: In Your Face ImagesTeavana leveraged an image-tile layout for its design, which makes the content visually appealing and more likely to obtain clicks. In addition to visual elements, Teavana provides a prominent search bar on the top of the blog’s homepage as well as filtering options on the right side, which makes content easy to find.
Target
Design Takeaway: Get PersonalTarget’s blog takes a personal approach, not only with its content, but also with its design. This is because the retailer features blogs from its employees, and in doing so, displays each employee’s photo on their respective blog posts. This makes the company more relatable for consumers. Aside from this personal strategy, the retailer also sticks to its red and white color scheme throughout the blog, which makes the design appear clean and makes the content easy to read.
myInsens
Design Takeaway: Showcase Top ContentmyInsens implements a simple, yet, effective design. The light colored background makes the content stand out, while the featured slideshow at the top of the page shows off the company’s best content. Moreover, each article’s title is made noticeable through a combination of green, italicized and larger text. The company also makes it easy for readers to find older content by featuring an Archives section, which is organized by month and year.
Constant Contact
Design Takeaway: Dazzling Content DiscoveryThe Constant Contact blog is very robust, but leverages quite a few design best practices, such as a light color scheme, simple design and a feature slideshow. Furthermore, Constant Contact includes a variety of content discovery options on its blog, including a search bar, navigation menu, popular post section and word cloud that shows what topics are talked about most often.
Birchbox
Design Takeaway: Main Site LoveThis blog is nice for a variety of reasons; however, the single best design aspect is the prominent link to the company’s main website on the top of the landing page. While this seems like it should be an obvious design element for business blogs (after all, blog content should help navigate customers through the sales cycle), many companies either neglect doing this or put the link somewhere where it is not easily found. In addition, Birchbox includes a “You Might Also Like” underneath some of its articles, which is effective at pushing readers to more pages, hence, increasing time on site and page view metrics.
5 Steps to Better Social Media Content Today
5 Steps to Better Social Media Content Today - 'Net Features - Website Magazine
:: By John Anderson, Guest Contributor ::
Social media has always been about the people, the individuals who care enough to go online and interact with their peers and share pieces of themselves with everyone. This is the hub of the people, for the people, by the people - err, the netizens, that is. So if you want to get in on the ride, you better be prepared to play along with the wonderful crazies of today. Fortunately, it’s nothing a simple content management plan can’t fix:
1. GET THEM TO ACT, REACT AND PARTICIPATE
Bank in on the “social” aspect of the medium and get people moving - or at least clicking. In what way, you ask? According to an infographic from ShortStack, contests (40 percent) are the best way to engage users compared to photos (27 percent), wall topics (24 percent), custom apps (22 percent), videos (21 percent), links (13 percent), and questions (11 percent). Contests are a great way to garner new and old followers or consumers. Remember, though, that there are several contests out there waiting to be discovered so you have to think outside-of-the-box on this one.
Note: The prize doesn’t have to be a tangible gift pack all the time. It can be as simple as getting featured or your very own tweet-turned-movie-VO-trailer.
EXAMPLE (The Feed Orange UK):
Video on Youtube: The Feed Orange UK: this summer
This was definitely a cool and creative way to engage users on Twitter. Through a hashtag, combined with their resources, the company created something wonderfully unexpected.
Social media acts as everyone’s personal press release and people have really grown a knack for announcing and sharing almost anything about them. Take advantage of this “ultimate sharer” persona and ask them to share their personal experiences with your brand or product/service. They will really appreciate that you’re on the listening/receiving end.
Example: Zappos’ Levi’s Style Challenge
Ask them to share their personal style using your product/service.
2. HUMANIZE YOUR BRAND
Your ears may have gotten tired of hearing this but it’s the ultimate way to get real and personal. And what other way to do that than to involve the team behind the brand? This lets the consumers see the people - the blood, sweat, and tears - and not just the brand itself. It’s a way to tell consumers that you have a heart and soul and are capable of truly engaging your consumers. Nothing beats person-to-person “real” interaction.
Example: AXE
The AXE Facebook page has found a “face” in its administrator, Rocky.
3. USE INTERRELATION TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
In a world where everything (media) and everyone has become interconnected, it’s a huge blow if you don’t use this potful potential to the full. Crossing through media platforms and integrating one in the other is a common practice. What you have to think about is what will set you apart. Incorporate as much of the senses as possible. Remember that users are human beings that get excited on whatever thrills their imagination and senses.
Take note of the interconnectivity that is on hyperspeed, utilize it, and see the magic happen.
Example: hitRECord
HitRECord is a breeding site for various artists to collaborate. Artworks can be downloaded and altered according to one’s desire.
According to David Robins, the Founder and CEO of the project management software Binfire.com, in a company blog post, with the available technology today, more and more people are working together via the Internet as it’s more efficient and done in real time. See, interrelation brings a lot of positive things into light and social media platforms are at the center of it all.
4. GET FAMILIAR
Tap on nostalgia and local pride once in a while. There is nothing more enthralling and inviting than talking about shared experiences in a certain locale or time period. This will give users - not necessarily your consumers alone - a sense of belonging, even exclusivity.
Example: #onlyinatlanta on Twitter
5. BE CURRENT AND RELEVANT (TO THE TIMES)
Using current events to spark discussion is one guide that never fails. The fact is they’re already talking about it and want to talk about it some more. Hosting an open discussion will get people going and before they know it, they’re already liking your page or following you back.
Example: Only in America... Facebook page
Tap on their human side and introduce your brand’s advocacy. Be careful not to sound hypocritical which will only be worse for you. Several people have been for public and community service these days. They don’t just buy. They want to make sure who they’re buying from is socially - even environmentally - responsible. And they love it when you are.
Example:
Youtube Video: Coca-Cola – The Recycling King
For those mundane days, the use of trivia is usually a good way to spark interest among occasional browsers. This may not necessarily be about your brand or product/service. Google Doodle is one of the best examples for this:
There are several other ways of engaging users through the social media. Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore the countless possibilities. Loosen up a little and get in on the crazy fun!
Author bio:
John Anderson writes about business, technology, and security. One of his main interests revolves around the inner workings of small businesses going online.
- See more at: http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/archive/2013/10/09/5-steps-to-better-social-media-content.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter#sthash.US6oVf1p.dpuf
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
PayPal Unveils Yet Another Way to Pay In Stores
PayPal Unveils Yet Another Way to Pay In Stores - Jason Del Rey - Commerce - AllThingsD
Another day, another announcement of a product aimed at getting shoppers to buy stuff in retail stores using an app on their phone instead of a physical credit card or cash.
This one — from PayPal, called Payment Code — lets users pay through their PayPal app or a retailer’s app integrated with PayPal in a few steps. First, they need to check in on the app. Then, if the shopper is in a store that has bar-code-scanning devices, the app will automatically load a QR code for the cashier to scan to complete the transaction.
For participating stores that don’t possess those scanners, the app will display a random four-number code for the shopper to punch into the store’s payment keypad to finalize the sale.
Sound easier than paying with a credit card or cash? No. And PayPal says it recognizes this.
So it will give shoppers other incentives to pay with the app — namely, a seamless way to surface and use discounts and loyalty programs already loaded into the app. The payment method will launch next year.
Still, participating merchants — PayPal isn’t announcing any yet — are going to have to buy in to the fact that discount offers will be needed to convince people to use this method. But you’d have to imagine that PayPal will give the merchants some incentives to do so.
This payment method is just the latest in a series that PayPal has announced. It recently said it will offer retailers hardware devices that detect the phones of PayPal users and let them pay without pulling out their phone or physical wallet.
Previously, PayPal rolled out the ability for PayPal customers to pay with either a PayPal card or with their phone number and PIN at participating retailers, such as Home Depot. But the recent move toward encouraging shoppers to complete transactions through its mobile app seems to be a signal that PayPal is moving past the first iteration of its in-store payment methods.
And perhaps with good reason. In a recent research note, RBC Capital Markets relayed information about visits that it made to 11 Home Depot stores in the San Francisco Bay Area to get a feel for adoption of PayPal as an in-store payment option. Overall, RBC explained that the payment option has “still limited traction.”
Nonetheless, PayPal is working hard to get a piece of offline payments however it can. Along the way, it is providing shoppers with several options to pay with PayPal. But, until paying with a phone becomes as easy as paying with current methods, people are going to need real incentives to use these alternatives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)