Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Brands & Social Media Marketing


Brands have been used to advertise and promote a specific type of product or company since the ages of traditional marketing.  The idea of having a brand does not only apply to traditional marketing, but also applies to non-traditional marketing.  I specifically am going to discuss how brands play an impact in social media marketing.  Brands use timeliness and relevance in social media marketing.  Due to the quick communication process social media allows, it is easy to brand an idea or product; it allows individuals to interact within a matter of seconds: this is timeliness.  Relevance is another key factor in social media branding because if the idea an individual is promoting is already being promoted by another group, the information would not be relevant.  The information would not be new.  When using social media, items are posted in a timely manner; this is also known as relevance because each post is new information about the brand that is trying to be promoted by social media.  If an individual or companies and relevance, people will become less engaged in their brand because it will allow them to forget or not trust the information being given out.

One example of a social media service that would allow an individual to brand an idea or campaign well is Instagram.  One example of a brand idea would be an individual who encourages traveling.  This individual could create a Instagram account about the different places the individual has traveled.  The account would follow other accounts of people the individual knows and of course, other world traveling accounts.  This would create a good base of individuals who are interested in the brand the account is promoting.  Another detail to consider is creating a catchy hash tag (similar to a slogan), which would intrigue followers; this would help make the brand more distinct too.  There have been various ideas and companies that have branded their products well by using Instagram.  You can check them out by clicking on this link: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-best-brands#sm.0000kz5rl119m7fofvrtgv1rlwuba!

Instagram is not the only form of social media that has used brands for marketing tools.  Other popular forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter have used branding for marketing purposes.  The shoe brand, TOMS, has used Twitter to spread awareness of their product.  They created their brand as a company who every time you purchase a pair of shoes from them, they donate a pair of shoes to children in various countries. 

Personally, I have used Facebook to promote a brand as well.  The brand I have been promoting includes Garnos Ranch Hunts and The Garnos Getaway.  The connection between these two companies is that they are both privately owned businesses owned by my family... specifically my father.  I have promoted Garnos Ranch Hunts as a hunting outfitter.  Check this page out here:  https://www.facebook.com/GarnosHunts/.  About a month ago, I created The Garnos Getaway page to create a brand for my family's townhouse out in the Black Hills.  Check out my other page by clicking the following: https://www.facebook.com/GarnosGetawaySpearfish/.  


Though these pages are just the starts of building a brand for my family's small business, I believe what I have learned from my social media and marketing class that I can continue to work on promoting this brand.  
If you want to check out some successful companies who have used social media platforms to promote their unique brand, here is a good link:
https://www.clickz.com/10-ways-brands-are-using-social-media-marketing-for-good/92187/.


Pictured above is the logo I created for Garnos Ranch Hunts!





My Millennial Perspective
Chesney Jo




Friday, July 8, 2016

TUG-A-WAR

TUG-A-WAR

Growing up as a millennial is tough.  Why is it tough?  The list could go on and on.  Social media tells women we need to look a certain way, we depict that all males are “douche bags” because that is what we see on Twitter.  We think that all girls who are pretty, wear makeup, and dress up are “hoes”.  How many likes you get on a picture you post on Instagram or Facebook defines how popular a person is. Don’t get me wrong, there are many positive uses of social media.  Just like anything, there are pros and cons.  BUT… why does it seem like our society is getting worse and worse.  We are truly so caught up with the world and ourselves; it seems that is all we care about.  I truly believe there is only one answer to why this has happened… as a society we have drifted further and further from God and His word.  I am first to admit that I am sinner and have done things in my life I am not proud of.  I will also admit that I have allowed social media (a worldly thing) influence how I thought I should  “look” or even that I wasn’t good enough.  I allowed worldly ways to consume my thoughts.  Our world is filled with darkness and sin; we are constantly being manipulated by the devil.  Do NOT let the world define who you are because it doesn’t.  Your relationship with God defines who you are.  The important thing is to truly try to live by His word.  The reason why I underlined this part is because it took me a while to understand this.  I am forever grateful that GOD brought me to this truth.  For my situation, the devil used social media to target areas of my life that would get me to lean away from God’s word.  I am sure I am not the only one out there who has gone or is going through this struggle.  The truth and reality of it is you WILL NOT fit into society if you are trying to live your life according to God’s word.  Yes, it is hard and personally, I have struggled.  Committing your life to live according to God’s word will not be easy, but it IS PROMISING.  It is true love.  It is your futures only hope.   


We live in a society where waking up each morning it is normal to see a mass shooting take place in Orlando, a suicide bomb in a train station, a terrorists attack in the Middle East.  I honestly expect to see this stuff on a DAILY BASIS.  The past 48 to 72 hours have just left me sick.  So more than anything, during this time we see suffering all around us… pray.  Simply indulge in the Word.  Pray again.  Pray for understanding.  Pray for the Words and Truths to be exposed.  Just open yourself up to God and His word.  Lean not on your own understanding.  Trust God and have Faith in what He is doing because He knows the plans for this place we call Earth. 


These things have been weighing heavy on my heart this entire summer.  I have been so utterly humbled and not a day goes by where I am not grateful.  Despite the different personal battles you face, you do not have to allow the TUG-A-WAR battle between the sin of the world and God to tear you apart.  Do your best to live day in and day out on God’s side of the battle.


Chesney Jo