Back in the older days, during the early-mid 1990s. The internet allows websites to speak to website visitors by providing information they had to the visitors. A one-way communication and that was actually 1.0, however, no one actually knows what it is called.
Moving on into the 2000s, is where web 2.0 came into place. Web 2.0 two-way communication, people could upload things such as pictures or videos and contribute to the content, which is called the user-generated content.
Social media is the next step. Social media allows visitors to speak to the website, write user-generated content and facilitates the conversation between visitors. This is a three-way communication. So, basically these are medias such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. People can communicate with each other in this medium.
So what would be the next step?
The process of the next step would be bridging the gap between the online and offline world, which is frequently referred to as augmented reality. For instance, when you go to the grocery store, and there will be a bar-code scanner for you to scan your items, which allows you to immediately check whether the price is a dollar cheaper than the next store down the road.
Currently, the rise and growing love of social media has changed the way businesses work, changed the way we communicate and the way we live in society. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube, allow consumers to do quality research before purchasing products and services. Businesses that are active on these social media platforms are able to respond effectively to their potential market and offer what the consumer wants.
According to a survey conducted by BrightLocal, it is evident that 88% of consumers mentioned that they trust online reviews just as much as personal recommendations. Social media platforms have resulted in the ability to determine the validity of a business and the quality of products and services offered, through the information provided online and communication such as online feedback, reviews from different people.
Some advice that businesses should take note when utilizing social media marketing:
1. Select the best platform – The social media platform you select has to be able to convey the message you want your customer to receive. Identify who is your target market and what platforms would be the best approach that will perform the best. For instance, Instagram might perform better if you are targeting a younger audience.
2. Pick the application – Businesses can create their own mobile application as it is cost-effective. Also, it allows them to have full control of the application.
3. Ensure that activities are aligned – For example, the message conveyed on Instagram and Facebook has to be consistent, so that the message is clear.
4. Media plan integration – This will help businesses find out the right tool to utilize to convey their business value proposition to prospective customers.
5. Provide access for all – Everyone in the business has to have access to the social media to take part in this.
Undoubtedly, the internet is constantly evolving over the years. As a result, it has changed people’s perception of reality and the way they see things. With three-way communication, it allows people to stay connected with each other around the world and businesses to effectively market their products and services to the prospective consumers.
Angela's Digital Marketing Blog 
Fantastic! I liked how you listed down the different advices that businesses should take note when utilising social media marketing. With these points taken note of, social media would definitely be a marketer’s treasure! I noticed you listed the classic social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’m not sure if you heard about this platform called TikTok? It is one of the latest social media applications that are trending, with some content creators reaching 42 million views. How can marketers make use of this to advertise? What would you suggest to maximise the use of engaging with customers?
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Yes of course! TikTok is so famous and its the latest trend! With many tech-savvy users on TikTok, marketers can definitely consider using this platform to market to this age group. Since TikTok posts are kept short, messages can be conveyed in a short and simple style, yet being able to send its message to their target audience. Marketers can advertise on social media platforms by launching giveaways and campaigns for customers to take part in. This increases engagement rate and brand awareness with the customers.
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Great! i have learn more about some business strategies by utilizing the social media! As there are many platforms available to most users in the world, what are some popular social media that most people would have access to? and are there any examples of One way communication that are currently use in the current society?
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Hey Junior! Glad that you’ve gained some insightful findings here. I believe that we all very familiar with the popular social media people have access to, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Especially Facebook, it is one of the largest social networking site in the world that is widely used.
Web 1.0 that provides one-way communication refers to the first stage in the World Wide Web, the information contained might be useful, however, there is no reason for a visitor to re-visit the website later. An example might be a personal website that provides information about the website owner, however, the information never changes.
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Due to the evolution of the internet, everything is made available on the internet/phones and people are always holding it everywhere they go. Is technology killing the human touch?
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Most of us use mobile phones nowadays to communicate, inform, make a request to clients, colleagues, family and friends.
Even though the technology is convenient and efficient, there are some things that digital can never be able to evoke, for example, facial expression, gestures, physical cues. Technology is a necessary part of business today but with a human touch, it is what it will give the business a competitive edge in the digital market. I believe that face to face is still powerful and productive, as it is the best chance for people to meet face to face to engage with others with empathy and impact. So will human interaction be taken over by technology? I don’t think so, not anytime soon. A
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Hey Angela! Thank you for sharing. It is really important for business to keep up with the marketing trends and those that don’t and continue to use the traditional way will fall behind especially when consumers these days heavily rely on social media! As an avid online shopper myself, I love it when companies are able to communicate with their customers through social media. I feel connected with them as they can update me on the latest news and get back with my concerns very quickly!
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Hi Toby! Thanks for sharing with me your thoughts! Yes Digital marketing has now become way more effective than traditional marketing as they can easily reach out to a wide range of target audience through to the social media platforms that many are using nowadays!
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