It’s not me, it’s you – the loyal consumer

Marketing revolution

I don’t need to elaborate on how much social media is helping companies and brands push their products out there and gain valuable customers because the evidence speaks for itself. However what is interesting to point out is that social media is helping brands in a way that advertisement in print, video, audio or other media never could, and that’s giving their customer a voice. After years of radio, print and video advertisements telling people what to buy, they are able, for the first time, to talk back. The marketing success of social media is not about giving your brand a voice, it’s about hearing the voice of the consumer.

It’s all about interaction

Advertising always tries to generate messages based on innermost personal feelings of the consumer by relating to their subconscious; so when people see or hear messages they think “speak” to them they will be persuaded to buy the product. Thanks to social media this communication is no longer a one-sided conversation. It’s all about the “interaction” with the brand, conversing with the people who are trying so hard to get your attention because they love your brand, or at times hate it for not giving enough attention. This virtual relationship is why we are in business.

Make your customer the star of your brand

Successful marketing on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are always centered around the consumer, its about turning the spotlight off the product and onto the person buying the product. It’s about uploading your pet’s photo in a competition run on a famous cat food brand’s page, or tagging your sporty friends in a campaign for a popular running shoe or playing a game created by your favorite dairy product brand. It’s all about your participation and for that you are always being rewarded. People continue to engage because they feel noticed by the brand, they feel special for being heard. And in return will favor your brand over your competitors.

Getting a faster response

That’s why brands are on sites like Facebook. With the social networking sites taking over the lives of millions of people around the world since the beginning of this millennium, it soon became clear that that’s where companies had to go to get the consumer’s attention. Businesses have always sought after the most valuable and hard to reach factor in growing their customer base, and that’s word of mouth. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social networking and online information sharing sites word of mouth is just a click away.  All those “likes” and “retweets” are evidence people are impressed with your brand, that’s why social media is so helpful in reaching out to consumers. Marketing on social media makes sure people are talking about your brand, and more importantly talking with your brand.

The social media stamp

Social media marketing has boomed over the last few years in places like the US but in the middle east it’s only just beginning to be an integral part of business marketing strategies. Keep a lookout for the small Facebook and Twitter logos stamped at the end of each advertising campaign along with the page links and you’ll realize how much brands are investing in social media. For those of you who are still in the dark of how social media is shaping our lives see the video below.