5 REASONS WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS A GOOD SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

-Ankita Roy

“In the world we live in today, we no longer have a choice on whether to engage in social media or not. The question is, how well we do it.”

You can buy attention. You can beg for attention from the media. Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free. When it comes to marketing, what are the uses of social media and why it would do you good to hire a social media marketing agency? Why use this platform?

Marketing is no longer about YOU but about the STORIES you tell. A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is – it is what consumers tell each other. And what could be a better platform to achieve these objectives than social media and by the very people who specialize in exactly this!

At this point in the game, not having an active social media presence is kind of like pulling out a flip phone at a business meeting and then not understanding why your boss keeps giving Ramesh all the new accounts. But some people still own flip phones, and some people dig in their heels and say, what is social media marketing going to do for me? Do I really need it? Yes. Yes you do — and here are some of the most compelling reasons why: 

Know your customer base

Part of what makes things like Twitter and Instagram marketing so cool is the interaction you get to have with your customer base — you can read their tweets and status updates to get insights into their daily lives (and maybe adjust your marketing strategy as a result). What products are they buying and why? What are they doing on the weekend? What kind of posts do they love to share, and from what websites? You can also use social media as a tool for connecting with complementary, non-competing businesses, thought leaders and tastemakers in your space, as well as journalists who cover your industry. Sometimes, becoming besties starts with a simple retweet. 

Respond to customer complaints

If you make customers unhappy in the physical world, they might each tell 6 friends. If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends.

If there’s a problem with your product or service, you want to know about it right away. With the feedback you get in the process of social media marketing, you’ll be the first to know when there are issues – and you can take steps to resolve them right away. Study after study has shown that consumers appreciate companies that respond to customer complaints (and don’t hesitate to rant online to anyone who will listen when companies don’t take the time to make things right).

Stay ahead of competition

Did you know that 91% of brands are using more than one social media platform? This isn’t something you want to fall behind the competition on because it’s much harder (and more expensive) to play catch up than it is to get in on the game early. If your competitors get to your potential customers first, they’ll earn their loyalty and you’ll have a hard time winning them over. If you’re active and engaging on a variety of networks, you can gain those friends and followers first and your competition will be playing catch up instead of the other way around.

Tap your potential Customer

Customers, you didn’t know existed will find (and buy from) you. In the process of marketing with Facebook, you’ll probably join a ton of groups related to your products, industry and customer base. By posting links on these groups, you’ll help influence customers to check out your site. Answering questions You Can't Beat the Price (or ROI) of Social Media.

Get featured on a trending topic

When it comes to newsjacking, social media is king. Sometimes your brand is mentioned on a cable TV show. Sometimes it’s not, but you know just how to slide your product into the story to aim the spotlight in your direction. Facebook, Twitter, and even Reddit marketing gives you a front row seat to the news that’s becoming viral right as it’s happening. Jump in at just the right time and you’ll earn some major media attention — and that’s something you just can’t do with a traditional ad campaign. 

Get website traffic/Store Walk-ins

People view Twitter and Facebook as social networks, not marketing machines. As a result, they’re less likely to see what you post as an advertisement and will be more likely to hear what you have to say. This translates to serious web traffic when you link to your site and posts that market themselves as your friends and followers share what you’ve posted.

Simply put, social media marketing is part of doing business in the new millennium. If your business isn’t already active on social networking sites, now is the time to start. Before you go blindly winging your way into the social mediasphere, a word of warning if you will: PLAN YOUR ATTACK!! You can waste hours on social media marketing to no positive effect, therefore allocate some marketing budget to dip your toe and get some assistance if you are not 100% sure of how to approach the medium. That is to say, hire the social media marketing guys to do it for you. 

BRANDS AND THEIR KABALI CAMPAIGNS

 “Say no to piracy. Please don’t download the internet from Kabali”

There are numerous such jokes which we hear every day. This is because the legendry super star deserves all the respect and appreciation for all his work.

The most awaited films generally hit only the cinema screens, but Kabali is taking on marketing campaigns of various big brands too. These brands are getting into the marketing bandwagon of Kabali, hoping to reach out to millions. Even before the release of the movie, we saw a spate of products themed on the film and Rajinikanth.

Below are some Kabali themed products from different brands:

AIR ASIA

Air Asia is the official airline partner of Kabali. It announced special flights for the film's first day, first show. Die-hard fans of this superstar will now be able to catch the first show in Rajnikanth’s home town. The package, priced at Rs. 7,860, will be inclusive of the flight ticket, a movie ticket, an audio CD, Kabali merchandise, breakfast, lunch and snacks, reported Rediff.

AIRTEL

Rajinikanth fans having Airtel connections are getting a treat from this mobile service provider. Kabali SIM cards, caller tunes and recharge packs with unlimited 2G internet. Also as per their new campaign, Airtel users can send their wishes and regards to Rajinikanth via SMS. All the SMSs received will be compiled into a coffee table book and will be presented to him as a memorabilia.  

 

MUTHOOT  FINCORP

This Kerala-based non-banking financial company too joined the Kabali Mania. They are also an associate sponsor of the film. They have introduced silver coins with face of Rajinikanth embossed on it, giving a unique opportunity to the fans to own one such coin.

“This is for the first time an embossed silvercoin is being introduced for an actor. About Rs 20cr has been invested for manufacturing and branding activities. The silver coins will be available from the day one of the movie release,” Muthoot Pappachan Group, Precious Metals Division, CEO Keyur Shah said.

These silver coins would be available in denomination of five grams, ten grams, ten gram pendant and a twenty gram coin for fans priced from Rs 300 and goes upto Rs 1,400.

PVR CINEMAS

The multiplex giant too is cashing on the success of Kabali. Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Cinemas said, “The producers of the movie had approached PVR due to its pan India reach much beyond Tamil Nadu considering the mega star Rajinikanth has die-hard fans across the country to introduce exclusive Kabali merchandise at its cinemas. The patrons will not only have access to special Kabali merchandise at PVR cinemas but can also buy exclusive movie digital poster from its website.”

The range of merchandise includes Rajnikanth figurines, mugs and tee-shirts related to the film and superstar. These will be available at PVR properties across the country. 

START UPS

Not just big brands but also small start ups are taking slices from the Kabali cake. A mobile accessories platform based in Chennai, 'Cover it Up' has also tied up with the makers of the movie to feature funky Kabali-themed merchandise on its website. Chennai Gaga, a souvenir store is selling Kabali T-shirts featuring Rajinikanth

CADBURY

When all big brands are running behind Kabali, how can Cadbury be far behind? Cadbury promoted their popular product '5 Star as 'Superstar's Five Star. They have booked panels in buses plying in Tamil Nadu to have the Kabali posters with the tagline `Superstar ka 5 star’ and ‘Superstar in 5 star’. Not just this, they were also intending to conduct a road show opposite colleges and schools as well as in popular malls by parking buses with LED screens that will screen teasers, trailers and air songs of the film. They also came up with Cadbury5 Star Kabali Ad in their old series featuring Ramesh-Suresh characters.

FAIR AND HADSOME

FMCG major Emami has made its Fair and Handsome fairness cream a brand partner of this blockbuster movie.  Mohan Goenka, director at Emami said, “For Fair and Handsome, a leader and pioneer, associating with Superstar Rajinikanth, a leader and pioneer, is a natural fit.” A new #BeTheFire contest had been launched, where 50 winners were gifted ticket to Kabali success meet.  its commercial also features scenes from the Kabali movie.

AMAZON

Kabali waves have splashed water on the online e-commerce giant Amazon too. Amazon India has opened an exclusive Kabali store, which sells a wide range of Kabali branded mobile cases. They have stocked five different Kabali posters in a wide range of shapes like A3-1, A2, A2-1, A3-2 and A3-3. Other merchandise like key chain, statue, audio CD, Kabali Figure and lot of other things too are available at their Kabali store. 

It needs no mention that the power and stature of Rajinikanth is immense. Right from big brands to start ups all are trying to taste the success of Kabali. “Movie Kabali” has now turned into “Brand Kabali” Do watch the movie in theatre and enjoy the biggest hit of the year.  

The Story of Alma Mater

-Pratiti Nath

Ever dreamed of a store delivering customized t-shirts, tops and all other kinds of apparel? Alma Mater is just that. Now wait! it isn’t just any other kind of customized product selling merchandise. Here you get products customized according to the institution you are affiliated to. Your very own customized college products.

Origin of the idea

"Three years ago, two friends, one too many beers, one kickass business idea, one million dollar company… This, in a nutshell is how Alma Mater came about."- this is how the alma mater story begins in their facebook page. This company is a brain child of 2 people- Varun Agarwal and Rohn Malhotra way back in 2009. They hit upon this idea while reminiscing their good old college days over a chilled beer. That’s when the idea of catering to the needs of alumni of various colleges came into light. Thus, the name Alma mater. Varun started this apparel store targeting the necessity of memorable items and apparels for different institutions alumni. Soon, after that he wrote a book titled ‘How I braved Anu Aunty and co-founded a million dollarcompany’. This became an instant hit paving the way for him and his company. The company is based in Koramangla, Bangalore.

The Journey So Far

The major feature of this online apparel website is its “PLAY” tool.  As the name suggests you can literally play with the design, graphics, colour, fabric and other aspects of your desired products. Unlike other websites they don’t offer you selected choices. Here you can make your own designs and order them. Their unique outlook and aesthetic designs led to huge leap in profits. They manage to ship 15000 products every month. 

Keeping the target audience in mind the price range remains at an affordable limit of 450-700 rupees. Till July, 2013 they have sold 3,00,000 products. With the help of these tool you can draw doodles, make designs. As many as 800 fonts and 2000 vectors are at your disposal. Apart from that you can add your institution logo and change the background colour. Thus it provides huge pool of creative potential to unleash your creativity and wear it on your t-shirt. A plus point of this tool is its social forum. One can form groups here and easily discuss & build design with their friends. Till 2013 the response is substantial with almost every associations using it – from school students, college students to start-up companies to individual group associations. The company first started out-sourcing their work but now the manufacture & printing process is solely done by their 200 dedicated workers. This has removed the hazard of relying on others and minimized errors. With the incorporation of the PLAY tool, work has cut down further as continuous involvement with the customers aren’t required. One can just create their design and order it. As of now, they have worked for 2500 schools/colleges, 600 corporates, 100 start-ups spreading over 180 different cities of the world. This includes India and 6 other countries. Till May 2016, the company website registers 323401 happy customers, 15232 customized designs, 3554 college clients and 458420 likes on facebook 

Future outlook

The current focus of the company is to be the number one merchandise in customized t-shirt & products market. Their sole agenda is to completely monopolize this market and rake the 25-30% gross margins to even greater percentage. 

If Dogs had Twitter Accounts

-Ankita Roy

Happiness my friends is a warm puppy. Dogs are undoubtedly man’s best friends. They are the only creatures on earth who can love you more than they love themselves. No matter what you do, you can not dissuade them from leaping in joy when he sees you .A dog is a little heartbeat at your feet. All this and more. Dogs these days are smart too! They have taken this tech-savvy generation tail-on. With Meredithswift(Taylor Swifts dog),cookie(bethannie frankels dog) and many more celebrity canines joining the twitterati, we thought of a world wherein all the dogs had twitter accounts. After all….never underestimate the power of the common dog.

Just look at that puppy dog face!  

Youtube's New Fearure: The Snoopa Vision

- Pratiti Nath

Every day we go online and watch millions of videos – from educational ones to the ones for entertainment. Where do we get these videos? YouTube off course. Now, consider watching these videos from different angles. 

YouTube's new feature - Snoopa Vision does just that! 

On April 1^st, 2016 Youtube has enabled this option which allows you to watch videos in 360 degrees... wait for it... with Snoop Dogg!  Hence the name Snoopa Vision.

This is the brain child of the content studio Portal A and the Director Innovation of YouTube Ben Relles. Guess who is the project architect of this project? None other than Rapper himself Snoop Dogg. According to Youtube this won’t be out until a decade but a β-version of it has added the “Snoopa Vision” icon beside the “settings” options. They will role it out to all YouTube videos by 19^th  January, 2031. Clicking the icon will take you to a list of top most viral videos viewed by Snoop Dogg, Olga Kay and some other famous YouTubers. 

So there you go it’s an April fool’s prank from Youtube which enables you to watch videos in 360 degrees with Snoop Dogg and other famous YouTubers. It’s virtual reality with Snoop Dogg!

Watch the Video Here!

Want to watch videos with Snoop Dogg?

The Ice-Cream Van in SnoopaVision

MOMMYS BIG SECRET :) in SnoopaVision

Little Boy Trying to Break Board in Taekwondo in SnoopaVision