instagram – Angela's Digital Marketing Blog

I believe all of us that use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube have definitely come across a viral video, photo or meme. Viral is an image, video or a piece of information that is spread rapidly and widely from one internet user to another, could be intentional or accidental.

Image result for viral marketing — Source: Google

Viral Marketing is a business strategy that makes use of the internet to promote or spread information about a company’s products and services to others. It has become so successful due to its ability to create desire and curiosity which generates a demand for products and services. Sometimes, it even generates excitement over nothing! It can be built upon itself by word of mouth and it is vital in businesses nowadays.

However, don’t you find it amusing how we humans distinguish what is worth sharing and what is not? One minute it can be a video of dogs doing funny stuff, next moment it is a video of the rapid spreading of the virus in Wuhan and deaths that frightened the rest of the world.

Source: Mothership

Most recently, a video shared by Xinhua News of a nurse and her daughter exchanging ‘air hug’ after not meeting for over a week’s time due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. This heartfelt video has gone viral on Twitter as users started to share on their page and many people were touched by the video and cheered the nation on. Ever since, the public begins to show appreciation to healthcare workers for their sacrifices, courageous and dedication.

Source: The Straits Times

Singaporeans also pen notes of encouragement for the healthcare workers amid the outbreak and take pictures of it and upload onto social media with the hashtag #braveheartsg and these images will be printed out and distributed to the healthcare staff islandwide. These gestures have drawn the attention of more than 800 response! Isn’t that amazing??

Source: The Straits Times

Furthermore, companies such as GrabCar have now stepped up to do their part and implemented a new 24-Hour transport service “GrabCare” exclusively for Singapore healthcare workers only, to support their battle against COVID-19. Many feel that we should all stand together and do what we can to support the workers for their courageous actions to continue their battle against the virus despite the consequences.

It is astonishing how one post that went viral and triggered emotions of many can help create awareness about the day to day struggle of many healthcare workers and i hope that this worthy gained attention should continue to spread the message to support the workers to fight on.

Source: Facebook

Even Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong have written a valentine’s Day card to thank the healthcare workers which bring upon awareness as well.

All these heartfelt videos and genuine gestures from the public supporting the healthcare workers are remarkable. Social media is such a powerful tool that connects people all over the world, just one post shared by one person can be seen by hundreds or thousands of people and impacted many. Therefore, let’s all bring awareness to the issues that our country are currently facing and band together to support the healthcare workers, shall we?

That’s all for today, thank you for reading! Do leave a comment and share with me your thoughts on this 🙂

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.