I remember the days when WordPress was young and Matt Mullenweg was just starting to kick out one of the most exciting and user-friendly ways to run a blog and self-host it. Then it got real beautiful and super exciting because the open source community embraced it. Developer and designers a-like, believed that if you enhance a platform for the love of it and to improve it for all, more people will use it. They were more then correct on that assumption, they were dead on. WordPress has evolved into a robust CMS (Content Management System) which is being utilized by a variety of different businesses and individuals. I personally have grown up using it, developing and deploying it for clients and I am a huge supporter of the WordPress movement. It was great to hear one of the co-creators share on the history and future of the platform. To read and see the address head over to WordPress – State of the Word 2011 or view it below.
Though social media has allowed us a lot of insight into market trends and preference at little expense, classical research methodologies are still something to be looked upon highly. They sometimes say “You will never reach niche groups through proper research methodologies like focus groups, surveys and case studies.” (more…)
Foursquare is one of the latest players in the social media market, quickly catching a following of over 6.5 million.The mobile-based program has been marketed as a game. It leverages itself as a social networking platform using “check-in” to local venues to gain loyalty points. (more…)
Many marketers believe that the internet has replaced classic research methodology. The interactive/digital arena has allowed us different channels or more accurately, a different way to approach research. The age of online surveys is upon us- with its panel respondents and “e-recruitment” approach. Gathering critical information has never been easier…
But is that truly accurate?
Beware, these new “quick and easy” approaches come with their own set of disadvantages and compromises.
True enough, social media has allowed us the ability to segment and plunge into market trends and preference at little expense. One shouldn’t confuse the ability to reach with the ability to gather information of those segments. They are two entirely different components of the marketing whole. Those that believe that classic research approaches such as focus groups, surveys and case studies are things of the past, may be a tad too hasty.
The alphabet of market research may contain digital media; digital media does not replace it. In the ever changing world of marketing (B2B or B2C) reaching “consumers” via social media is an integral part of your published content vehicle- it is important to publish text, video and keep above the tide of the feed. Not only will research help you to develop your target, it will give you an edge on the competition and help you in strategizing your campaigns.
Classic marketing research needed to adapt and it has. The ability to do online focus groups (no, not surveys) in the comfort of your own home is really something to celebrate! I recently attended one through an innovative firm, Head Research… and loved it!
The need for a concise and professional discussion protocol, with the added expertise of an excellent moderator can never be replaced. Just like a well engineered survey questionnaire. Market Research must be done well as it gives a company a strong backbone and further leverages investment potential.
Things have been challenging for print advertising. The rise of social media has made it apparent that online, mobile content gives clients more opportunities when trying to leverage sales.
The recession also didn’t help.
You’d think advertising budgets would go down, but is that really true?.
New trade ads show print media is investing in advertisements for advertisers – defining their readership in order to attract the right ones.
In the good old days, publications were the platform, period.
But according to Nielsen ratings, Canadian ads fell 21 per cent in the last year. And so print must respond, “We are worthy!”
Despite global cuts to ad funding, more and more publications have chosen to invest in their own in-house marketing departments and now ad revenue is climbing.
Media buyers and advertisers are selecting ad space with a critical eye and marshalling traffic for strategic placement.
The market is pressing reset, and largely distributed publications are launching these sophisticated marketing outfits in order to (re)define their readership and attract the right consumers.
Savvy of their image, modern print media is strengthening their revenue backbone, turning the financial tables by controlling what they have, in the past, relied so heavily on.
