Way to Go Groupon

To be honest with you I do not even know what 25 billion dollars looks like. But I do know that it’s a lot of money. I just found out about Groupon this week. I had no idea about it but now I do. Is it worth that much money? Well apparently it is. That is the estimation given to us. I visited the website today and it is a very user-friendly page. I like the fact that you need to sign up and become a member to get any deals. This is what makes it worth it. It can’t be just some stranger trying to get a discount. People who are on this page shop, shop and shop. Even if they are thrifty shoppers they are loyal coupon/discount lovers.

The navigation of the website is great and really distinguishes itself from Google, bing or any other search engines. I was reading how it works and it makes much more sense on why groupon.com does work. Again just like any social network it’s all about building relationships. First check your email, Facebook or Twitter feeds for daily deals on cool local businesses. This is the first step on how this website is doing it right. The next step is getting others involved. Groupons are more fun when used with friends. Pass along deals by email or broadcast them to your social networks. (YES I’ll follow you). The last step is to print the voucher or bring it up on your mobile device, and then present it at the business to get your deal. This is the easiest way to get what you want, when you want it. It is all about convenience. So is it worth 25 billion. According to a blog e-marketing for sensible folk it is all about perception.  “If enough people think that Groupon is worth $25 billion, then it will be if they spend their money accordingly.” 

The idea of the local advertisement is what will most likely help groupon distinguish itself and survive. According to Techcrunch local commerce is what makes the difference. For example, if I am in Florida one day and the next in Chicago those discounts will come in handy. I love Google but sometimes it’s nice to see others succeed. Take that Google, like you really need any more money.  

http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/

http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/17/groupon-25-billion/

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_13/b4221070014682.htm

Technology and its positives !

Advancements in technology have changed the world around. From social networks to the internet and then to our very own phones. Technology keeps changing day after day and nothing seems to be slowing it down. We’re in an era where technology has honestly taken over our lives. If you go to a party or any event what is the most common thing that people are doing? If you don’t have the answer, I’ll tell you. TAKE PICTURES! We are always snapping pictures everywhere we go. Where have you gone and have not seen a smart phone taking a picture or a digital camera on site. Let’s be real we all probably take a few pictures a week. So if everyone is taking pictures where are all these pictures ending up? Well the rate of printing pictures has dropped because of the use of social networks, so there you go. You are on the World Wide Web without you even knowing. Don’t complain about your privacy because you chose to be in that picture; not the website, but that is not for you to decide anymore. You could be tagged or not but Facial recognition software are so advanced now that you could be caught in a picture without you knowing. There are great reasons for using this software such as www.myheritage.com this website tracks down relatives and connects you to people that you may want to find out about. This website is one of the world’s first services to apply advanced face recognition technology. Another good reason for facial recognition software in the DMV or security services. The Oregon DMV or www.oregon.gov is trying to use this facial recognition program for actual privacy reasons. This way if a person needs a duplicate of their identification card the camera will recognize them and identity theft will be extremely hard to do. So there you go. Technology working for the best.

READ PRIVACY SETTINGS <3

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/news/cards_facialrec.shtml

http://www.myheritage.com/

Myspace me? Not today!

When I was in 9th grade myspace was the thing to have. I am 22 years old now and in college. Lostremote a social media website reports that myspace slashed 47% of its employees and is now considering selling myspace.com. I have not logged on to my myspace account for about 3 years now and I can’t say I miss it. Meanwhile, social networking has become the center of attention to everyday life. The main social networking site is Facebook and yes I know you are just as addicted as I am to this social networking site. Myspace is not the same as it used to be. In 2005 Myspace was on top and it was purchased for 580 million dollars but in today's world I wonder what it will sell for? Myspace is 100% differernt from what it used to be.  When you first go on to the main page of myspace what you get is a bunch of celebrities and music pages. Myspace changed throughout the years and its users have declined so much in the past years. What can myspace do to save itself from this self-destruction? Well it can definitely start by really figuring out who they want to target to. Is it high school, or college students, maybe even an older crowd? Right now it seems like they aren’t a social network, more like a music fan only network. According to a blog from Wordpress myspace is less than half the size of its younger rival, Facebook, and now officically in decline. They are saying that within the next five years who knows if myspace will even be around. Not only that but they saying that myspace “tried to hard” meaning that they updated the site over and over and nothing good came out of it. It’s true. When I was a myspace user things looked simple. The website today changed its logo and its looks a little funny. My________. Not very appealing. Sometimes traditional appeals to most people and most do not like change. This is also happening to Facebook but I speak in behalf of most Facebook users, please Facebook stop changing the site, and don’t make the same mistake as myspace. Forbes was definetly wrong when it said that the purchase of Myspace was "the purchase of the century.”

http://www.lostremote.com/2011/01/13/myspace-considers-sale-did-news-corp-stiffle-the-social-net/

http://www.forbes.com/2006/03/29/microsoft-myspace-newscorp-in_cc_0330soapbox_inl.html

http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/what-happened-to-myspace/

Review before you buy; its all about e-marketing!

The three steps of the buying/decision process were identified on a blog written by Anthony Miyazaki at: http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/.

These steps were the need/desire recognition, need/desire development and last the need desire Fulfillment. Although there may be many versions of the buying/decision process these are the ones that get straight to the point. But how does e-marketing fit into this process known as the decision making process of purchasing? E-marketing has the biggest audience. The online world is getting bigger and bigger by the minute according to the latest statistics reveal there are over 1.5 billion worldwide Internet users (Internet WorldStats, 2009).  But really other than my own family and friends who could I really focus my attention to in this blog? I could keep researching facts about how the internet works and how many people are on it but why do that when I have personally seen how e-marketing influences MY own purchase decisions. My name is Sharon and I am addicted to ebay. I do not know why but that is where a lot of my spending money goes to. Its not even just because its easy to use or in a lot of circumstances, affordable. What really gets me into ebay is the reviews and friendly reminders that I receive by email or everytime I log on the ebay.com. It’s like they know what I like already and little things like that fill the need/desire recognition. It could be the silliest thing-10% your next purchase- things like this start to develop your need and desire for whatever item you are into. Finally, when I reach the last stage is when that item finally comes in the mail. A review of the item is to be done and I do it! Now other people can read my reviews and start their own buyer decision process. To break this story down most people do look online for information before purchasing anything and this is e-marketing’s biggest component.  According to www.emarketing-strategies.com people rarely buy straight away. Few online purchasing experiences are completed without previous research, and the Internet makes such research easy. Shoppers do this to review products and compare prices. Everyone does this. If you are buying a lap-top you compare brands and if you are like me, you’ll believe a lot of things you read if you don’t really know about the products. There are also recommendations online that tell you where you should buy things. Customer reviews are an important research tool for online consumers.

According to www.bigresearch.com  almost ALL Internet users (92.5%) conduct online research before buying something and 81% of US online shoppers read product reviews by other customers when doing shopping.  Also 71 % agreed that consumer reviews make them more confident in choosing the right product (Nielsen, 2008). So from all these information I can say that I am very reliable on e-marketing in my own life.  I agree that e-marketing is at the beginning stage of the buying decision process which is why it is the most important in today’s world.

http://www.emarketing-strategies.com/search-engine-research.html

http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2008/Online-Shopping.aspx

http://e-marketingforsensiblefolk.blogspot.com/

A real connection in social media.

Everyone I know has a Facebook or a Twitter account. Most of us are connected to this online media world without even realizing it. In this age online media is a must for companies. The question is does it work? Does this truly connect people? Brands and people connected through an online network is there real results? Is there truly a connection by just a simple click on the "like" icon? There are over 50 social networking websites and this online world can get very confusing. I found a blog from Tamar Weinberg from techipedia.com on that blog she says, "I asked a big brand on twitter for help and they gave me a canned response. I miss the days when social media was more personalized." 

This is the real question to this social media frenzy. If people are not getting that real connection to the company online then they will never really be loyal followers of the brand. 

How does a brand truly connect with people? From what I know its mostly from an emotional appeal. People need to feel that connection and feel like there is something in in for them. From a book called Building Brand Value by Bruce Turkel he says, “people need to feel like its all about them.” In order to reach them you need to communicate in a way that answers; what’s in it for me? He also explains that its first hearts then the minds. In order for people to pay attention is to get them emotionally involved. 

Theblogherald.com says that there about 8 different reasons to use social media. One of those is to attract customers and another is for customer service.  These two reasons are the top things that establish a company and keep it alive. Just like the first example from Tamar Weinberg customer service makes the connection and if a service member doesn’t respond the right way then there goes the connection.  So in reality it doesn’t really matter how many friends  or likes you have. If you don’t provide the correct services then all those fans and followers will only be temporary.

links

http://www.inman.com/news/2010/06/24/6-reasons-why-social-media-works

http://www.techipedia.com/2011/social-media-connections/