Next Big Wave!

Hello!

This week we have been working on our paper comparing two brands to determine which one has a stronger social media presence. I choose Chipotle and Moe's - both companies sell huge burrito's with fresh and organic ingredients. We had to compare the brands presence platform by platform, ie. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Being that I am a analytical person I decided to declare a winner for each platform based on key attributes that determine whether or not their social media campaign is working. Once you compare each platform you have to declare a winner. This was a very interesting exercise because it made you think about how social media really works and what attributes determine whether or not a campaign is really working. In some cases the number of followers determines if the campaign is working, but then there are other attributes such as re-pins (Pinterest) that determine if you campaign is working. In this case if a post is not re-pined or liked it doesn't show up on the followers board, and their friends never see it. So while a brand may have 1,000 followers, if they never post on their board they aren't really participating in that platform. So an interesting paper to write. I am still finishing up my paper so I am not 100% sure who will win. I will update you next week.

This week I have been thinking about what the next big wave will be for social media. And I started thinking about ways that marketers could get people to mention their products in social media when they away from their computers/handhelds. And by George, I came up with an idea! And yes, if this blows up and becomes the next big thing you heard it here first! How about adding "Like" buttons to products in the grocery store. For example, when you are shopping for groceries and you are going to purchase a product you can like it on the the products Facebook page and announce to the world that you are having Ben & Jerry's ice cream for desert. This is a great for the advertiser, but what is the payoff for the consumer? A COUPON! Yessss! You get a coupon on the spot for say $.50 off your purchase (which the manufacturer would have offered anyway!) so it's a win win situation. Maybe the marketers could take it a step further by offering bigger discounts if you mention them on Facebook and Instagram, so maybe your coupon increases in value to $.75. In most situations people want to get something for doing something and with this idea everyone gets something - if the consumer has 400 friends on Facebook and Instagram that is free advertising to 400 people. And the consumer gets the ice cream they were going to purchase anyway $.75 cheaper.

Those are my thoughts this week! Until Next week - hermonte out!