E-marketing, you’ve heard the word tossed around but what does it really mean? As defined, e-marketing is the promotion of products or services via email. This includes email interactions for the purpose of enhancing customer loyalty, acquiring new customer or persuading current customers to engage in repeat purchases, and adding advertisements to emails. The unique thing about e-marketing is the customer can opt-in and out of receiving emails. To the marketer it means advertising to only those customers who truly want to be advertised to. This also is attractive to consumers because you only receive information you want to know about. Another advantage for marketers is the frequency in which email is read as opposed to how often postal mail is read is much higher meaning the customer will be aware of sales or promotions sooner (which is beneficial to the consumer as well). One thing that concerns both companies and consumers is the threat of spam, the electronic kind not the food product. Sometimes customers delete an email just because it looks like spam and this hurts companies. An even bigger problem for consumers is when electronic spam is accidentally opened and utilized it can cause serious problems and may turn off the consumer to e-marketing which isn't good for business.
E-marketing was a first mover in utilizing the internet to solicit customers. Personally, I think e-marketing (though strong now) will eventually either die off or transform. Social media marketing is making amazing strides in not only innovative ways to create brand loyal customers but also at recruiting new customers. You no longer have to log into your email account d scroll through emails but instead check your Facebook news feed or Twitter tweets and you can instantly see what companies are doing. Social media is taking the internet by storm and companies who aren't in tune will soon be left in the dust.
Be Smart.
-Erica
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Daily Deal: Groupon or LivingSocial
Where to begin...
I'm probably one of the most frugal shoppers you'll ever find. I check site after site to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck. But, for some reason, I cannot seem to get a grip on these social coupon sites. They seem pointless to me. Groupon was one of the first to make way of this new style of bargaining. By selling “coupons” say $100 day at the spa for only $50 to local hot spots whether it be for a restaurant, luxury, or merchandise. Sounds great right? Think again. Personally, the “deal” only seems worthwhile of I was already planning on going to the spa. If not, then in reality, I’m spending an extra $50 that I normally would not have spent. On the other hand, imagine the daily deal is for $50 gift certificate to PacSun (a store I regularly shop at) selling for $25. To me THIS is a DEAL! Since I’m positive I would naturally spend $50 worth of merchandise in one visit. Paying only $25 for $50 are dollars well spent.
Something interesting to note is the growing popularity of not only Groupon, but close rival social coupon site LivingSocial. They are sitting pretty at #18 and #19 in Top Free Apps at the Apple App Store today (as seen in the image provided). Although Groupon is said to have started this wave of coupon buying, LivingSocial seems to be right behind and is forecasted to even surpass Groupon due to its user friendliness and claims on “better deals”. My suggestion: steer away from this coupon buying hustle and invest your money somewhere other than these sporadic purchases.
Be smart.
-Erica
I'm probably one of the most frugal shoppers you'll ever find. I check site after site to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck. But, for some reason, I cannot seem to get a grip on these social coupon sites. They seem pointless to me. Groupon was one of the first to make way of this new style of bargaining. By selling “coupons” say $100 day at the spa for only $50 to local hot spots whether it be for a restaurant, luxury, or merchandise. Sounds great right? Think again. Personally, the “deal” only seems worthwhile of I was already planning on going to the spa. If not, then in reality, I’m spending an extra $50 that I normally would not have spent. On the other hand, imagine the daily deal is for $50 gift certificate to PacSun (a store I regularly shop at) selling for $25. To me THIS is a DEAL! Since I’m positive I would naturally spend $50 worth of merchandise in one visit. Paying only $25 for $50 are dollars well spent.
Something interesting to note is the growing popularity of not only Groupon, but close rival social coupon site LivingSocial. They are sitting pretty at #18 and #19 in Top Free Apps at the Apple App Store today (as seen in the image provided). Although Groupon is said to have started this wave of coupon buying, LivingSocial seems to be right behind and is forecasted to even surpass Groupon due to its user friendliness and claims on “better deals”. My suggestion: steer away from this coupon buying hustle and invest your money somewhere other than these sporadic purchases.
Be smart.
-Erica
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Google Is Taking Over The World, Starting With Your Wallet
Seriously Google? You own everything, you need my wallet too? I love when I have an idea and I wake up and "boom" it's invented over night. I've been thinking about an app that stores your credit cards, gift cards, and customer loyalty cards. Google to the rescue! I really like this idea. I'm huge on carrying the minimum amount when I leave the house. This would greatly benefit me and others who feel the same. This idea would make my shopping experience easier and it has amazing possibilities for the Market Researcher who follows our shopping trends. One thing to note is if I lose my phone, I'm losing my wallet too.
Be Smart
-Erica
Be Smart
-Erica
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Walk With Your Head Down
The next time you see someone pointing their Smartphone at
you, think twice. They could be using a new app called Viewdle which uses
facial recognition software to link your face with your social media pages
(like Facebook and LinkedIn). At first glance it seems like an amazing idea.
Why would you want to waste time tagging all those pictures you took during spring
break if an app could do it for you? But, think about all the creeps out there.
While walking innocently through the mall someone snaps a shot of you and now
they know your name and have access to all of your sites linked with your
photos. I’m all for new technology but it even alarms me from time to time. As
the internet grows our privacy lessens. Who will regulate and enforce privacy
rules, the government? Another question is how do we protect ourselves from
people we don’t want to know our information? For now what I can suggest is to
keep tight eye on your privacy settings on all accounts (e-mail, social media,
etc) and to walk with your head down or with a nice pair of un recognizable shades.
pleaseeee be safe and smart
-Erica
you, think twice. They could be using a new app called Viewdle which uses
facial recognition software to link your face with your social media pages
(like Facebook and LinkedIn). At first glance it seems like an amazing idea.
Why would you want to waste time tagging all those pictures you took during spring
break if an app could do it for you? But, think about all the creeps out there.
While walking innocently through the mall someone snaps a shot of you and now
they know your name and have access to all of your sites linked with your
photos. I’m all for new technology but it even alarms me from time to time. As
the internet grows our privacy lessens. Who will regulate and enforce privacy
rules, the government? Another question is how do we protect ourselves from
people we don’t want to know our information? For now what I can suggest is to
keep tight eye on your privacy settings on all accounts (e-mail, social media,
etc) and to walk with your head down or with a nice pair of un recognizable shades.
pleaseeee be safe and smart
-Erica
Friday, March 4, 2011
R.I.P. MySpace
Oh, MySpace. I used to religiously log in and stay on for days and days. Now, the word MySpace isn't even in my vocabulary. What happened?! It was all about customizable pages, having your “top” friends, and snooping around on your friends’ pages to read comments. For me it was graduating high school and finally getting a Facebook. At first I hated Facebook for its lack of customizable image but, as I grow older it’s what I appreciate most about it. Juggling class, work, social life, and family life I don’t have the time or motivation to sit at a computer and mess around with fonts and layouts. Facebooks simplicity is why I still have an active account and why my MySpace was left in the dust.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
New Notification: Chick-fil-a Posted On Your Wall
We get push notifications during the mid-hours of the night; we spend hours logged on browsing old friends and photos, and we constantly update our status letting our friends and followers know how much fun we're having at the restaurant down the street. If you haven't guessed it by now I'm talking about the amazing influence social media has had on our lives.
Now, the question is what does this mean for businesses both local and corporate. Social media has the potential to form strong bonds between business and consumer but only if done correctly. What some companies fail to realize is in order for social media to have a significant impact the company needs to interact frequently enough to form a virtual relationship. Simply logging on and accepting "friend" requests or "following" someone won't make a big enough impact.
What some companies that I've noticed are doing is promoting discounts should it be through coupons or specials on their page. This is extremely convenient for both the modern consumer and businesses alike. Think about it: the manager logs onto Twitter before business opens and "tweets" something like "stop in for buy one get one free on sandwiches all day". Now, if this company has a good following then the manager can expect a good increase in business for that day. I've also seen company's post coupons on their page for the consumer to print out. Again with a good consumer base these simple and FREE outlets of social media can increase sales and create brand loyalty for the long term.
To keep the consumer-company relationship strong the business has to include its customers in its everyday activities. If not, the bond will not be strong enough to create brand loyalty. Asking customers to take pictures with their product and upload it to their page (similar to the Dominos campaign) is one way of keeping the consumer interactive in the process. This not only creates amazing word of mouth marketing but engages the consumer and motives them to keep coming back for more.
Social media has enormous potential but the company needs to create a bond with the consumer that will build long term brand loyalty.
Be safe and smart.
-Erica
Now, the question is what does this mean for businesses both local and corporate. Social media has the potential to form strong bonds between business and consumer but only if done correctly. What some companies fail to realize is in order for social media to have a significant impact the company needs to interact frequently enough to form a virtual relationship. Simply logging on and accepting "friend" requests or "following" someone won't make a big enough impact.
What some companies that I've noticed are doing is promoting discounts should it be through coupons or specials on their page. This is extremely convenient for both the modern consumer and businesses alike. Think about it: the manager logs onto Twitter before business opens and "tweets" something like "stop in for buy one get one free on sandwiches all day". Now, if this company has a good following then the manager can expect a good increase in business for that day. I've also seen company's post coupons on their page for the consumer to print out. Again with a good consumer base these simple and FREE outlets of social media can increase sales and create brand loyalty for the long term.
To keep the consumer-company relationship strong the business has to include its customers in its everyday activities. If not, the bond will not be strong enough to create brand loyalty. Asking customers to take pictures with their product and upload it to their page (similar to the Dominos campaign) is one way of keeping the consumer interactive in the process. This not only creates amazing word of mouth marketing but engages the consumer and motives them to keep coming back for more.
Social media has enormous potential but the company needs to create a bond with the consumer that will build long term brand loyalty.
Be safe and smart.
-Erica
Friday, February 11, 2011
No Need For A Wallet at Starbucks With The Latest iPhone App
The iPhone is rapidly becoming the most versatile and must have item of choice. Personally, if my building were on fire I would grab my iPhone over anything else. Thousands of applications or "apps" make this phone the most useful machine man has created. One more to add to the list is the new Starbucks app. You may be thinking "oh, what now, a game where you play a barista and conjure up a variety of lattes and frappuccinos". Quite the contrary, the people over at Starbucks have taken something simple and made it revolutionary. Somewhat of a gift from the heavens for those caffeine addicts out there the Starbucks Card Mobile App allows you to carry Starbucks money stored on the app which allows for quick purchases through a barcode reader when at your local Starbucks.
Now, let us talk business. As Miyazaki said in his latest post concerning this issue, "Why it matters is that this is a step toward more comprehensive payments systems that can move individual credit cards to smart phones via "near field communication," which will allow consumers to pay for products by waving their phone near a sensor at the point of purchase". This could be a great marketing tool in the sense that Starbucks could link such purchases to social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter via status updates. For example, I buy a tall, caramel frappuccino, double-blended, no whip cream with my Starbucks app and when the transaction is made my Facebook status automatically updates to something like 'Erica is enjoying her Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks', this may inspire my friends and followers so purchase one as well.
It's a great day and age to live in, but all the interconnectedness of the Internet and personal life can be a bit scary.
Just be safe and smart out there! ;)
-Erica
Now, let us talk business. As Miyazaki said in his latest post concerning this issue, "Why it matters is that this is a step toward more comprehensive payments systems that can move individual credit cards to smart phones via "near field communication," which will allow consumers to pay for products by waving their phone near a sensor at the point of purchase". This could be a great marketing tool in the sense that Starbucks could link such purchases to social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter via status updates. For example, I buy a tall, caramel frappuccino, double-blended, no whip cream with my Starbucks app and when the transaction is made my Facebook status automatically updates to something like 'Erica is enjoying her Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks', this may inspire my friends and followers so purchase one as well.
It's a great day and age to live in, but all the interconnectedness of the Internet and personal life can be a bit scary.
Just be safe and smart out there! ;)
-Erica
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