People talk a lot about the evolution of marketing over the past decade or so, citing the increased role data plays in allowing marketers to make smart and informed decisions about their audience, their content and how they use the former to engage the latter. Only a fool would argue how important data is to modern marketing, and a huge amount of this data comes from social networks. However, getting meaningful insights from this social data has proved a challenge due to the relatively small... continue reading
We love a good story. Over coffee, around the watercooler, at a BBQ, we love to share stories; ours or those we’ve heard. They enthral us, and often motivate us for change or action. Storytelling is not a new concept for brands, but it’s become all the more important as companies and organisations flock to social media to disseminate their information. So why are stories effective, and how can brands harness them? Stories are innately social As mentioned, people love to share their stories, and... continue reading
Social media isn’t new to most of us, and are often used as powerful marketing tools. However, brands are still making simple mistakes in handling their social media assets. Each social channel such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter requires a different approach to maximize their potential. Brands should also keep up to date with the latest features of these commonly used social media platforms. Small mistakes can have a negative... continue reading
Facebook reactions, Instagram hearts and retweets – if your business is on social media, there is a seemingly endless list of metrics you can use to track the outcomes of your social media marketing efforts. But how do you quantify the real value of a like or the benefit of engagement? If you want to substantiate the value of your business’s social media, here are five metrics you should be tracking. 1. Engagement rates on posts Measuring... continue reading
Great content is about tailoring your messaging to your audience. Here we consider how you can make your posts on the big four social media platforms work harder for you. With so many platforms for consumers to engage on today, brands need to consider how messages are presented across multiple channels so as to make the most of each platform’s individual tools. Each platform has its own tone, etiquette and rules of engagement based on... continue reading
According to CNBC, China is one of the world’s biggest luxury markets, securing close to ¥135 billion (€18 billion) in sales last year. It's no wonder then that in recent years, some of the world’s largest luxury brands have made a strong push to get cut-through in the Chinese market, and now they’re using digital to do it. From campaigns on Chinese social media behemoth WeChat to partnerships with leading Chinese influencers, here are a few ways that... continue reading
See how social data has boomed over the past two years in our infographic. continue reading
Social media crisis management is about damage control. We’ve all seen the examples, heard of the backlash, and are often concerned about what we would do in a social media crisis. In this month’s webinar, we’ll look at how to prepare and avoid a crisis, as well as best practices should one eventuate. continue reading
With the newsroom environment changing significantly, being able to gain traction isn't easy. What does print vs online really mean, is content just content? This month's webinar with Isentia's Gareth Kidd explores how stories break and how those stories can change and develop over time as they are published on social media, online news sources, print and broadcast. continue reading
Social media users demonstrated the power of the global tribe in 2015 – whether it was through turning a profile pic rainbow in support of same-sex marriage or joining forces to reunite an individual with a treasured lost camera, toy or piece of jewelry. This had a huge impact on what cut through the noise in two key ways. Firstly, users have become powerful moderators of social platforms. Poor-quality content put up by businesses suffered death... continue reading
There’s nowhere for organisations to hide in a crisis. There was a time where you could hide behind a journalist’s deadline, let a phone call go unanswered and simply refuse to reply to a telegram/letter/email/smoke signal. But not anymore. There is one reason, and one reason alone, that sticking your head in the sand is no longer an option. As a very smart man said: “oh, they have the internet on computers now!” – Homer Simpson, 1998. Many issues in... continue reading
Rather than reaching a mass audience, Snapchat allows you to send messages directly to your group of subscribers. Snapchat messages or ‘stories’ allow you to combine photo, video, text and audio in a unique way to interact directly with fans. Before you start using Snapchat for business, get to know the platform by using a personal account. Snapchat has lots of great features like filters, emoji and music effects, and you should know your way around... continue reading
Stockings are waiting to be filled this Christmas, but will they contain the goods? Australians spent in record numbers in the lead-up to Christmas last year, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), with those aged over 14 spending an average of $2,500 each in the six weeks leading to the event. With further growth predicted this year by the ARA, Australians are expected to spend $46.7 billion in retail stores over the same... continue reading
With close to a billion daily active users, there's no denying that Facebook, when paired with a social media analysis service, is a powerful tool for any communication professional seeking to connect with their target market on a global digital stage. Just how useful is Facebook's 'like' feature? A digital thumbs up allows users to show appreciation for content, but it does have some limitations. Part of Facebook's popularity stems from the many... continue reading
In today's hyper-connected world, the importance of social media in boosting brand awareness cannot be overstated. The instant and transparent nature of platforms like Twitter remove many dialogue barriers between organisations and consumers, and open up lines of communication like never before. Why is Twitter presence important? The bite-sized information network boasts 316 million monthly active users, who are sending half a billion... continue reading
When faced with the numbers, even the most traditional PR managers are forced to recognise the importance of social platforms in the modern media landscape. Facebook is in pole position with an incredible 1.44 billion monthly active users (MAUs), Instagram boasts an impressive 300 million MAUs (an increase of around 100 million in nine months) and Twitter averages 236 million MAUs. As they say, the numbers don't lie, and social media has... continue reading
From modest startups to multinational conglomerates, social media continues to be an essential part of the business landscape, regardless of location. The numbers are staggering. Facebook ultimately reigns supreme, boasting around 1.44 billion active users as of March 31, 2015, according to its first quarter report. Qzone, a Chinese social network follows some distance behind, with Twitter claiming the bronze medal in third position. In... continue reading
Social media has become a powerful ally to brands looking to better connect and build relationships with consumers. However, there is a balance between the needs of any campaign to successfully have enough reach, while not being too intrusive. The average consumer is quickly put off by blatant, targeted advertising, so a delicate approach will typically be the best one. Of course, better understanding that line and meeting the needs of any target... continue reading