Remarketing – Useful Marketing Tool or Cyber Stalking??

http://www.wolfgangdigital.com/services/remarketing/

Remarketing is a feature that lets businesses target customers who have previously visited your site, while they browse others. It shows relevant ads across the web or when target customers search on Google. When people leave your site without buying anything, for example, remarketing helps you connect with these potential customers again. You can even show them an offer or tailored message that will entice them to return to your site and complete a purchase.

Here is another illustration of how remarking works:

http://www.iscamarketing.com.au/isca-marketing-blog/are-you-being-stalked-by-online-ads-remarketing-101

To gain a greater understanding of the concept of remarking, check out this video:

Here is an example of Remarketing. I was previously on Bank of Ireland’s website and they have placed this targeted ad on the Irish Daily Star website:

http://www.thestar.ie/star/ An example of Bank of Ireland’s remarketing

The majority of websites use the technique of re-marketing, as it is seen very effective and can draw potential customers. It is done without most customers even realising that they have been drawn in by it. Remarketing matches the right message to the right people at the right time.

Remarketing is also used on mobile apps:. Businesses can reach customers who have previously visited specific sections of your mobile app, and show ads to them when they use other apps.

The big question that must be asked, is “Remarking a a useful marketing tool or cyber stalking.”

Although personal rights of all internet users must be protected, In my opinion remarketing is nothing but a harmless advertising tool. I believe all internet users must make sacrifices for information being so widely available and free to view. I think a small targeted ad a the corner of the screen is a reasonable price to pay.

Also check my professional Facebook and Twitter pages for more on Remarketing.

I have had my say, its time for you to have your say by doing my poll.

 

 

 

 

Is Snapchat just a fad?

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/11/15/snapchat-4-billion-google-offer/ Is Snapchat just a fad?

Snapchat is a photo messaging app that allows users to take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to their friends. It is the new way to share moments with friends. People feel comfortable sending different, unusual, spontaneous pictures that they would not like people to see whenever they want. The picture disappears after a few seconds. There is something special about this once off scenario. Just in case you have been living under a rock the last year, here is an article which explains what snapchat is. This article can also be found on my professional Facebook and Twitter pages.

The tone on snapchat is often light hearted and involves humour just like this snap:

http://snapchatuncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/funny-snapchats-14.jpg

Snapchat has recently introduced some new features on its app. Here is an explanation of the new features:

Snapchat themselves released this video to give users an insight into the new changes:

Snapchat gives users a certain degree of control with its features. Snapchat lets users set the amount of time before a picture self-destructs between 1 and 10 seconds. 

It remains to be seen if Snapchat will last the course of time. It burst into the social media world with spectacular success and it became a huge success from the get go.  But the question is will it be around for long or will it just fizzle out, like many other crazies we have seen in the past. The success of snapchat from a commercial point of view my depend on how effectively businesses can use the app as part of their marketing strategy. Consumers expect businesses to be accessible on all mediums including Snapchat. The Giant Fast food Retailer McDonalds has recently joined Snapchat.  A flavour (pardon the pun) of their snaps can be seen on this article on Mashable. In my own personal opinion, I think snapchat is just a fad. It will be intriguing to see if Snapchat can withstand the test of time.

Join the Debate

Do you agree or disagree with Kieran’s view that Snapchat is just a fad. Have your say:

 

 

Why Businesses Should Blog

Blogging is a very valuable tool that allows businesses engage with customers and potential customers. It helps creates a two way conversation. Businesses are almost guaranteed to reap the benefits from blogging.

Here are some statistics on blogging 

http://www.webgranth.com/proven-expert-blogging-tips-from-experienced-bloggers Blogging statistics

http://copywritingservicespro.com/business-blogging-statistics-showcase-power/ Businesses Blogging Statistics

Businesses that excel at Blogging

Here is an article about “15 Companies that really get corporate blogging.” A link to this article can also be found on my Facebook page and Twitter page.

 

The main reasons I think businesses should blog are as follows:

 1. Blogging is more personnel to your customer base
Interaction with consumers is essential for all consumers. Blogging is an easy and fun way to hear from your customers. Dell is an example of a business who interact excellently with their customers through their blog.

2. Quality new content gives people a reason to keep coming back to your site

The world is constantly changing and evolving. For businesses to survive in this changing environment they need to keep providing new content so the business doesn’t become stale and outdated. The bookmaker Paddy Power keep their blog constantly updated and regularly update their blog with new content to keep their customers entertained. You can also find a link to this blog on my Facebook Page.

3. It helps your businesses Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of structuring a web page so that it is found, read, and indexed by search engines in the most effective manner possible. Google loves new content. Therefore every time a business blogs it makes the business more searchable.

Some businesses are excellent at search engine optimisation. A simple search of Irish newspapers brings up the Newspaper Irish Independent as can be seen here.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=irish+newspapers&oq=irish+new&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0j69i61j69i60j0.1745j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8 Irish Independent’s excellent Search Engine Optimization

Alicia Williams from AlisteMarketing.com, briefly explains here why businesses should blog:

5 tips to follow when setting up a facebook page

1. Customize your page URL

By customizing your page URL it will be easier for interested parties to search for and find your page. The keywords of what the page is about should be included in your page URL. The page URL should be keep as simple and straight forward as possible. My own page‘s Kieran O’ Connell Marketing URL is https://www.facebook.com/kieranoconnellmarketing

2. Make sure your profile picture is identifiable

I know its very cliqued but a picture speaks a thousand words. It is essential that your profile picture is easily identifiable and is fitting for the purpose of the page. The profile picture should include the business name or have an image that can help clearly identify the link to what the page is for, i.e a business or a public figure etc. Here is a link to my twitter page where I have a picture of the Smithwicks profile picture which is clearly identifable.

https://twitter.com/MarketingKieran/status/447578443559882752/photo/1

Profile Picture Smithwicks

3. Try to be cool

Social Media users want to be entertained. They don’t want traditional boring advertisements thrown in their face. They are looking for posts that entertain them and make them laugh. By using this simple tactic, businesses can divert traffic from user’s newsfeed onto their site.  You know how painful it is to be stuck at a cocktail party, talking to that self-absorbed person who only talks about him or herself. When creating and updating a successful facebook page businesses need to treat social media like a cocktail party among friends. To be liked, you’ve got to be gracious, genuinely interested in others, and not dominate the conversation.

Captain Morgan are an outstanding example of a business who tries to be cool, uses the right tone and humour on their Facebook page. Here is a link to an excellent post on it’s facebook page where it captures the audiences imagination with the heading “legends aren’t made staying in. Here is a short link to this post I created on Bitly: on.fb.me/1hfon2c

on.fb.me/1hfon2c Captain Morgan captures the right tone with the slogan, “Legends aren’t made staying in”

4. Make sure its a like page and not a friend  account

It is very unprofessional for businesses to have a friend page instead of a Facebook page. Having a like page makes it easier for Facebook users see what is going on in the company. There is no need to be sending friend requests, all they have to do is like the page. Many small local businesses make this mistake and Facebook limits the maximum number of friends for any user to 5000 friends.

Here is an example of a business that has a friend page instead of a like page. I created a shortened URL link to the page on ow.ly:  http://ow.ly/uTO7U

http://ow.ly/uTO7U Unprofessional “friend” page instead of “like” page

5. Create content with the right “tone for Facebook

Paddy power is an example example of a business that uses the right tone on Facebook. Here is one there many hilarious posts where there are talking about a football referee driving home: on.fb.me/1h1658w

on.fb.me/1h1658w Paddy Power’s excellent use of humour

Check out this video to find out more tips about setting setting up Facebook pages:

My first blog

 

This is my first blog of the semester here are some tips to begin.

I am incredibly excited about starting to blog. It will allow me the freedom to express my views