Where did all the teens go?

One of the most popular social media sites are asking themselves where did the teenage demographic go? They have seen a decrease in users from the second to third quarters of 2013. Facebook conducted research to determine and finalize why this has been happening. They dropped from the second to third quarter with participation and activity within the teen category.

They have determined that this target has moved onto other mobile apps such as: Vine, Instagram, Snapchat, Foursquare and more. Vine ownedby Twitter has grown 639% in the last quarter according to a research group. The application SnapChat has been proven more popular then LinkedIn and Vine among this target market.

Overall this demographic has switched over to a mobile device rather than a computer or laptop. Facebook messenger app has seen more growth then Facebook itself. What can Facebook do to regain the teen’s attention?

From my own experience, I have the majority of the apps mentioned above and the reason I choose to Snapchat someone or Instagram is because it is fast, efficient and simple. It has one aspect you can do, for example those who don’t know Instagram is a photosharing application. You can put filters or crop pictures with captions…that’s it. You scroll through your news feed to see what other people have been posting and may even comment or like on one. SnapChat is a photo sharing application as well but with a twist! You take a photo and send it to the contacts you wish to see it for a specific amount of designated time. Once the person you sent it to opens the “snap” the time counts down until it hits zero which is when the picture disappears for good. The contact can screen shot the picture which then would be saved to their phone but at that point you will be notified who screen shot it.

 Facebook embodies many types of communication. It not only allows you to share, like and comment on photos but incorporates Twitter with being able to update statuses and Foursquare by checking into current locations. It’s a hub to do everything. Facebook can use this to their advantage. Who wants to have multiple apps doing multiple things when you do it all in one place? Teens are starting to put Facebook on the backburner. Facebook needs to show the easiness of sharing information or come up with a new way to communicate that these other apps don’t have.

Tweet to Sales!

Using Twitter To The Advantage

Kim Garst is a believer in Twitter and the results it can prove when used properly. I agree with her when she says that Twitter is the most important consumer based mediums since Google. It’s a quick and easy way to post thoughts and information. Anything said with purpose and value can create an impact. Although it is a social media site it can be content heavy and help to build relationships with potential clients. It’s a great way to see what the consumer is saying and to gain feedback right away from your customers. Twitter can be the difference between the highest market share and the second. Using Twitter appropriately to the company or business is the key to using this medium.

Twitter is an “instant fame” it requires a thought our plan, work, time and patience to see results. “Go at and attack Twitter.” Selling involves talking to people and communication. What’s a better platform then Twitter where communication is the basis of it. Twitter is where you can build a community and relationships with those that can be prospects or even turn into advocates for you. I totally agree with her when she says “nobody likes to be sold too” so don’t make it about selling. Of course have your offer or sale available/known but make it more about the customers thoughts, feelings, response to what you are selling.

Kim mentions about separating personal and corporate accounts. Its hard to separate the two, they blend together on social platforms. She makes a good point in saying that people like to deal with other people. Its hard to separate the two, they blend together on social platforms. Why not be more of a person to your customers and let them know whom they are talking too. By being personable to your prospects you can build relationships, which will then be helpful when determining what your ideal customer is like, what they do and what their problems are.

The consumers problems are how you are going to be able to generate appropriate content targeted to them. A consumer doesn’t search out results they search out what’s wrong and look for answers; make sure you have the answer to them, be useful and valuable.

Concluding this, Kim has wise advice to give in improving your twitter skills to grow traffic and sales. It’s all about your consumers, what they need, want, expect from you as a business. Don’t forget who your audience is!

Follow Me On Twitter!

Appealing to the Generation

Link it all together!

Being in the mobile, technology savvy generation I can back up that while watching a show, I have my laptop open and my phone beside me. During boring parts of the show, I search my Twitter feed online or read threw the latest gossip on Miley Cyrus. In between explicit pictures of Miley and updating my status I am replying to a text or pinning something to my Pinterest account on my mobile. Having multiple screens at home is becoming more popular. People use each device for different things but they all can be used for one single purpose, to advertise.

"From smartphones and tablets to laptops and television, 90% of all media interactions today are screen-based"

Using multi-screen advertising links all devices together by having the same idea throughout different tech formats. A website would have a different layout then a mobile site, just like an ad on TV would be different then one on a website.

Some companies are now having the same interaction between all three components. Businesses such as Impact Engine, who claim to be the leading rich media platform, announced the completion of its HTML"Multi-Screen" ad conversion initiative. This allows companies to unify all the mediums at a valuable price. For example shows are now asking people to tweet to cast members or for their opinion on the show and what they want to see next. They may have a contest with a key word asking to go to the website and tweet it out for the chance for a prize.

This generation people are likely to have multiple devices at the ready, which creates opportunity for interaction. They also have been purchasing on different devices. The mobile phone is one of those devices that people are now using to shop directly while in store  “65 percent of online searches began on a smartphone”.

Because people using these devices may be on the go its important to have good content and easy navigation to where you want them to go. "You should check this out" or "Have you seen" are ways to lead consumers in the direction you want. Realizing whom your target is on each device then relating and designing your site to accommodate them will prove to higher results. Keeping your sites up to date and relevant will benefit you when your customer can quickly get to where they want to go. Using Search Optimization will keep you at the top of consumers list within search engines making you the first option to go too. Not only do you want to strive to be first but to take up the whole page.

   Click here to see five distinct profiles ofmulti-channel shoppers.

Social Media Journal Entry One

        What does 2014 bring for Social Media Marketing?

The addition of online marketing has changed the way companies spend their marketing budget. Digital marketing has increased in importance and is therefore gaining more budget. Not only is there Facebook or Twitter to advertise on but Google, Websites, Blogs, YouTube, Tumblr and more. The social media world is forever evolving. Can companies keep up? What does the upcoming new year, 2014, bring for social media marketing?

According to Forbes, there are 7 things we all should prepare and look out for. They are as follows:
1. Content Marketing will increase
2. Social Media will need to be more diverse
3. Emphasis on images
4. Simplistic is the way to go
5. Must be Mobile
6. Higher use of Ad Retargeting
7. Social and SEO intertwine more

Social Media has become this complicated thing that can be simplified to those 7 things to look for. If your content is relative to your consumer, if it is constantly updated to maintain interest, if there are pictures to grab attention, if it is accessible in the right formats for your target, then your social media marketing will show you results. Companies should already be doing all these things. Think of social as an on going campaign. It needs to be accessible, creative, captivating and constantly updated to ensure repeat browsers.

The predictions that Forbes had all make sense when you look at the results of social media this year. There has been an increase in content marketing. Content marketing has become more important. This is a way for a company to really relate and understand its consumers. Trust and rapport can be built using content marketing. It gives the opportunity to address issues and answer questions while showing that they are worthwhile and honest. Having proper, engaging content can lead to browsers becoming buyers or activists for your company.

Spreading your content on multiple platforms increases awareness and gives diversity to your content approach. Not everyone uses the same channels. The more mediums your content shows up on the more the consumer sees it and responds too. A negative side to this is that if businesses try to be on all platforms they can, the content can loos its creativity and effectiveness. I suggest you pick the top three that your target use most and have the best content for those channels.

Images are a great eye catchers. The first thing I notice on a new website or blog is the picture related with it. Having image based content is an interesting, alternative way to grab the consumers attention. Images can be quick and easy which is going to gain attention faster.

People are being exposed to more media, ads and content then before. Having simple marketing can be just as effective as in-depth marketing. As Forbes article looks at, take a look at a top company like Apple. The marketing strategy is very simple.

Majority of people have either a phone, tablet, computer or multiple of each. Making sure that advertisements and content is mobile friendly will be very important coming into 2014. People are constantly on their phones. Those who do not adapt will loose out on the opportunity to reach consumers that their competitors may be able too.

Retargeting lets your consumers see your content once they have already seen it. It narrows down the people who may not want to access it. The more they see it, the more they will remember!

Social signals help consumers to see that a company is trustworthy. Sharing content, liking pages, and so on will be able to increase the organic ranking. Google will notice that more people are visiting one site over others. Having SEO and social intertwine is going to help target customers more efficiently.

Although these things are in effect right now, some are in the trial process and as time goes on and results increase they will be modified in the hopes to be perfect. Those were some tips to look out for if your not already heavy into social media marketing!