What do social media and donuts have in common? Both are something one may enjoy at the start of the day. Both are available in a wide variety of types and flavors to suite a broad range of individual tastes. Recently, a North Carolina based marketing company tied these two subjects together in an interesting illustration that generated a great deal of interest, including some 100,000 likes on Facebook.
In the form of a chart handwritten on a whiteboard, the illustration provides a concise explanation of the various forms of social media, using a simple common thread. What makes this chart so great, beyond providing the opportunity to talk about donuts, is the simplicity with which it boils down a rather complex subject. There is no denying the impact of social media, and that it is rapidly becoming one of the most important facets of marketing for a growing number of businesses. This fun and clever social media explanation makes its own case for this in the attention it has brought to the company. The important message here is that social media does not necessarily need to be a complicated endeavor.
If you are a marketer who is new to social media, you may feel overwhelmed in trying to gain a full understanding of how these platforms work. By looking at each platform through the perspective of “how can I use this to promote my [donut]?” you can identify a simple starting point. After gaining some experience and familiarity, you can take your campaigns to more complex levels. For example, as the owner of a small neighborhood café, you may start with a simple Facebook business page, and invite customers to “like” it. As your following grows, you may post coupons or menus. The next step may be to offer patrons a free order of biscotti for “checking-in” when they visit. Eventually you can incorporate other special Facebook features such as sponsored stories to generate interest in your business.
Ready to bite into the world of social media, but find you’re in need of a little assistance? Consider Upright Communications the coffee to go with your donut. We’ll awaken you to the myriad of social media opportunities that are available, and we will help you supercharge your efforts!
Want to learn more about the social media mentioned? Check out the links below:
Twitter – “Twitter connects businesses to customers in real time—and businesses use Twitter to quickly share information with people interested in their products and services, gather real-time market intelligence and feedback, and build relationships with customers, partners and influencers. From brand lift to CRM to direct sales, Twitter offers businesses an easy way to reach an engaged audience.”
Facebook – “Facebook allows marketers to stay connected with people throughout their day whether they are on their computers or mobile devices, at home or at work, watching TV or shopping with friends. This allows businesses to create rich social experiences, build lasting relationships and amplify the most powerful type of marketing – word of mouth.”
Foursquare – “Foursquare makes the real world easier to use. We build tools that help you keep up with friends, discover what’s nearby, save money and unlock deals. Whether you’re setting off on a trip around the world, coordinating a night out with friends, or trying to pick out the best dish at your local restaurant, foursquare is the perfect companion.”
Instagram – “Snap a photo with your iPhone, choose a filter to transform the look and feel, send to Facebook, Twitter or Flickr – it’s all as easy as pie. It’s photo sharing, reinvented.
YouTube – “YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small.”
Linked in – “Influence consumer perceptions and purchase decisions by messaging followers across LinkedIn and the Internet. Post relevant updates, like company news, product promotions, videos, and industry articles. Amplify your brand message and benefit from follower engagement (likes, comments and shares), interactions that are virally distributed across a follower’s networks.”
Pinterest – “Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes.”
Last FM – “Last.fm is a music recommendation service. You use Last.fm by signing up and downloading The Scrobbler, which helps you discover more music based on the songs you play.”
G+ – “Google+ makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world. Share your thoughts, links and photos with the right circles. Use easy, spontaneous video chat to strike up conversations with as many as nine people at once.”