Google Launches YouTube Analytics
New analytics system is user-friendly and detailed
Continuing with the importance of analytics, Google-owned video-sharing site, YouTube has release a new analytics interface that will go live today. YouTube previously had a data collection interface called YouTube Insights, however the new version will be much more detailed, and user-friendly.
The new analytics will include a new overview section which provides the key information quickly, while also enabling easy access to more detailed information.
Another notable feature is advanced reporting, which will give companies a more precise understanding of your content and audiences.
Additionally, the analytics will show which videos are driving the most views and subscription, and also show audience retention rates.
Marketers have long been aware of the power of YouTube and video content to increase brand awareness and experiences. This additional layer of analytics will allow marketers to implement more targeted and effective campaigns using video content.
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Radian6 and Salesforce.com Tackle Social Listening
New tools allow companies to monitor social conversations
Social media allows brands to have direct conversations with customers, but that can mean millions of potential conversations that need to monitored and analyzed.
Social listening is the key to monitoring these conversations, which can be very difficult without the proper staff or software. Salesforce.com announced a list of new products designed to work with Radian6, which they acquired in March.
Radian6′s is a social-listening technology that tracks conversations across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs and online communities. The new tools will allow companies to gauge intent to buy or customer satisfaction.
Another tool acquired is a Facebook-management tool and a “social hub” that allows for communicating with customers on social networks, as well as adding social content into the customer-relationship-management software. This means that if a social-media users is advocating a product developed by a client, they will automatically add them to a database of contacts.
The importance of social media monitoring is rapidly as more companies delve into social media and look to enhance customer relationships, define key influencers, and determine ROI.
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Spanish Soccer Team Raises Visibility in China & 3D Issue Creates HTML5 Magazines
Spanish Soccer Team Raises Visibility in China
Penetrating the Chinese market using social media is not a new idea, however it certainly is a growing and progressive trend that is here to stay.
A Spanish soccer team has agreed to a partnership that will see it work with Chinese Internet firm Tencent to increase its marketing activities in China.
The soccer team, Barcelona, will use Tencent’s numerous social media sites to grow its presence and merchandising potential in the country. These sites include a Twitter-like service called Weibo, and an instant messenger service called QQ.
The deal is a efficient way for Barcelona to reach their target audience while also growing their online presence.
Social media is increasingly becoming a key platform for brands to raise awareness and build a presence in China.
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3D Issue Creates HTML5 Magazines
Most developers would say the key to effectively entering the tablet market is to harmonizing software with various operating systems. To circumvent this, specifically the Apple and Adobe Flash divide, companies have developed apps for each specific platform.
Many publications are trying to take advantage of the rapidly growing tablet market. One main obstacle to that is optimizing digital magazines to make them user friendly and easy to read.
A new version of 3D Issue, a start-up that creates online magazines, now offers HTML5 output, meaning magazines will be readable by people who cannot install Flash, such as iPad owners.
Additionally, the new format can also be sold in Amazon’s Kindle Store and Apple’s iBookstore, which marks a new opportunity for marketers trying to maintain their brand presence in the mobile market.
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Google Search: An Evolution Video
What did we do before Google? The search engine has completely altered the way we find information, interact with one another and use the Internet in general.
Google posted a new video to their blog that shows the evolution of Google and forecasts what the company will do in the future.
“Our goal is to get you to the answer you’re looking for faster and faster, creating a nearly seamless connection between your questions and the information you seek,” said Ben Gomes, Google Fellow via a Google Blog post. “That means you don’t generally need to know about the latest search feature in order to take advantage of it— simply type into the box as usual and find the answers you’re looking for.”
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4 Ways Companies and Causes Can Partner for Good on Facebook
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Many social causes have utilized Facebook to engage supporters and increase donations. A new white paper from the Cause Marketing Forum shows four successful ways non-profit organizations can use Facebook successfully.
1. Like-for-Donation
Small, $1 donations are made to an organization every time a user clicks the “like” button. This type of donation platform is simple for organizations to implement and
therefore is the most popular tactic.
2. Simple-Action-for-Donation
Users can complete simple actions such as posting a picture, video or comment on an organization’s Facebook page which will unlock a donation. These campaigns utilize the “six degrees of separation” on Facebook and organically spread an organization’s message.
3. Interactive-Action-for-Donation
Some organizations use custom-designed applications such as fundraising apps and games, which drastically increase user activity. These apps enable cause marketers to drive user donations or actions and implement matching donation campaigns.
4. Voting Campaigns
The final type of campaign offers a cash prize to the causes that gather the most votes. For example, in 2010 ‘Pepsi Refresh ‘announced it would donate nearly $20 million to local organizations and causes via a Facebook campaign where users nominated the organizations and charities to receive Pepsi’s donations.
These voting campaigns have been successful in attracting attention, awareness, excitement and engagement in an otherwise cluttered social space.
We expect that cause campaigns will continue to excel in the social media realm, leading to deeper engagement with causes.
Video Pick of the Week
Happy Thanksgiving from the ODM Group! Enjoy this week’s custom-made Video Pick of the Week starring the ODM Group staff.
Remember to reflect on all that your are thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Top Ways To Successfully Market on Black Friday
By: Jay Osterholm, Founder and CEO of the ODM Group
Black Friday is roughly 48 hours away. Most people prepare for this retail-centric holiday by scouring ads for the best deals, making lists, and setting the alarm clock for 3 a.m. Black Friday is, for many people, the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
With an estimated 152 million shoppers expected to hit stores this year, the shopping frenzy will certainly continue. However, over the years, I have found that many of the guidelines that apply to finding deals apply to not only shoppers, but also us as marketers.
Here are the top ways we as marketers can best engage customers on Black Friday:
- Preparation While this may seem like an obvious recommendation, it should not be overlooked. Preparation is the key ingredient to successful holiday marketing plan. Recent studies show that more than 17 percent of shoppers are searching for deals on social media sites. Are your social sites fully-optimized? If not, it is time to get moving. Create your Facebook and Twitter profiles in keeping with your brand, and most importantly, make sure that consumers can find them.
- Collaboration Now that you know your channels are all set up, make sure they work together. Include a Twitter tab on your Facebook page, so fans see messages from both channels at once. Also, it is important to prepare a content calendar with key messages for each channel. E-mail and print ads are no longer viable ways to reach your target audience. To successfully sell your brand or product, you must reach every channel with tailored messaging.
- Attractive Deals In order to reach your target audience, and ultimately get the sell, your items must seem exclusive. This means generating attractive, timely, and exclusive deals that will sell your products. That is the ironic thing about deals; they do not actually have to be the best deals to garner attention. However, it is imperative that your deals still generate profit. Use catchy phrases such as “Shop before noon!” and “Limited quantities!” to generate a sense of urgency and “right now!”
- Adaptability Make sure you have a solid marketing team in place on Black Friday. With a strong increase in online and mobile shopping on Black Friday, deals can expire, become exhausted or simply not work. For every promotion you run, have a back-up plan. To survive the day, be patient and adapt to circumstances as they arise.
- Monitor This step is very time consuming, but also very important. You must monitor your social sites throughout the day for activity, feedback and commentary and respond accordingly. If a customer tweets at you saying they are upset about the deal running out, respond to them. If a customer thanks you for a deal, respond as well. This is the reason you set up your social sites, and the goal of your holiday marketing campaign – customer engagement.
Be sure to harness the power of the Internet, as an instantaneous communication tool, and keep your target audience informed and happy. If you implement and follow the above steps for your Black Friday marketing, your campaign can be profitable, allowing you to interact with customers and drastically increase your social footprint and brand awareness.
Holiday Travel Checkins Infographic
In preparation of the Thanksgiving holiday, Foursquare has posted an infographic showing checkins related to travel in the United States by plane, train, and automobile, covering a period from Halloween until just after Christmas in 2010.
Data for the infographic was pulled in from FourSquare and is based on checkins in airports, train stations and highways. Additionally, the infographic features a timeline that shows peak travel times.
Where are you traveling this Thanksgiving? Will you check in on social sites? Share your thoughts with us at Digital Marketing News.
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