andycj37-blog

[andycj37-blog]

It’s here, it’s here! It’s really here! It’s Week in Review.

On the rise

(TV) Andi Mack debuts at No. 12 after it featured the first ever coming out scene on The Disney Channel.

(Anime & Manga) Anime/manga fans, rejoice: One Piece jumps four spots to No. 6.

(Video Games) Cuphead jumps one spot to dethrone Overwatch at No. 1. We see you, Cuphead.

(Movies) In anticipation of its theatrical release on Friday, Thor: Ragnarok is, of course, No. 1.

(Music) Frank Ocean returns at No. 16 following his 30th birthday. Happy birthday, @frankocean!

Caught slipping

(Music) Yeowch. Hayley Kiyoko drops fourteen spots to No. 18.

(Celebs) In just one week, Katie McGrath falls eleven spots to dead-last No. 20.

(Video Games) Kingdom Hearts III is losing steam, huh? The game is down six spots to No. 19.

(TV) Brooklyn Nine-Nine may have taken a six spot drop, but the show is still at No. 10. Not too shabby.

(Ships) Do you guys even ship Sanvers (Supergirl’s Maggie Sawyer and Alex Danvers) anymore? It took a six-spot nosedive straight to No. 17.

The Strangest Thing

Here at Tumblr’s Fandometrics, we’ve never seen a show have such an impact on our lists as Stranger Things 2 did this week.

(TV) Stranger Things itself is at No. 1, of course.

(Ships) Mileven (Mike Wheeler and Eleven) and Jancy (Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler) have taken over the No. 2 and No. 5 spots, respectively.

(Celebs) Okay. Get ready. This is the most amount of celebrities we’ve ever seen from one single enterprise at one time. It’s a lot. You’re ready, right? Deep breath. Joe Keery (No. 6), Noah Schnapp (No. 7), Natalia Dyer (No. 9), Charlie Heaton (No. 12), and David Harbour (No. 16) debuted for the first time ever. Finn Wolfhard (No. 1), Millie Bobby Brown (No. 2), Gaten Matarazzo (No. 8), Caleb McLaughlin (No. 10), and Winona Ryder (No. 13) return from last year’s debuts. That’s ten celebrities. That’s half of our list! From one TV show! Congratulations, Stranger Things.

[andycj37-blog]

MY MARKETING EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED!!

Monologue:

Hello everyone and welcome back to Andy’s Marketing Ramble, I apologize for my disappearance last week, but that damn World Series almost cost me a nervous breakdown, financial ruin, and my semesters to go into the dumps, but I survived. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my beloved Dodgers. They gave it their best shot, but came up 1 game short. Let us hope the city of Angels does not have to wait another 29 years to have the World Series come back to this deserving city and fan base.  Anyhow, I will like to use this final blog a way to recap my awakening to content marketing.

 Marketing will never be viewed in the same:

As I bring this marketing blog to an end, I cannot help but think to how my entire view on marketing has completely changed. I started this course thinking, “Marketers and businesses will forever control how products are marketed to consumers,” boy, was I wrong. As my introduction to content marketing has now made me realized that the current and future approach towards marketing products is now in the hands of the consumer. Yes, you, the consumer, will now have the power to shape the marketing approach companies take.

No longer will you have to sit back and take the word of the companies, that their product/service will be a benefit to your life. You can now watch, read, and share personal experiences with products/services with other consumers around the global. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and other social media platforms that are in their beginning stages will give consumers all the channels they will need to share content about products that have made their lives better in all aspects.

Even as I go back and view my Instagram and Facebook pages to view all the stories and pictures involving many of my hiking adventures and the products used while I conquered mountains, I realize now, I was creating content for Merrell Shoes, my choice of hiking boots; with each post of my hiking adventures, I was sharing images and short stories about my journey with the hashtags #merrellshoes #mynature #hiking.

My Hiking Journeys Were Content Marketing:

Each of those aforementioned hashtags allowed my content to be spread across too many hikers that may have been wondering how Merrell shoes held up to hiking, and, you know, thinking back, I began to receive a plethora of follower request after doing so, and, little did I know, I was becoming a part of the marketing revolution. I had no clue at that time, I was creating possible content for Merrell shoes to use. I figured, I was just sharing pics and short stories with my close ones, friends, and some fellow hikers, but I thought wrong.

I was actually finding my place among the many other consumers that have begun to utilize their influential power in the marketing world. All these images below were my donation to the new way of marketing, I was creating content for a hiking shoe company that has no clue who I am, but knows that I truly enjoy hiking in their shoes. I know there are many more out there with better shots and adventures to share, but my content lets the average joe know, you do not need to be a millionaire to create content. My simple climbs up Mt. Wilson, Mt. Baldy, and, the Hollywood sign is enough to inspire those to give Merrell a shot, to give hiking a shot, and to feel proud to share their adventure with the rest of us.

In the end, marketing will no longer in my eyes be viewed in the same manner. I will look around me and seek out those opportunities that will allow me to add content to the social media realm and maybe one day, that company will choose my photo, story, or, review to use as their next advert, but whatever it may be, I have this class to thank for opening my eyes to the new way of marketing. I hope you have become inspired and awoken to content marketing over these last 10 weeks, because I know I have, and, marketing will never be the same to me again!! Therefore, I challenge you to share those images and stories of products/services that made your life better, make a difference, let those businesses out there know, you will be heard. I know, I am.

[andycj37-blog]

DODGERS WIN THE PENNANT!!

Monologue:

Hello everyone and welcome back to another edition of Andy’s marketing ramble!! I bet you guys jumped on your social media platforms and checked those hashtags I was talking about? I tell you, I cannot look at another postseason game the same again. I find myself looking around for content marketing elements and they are everywhere!!

Anyhow, I know this blog is about the important elements in content marketing, but again, my boss decided to let the reins free and has allowed me to freestyle my blog this week. Well, being a lifelong Dodger fan, and, being able to watch them clinch the National League Pennant last night, I am going to have to drift away from those content marketing elements and discuss a little family history involving the Dodgers and my family. GO DODGERS!!

 A Blue Family:

For as long as I can remember, my family has always gravitated towards the Los Angeles Dodgers, we would all go to Dodger Stadium, as a family back in the 80s and early 90s. We would sit around the television in our living room and watch the games with Vin Scully bringing us the story of the action on the diamond. How every way it was, we would always come together a family, because of the Dodgers. It was something that my father had proudly installed in all of us, 3 daughters and 2 sons, we all knew one thing was for sure in our home, YOU ARE A DODGER FAN!!

My earliest memory happened back on October 15, 1988, a gimpy Kirk Gibson, who had been the spark plug to the Dodgers’ magical season, and, did not start in Game 1 of the World Series, came out to pinch hit in the bottom of the 9th inning. I was a mere 8 years old, so, I did not understand the magnitude of the moment, but looking back, boy, was I witnessing one of the greatest moments in sports history, and, of course, my father was sitting right next to me. Well, if you did not know, Kirk Gibson hit a 3 balls – 2 strike slider into the Right Field Bleachers for a game winning and soul crushing for the Athletics home run. The Dodgers never looked back and ended up winning the series in 5 games. I probably thought at the moment, “Man, the Dodgers are always going to be winning World Series!”

 29 Years Later:

Boy, was I wrong. Season after season, I would sit back and watch those same magical Dodgers fade into a mediocre organization, and, another World Series title seemed like the last thing they would ever get a change at again. They just could not get it together, and, when it looked like they were close to doing something special, the Dodgers would just crush our dreams. Matt Stairs, Jimmy Rollins, the Braves pitching staff, Matt Carpenter, and any other player or team would send us packing, but my family never wavered on their loyalty. My family continued to go to games, watch them on television, and, cheer them on to hopefully reaching that promise land, well, last night, IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!

October 19, 2017, I was sitting in my living room, with a busted up knee, watching the game with family. I had been in pain all day, but it felt good to be watching the game with family, it was only fitting that after 29 years, I got to be around the same people that has the Dodgers’ journey even more special. I was on painful pins and needles with every single pitch, my memories of past failures would continue to creep into my thoughts, but at the same time, the joy of those awesome memories back in the day with my father and family became stronger and stronger, as the Dodgers continued to crush the Cubs. I thought to myself, “I cannot believe this happening! I have waited 29 years to share this moment with my family, and, the moment is finally going to happen.”

Thanks Dad:

When the Dodgers finally made the final out last night, and, the realization that they were actually going to the World Series dawned on me, I was fully of emotions, but the one that truly stuck out was being thankful my father installed that blue blood in me. It was because of that Dodger bond, that it brought my entire family, if even for a few hours, together. It is because my father passed along his love for the Dodgers to his family, that it gave us a common love. A love that has survived disappointments, arguments, and, distance. It is that Dodger love that has continued to be the glue that brings my family together. Therefore, last night was not only for the Dodgers, it was also for my family to be able to say, “WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!!” And for that, I thank my dad for making us, Dodger Blue Bleeders, and I know, my father looks around his family now, and, is proud to see us all in Dodger blue and say to him, “If nothing else, I did this right.” Thanks, Dad. WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!! By the way Dad, I followed in your footsteps and have made your granddaughter a Blue Bleeder as well, what can I say, I had a great teacher!! 

In the end, as I finish up this blog, you will still see, I have shared a story. A story that can create content for Major League Baseball, the Dodgers, or, for the importance of a father in the home. Therefore, even if you do not think you are creating content, you will be surprised that even if sharing the simplest of story, you are creating content for the new way of marketing, content marketing. Hey, give me a break here, I had to find a way to still splash some type of content market in this assignment, sorry, Boss!! I hope you understand!! 

GO DODGERS!!

[andycj37-blog]

Major League Baseball Embracing Content Marketing!!

Monologue:

Hola everyone, and, welcome back to Andy’s Marketing World!! I hope you guys enjoyed reading on how to STEPPS in the name of product success!! Well, for this week, my boss did not specify on any certain topic of discussion, so, I am going to take my freedom and run with it. In case you were not aware, the Los Angeles Dodgers will begin the National League Championship Series this evening against the Chicago Cubs.

It is a rematch of last year’s matchup, when the Cubs ended the Dodgers’ dream of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1988. As much as I would like to write this entire blog on how I feel about the Dodgers, and, it would be easy, because they are a love that was passed down from father to his children, and, I am continuing that tradition by making sure my child also a Dodger fan!!

Instead, I will stay focused on the marketing aspect of my blog and bring to your attention how Major League has embraced the emergence of content marketing this postseason, and, if you have been watching, you can see, Major League Baseball has gone all in this postseason with having their fans create contact for their marketing department.

#mlbmemorybank:

Major League Baseball has had the hashtag around for a couple of seasons, but I had no clue there was a bigger agenda going on, until, my introduction to content marketing. Any major league baseball stadium you visit now a day, will have #mlbmemorybank announcements on the jumbotrons, so, fans throughout the stadium can share their images and memories on social media, and, even have the chance of having it shared during the game, or, at least here at the Dodger Stadium, that is how it works.

It never truly dawned on me that us, the fans, were providing marketing content for major league baseball, but I have seen the light. A plethora of images using the hashtag makes it easy for baseball to locate those pictures, stories, and memories of the many fans that fill the stadiums, and, use them for many years, as, a way to show that a baseball game is fun for all to attend, and, a place that lifelong memories are created. As you will see with the images below, Major League Baseball has found extreme success in the #mlbmemorybank campaign, so much success, they decided to expand its usage to include hashtags for every team during this year’s playoff merchandise.

#slogansbecomehashtags

As this year’s playoffs continued, I noticed that each time a team achieved some time of goal like winning their playoff series, they would put on these shirts, and, clearly cross the front, in bold print was a slogan, like for the Dodgers, it was, “this team.” At first, I thought it was only them that chose to take this approach towards their playoff merchandise, and, I could sense they clearly chose to use a short catchy slogan like that, so, fans could convert them into create content marketing hashtags, or, maybe it is my marketing mind spinning and seeing an opportunity to create content. So, I checked, and, sure enough, fans across their many social media platforms were using their team’s motto to create content for each ballclub, and, content marketing was happening right before my eyes. I could not help but chuckle, Major League Baseball had officially embraced content marketing as their marketing strategy for this year’s League Championship series. The Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and of course, Los Angeles Dodgers were each given or chose a unique motto that would be viewed as their team’s battle cry, as, each team worked towards achieving their ultimate goal of becoming World Series Champions.  “Earn History,” for the Astros, “This Team,” for the Dodgers, “All In,” for the Yankees, but the last team, the Chicago Cubs took it even a step further and put a hashtag on their shirts. “#FlyTheW,” was boldly printed across the shirts of their team, the Cubs had truly embraced the opportunity to give their fans the easiest way to create content for the team to use and said, “Here you go, now go blast this all over your social media platforms and create some content for us!” I have to say, even though, I am no Cubs’ fan, I must applaud their approach, and believe me, those other ball clubs, shyt, those other sports leagues will take notice and follow suite.WELL PLAYED, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. WELL PLAYED, CHICAGO CUBS. GO DODGERS!! 

[andycj37-blog]

STEPPS In The Name of Marketing!!

Monologue:

Good afternoon everyone, and, WELCOME back to Andy’s Marketing Ramble!! I usually state something sarcastic and witty in my monologue, but with this week’s tragic event in Las Vegas, I will only say that I pray for anyone who was affected by the massacre and I ask that we come together and come up with a responsible and reasonable resolution to the gun violence hampering our great country!! God Bless America!!

 STEPPS:

This week, I would like to discuss with you an interesting approach to making a product/service stick in the world of business. Jonah Berger wrote, “Contagious,” on the foundation that these 6 elements will make any product/service put out for consumption will absolutely cement itself in the mind of consumers and become extremely successful. Social currency, Triggers, Emotion, Public, Practical Value, and Story are the ingredients that Jonah believes have been the common denominator in very successful products/service sticking in the business world, while others vanished quicker than winter in California.  Therefore, let us see if you agree with Jonah’s theory, and, if you can add other elements that will make or break a product or service in the market world.

Social Currency:

What do you think is Social currency? Do you picture actual money exchanging hands between individuals in society, or, do you picture something with greater depth? Well, according to Jonah, it is the latter. Social currency is the trends that individuals find valuable in upholding their social stature. In the world of social media, you, the consumer, or, any trend setter always wants to be seen in the coolest trend going around in society. Hence, “social currency,” of course, social is self-explanatory, you, me, and, all those around you, while you read this blog. While currency, is what you and those around you find valuable, and to those that want to be a part of the trendy topic going around, that is absolutely currency. Topics of conversation, fashion trends, restaurants, or, the hottest sports team in the sports’ world are examples of social currency, and, each of those businesses at the foundation truly collect the golden content created. Therefore, it is easy to see why this would be listed at the top, especially with the explosion of social media. Think about, which company would not want to be seen on social media posts, and, become the topic of conversation among the social circles around the world.

Triggers:

We all have heard the adage, “Out of sight, out of mind,” so, by creating products/services that keeps your product in the mind of individuals will make them talk about it and that only strengthens your products/services’ place in the market world, or, as Jonah put it, “Top of mind, tip of tongue.” Your product/service must create conversation that will make individuals discuss it with others. “Hey, have you heard about that Dancing Hot Dog filter on Snapchat?” Yes, that annoying, yet, somehow humorous filter had many individuals flocking to and talking about Snapchat, and, it would not surprise me if that creation did not bring Snapchat new subscribers, especially, after seeing entertainers and influencers using it. Why? Hell, if I know, but it worked out just fine for Snapchat.

Emotions:

When a product/service hits home, individuals will share it. I would like to steal a line from our government unfavorable conflict approach and put it in a bright perspective, “Shock and awe!” You evoke a reaction from someone and those images will start flying throughout Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and text messages across the global.  Humorous, anger, sadness, and the most important, AWE must be manifested through the viewing of your pitch. Refer to my last week post and the image of the hungry child, you do not think that stirred an emotional response and made folks discuss those adverts with other individuals, but for this week, let me use a different example. You all may not be old enough to remember this advert, but NBA Hall of Famer, Charles Barkley, had a spot for Nike, where he declared that he was not a role model, and, believe me, folks were not too happy about it. I am most definitely certain that advert now a day would have been made all the rounds of social media platforms.

Public:

Keep your product/service easily accessible and individuals will be more drawn to it. We live in a “Now” society, folks have so many things at their fingertips that struggling to find something will cause disinterest and make individuals to gravitate away from it. For example, I will use myself. I am an avid sneaker buyer, especially those damn Jordans!! Well, Nike has an app called, “Snkrs,” where you can easily input your personal information like size and payment, so, guess where I go when a hot Nike sneaker hits the market? Yup, my Snkrs app. I avoid the hassle of getting up at 6 30 AM, and, standing in line hoping they have my size, when I get to the front of the line. I set my reminder, wait for 7 AM, and, just hit purchase, and, if you are a sneaker lover, you know this is the effortless way to secure your kicks. Damn you, Nike!! Just let me know when the next pair are out and take my money!!  

Practical Value:

Use this approach to help your product/service create content value without using much resources. There is no need for your business to invest a plethora of funds into your content creation, let those consumers provide your product/service with valuable and compelling content that can be used quickly and repeatedly with minimal adjustments, as an advert, and, what did your business invest to create it? Close to nothing, and, that is what makes it very practical. And of course, now a day, you can pick just about any company that uses the content marketing approach as an example of practical value, but at this practical value created for McDonald’s by these students entering Cuban.  

Story:

The final element is just the wrapping that brings all these elements together and puts them in the glue that keeps families and communities glue together, stories. Think about it, who does not love an intriguing story that grips your attention from beginning to end? I know, I do. Story wraps together social currency, triggers, emotions, public, and, practical value in this shinny wrapping paper that individuals patiently sit around and wait for it to be unwrapped. My ultimate favorite was the Got Milk spot that showed the man that thought he was in heaven, but in actually, he was in heaven with a plate of oozing chocolate chip cookies, but no milk to wash them down.

In the end, you can see these elements would absolutely your product/service prevalent in a easily vanishing marketing world, so, do yourself a favor and STEPPS in the name of success!! Until next time...

[andycj37-blog]

REFLECTIVE TIME!!

Monologue:

Like the great Dodgers’ television broadcaster, Vin Scully, would say, “It’s time for Andy’s Marketing Ramble, and, a very good afternoon, wherever you may be.” Okay, maybe Vin did not say it that way, but you get the idea. I am glad to be back, and, I hope you guys enjoyed my breakdown of Coca-Cola’s “Content 2020″ strategy video. I truly believe it was innovative and absolutely the future approach towards marketing, for companies going into the future. Furthermore, let us continue to keep those affected by the natural disasters around the global, in our our thoughts. We are pulling for you guys!! Lastly, for this week, my editor-in-chief loosened the chains of creativity and has allowed me to freestyle this week’s post (God have mercy on his soul). So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s marketing adventure. 

My Introduction to Content Marketing:

I viewed my choices of electives towards completion of my Bachelor’s in Marketing, at California State University, Los Angeles. I noticed this course called, “The Syntax of Social Media Marketing.” My initial thought was, “Boy, this is going to be a piece of cake. I am probably going to have to start up a fictitious social media page, manage it, and pretend to market stuff on there, sign me up! Shoot, I am already a master IGer and Facebooker,” but I was completely wrong. I was introduced to this term ‘content marketing’ that began to appear everywhere I looked in class, read in my book, heard in the professor’s lecture, and need to understand, so, I could finish my assignments correctly. It was then, that it became pretty prevalent, content marketing was not only around me in class, but it was already surrounding me in all places that companies were trying to market products/services to myself and all other consumers. 

My Content Marketing Revelation:

I realized that this new-age approach to acquiring and retaining consumers was well under way. I noticed that valuable and compelling content was already flooding my timeline on Facebook, my wall on Instagram, and even, the commercials on my television. To pinpoint when this transformation from traditional to content marketing first began would be difficult, at least for me. Honestly, I was too busy liking posts, sharing memes, and tagging friends. Actually, now that I think about it, I was actually playing a part in the transition too, pretty cool, right? 

You Are Part Of The Movement: 

Therefore, think back to those commercials that smoothly transitioned from, “BUY OUR PRODUCTS!!” to “Let our company with the help of your fellow consumers show you how valuable our product could be to your lifestyle.” Maybe it started with those Polar Bears coming back each Christmas to enjoy a Coca-Cola with Santa?  Or was it, when you were shown how much help $0.10 a day would bring a hungry child in the world? Or, you could be sitting down somewhere now, reading this blog, and happen to look around to see content marketing looking right back at you (Please do not confuse that weirdo staring at you, as content marketing.) 

In the end, your marketing world is changing, and, it is being done with your help. Your stories, experiences, retweets, reposts, shares, and most importantly, your immediate input has completely changed the approach companies have and will take towards advertising their products and services to you, the consumer. Therefore, I ask, how does it feel to be a part of this awesome transformation? 

Examples:

Coca-Cola has always been ahead of the curve in content marketing!! As this example shows, Coca-Cola has used the images of these Polar Bears to engage and capture consumers throughout the busiest marketing season of the year, the holiday season. Can you imagine how much content this would have created if Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter would have been around, at the time of their creation. If I am not mistaken, these Polar Bears are not too far from reappearing on your adverts pretty soon.  

These heart wrenching images have been seen many times over on televisions, for as long as I can remember, I would be sitting in front of my television, enjoying a delicious dinner, and, BOOM, this would come on the television, damn, talk about an appetite buster. Again, these images would have been all over your social media platforms back in the day too, and, would have created a plethora of content.I have to say, it is disappointing that we do not see them as much in any of our social media platforms.  

“Sometimes I dream that he is me. You’ve got to see that’s how I dream to be. I dream I move, I dream I groove like Mike. If I could be like Mike...” 

Now that I think about it, Gatorade’s Michael Jordan adverts would have been content GOLD!! Can you imagine, how many times this would have been shared across all social media platforms? Can you imagine how many consumers would not have shared their stories through this marketing campaign. I wonder if it is possible to bring them back under this current content marketing approach? 

[andycj37-blog]

Coca-Cola’s, “Content 2020″: The Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Marketing Strategy.

Monologue

Welcome back folks, I hope you enjoy last week’s intellectual visit to Andy’s Marketing World, okay, okay, let us hold the applause until this week’s intellectual ramble is complete. Joking and blogging aside, let us take a second to wish the best of luck and recovery to all those individuals affected by the natural disasters. It is a tough time for the planet, so, if I can, let me take your mind of these troubling times and distract you with my marketing ramble this week.

The Future of Content Marketing Strategies?

Coca-Cola’s “Content 2020,” (which consists of some pretty awesome graphics) depicting the shift of Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy from “creative excellence to a content excellence” truly puts the transformation from traditional marketing to content marketing at the very front of the marketing world. We all know that at the core content marketing is value and compelling content, and, that is exactly the driving force behind Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy into the future. So, if you have not seen it already, please take 18 minutes (which is much less time than you would spend retweeting, reposting, or poking someone on Facebook) out of your time and watch it.  You may quite possibly be witnessing the marketing strategy blueprint that many other companies will be mimicking moving forward.

Coca-Cola’s Content Excellence

Content excellence, which Coca-Cola described as, “having a purpose of creating ideas so infectious, they cannot be controlled,” or as they called it, “liquid.” Those liquids (ideas) already naturally infused with aiding Coca-Cola’s business objective (mas mula), brands (consumers will find out about ALL our products), and of course, consumer interest (they think about it, they will buy it) will create conversation amongst consumers; those stories, excuse me, brand stories will create more conversation, which leads to more liquid that will continue to aid Coca-Cola’s business objective, brands, and consumer interested, and more importantly, forever create content excellence, which is the sole foundation for which “Content 2020” is built on. You, the consumer, provide the stories, Coca-Cola uses them to build content excellence, and, this will provide Coca-Cola with an infinite amount of valuable and compelling content, that are distributed systematically across multiple distribution channels of conversation, or, “Dynamic Storytelling.”  Coca-Cola will have to react and capture these ideas quickly, by expanding their technological and social media channel capabilities, because we will know Social Media channels and technology change faster than a father with the television remote control (Guilty), but already has the plan to connect with those social media giants of Facebook, Instagram, and, Twitter. Coca-Cola also knows they will have to build relationship with technological giants like Google, Yahoo, and Konnect, it is all built into their innovative approach, “Content 2020.”

In the end, you can see Coca-Cola’s “Content 2020” just set created a map that will aid other companies in adapting to this new way of marketing, Content Marketing!! Boy, that term sounds familiar, I could have sworn it was written about, somewhere in my blog. So, grab a Coke and be happy!! Especially, if you are a business, Coke just did all the hard work for you.

Let us look at some companies that would benefit from that same Content Excellence approach:

I picked Corona to represent the entire alcohol beverage market. Plus, I loved me some Coronas in my hay-day. Think about it, what better way to cover up the fatal after effects of alcohol consumption, by only providing the ideas that would make you talk to your buddies about having a blast enjoying some alcoholic beverages, and, sharing that story with your choice of beverage company, shoot, they already are. Just look at that hashtag, “#Corona”.

Example 2:

Popeye’s Chicken, we will use to represent the fast food industry. It is clear that a health conscious revolution has been under way for quite some time, and, one of its main target has been fast-food. Therefore, this innovative marketing approach that will allow companies like Popeye’s Chicken to distract their consumers from the dangers of eating that delicious chicken regularly, by generating content like shown above to spark the conversation among their consumers, that Popeye’s Chicken is truly the shizznit!!

Example 3:

Lastly, and, an industry will officially become legal in California next year would most definitely benefit from this marketing approach. The sticky icky, wacky tabaccy, devil’s grass, pot, whatever you choose to call it. The Marijuana industry will find that content excellence marketing will reduce some of the harsh backlash that will come next January, when they become as legal as that Corona up there. Stories of medicinal success, and, enjoyment of responsibility enjoying their joints will provide that content excellence and greatly disguise what negative effects may come along with its usage.

[andycj37-blog]

Content vs Traditional Marketing

Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing can be viewed as the marketing approach that many of us grew up experiencing. Television commercials, radio spots, newspaper and magazine ads, fancy billboards all coming at us in ways that made us feel more intruded and disconnected than educated and connected with the products being offer to us, the consumers. In addition, businesses are truly at the mercy of waiting until their ad campaign is over, yes, traditional marketing does have a shelf life, so, once the paid adverts run their course, you bury them in the advertising cemetery, and, a business must go back to the drawing board and come up with a new catchy advert to capture the consumers’ attention. Therefore, businesses have to wait and see if their adverts were truly successful in acquiring and keeping consumers, and more importantly, it keeps businesses guessing if their traditional approach was truly run with efficiency and effectiveness, or, what adjustments may be needed to achieve their consumer retaining goals.  In regards to the consumer, how does a consumer give immediate feedback to that commercial? How does a consumer response to that radio advert they just listened to? Think about it, are you really going to call the television station to let them know about your experience with a product?  Are you going to call into the radio show to offer first hand commentary on how that Dish Rag XL 3000 truly works? As you can see, traditional marketing does not give consumers much of an opportunity to feel as they are a part of something greater than just buying a product.

Traditional marketing lacks that in-depth connection to their consumers that many potential buyers want to feel in today’s market. Consumers have evolved into individuals that want to truly feel like they are a part of the product’s lifespan, better yet, of the marketing that is being shown to them. No longer will a simple commercial showing the consumers products without engagement from them will fulfill the urge to buy something. No longer will a business satisfy its full sales lead potential with simply putting a radio ad on every station possible.  Businesses must now do their best to connect with their consumer’s conscience, so, that the consumers can feel like they are part of the business, product, advertising campaign, and not just the bottom line. Traditional marketing may have worked back when we only had television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and telemarketers contacting us to buy products, but with the invention and expansion of Social Media, content marketing has become the now of successful marketing approach.

Content Marketing

              Content marketing which is considered today’s most successful marketing approach for a business to earn new consumers and keep the established consumers engaged, has grown tremendously with the ever growing expansion of society’s use of Social Media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Snapchat has become the stage in which content marketing has seen its roots deeply planted, and, where consumers and businesses come together to exchange content about a product. Businesses no longer must wait until their adverts are complete to see the full effectiveness of their marketing approach. Businesses can now log into their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr accounts to see in real time how well their marketing approach is unfolding, and, make adjustments from one Instagram post to another, and, see instantly how much effect it has on their consumers. And if you think about it, if a company can continue to adjust their content, that means its content marketing adverts are infinite. Businesses will no longer have to worry about an advert campaign coming to end, because it is their content, and, it can be repurposed as the product goes through its lifespan. Lastly, content marketing allows businesses’ consumers to feel engaged with their marketing approach and a part of something great.

Content marketing gives consumers a way to feel engaged, because they are mostly providing the content that is used by businesses. Stories shared on Facebook and pictures shared on Instagram about products being used by consumers allows others to see how exactly a product can fit into their lifestyle. Valuable information being shared in the masses, on products’ webpages truly educates consumers and keeps them loyal to the product, because they feel as if they are a fabric of the product taken by a company, and, in today’s ever-changing consumer landscape of consumers wanting to feel included and not just another figure in a company’s bottom line, content marketing has been extremely welcomed and successful.

Example 1:

In this example, there is no mention of purchasing Coca-Cola anywhere on this advert. Coca-Cola is sharing the story of this couple’s engagement moment being inspired by its product. In addition, it provides a hashtag that will allow consumers to become a part of the content marketing campaign. Therefore, as others add to the “#ShareaCoke-inspiredMarriageProposal” the content for this ad will grown tremendously, and, keep the consumers engaged, as, they will want to see who else submits their stores.

Example 2:

Again, you will see Budweiser no where on this ad asks consumers to buy their product, but in turn, they are seeking for engagement of the consumer to be responsible while enjoying some adult tasty beverages. In addition, Budweiser is providing valuable information of a code that will grant an intoxicated individual a way to get home safely after possibly enjoy some Budweisers. Lastly, this content will continuously be shared, without the company making a effort to do so, themselves.

Example 3:

Lastly, you will see that Red Bull takes the same content marketing approach of not suggesting to purchase their product, but sharing an experience of something that Red Bull is proudly a part of. Any consumer would excitedly view this visual and find out what exactly is going on here, and, would probably most definitely share this among their social media platforms. Once that occurs, other intrigued individuals will commence looking into it, and, quite possibly, find someone who has actually partaken in such an event, and, will gladly share their store.