Mediaboss Marketing

Wochit's survey found that publishers posted 65% more social video content in Q2 2017 than during Q1; they also found people in Spanish speaking countries are engaging with social video more than those in non-Spanish speaking countries.

"Social video is now an essential part of the digital content landscape, and best practices are a moving target. By providing insights into this rapidly changing medium, we're able to provide essential information to both creators and strategists needed to succeed here and now," said co-founder and CEO of Wochit, Dror Ginzberg. "As video continues it's unbelievable upward trajectory, we're committed to being the first to see and share the industry's developments, and give our customers a distinct advantage in the complex and competitive mediascape."

Researchers also found that the 'square' aspect ratio is the most sought after for consumers.

Wochit analyzed more than 5,000 videos post to Facebook pages using the Wochit platform to come to their results.

Tags: social marketing, social video, video advertising, video content, Wochit

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Survey: More social video in the works - BizReport

In our fast-paced digital world, social networking is taking over as the primary way most people receive information. Instagram, as one of the fastest-growing social networking platforms, is used daily by over half of its 600 million active users. And it's good for more than just posting selfies, brunches, and fur babies, as cute as they may be.

At a time when visual content is critical for any brand to execute on a successful marketing strategy, Instagram presents a unique opportunity to position your brand creatively and showcase its personality. Plus, it's a place where your consumers can see your curated content on the daily without feeling overwhelmed by emails and notifications. Half of the platform's users check their feed multiple times a day.

Companies have not only grown but have been born on social platforms like Instagram. So what makes them so insta-good?

We all know by now the basics for social content best practices. Create unique posts and engage users in a personal way that affects people on an emotional level. Know why you're posting what you're posting. And don't forget to participate in the conversation! It's invaluable to show your followers that you care.

You might be thinking, OK. So I'm doing all of that. What's next?

The Big Players in the Space

1. Nike (73.3M followers) is one of a handful of fitness brands that have really blown up on Instagram. Once the reigning champion of successful brands on this social network, it has recently slipped to second place, just behind Nat Geo.

Setting the bar for social brand identity, Nike posts images that embrace lifestyle, rather than focusing solely on product. Inspirational, motivational and inclusive, Nike uses creative copy that speaks both to professional athletes and exercise newbs alike, in all areas of life, not just at the gym.

2. Cosmetics retail giant, Sephora (12M followers) is super successful at engaging followers with visually stunning content that clearly reflect the brand's identity. Playful captions pair with colorful images and fun patterns. Sephora is not afraid of posting video content with the same playful vibe.

Made in Sephora, (438K followers) a secondary account for the brand, uses their handle to source user generated content (UGC) and hold contests that expand their evergrowing fan base and increases their daily engagement.

3. Vans (8.2M followers) is a great example of a brand that uses its social content to engage users outside of its brick and mortar stores. It's very successful at creating a brand identity around lifestyle, rather than product, staying true to their company roots and values established over 50 years ago.

Vans uses music, art and culture in its visual content, and takes advantage of user generated content that does the same. Vans hosts offline events (such as their famous Warped Tour) and meets customers and prospective customers where they live, work and play.

4. Finfolk Productions (173K followers) uses Instagram to build a community of mermaid followers (called the pod squad...can it get any cuter?). Finfolk is great at reposting photos of their customers in their product, getting buy-in from Instagram users that love to see their own photos on the Finfolk feed.

They also ask questions, requesting their pod members to leave comments, and post giveaways. Their most successful post included a long copy, heartfelt message written by the founders.

5. Yoga-focused athletic apparel brand Lululemon (2.1M followers) uses visually exciting content, shot in awe-inspiring locations, and motivational messaging to connect with their audience. They also walk the line between active wear and lifestyle, with a lot of content featuring regular people doing regular things - cooking, woodworking, painting - showing their passions outside of sweating. They build community around live events, festivals and group activities.

6. With over 79 million followers, Nat Geo is now the most popular brand on Instagram. Once considered an Instagram faux pas, Nat Geo proves that long captions just might be the new short caption. As a print publication dating back to the 1800s, Nat Geo has taken digital media and social content by the horns, demonstrating that flexibility and innovation can make you number one.

7. ASOS (6.2M followers) uses individual accounts as sub accounts, working as brand ambassadors. This means more personality, more visibility and more connection. The individual ambassadors are given a deal of autonomy, curating their own followers, but tying everything back to the main brand page. Using personal accounts creates authenticity and relatability, which makes users more inclined to engage.

8. Ah, Starbucks, the Instagram best practices model. One of the first brands to see the benefit in user generated content, Starbucks (14.9M followers) reinvented itself using social platforms, taking content marketing to a new level.

Once ranked the second most popular brand on Instagram (behind Nike), they remain among the strongest at leveraging creative hashtags and sourcing user generated content. Starbucks creates hashtags to promote new flavors and seasonal products, and users are more than happy to share their photos.

Now that you've seen how some of the most successful brands on Instagram are using creative content to build their brands, what will you do differently? #getinstafamous

Read this article:
How Successful Brands Use Instagram for Marketing - Inc.com

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A good marketing-media mix is arguably the most important ingredient in business development. You can have the best product or service in the world. But, if its not promoted properly, no one will know it exists.

Related:10 Skills Online Marketing Teams Must Have to Succeed

According to a study by Infusionsoft and LeadPages, 47 percentof small businesses surveyed said they handle marketing efforts in-house. And that's signficant because, as many will attest, we'reat a point in history where marketing is witnessing incredible change. With all the rapid advancements and updates happening in the field, business owners need to equip themselves with everything they can to conduct a smooth operation.

Here are three tips to help build a marketing department that will advance your brand.

Most business owners like to think of themselves merely as idea people. Andcertainly,not everyone is a savvy marketer. But these days,owners have to have a firm grasp on the current concepts and strategies in their industry, for these conceptsplay an enormous role in how a companys messaging develops.

SEO, social marketing, content marketing, email, mobile marketing . . . How well do you know these strategies and how do they apply to your industry?

Your team members may know these things But, as talented as these staffers maybe, you dont want to be following their advice blindly. After all, you'retheir leader! So, while running a business leaves you little spare time, know thatimmersing yourself in the basics of digital marketing is one of the best investments you can make.

Related:5 Social Media Studies That Will Boost Your Marketing Skills

Toward that goal, there are tons of integrated digital marketing courses available online that you can take at your convenience. Udemy, for instance, offers a course that bundles SEO, social media, content marketing, email and mobile marketing. Trained industry experts are available to help you every step of the way. Such courses also familiarize you with the tools and software marketers use.

Ultimately, you are the one calling the shots. When your marketing pros present their ideas and plans, you should understand every facet of the system, risksand possible outcomes.

By nature, marketing requires versatility. While you will obviously be hiring candidates specialized in certain areas, you dont want to limit people. For example, you may be looking for a skilled copywriter. But it would also be beneficial if this person had experience in client relations so he or she can communicate directly regarding any changes or questions.

Alternately, you may be looking for someone with a background in design or data analytics who can help to streamline your company's processes formaking the proper optimizations.

Hiring versatile employees has many benefits. For one, it will keep your labor costs down --considering that you can't afford to bring on multiple specialists with exclusive skills. Second, people can jump in and solve issues quickly without all the back-and-forth. Three, both your business and your employees will be constantly expanding their savviness.

Marketing as a whole is far from a one-dimensional entity. The specialists you hire shouldnt be, either.

In 2017, incorporating collaboration and task-management software into your internal workflow is a no-brainer. Reason: The cost of poor communication hurts sales. The good news is that many companies seem to be moving in the right direction, here:A recent study conducted by PMI, for instance, found that overall waste in dollars, as a result of task misjudgments at companies studied, wasdown over 20 percentfrom last year.

This is important because of the importance of collaboration and teamwork: An efficient marketing department requires a great deal of both. The earlier you test and establish a system at your company, the more effective your efforts will be in the long run.

So, shop around for software that fits your business needs. If youre new to this field, Brown Boot Works is a versatile cloud-based tool designed especially for small businesses. Its user-friendly interface is built for both desktop and mobile utilization, and all you need to get going is a Gmail account.

Using the Google Cloud, managers can easily delegate and coordinate tasks through voice or text. Once campaigns are in motion, the program provides detailed reports on progress. It also allows for day-to-day budget management in multiple currencies.

The key to any successful business operation is having granular visibility on each execution. The PMI study referred toalso found that project success rates are 2.5 times higher when there is an established system in place.

A marketing department should constantly be looking for ways to improve the status quo. The best way for business owners to do this is by going straight to the source and asking those on the front lines for their input. Make it a point to gather feedback once or twice a month.

The most difficult part of this process, sometimes, can be getting your employees to be honest, as some may believe thatsaying what they think will jeopardize their job security. For this reason, always invite anonymous submissions.

Using a tool like WUFOO, you can choose from a variety of templates and create forms that ask the most crucial questions related to your department. The more detailed your employees are with their answers, the easier you'll find it to address hiccups and eliminate the bottlenecks. Look for patterns and common snags that are getting in the way of both short-term and long-term goals.

Related:10 Important Skills Your Social Media Manager Needs in 2017

A great business is nothing without a great marketing team. Properly executed strategies are what bring your product or service to the next level. As a business owner, you need to give your team the resources they need to succeed. Use these tips to get your operation going on the right track.

Pratik Dholakiyais the co-founder ofE2M, a digital marketing agency, andPreceptist, a content marketing agency. He regularly speaks at various conferences and events about digital marketing issues.As a passionate mar...

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4 Tips for Creating an Efficient Marketing Department - Entrepreneur

Credit: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

If you're halfway through the year and your 2017 Instagram goals are starting to feel a bit too ambitious, bots may sound like a good answer.

Instagram automation tools help tons of accounts reach new audiences with algorithms that target users using generic comments, likes and follows, which every so often leads to those users checking out your account and, hopefully, deciding to follow you.

The problem is, this type of social automation can damage your brand faster than a tap-happy intern. Automation needs to be handled very carefully. So how do you decide where to draw the line?

Recently, Instagram took steps to draw the line for you. Major Instagram automation platforms, such as Mass Planner and Instagress, are quickly being shut down because Instagram "requested" this.

Not worth the risk Honestly, these services scared the crap out of me. Injecting a bot's automated engagement algorithms into a brand's DNA may cause a boost in followers, but in the end there's a simple name for it: spam. Posting meaningless comments on posts is not only in bad taste, it could seriously damage your rep. Can you imagine your brand commenting, "This is great! *thumbs-up*" on someone's post about the family dog that recently passed away? That's the risk you're taking.

That's not to say all automation is bad. Here's a trick for automating effective social media marketing: think curation, not conversation. Automatic tools that start internal workflows, distribute your blog posts or aggregate third-party content are all great if you know how to work them. But beware letting a machine algorithm control your brand's voice.

The trick to Instagram success -- like all social media marketing -- is patience. The best social companies online focus on both creating genuine content to connect with fans and being proactive about engaging with the right people. Brands like LaCroix have become dominant forces on the platform by building on small wins over time. You have to keep your eyes on the long view.

So instead of investing in "Insta-bots," it's best to focus on less risky Instagram marketing techniques that have been proven successful -- and on automation platforms that aren't going to shut down anytime soon.

A prime example is outbound engagement. Rather than just focusing on creating great content, think proactively about how you engage with other users. For example, you may want to follow and engage with the people who follow your top competitors or the accounts that inspire you most. Other tactics include committing to posting five comments per day, setting up a hashtag calendar, restructuring your photo database for easier posting, using a tool like OnlyPult to schedule photos in advance, and organizing your notes and schedules so you remember to regularly post throwback photos.

Another crucial tactic is influencer marketing. Partnering with popular personalities allows brands to cut through the "Insta-noise" in a way that's impossible with a branded page. Microinfluencer marketing is just as effective. By encouraging your regular, day-to-day customers to become ambassadors for your brand, businesses of any size can reach a much-wider audience in a super genuine way that really sings on the platform. Whether by offering something like a coupon or a freebie or creating photo display opportunities for them to willingly take part, thinking about your followers as microinfluencers can change the way you do business on Instagram.

A manual approach to Instagram will do a lot more for you in the long run than a bunch of random, automated likes and comments.

Go here to see the original:
Should You Automate Your Instagram Marketing? - AdAge.com (blog)

Taco Bell Social Media Marketing

Taco Bell serves more than 2 billion customers each year at 7,000 restaurants across the globe. However, the fast food chain has become known for more than their appetizing selection of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, theyre continuing to prove themselves as leaders in the world of social media marketing.

The Tex-Mex fast food chain has become prominent on every social media platform, creating a unique social media presence thats unparalleled to its competition. While fast food kingpin, McDonalds, may boast more collective followers, Taco Bell has managed to be levels ahead when it comes to engagement and the brand attention that their social media activity receives.

Making use of every available social media platform is one thing, but Taco Bell has lifted the veil that separates most major companies from their customers by engaging with them in a more personal and fun fashion. So how did Taco Bell manage to sear their name in as the heavyweights of social media marketing? The following three aspects of Taco Bells social media marketing strategy show how theyve managed to outshine their competition and how your companys strategy can learn from it.

A quick scroll through Taco Bells Instagram page or Twitter feed and its clear who they are targeting. The fast food company have defined their youth-based demographic and have found a way to appeal to them through a witty and unapologetically sardonic sense of humor. The company understands that to create a relationship with their audience, they have to channel more human-centered marketing approaches.

Many companies attempt to attract a youthful demographic, but fail because they arent able to connect with the audience. The younger generation will naturally always be more savvy when it comes to social media and can easily sniff out inauthenticity. However, Taco Bell managed to find a way to get their demographic to respond, and to do so, they had millennial minds doing the prompting.

Our method is hiring Millennial-minded individuals because they live and breathe social media, Nick Tran, the former social media lead at Taco Bell, told CMO. The digital natives entering the workforce today are passionate about social; by having them dispersed throughout our teams, we are staying on the forefront of trends.

Theres no denying that this marketing approach is working for the fast food company. Many of Taco Bells social media exchanges have managed to go viral, which has resulted in multiple media outlets doing stories on the companys social media moves and in turn, end up doing a portion of the marketing for them.

Anyone who has engaged with a big company through a social media platform knows that a majority of the responses may might as well have come from robots. The lack of personality on social media and flood of product promotions isnt going to inspire a plethora of customers to hit the follow button. Taco Bell found a way to connect with their audience by engaging with them in real time. Its a simple yet time consuming strategy, but one that has proven to grow Taco Bells social media following.

Getting the message out to there to your demographic is crucial, but so is listening to them, which is something that Taco Bell understands and thrives at. Nick Tran explains this strategy shift by saying, The Main difference in strategy now vs. before is that what we are doing today in social media is real-time, and we listen and engage all the time.

By listening and engaging, Taco Bell isnt just tapping a like button or copying and pasting a blurb, they are responding in a humanistic way thats laced with enough playfulness that it instantly warrants a share from the recipient. Theyve also embraced a content strategy that goes beyond what Taco Bell creates internally.

Taco Bell Old Spice Social Media Marketing

Part of Taco Bells content strategy involves influencer marketing where they connect with influencers or other brands that arent necessarily associated with the brand but have amassed sizable fan bases on their own merit. The fast food company found a way to benefit fans of their brand while promoting their products. One way the company has accomplished this is by sending influencers their products prior to the official release.

Webcast, July 26th: Best Practices for Engaging Your Channel Partners

Another way Taco Bell has managed to get their brand out there is by infiltrating trends in an organic way. The company has managed to have multiple tweets go viral by jumping on existing hashtags and trends that are prominent in the moment. To give an example, when #10ThingsIGetAlot was trending, Taco Bell tweeted Do you sell bells? alongside the hashtag. The tweet garnered a significant amount of attention and worked because it was both funny and a tad self depreciative, which further instills a personality behind the brand.

With that in mind, Taco Bell had the brilliant idea of sending hand-written notes and wearable brand-related items to models, actresses, musicians, and other celebrities popular with young people.

Have a look at the ring and letter sent to actress and model Chrissy Teigen after she shared a tweet about getting married.

Taco Bell Chrissy Teigen Social Media Marketing

Every company wants to reach a sense of virality with their social media strategy, but very few are willing to step outside the safe zone quite like Taco Bell is. Not only does the team behind the Tex Mex fast food chain take risks with their posts, they also post where most marketers are known to fail. For example, the Reddit community is quick to shut down anyone trying to market to them, but Taco Bell has managed to infiltrate unscathed.

One of Taco Bells most successful social media campaigns was for their new mobile ordering app. Instead of taking the regular approach of the occasional promotional post to pique the interest of their followers, Taco Bell gave them no choice. The company basically blacked out all of their social media accounts and left only one phrase to promote the app. In just 24 hours after launching this campaign, Taco Bells app secured itself in one of the most downloaded in Apples food and drink category. Not only did the company not risk their promotion getting lost in the rest of their social media activity, it made sure that their followers were the first to know.

Another way Taco Bell made their engagement skyrocket was through the use of emojis. The company realized that there was no taco emoji and started a petition to get one, which worked after they managed to receive over 33,000 signatures. They followed this engagement booster by inventing a Taco Emoji Engine, which not only celebrated the taco emoji entering the texting game, it prompted followers to tweet at them for a unique response. In the first five days of introducing the Taco Emoji Engine, the companys official Twitter page received more than half a million direct tweets.

Taco Bells social media strategy may benefit from their teams creative genius, but theres a lot to learn from the path to success that theyve paved. Creating a brand personality that strives from being blandly corporate, engaging with customers in real time, and taking creative risks are all steps that can be incorporated into any social media strategy to ensure it excels.

Steven Tulman Marketing, Sales and Leadership Enthusiast | Speaker | Author | Investor Helping build stronger brands and loyal customersthrough influencer and social media marketing. Steven is the CEO of Social Pulse Marketing Inc., a leading influencer marketing and social media marketing agency helping Fortune 500 companies increase brand Viewfullprofile

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How Taco Bell is Winning at Social Media Marketing - Business 2 Community