Advertising , Promotion and Awareness through Social Media

1. Advertising, Promotion and Awareness through Social Media Sena Nickles MCOMM 499 Professor Hester

2. Introduction • In our growing mass media society more businesses, corporations and nonprofit organizations use social media such as Facebook to advertise, promote, and raise awareness for their businesses or themselves. • Studies show that sixty three percent of marketing agencies have implemented Social Media programs (Facebook Statics).

3. Introduction • Eighty-one percent of business executives state that Facebook marketing boosts sales and customer relationships (Facebook Facts for Businesses).

4. A Closer Look… • With over half a billion users, Facebook is now used by 1 in every 13 people on earth (Facebook Statics). With this huge amount of people surfing Facebook companies and organizations find it an easy way to promote their business and raise awareness for causes. • According to PC World Business Center, Facebook represents a huge opportunity to market your business and promote your products and services-due to the massive audience.

5. A Closer Look… • The most famous store Wal-Mart has a Facebook page. And like many other big corporations like Wal-Mart, update their fans about the latest foods, products and services they are offering everyday of the week. And not only do they keep their fans updated they throw in special offers such as giveaways and coupons. With over 16,438,933 likes, Wal-Mart uses this marketing strategy to get consumers attention to buy products from them.

6. According to the Pivot Conference, sixty-three percent of marketers and agency pros have already implemented social media programs into their corporations. This number is suspected in grow in the next twelve months due to the advantages of using social media for marketing purposes.

7. A Closer Look… • According to Business Intelligence Baseline, more than two billion local businesses have active pages. Sweet Treats and Little Pigs Barbeque are local businesses in Greenwood, SC and both of them have Facebook pages with more than one hundred users. On Sweet Treats Facebook page, fans can see pictures of their deserts, such as cupcakes and cakes to show off their wonderful baking skills. They also post information about catering services, special savings, and hours of operation.

8. A Closer Look… • Advertising on Facebook has tripled in the last year and the average Facebook user is a fan of four pages or more (The Ad Hound). Facebook has been the gates to money for a lot of businesses.

9. Nonprofit organizations can also gain from social media. Causes is an online platform for philanthropy that makes its home on Facebook. Anyone can be a make their own cause page to gather support and awareness about a particular issue (fighting diseases, supporting education, Above the Influence).

10. Above the Influence… • Above the Influence is a type of cause that encourages teens to stay away from negative influences they may be faced with in life. This cause page challenges teens to stand up against negative pressures like using drugs, pills, or alcohol. With almost over one million likes, Above the Influence allows their fans to share personal experiences through video postings, comments and pictures. The page also has a link for teens to find help near them when they need advice or someone to talk to.

11. Facebook is a form of social media that businesses, corporations and nonprofit organizations advertise, promote, and raise awareness for their businesses. With five hundred million out of one hundred twenty five users a day, Facebook is continuing to make it more enabling and successful for such marketing to continue.