Marketing

We’ve done our job – Now let’s do yours with social media.

Posted on December 10, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

At RefreshU Head Quarters, one of the digital platforms we use is a mixture of Social Media’s which enables individuals and organisations to connect to each other individually and communally. (Baines Et Al, 2011: 646). Social Media’s can involve Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr and Flickr. We utilize market research that we have found to develop a company’s marketing media strategy. Using Social media as a relationship building medium, we can help you interact with your customers to better understand their needs and publicise relevant products and offers. (Chaffey Et Al, 2009: 17)

Social Media is important to any Company because it has become increasingly popular over the years (Mintel, 2011: Online.) The evolution of the social web has today classified internet-based digital resources as more participatory technologies or social channels, rather than just information or transactional channels. (Baines Et Al, 2011: 634) Research by Microsoft (2007) based on interviews and surveys with social networkers found these human motivations for using social networks:

57% like looking at other peoples spaces

46% like to express their opinions and views on topics

17% use it for a specific reason such as Job searching. (Chaffey Et Al, 2009: 86)

Although social media is of great importance for promotion of your business there is a lack of control to what consumers can post, tweets can be perceived as negative when you wanted a positive effect, however with criticism from the consumers this will highlight the issues within your business, which RefreshU can rectify easily. Through our expertise we will transform your traditional social media websites and bring them to the 21^st century. Twitter is an example of how popular the social media sites are, there are 554,750,000 active Twitter users. Let RefreshU conquer this market for your business! (Statistic Brain: No date, Online)

RefreshU is a professional up to date agency with the knowledge to tweet, post, share and like our way to the top of the social media ladder. How did you hear about the RefreshU agency? Through Social media – We’ve done our job, now let us do yours!

References

Mintel. (2011) Social Media and Networking – UK – May 2011 [online] [Accessed December 2013] http://academic.mintel.com.ezproxy.mmu.ac.uk/display/545141/?highlight=true

Baines,P, Fill,C, Page,K, (2011, 635) Marketing, Digital Marketing. Oxford University Press Inc, New York

Chaffey,D, Ellis-Chadwick,F, Mayer,R, Johnston,K (20019, 17) Internet Marketing Strategy, Implementation, and Practice. Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow

Statistic Brain (2013) Twitter Statistics [online] [accessed December 2013]

http://www.fabric.co.uk/blog/infographic-the-number-of-users-per-top-social-network-2/

This entry was posted in Academic, DMMP, Marketing and tagged digital, digital media platform, Facebook, Flickr, Google, LinkedIn, Mintel, Oxford University Press, Social media, Tumblr, Twitter.

What exactly is ‘Email Marketing’

Posted on December 10, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

One of the many services we provide, here at RefreshU HQ is Email marketing.

Email marketing can be seen as a critical communication link between consumers and brands they love and trust (Mullen and Daniels, 2009,) with 49% of consumers subscribing to between 1 and 10 brands via email (DMA, October 2012,) through Email, push sending of messages and documents is possible (Chaffey and Smith, 2013). We use various techniques to make our marketing successful, one technique is viral emailing, this is where an email appeals to the reader so effectively they share it with others (Mullen and Daniels, 2009), we use this technique as it is low-cost and can reach a large amount of consumers (Email lecture slide, Keegan).

Another technique used is list rental; this enables us to acquire customers (Mullen and Daniels, 2009) for your business. Event triggered emails are another way we use marketing techniques; this is when automated emails are sent out relating to an event (Baggott, 2011). To make all of these techniques successful we make sure our emails are always creative, we know what makes emails effective, that they grab attention, have a clear call to action at the start of the message, they’re brief and relevant and finally that they’re personalised (Chaffey and Smith, 2013), 50% of people favour personal ads (Mintel, 2013). To add to this we use incentives in our email marketing, something that benefits the reader from clicking on the link (Chaffey and Smith, 2013), we do this as we know money off emails are the most popular among UK consumers (DMA, October 2012).

At RefreshU we choose to provide this service as we know how effective it is, Email advertising continues to be the most effective form of advertising in terms of engaging users who see ads, with almost a third of people clicking on an email advert after seeing it (Mintel, 2013). In addition, Email adverts can be seen as less intrusive compared to other forms of advertising, as these tend not to interrupt browsing habits (Mintel, 2013).

We realise there are problems with Email marketing, but we do our best to avoid them. These problems include people unsubscribing; this is usually a result of emails coming too frequently or being boring (moonfish, 2005) as we know this, we do our very best to send emails at the right frequency and keep them entertaining. We also understand emails may be sent out to customers who do not wish to receive them, due to renting lists. In order for this not to happen we know to insist that lists we rent are built using confirmed opt-in (Mullen, 2011) only.

Overall, here at RefreshU, we know how great email marketing is and how to use it to help your business!!!

References.

Email Marketing By the Numbers Chris Baggott 2011 new jersey

Email marketing: an hour a day, Mullen, Jeanniey and Daniels, David, 2009, Indiana

Mintel (2013) Digital trends-autumn-uk, 2013

Emarketing excellence, Chaffey D and Smith PR. 2013 New York

This entry was posted in Academic, DMMP, Marketing and tagged Advertising, Chaffey, Consumer, DMA, Email marketing, Marketing, marketing techniques, Mintel, Opt-in email, Smith.

Could your drunken Tweets, stop you from getting a Job?

Posted on November 26, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

Here at RehreshU HQ we have been exploring and searching ourselves on all of the social media sites – we have been awakened by how much information is accessible on the internet.

When you are thinking about employment, it is very competitive to get a job in this economic climate. Therefore, employers are looking at you as a whole. One slip up can be the difference between you getting the job or not. For example if you are going to post negative information online, even if it is your own Twitter/Facebook account you are giving someone the opportunity to use this against you. Your online profile is a piece of information that gives off an impression of you as a person because it is a relaxed environment.

Below is Reanna, RefreshU’s Research Communicator’s response to her own ‘Google’

‘The social media sites that 123 people lists me on, Twitter and Instagram. In order to access my Instagram a login is required so if the searcher did not have an account with Instagram none of my information could be accessed. However, the searcher has full access to my twitter account and the full lists of my tweets (posts). There are a series of pictures that appear when my name is searched, thank fully none of the pictures are offensive or of obscene content, just a few shameless “selfies”

Due to the nature of the 123 search the implications are that the searcher can view my entire twitter account, this could result in any one whether this be a future employer or a general member of the public can see my personal opinions and conversations via twitter. This could result in giving the wrong impression and result in termination of employment or ruin the prospect of a future employer. However, due to experience with Twitter, and the press that closely follows twitter and the opinions that are displayed via the platform I would never post anything that would cause offense or in any way discriminate. The pictures that are linked to the search on 123 people have no serious implications however I do understand that what is put out on to the web, even if deleted can be found and can have serious implications.

After searching for myself on Facebook, my profile comes up in the search and a very limited amount of information is displayed, where I am from, where I currently live, where I work and a profile picture. There is no access to personal comments or further photographs.

As student the implications of this is that my information cannot be accessed without an approved friend request from a verified account. This means that none of the personal information that I share via Facebook can be accessed from an outsider source. Thus keeping my profile private and my information safe.

Due to the nature of Twitter, when an open search is applied, my full profile is accessible so that any future employer or member of the general public can see what I have posted.

As a student this has a positive effect that other students can find me easily, this will equal in a widening of my social outreach with my tweets reaching further. However this leaves the gate wide open for any of my academic peers or future employers to gain access to my personal opinions via twitter.

Let’s just hope there aren’t too many incriminating pictures out on the web to find! #drinkawareness’

Therefore, our advice to you is if you want to give yourself the best chance in getting a professional job, you should change your social media settings to private if you do not want your employer to get a wrong idea.

Also we would advise you to post professional information that will impress any employer and also to create a professional social media account for example “Linked In” and give that employer no reason but to employ you!!! Not to sound like every Teacher/Lecturer/Parent and Professional, But be careful your obsession with Cat’s is fine, but maybe what happened at the Local Nightclub where you ended up face down on a stairwell with sick on your dress is not to fine.!

8 Essential Elements of Your Personal Brand (collegefeed.com)
To LinkIn Or Not To LinkIn? That Is the Question (facelesspromotions.wordpress.com)

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Personally identifiable information, Social media, Twitter, User profile.

John Lewis – Poor Guy!

Posted on November 19, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

John Lewis’s latest Christmas advert recently was beautiful! The whole relationship with the bear and hare and the hare wants the bear to experience Christmas for this first time. SO buys him an alarm clock then the bear finally doe witness Christmas and we, as viewers got lumps in our throats at the bear’s wonderful happy face.

Well every time your thoughts on this were, tweeted one person in Virginia was receiving all your mentions! John Lewis kindly directed everyone to the real twitter of @JohnLewisRetail (double click on the Image to see some of his friendly replies) Poor Guy!

However, John Lewis retailer did tweet John and asked for his delivery address to send him a free gift for his kind generosity! How wonderful.

Bear and Hare – an ebook is on the way (fashion-mommy.com)
John Lewis Bear and the Hare Christmas ad melts hearts, Twitter accounts not so much (metro.co.uk)
The John Lewis Christmas advert 2013 (telegraph.co.uk)
Richard Godwin: Let’s not get too carried away by a John Lewis Christmas advert (standard.co.uk)

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Alarm clock, Bear, Christmas, Double-click, Hare, John Lewis, Twitter, Virginia.

Manchester World Famous Christmas Market!

Posted on November 19, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

For those that live in Manchester, will know all know about ‘THE CHRISTMAS MARKET’.

It runs every year, this year being the 15th! And caters to every need from Mulled wine to Hot Chocolates, from chocolate waffles to german sausages, from hand made trinkets to knitted scarves and gloves. Seriously, its just everything you need to signify it’s Christmas Time. On a cold Monday afternoon, We ventured out to join the crowds with christmas cheer and had a nosey round the 300+ stalls all over Manchester’s town centre – Albert Square, Brazennose Street, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange and new to 2013 Corporation Street.

This year aswell as setting up Stalls on Corporation Street they have introduced a scheme to keep the market green! By putting down a £2 deposit you can take the cup which any drink is served from back to any stall and get your £2 back – It was just brilliant not to see a load of Polystyrene stamped cups on the ground.

Here at RefreshU HQ we’re definitely in the Christmas Spirit! Watch this video am sure you will be too – http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500241/christmas_markets

Bonanza as more than 100,000 visit Manchester Christmas markets on opening weekend (manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
Celebrate 15 Magical Years as UK’s original Christmas Markets return (manchester.gov.uk)
Five must-visit Christmas markets (yha.org.uk)
Manchester Christmas Markets! (manchestergo.wordpress.com)
Manchester gets Set For Christmas (innovativeadvnow.wordpress.com)
Celebrate 15 Magical Years as UK’s original Christmas Markets return to Manchester (manchester.gov.uk)
They’re back! Manchester’s Christmas Markets kick-start the festive season (manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
Manchester Christmas Markets 2013: Top gifts (manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Albert Square, Christmas, Corn Exchange, Corporation Street Birmingham, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, Manchester, New Cathedral Street.

DMMP: Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka (SEO)

Posted on November 12, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

As a standard task we do here at RefreshU HQ, we believe in making sure we get everything out of our client’s consumer’s search, making sure they get to that product or service first. (and not those of our competitors.) Key words however, are not always what they seem, especially when you want to optimize activity on the web. You may believe a bunch of words, which are related to what you are searching are in fact completely different, so heres our (not so) secret guide to be first on Googles Homepage.

ITS WHAT EVERY COMPANY WANTS, we know!!

SO! what we usually do, is take a product – In our case Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka YUM, The best end to anyone Friday! What were going to do, is talk you through our thought process on how we get your company to the top of google!

First of all – Our Idea of Smirnoff’s keywords! – Smirnoff Raspberry, Vodka, Smirnoff, Smirnoff Vodka, Triple Distilled Smirnoff Vodka. North America Diageo Vodka, Raspberry Twist Vodka.

Then we use Google Insights and perform our own research into what other Google users are putting into google to get to see some sort of Smirnoff product. Which meant we added more to our list – Smirnoff Ice Raspberry, Smirnoff Raspberry price, Smirnoff Raspberry Drinks.

So heres what we found ….

As we have established, Google Insight displayed the most popular search, is the full product name “Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka”. This shows that the consumers know what product they want and do not have to filter the internet trying to find it. This shows that in terms of brand recognition “Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka” is a well-known product and it can promote itself as an individual vodka.

The Search Results displayed every characteristic of Vodka and it related to Smirnoff. This would mean the if the consumer searched Smirnoff they would be likely to discover different products within the brand.

The Graph above shows that with “Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka” the most interest is in 2013 – so has become very popular and that the brand has progressed over time. It’s main regional interest in terms of search volume is in Canada and the United States. In terms of promotional material if Smirnoff focuses on the most searched terms it can use these to generate sales.

We know research before Marketing any product/service is important, so thats why its RefreshU HQ’s first port of call. Don’t Worry the free sample of Raspberry Vodka was used out of Office hours!

Related articles

HAPPY HOUR: Smirnoff Sorbet Slushie (loveletterstohome.com)
Intoxicated man tossed out Smirnoff vodka bottle after car crash, Parsippany cops say (nj.com)
Braaaaaaaiins! (theliquorparrot.wordpress.com)
What’s In Your Cup?: Pawpurr’s Blackout (ashleygilkerson.wordpress.com)
SMIRNOFF Trick or Treat Cocktails Recipe (mommyfactor.net)
Spooky SMIRNOFF Halloween cocktails (wrestlingaddictedmommy.com)
Moscow Mule (houstonsincblog.wordpress.com)
Thirsty Thursday: Fall Cocktails #thirstythursday

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged alcohol, Canada, drink, Google, Google Insight, Smirnoff, Vodka, Web search engine.

MEET REFESHU AGENCY’S TEAM.

Posted on November 8, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

Researcher, Communicator (writer): – Reanna Geisler

My role in the agency is to fully understand and research our clients brief. No matter how big or small the task is, I will find the relevant information in order to target the correct audience and create the correct marketing hooks to result in the best possible results.

Manager: – EmmaTodd

My role as the manager is to oversee everything that is happening within the RefreshU agency. I am responsible for making sure that the agency is working well and to their full potential. I believe greatly in RefreshU agency and will make sure as a team we satisfy and meet all of our client’s needs.

Marketing Consultant: – Nicole Sweeney

My role in the company is to use my analytical and communication skills to advise the clients effectively. I focus on preparing and developing an innovative marketing strategy for any company. RefreshU is a team of industry experts and my role is to ensure that your company is up to date with business and any commercial changes in industry.

Client Service Manager: – Kate Routledge

My role as the Client Service manager within RefreshU involves keeping customers satisfied and loyal. I am responsible for developing and enforcing our services to various Clients. I need to be able to understand the client’s wants and needs and deal with them, to keep them content with our agency’s work.

Creative Director: – Imogen Connett

My role in agency is to lead creatively when pitching to clients – Taking clients ideas and creating long term and short term strategies to have maximum output for the agency and Clients businesses. I will take a budget and show clients what campaigns we can do to benefit them and get the best potential out of said companies products or services.

At RefreshU Agency, our aim is to provide excellent customer service and we do everything to exceed your expectations. RefreshU will go beyond the brief to deliver. (refreshublog.wordpress.com)

This entry was posted in Academic, DMMP, Marketing and tagged Advertising agency, Advertising and Marketing, Agency, Business, Business and Economy, Client (computing), Communication, Company, Creative director, DMMP, Manchester, Marketing, Marketing & Advertising, Marketing strategy, university.

DMMP: Email Marketing

Posted on November 8, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

e mail doc – apollo

At RefreshU headquarters, We know how annoying spam email is! How u see its from that one web address who emails you at the same time everyday, where you just click the delete button and go about your daily tasks not even thinking about it again. But what we like to do is to stop you in your tracks, open up that same email, but to sit and scroll through and to see exactly what the emails saying and why it would benefit you.

Here is RefreshU Agency’s idea of an awesome Marketing Campaign! O2 Apollo came to us and asked for an idea which will target customers quickly. We decided pictures from past gig’s on added with up and coming gig dates, where to go to buy tickets and to have a look what’s going on in the future. We’ve also added links to Facebook, Twitter, the O2 academy app and the O2 Priority section on the website, as from a consumer point of view this is what we believed would get us clicking and having a stroll through O2 Apollos website.

And guess what? They loved it!

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Apollo, email, Email spam, Marketing, Online Communities, Twitter, Uniform resource locator.

DMMP: Blogging Critique

Posted on November 8, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

Here, at RefreshU agency Headquarters we like to take a nosey around the Web and see what other blogs are out there and what they are doing to keep them fresh and up-to-date, because were not scared of a little competition we like to post out findings and here they are:

Lets you know what you think?

Silive.com

This blog jumped out to us because it is very successful in attracting people to comment on it. As you go onto the website, you can see that the blogger has posted a number of topics and discussed them, which has created an interest. We feel that Silive.com is successful because of its layout. It has an attractive picture on the main page and everything is in the centre of the page. There is advertising on the right hand side of the page, which means that the blogger is using other companies to help generate interest through their blog. This blog is live between noon and 1pm, which means that, it’s regularly updated and is clear to its readers that they will get a response.

This blog uses social media to help promote their blog. They use Twitter, Facebook, Share it, Pin it and email it to try and advertise the blog in different ways to a mass market. They use a RSS feed on the side of the page also. The posts on this blog are current posts for example the most recent post is from the 18^th of October 2013. It has blogs on food in Staten Island, which is a clever marketing strategy. By specifying on one area this will encourage tourism to Staten Island and local businesses may promote this blog if they have a good review.

The only criticisms that we had on this blog is that it could be improved by having an introduction on the main page and by having sections or headers. We need to see its easy to navigate through the blog!

http://gocookyourself.com/

We believe the good thing about this blog is that it includes a variety of guiding visuals. The language that is used is also that of an informal tone, which engages with the reader on a personal level. The blog is also very interactive including videos and the option to respond and acknowledge each post. The blog also includes the option to subscribe so that you never miss a post, keeping the reader informed and up to speed with the latest blog posts.

Even though we are a fan of this blog, there is room for improvement for example; we feel that there could be a wider reference of text with more information from the blogger as to where inspiration for each recipe came from, how he personally found the cooking experience and any other alternatives to his dishes. Overall, We think that this blog is in the infancy stages and has a great deal of potential if the blogger sticks to a winning format but then just matures and develops his ideas further.

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/

This blog seems to have a fantastic knowledge of the technology, which is going on in the world. It has blog posts that are very up-to-date. ( last post was added at 15:23 and we checked out the website at 16:03 the same day.) Blackberry messenger was released 21 ^st October to android and Apple and they already have multiple blogs about the new social craze on 22^nd October.

We just searched around this blog, clicking and clicking, and we found out lots about our android/iphone phones which we wouldn’t normally ‘Google’. However the page does have a lot of advertisements which were annoying – flashing and changing in the corners of our eyes. We totally understand that’s what the website is about blogging and advertising but it was very annoying.

http://perezhilton.com/?from=navbar_perezhilton

The blog has both good and bad features. One good thing about it is how up to date it is, with new posts updated daily. This is essential for a gossip blog, nobody wants to read old news. Another good feature of the blog is it’s social media aspects; it has links to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and google with the option to share and like the posts, helping to get the blog seen by more people. In addition, there is a search bar at the top of the page making post very easy to access, this is good as people don’t like to look through lots of irrelevant posts, they just wouldn’t bother continuing on the blog.

Despite all the good features, We do not like the blog as we found the layout very unappealing and unclear. The look of a blog is very important, it is the first thing a viewer notices and judges the blog on. Not only is there a main column there is also a second column next to it, both having lots of different picture and text and it is hard to focus on one thing.

In this day and age everyones opinions count, why not take a nosey at the websites and see for yourself? Let us know!

Also what do you believe is good or bad about a blog? Are we making the same mistakes? After all if your not happy then neither are we!

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Apple, blog, Facebook, Google, Pinterest, RSS, Social media, Staten Island, Twitter, Website.

HELLO!

Posted on October 17, 2013 Updated on December 10, 2013

RefreshU is the new innovative Marketing Agency! We are a small close knit team, ready to take on any challenge set.

Does your business needs a new marketing campaign? Are your customers older than bebo? The only tweets you hear are blackbirds in a morning?

Get in touch, we’re waiting ….

This entry was posted in DMMP, Marketing and tagged Business, Consulting, Consumer, DMMP, Internet Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Agency, Marketing and Advertising, Marketing Services, RefreshU, Small Business.