Tired Of Your Current Social Media Tools?

Social media tools are forever growing. They were growing years ago and will continue to grow even more in years to come. It is important, especially for this those in marketing roles, to be on top of the new marketing tools available to us. I remember my boss asked me "how do you stay on top of growing trends, how do you know about new tools?" I simply answered, that it is important to be a part of communities such as the American Marketing Association, test out new marketing tools personally before trying them with a business, and engage in networking events so you can discuss topics such as these with your peers. I have take the time to review new popular social media outlets and reviewed them for how effective they were in communicating information the public.

1. QR Codes

•   What Does It Do? - QR codes are a great way to incorporate mobile devices with information. They allow the user to engage in sharing information with the business as well as receiving information such as contact information, coupons, mobile websites, and videos. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, QR codes are used as part of marketing campaigns, a way to capture client information, and a new way to interact with clients. ( New Media Tools, 2014). QR codes, if used correctly, can help businesses gain new cliental, retain previous clients with coupons and updated information, as well as add a new way to interact than the old direct mailer or email.

•   How Can It Enhance Delivery Information? - I strongly believe that QR codes are underrated. QR codes can enhance delivery information because it is simply as easy as downloading the QR scanner app, holding your phone over the scanner, and BAM information at your finger tips. I currently use it to scan all my food products into my Fitness Pal app each day to track calories and such which is so much easier than typing it in. It has allowed the user to connect instantly with out any gimmicks or difficulty. Check out a perfect example below, of a Scandinavian Airline who used QR does to their advantage. To get more clients to book trips, they created a standard two for 1 deal but with a twist. They used the QR codes to play back a video to show why trip they could book, but had to have both phones and both QR codes to redeem it. Take a look it is fasinating!

•   Link To A Great Example Of The Tool Is Use! -  http://vimeo.com/34140861

2. Text Messaging

•   What Does It Do? - Think about it, what is always with you, close to your fingers, and has a screen and buttons? You guessed right, your phone! I can not remember the last time I was without my phone for an extended period of time. I am always texting, checking email, and am staying connected with family and friends. recently business owners realized how quick they could engage with their clients if they were able to put a message right in front of the finger tips.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 97% of 18-24 year olds text, averaging almost 110 texts per day" (New Media Tools, 2014).  With that said text message is becoming such an effective way to market instantaneously. 

•   How Can It Enhance Delivery Information? - Text messaging can enhance delivery information because it will allow all information that is sent out to be delivered right at the tips of our fingers. For businesses they can create call to actions for us to respond to whether the campaign is attempting to collect phone numbers, send out a coupon so we purchase an item, or to complete a survey. What ever the case may be, text messages have become the new norm in the way we receive information. A great case study example of this, would be the Redbox mobile campaign.  RedBox used text messaging to enhance the delivery of information about the 10 campaign that included rental discounts. Essentially they used this campaign to attract new and existing clients but was also able to capture email addresses, personal contact information, increase cash flow, and promote their business all from the simple use of hand held devices. Text messaging will continue to grow as technology gets larger and faster, it is a way that we will always be connected instantly with one another, and the more businesses realize they can attack us in this way the more they will use it to their advantage.

•   Link To A Great Example Of The Tool Is Use! - http://www.tatango.com/blog/40000-customers-participate-in-10-day-redbox-sms-marketing-promotion/

3. Social Media Sites

•   What Does It Do? - Social media sites allow businesses to connect with their new and current clients on multiple levels. Through pictures, videos, texts, coupons and more, businesses are given he opportunity to engage with their customers on a more personal level rather than a TV commercial or impersonal print ad. They can chat with their clients, share photos, show reviews, and more! Social media sites have evolved, we have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many more that have begun to embrace the change over to social media. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,"67% of online adults use social networking sites" (New Media Tools, 2014). With that said, what a great place for businesses to interact and understand their customer base. 

•   How Can It Enhance Delivery Information? - Recently businesses such as Lays Potato Chips, have seen how powerful social media can be. The minute something happens any where in the world you will instantly be able to find it on social media no matter what. Lays uses a social media site campaign to launch their "Flavor Contest" with its audience. This shows the audience that they care and want them to have a voice in the decisions of what flavors they can eat. It shows that they are personable and know how to connect with their users the right way. This all started when Lays realized the passion their fans had for the brand so they wanted to give back and make their next invention user friendly and a guaranteed winner. Social media sites are able to enhance delivery information but making the information readily available to its consumers. It allows businesses to connect on a personal level and gives them multiple options such as videos, pictures, and text to connect directly with their audiences. Take a look at the very successful Lays campaign below!

•   Link To A Great Example Of The Tool Is Use! - http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/lays-do-us-a-flavor-contest-customers-vote-for-their-favorite-chips_b57844

Resources

Couple Up to Buckle Up. (2012, October 7). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://vimeo.com/34140861

Johnson, D. (2013, August 14). SMS Marketing Blog. Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.tatango.com/blog/40000-customers-participate-in-10-day-redbox-sms-marketing-promotion/

Mitchell, E. (2013, February 19). Lay’s ‘Do Us A Flavor’ Contest: Customers Vote For Their Favorite Chips. Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/lays-do-us-a-flavor-contest-customers-vote-for-their-favorite-chips_b57844

New Media Tools. (2014). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://aids.gov/using-new-media/tools/index.html#tool-qrcodes