1. Understanding
local cultures
on Social Media

2. My name is
Mohamad Shawash
I’m
Jordanian
sort of a
batman
I work as a
public startegist
in the morning
and a
DIGITAL create director
at night
enough about me... now back to the main subject!

3. Understanding
local cultures
on Social Media

4. #fact:
social media
is the new
advertisING
(one way or another)

5. There are things that you
must do and must NOT DO in
order to achieve success.
I’m here just to explain
5 important FACTORS
quickly and give you FEW MINUTES
FOR SOME Q&A, OR JUST ENTERTAIN YOU
(ONE WAY OR ANOTHER)

6. Number 1:
Understanding
the culture

7. This is the new Haifa Wehbe CD Cover
(released in Kuwait with this exact ARTWORK)

8. Now
if this was MADE FOR the Levant
it is alright
In North Africa, it is also fine
(God knows what’s happening in Egypt now)

9. But this is definitely
not for the GCC

10. THIS version is what
suits this region
SORRY, I made with very
low graphics.
It is not based
on religion, but
based on the
culture. Kuwaiti
or Khaliji culture
considered the
original nudity.

11. DO customize
your graphics/
artwork to fit
in the local
culture.

12. Another GREAT example (logo removed) is this
smartphone, called the Galaxy NOTE. compare the
international & the GCC version to of the artwork.

13. Number 2:
Speak the
language

14. It IS unprofessional to use
slang (‫ )عامية‬and formal
communication (‫ )فصحى‬at
the same time! You should
unify your tone.
Using both at the same time can be
awkward and lead some users to dislike
your page or unfollow your account,
why? Here’s an example

15. For example;
writing in A Kuwaiti
dialect might be hard
for non-kuwaitis living
in Kuwait to understand.

16. ‫شلونكم! أصدقائنا…‬
‫قريبا رح ينزل الجهاز‬
‫باللون الشويتي‬

17. Chweeti:
Dark Blue in Kuwaiti dialect.
The problem; is that even if YOU WRITE
‫ اللون األزرق الغامق‬some people might come
and say; ‫ليش التفلسف، كتبو شويتي‬
‫نص فصحى ونص كويتي‬
So, cut it short... and

18. DO NOT mix
dialects, write
for your target.

19. Number 3:
Do it right

20. iT Might be offensive to promote
new meals, sandwiches or food
in general in lunch time
during ramadan.
we know you’re trying to make a
living but a lot of people are hating
you for posting in the wrong times.
Post your photos in the early morning
or after iftar, promote your offers for
the next day.

21. DO pick
the right time.

22. Number 4:
Hire a local,
know the market!

23. Many social media agencies
are turning from local into
regional; we have this trend in
the levant now for example.
But many don’t know that what
sometimes work for Lebanon, doesn’t
work for Jordan or what works in Syria
doesn’t work anywhere else!

24. In Lebanon; Believe it or not,
some alcoholic BEVERAGES
promote Ramadan NIGHTS
IN tents! While in Jordan, it
is extremely offensive and
alcohol shops are NOT ALLOWED
TO SELL ALCOHOL AND ARE forced
to close in the holy month.

25. DO NOT think you
know it better,
know it first.

26. Number 5:
Remember, we
are still arab!

27. ‫شنو إسم أمك؟‬
‫ّ‬

28. Never run a competition
asking an Arab to fill his
mother’s name...
never!
It is a critical question/point for us Arabs;
with all this technology, this is still a line
you don’t cross.

29. I remember a client that asked people to
fill in their names, mother’s name and
fill in their numbers to enter the draw
to win a gift on mother’s day to gift to
your mother, wife or sister.
So the optionS here wERE to fill in either:
YOUR Mother’s Name
YOUR Sister’S NAME
YOUR WIFE’S Wife

30. I can tell you that participates filled
in all sort of curses or even filled in
names such as;
Um Ahmad,
Um Abdallah,
Um Yousef.

31. DO NOT ask for
MOTHER NAMES

32. ً ً
‫شكرا لكم جميعا‬
THANKS EVERYONE
TWEET ME! @moeys
REACH ME ON
+965 6000 6395 (till saturday)
+962 777 58 55 44 (after tHat)