Marketing and Branding -Adding Social Media to Traditional Best PracticesBy: Jennifer ParnessTwitter: @infinite_designLinked-In:linkedin.com/in/infinitehorizonsFacebook:facebook.com/jennifer.parness

Times have changed!

We have to change with the times!If you do not recognize change and move forward you will be left behind!Unemployment rates are upPeople are not spending their money in the same ways that they use toBusinesses need to get creativeIf you resist- you will be left behind!

Traditional Marketing is not dead!

Social Media is another marketing tool to add to your existing strategy.

B.L. Ochman from business week: “For companies, resistance to social media is futile. Millions of people are creating content for the social Web. Your competitors are already there. Your customers have been there for a long time.”

So what do I do now?Set-up credible groups on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and other Social Networking sites.Decide what social media platform will work best for you.Have a strong brand Identity online and offlineBuild your network

Marketing online is different that marketing offline.

More and more businesses are learning that they need to listen to the customer instead of Telling the customer what the need to buy.Customers are more informed than they used to be!There is conversation going on about brands, products, and services on a because of the internet and social media

Online marketing is: About building relationshipsHaving conversations with consumersListening to what is being saidShowing a different side of your brandLearning more about your target audiencePaying attention to what your competition is doingBuilding your Network

Offline Marketing is:Creating brand awareness through advertising to consumersTargeting a specific group, type of consumer or demographic. i.e. billboardsUsing visual content to deliver you messageCommunication to the consumerDelivering a specific message that you want the consumer to receive

Which one?There are benefits to both online and offline marketing…

Benefits of a Social Media MarketingMore online conversations about your brandA successful Social Media Marketing campaign leads more talk about your brand online. Be more informed on what your consumers wantLow Cost MarketingResults are measurable. I.e. Facebook pages- #of fans

Benefits of “Traditional Marketing Visually engages your targetIt’s tangibleLocal advertising to drive potential customers to your location or serviceRadio ads are still a proven way to increase awareness of your companyProvides information that consumers can take away and review on their own time scheduleCreates brand awareness

You can build a stronger brand by using both methods

Combining Methods can:Increase overall brand awarenessDifferent tools to use for marketing products or servicesReach both local and global targetsExpand your networkMake connections that can increase your businessOnline efforts are limited to people who are onlineReach several types of audiences

Conclusion:There are different benefits to each type of marketing. Using them together gives you a higher level of brand awareness and increases your bottom line.