March 13, 2019

2018 Social Media Trends: Were We Right On The Money?

In 2018, we suggested that Hawaii brands try out these four social media trends: Stories, Transparency, A.I. and Chatbots, and Videos and Live Streaming. Now it’s time to check-in to see if these trends lived up to the hype in 2018 and what their future looks like for 2019.

Need help executing high-quality marketing campaigns that utilize the latest trends to achieve your business goals? Send us an email at info@www.teamvision.com or give us a call at (808) 536-0416.

Did you land on our Hawaii Marketing Tips blog by accident while searching for Team Vision Marketing? Please visit our homepage, creative portfolio or client video testimonials.

1. Stories

2018: Stories include photo or video content that is only available for 24 hours and they are quickly growing in popularity. This type of content is versatile; the possibilities of content are endless. Brands have been using stories for branding, promoting, and advertising.

The following infographic, compiled by story-experience producer Fastory, shows the popularity growth of stories.

The Verdict: 2018 was a major win for the story format.

The Stories trend continues to be victorious! EMarketer reported that 400 million people used Instagram Stories, 450 million use What’s App Stories (owned by Facebook), 300 million used Facebook Stories, and 186 million used SnapChat Stories.

In fact, its wild success got Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, to claim that stories will eventually be bigger than the News Feed. Many other prominent brands, such as Facebook, Vogue, Microsoft, and Deutsche Bank, recognize the influence and see a strong future for this new content and ad placement medium.

So, what’s next for Stories? SocialMediaToday.com reports that Instagram is currently testing a new Stories feature where users can ask their followers to donate to their favorite charities. Another new Story feature in the works, as reported by Mashable.com, will give Netflix users the ability to share what they’re watching on the Netflix app to their Instagram Stories. This means that brands could possibly have another organic way to interact with the story format beyond posting on stories or buying ads.

2. Transparency

2018: One of the greatest (and sometimes worst) things about being on social media is how quick news spreads. One tweet or post can go viral, and with this political climate, people are feeling more empowered to voice their opinions. Audiences are demanding change, transparency, and advocating for social justice (i.e. #MeToo and #MarchForOurLives).

81% of consumers say social media increased accountability for businesses
47% of consumers use social media for complaints
Only 8% of consumers say they would be silent if a brand posted something inappropriate

Statistics provided by Social Sprout.

The Verdict: Transparency is evolving and the public want brands to be more transparent.

Last year some brands and influencers are really making an effort to appease the demand for transparency and social justice movements:

Last year, Facebook made some major changes in the social media’s platform algorithms and security measures after sitting on the hot seat before the public and court.
CVS is debuting a new social campaign where consumers are encouraged to upload their own unaltered photos under #beautyunaltered to social media for the chance to have them displayed on the brand’s Times Square billboard. As part of the effort, CVS partnered with lifestyle influencers Sara and Erin Foster on a new Beauty Mark t-shirt; proceeds will support nonprofit Girls Inc.
An increasing amount of celebrities and social media influencers are pledging to improve the way they declare sponsored posts and endorsing goods.

Although extra transparency actions taken by Facebook and other brands are appreciated, there is still so much room for improvement. Jen Wong, COO of Reddit, says, “There’s going to be a much longer arc [in 2019] around this movement around data transparency and management.” According to a Sprout Social report, topics consumers want brands to be more transparent on business operations, marketing, policy changes, and business values.

For 2019, brands have two challenges to overcome: 1) Go deeper in their transparency and 2) Create new, engaging ways to address public issues as big as scandals to individual complaints on products and services other than press releases and replies in the comment section.

3. Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Chatbots

2018: To help effectively communicate with consumers, more brands are using chatbots or A.I. programs to increase positive experiences, handle customer service, complete purchases, or to provide more information about a product or service. According to CMO by Adobe, 72% of business leaders agree that A.I. can provide a fundamental business advantage. These bots can help your brand identify business issues, compile data, and target audiences with your posts better.

Read more A.I. statistics from CMO by Adobe.

The Verdict: How did we live without AI?

The growth in AI usage is undeniable. According to Hootsuite, the International Data Centre reported that worldwide spending on AI solutions will increase more than 22.1% from January 2017 – that’s $103 billion. In 2018, Salesforce’s State of Marketing reported that 52% of consumers are more inclined to change brands if a company doesn’t offer personalized communication.

The future for AI Marketing in 2019 is to incorporate it into personalized marketing strategies to form a deeper relationship with their consumers. Big names, such as Digital North America, Reddit, Unilever, and Clorox, say that data marketing, data-driven marketing, AI, and personalized marketing is the future.

4. Videos & Live Streaming

2018: Live streaming and videos are quickly becoming an important tool to communicate and market your brand. They add authenticity, keep your audience engaged, and can get your audience talking about your brand. Video also entertains and can help influence purchases.

Here are some tips for creating successful videos and live streams:

Catch the audience’s attention in the first 7 seconds
Rehearse before filming live
Have a concise message
Host a live Q & A and get your audience to post their questions on your social platforms

Check out Team Vision’s video work.

Read more video and live streaming tips.

The Verdict: The stats don’t lie! Make 2019 the year you start video marketing.

If your brand is not on the video and live streaming train, you better hop on now. Why deny your brand from using the top engaging media format, which has been a staple in digital marketing for years? If you want to stay relevant to your current audience and attract potential consumers, get your team started on producing videos, building their skills in video/live streaming, and collecting data on what engages with your audience most. Still need convincing? Here are some stats from 2018 that prove the success of videos and live streams:

If you’re looking for help with your Hawaii Social Media Marketing, give Team Vision Marketing a call at (808) 536-0416, or check out samples of our social media work in our extensive online marketing portfolio at www.www.teamvision.com/portfolio.

To read more about social media marketing tips, please check out and subscribe to our Hawaii Marketing Tips Blog.

Hear from Dolly Moreno, Director of Sales & Marketing, Honua Kai Resort & Spa, on her experience working with Team Vision Marketing.

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Call Us Today at (808) 536-0416.

March 6, 2019

Let’s Get Personal: How To Win At Personalized Marketing

If you’ve landed on our Hawaii Marketing Tips blog by accident while searching for Team Vision Marketing, please visit our homepage, creative portfolio or client video testimonials. If you’re interested in learning more about Personalized Marketing, please continue reading.

Let’s Get Personal: How To Win At Personalized Marketing

How sweet is it when brands remember your birthday or curate suggested items that are complementary to your taste? It’s as if the brands really know you and really go the extra mile to give you great customer service. This level of VIP treatment can be accomplished by personalized marketing, a very important branding tool.

Today, brands are constantly seeking out technologies and strategies to efficiently pursue a deeper relationship with their consumers and increase brand awareness by personalizing their brand experience. For a lot of local Hawaii businesses, it is almost impossible and highly impractical to execute a well thought out personalized marketing strategies without the aid of Artificial Intelligent (AI) technology or the help of a competent advertising and marketing agency.

Personalized marketing and using AI technology is tricky because it can easily give an impression of a brand being invasive or annoying to your consumers. To guide you, here are some recommended personalized marketing strategies for you to try out in 2019. If you need help in setting up these personalized marketing strategies into your 2019 marketing plan, give Team Vision a call at (808) 536-0416.

But What Is Personalized Marketing?

Personalized marketing is any marketing strategy or campaign that goes into a personal level with your consumers. The main goal of personalized marketing is to convert your consumers into brand loyalists. This is vital to branding your business. It’s believed that personalizing marketing strategies will make each individual feel extra special and form a deeper connection between consumers and your brand, despite the fact that thousands of other people received the same messaging.

What Role Does AI Technology Play In Personalized Marketing?

AI is one of today’s best marketing tools. When combining data analysis and AI, brands can deliver curated messages and other marketing materials based on customer data.

AI commands high interest and investment from businesses around the world. A 2018 PwC survey reports that 27% of companies around the world use AI technology, and 20% more plan to utilize it later in 2019. Recent predictions foresee that companies worldwide will spend $11.45 billion on AI technology.

With AI Technology, Marketers Can Achieve:

Collecting Insightful Consumer Data

The more information collected, the more you understand your consumer. This will help you develop and target your personalized marketing more efficiently and accurately.

Sorting And Organizing Data

Segmenting the data into groups helps brands identify not only who to they can direct their personal marketing strategies to, but what type of information they prefer to receive.

Finding The Best Channels To Reach Their Audience & Sending Automated Personalized Responses

This function will free your employees from doing the mundane, repetitive tasks to focus on higher-value work

Recommended Personalized Marketing Strategies Using AI Technology:

Create Automated Follow-Ups Or Reminders.

Local businesses can send an automated follow-up after consumer registration, an event, purchase, or delivery. While, Hawaii service-based industries, such as doctors or hair salons, can send automated reminders for upcoming appointments. This strategy is ideal for encouraging repeat purchases, maintaining good customer service, creating a following, and engaging with audiences.

This can also remedy the abandoned cart issue. Brands can either send a soft follow-up or offer an incentive to encourage their audience to complete their purchase.

Check-In And Ask For Feedback On Your Products And Services.

We recommend offering an incentive to encourage participation. For example, participants can receive 10% off their next purchase if they complete a short survey on their latest purchase.

Create Personalized Emails And Enewsletters.

This strategy might include emailing reminders for restocking products, sending educational materials, etc. Personalized emails are great for encouraging monthly subscriptions and ensuring that you’re giving great customer service.

Take this opportunity to expand your brand’s awareness by educating your consumers on your products or services. Show your audience how you stand out from your competition and why you are the best choice for their future purchases and orders.

Personalize The Opt-in and Opt-out Options.

Let the consumers decide the frequency and the type of marketing materials they will receive. It makes them feel more in control and gives insightful information on what materials your consumers prefer to receive. Most importantly, your brand won’t be a nuisance to the consumer.

Create Interactive Materials.

Marketing is now all about tailored experiences. Let your consumers explore the product, service, or your brand on their own terms with impressive functions, such as an interactive site map or a tutorial.

Curate Or Cater Marketing Strategies Based On Consumer Data.

After collecting consumer data, either through surveys or past purchases, organize your consumers into databases. Then, create marketing materials specifically for each database. Consumers might appreciate this because it saves them time from browsing or, discover new products or services.

For our client, Castle & Cooke Hawaii, we designed and programmed their Web Advantage Program (WAP), which logs registered prospective buyers into databases in exchange for exclusive benefits, such as information on upcoming real estate projects. During the WAP registration, prospective buyers are required to answer engaging questions in our quick questionnaire. Based on the results of their questionnaire, the program segment the prospective buyers into databases based on when they expect to be buying a home if they have a family, or what community are they interested in learning more about. The WAP program databases help our team create the best marketing programs and target the best people for them.

Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries, And Other Celebratory Occasions.

This is an extra bonus, but when companies like Sephora, wish you a “happy birthday” or offer a free sample or a birthday discount as a gift, anyone would feel special.

Tips:

Develop More Personalized Messages.

Put more effort into the messaging and make it sound more relaxed and casual than corporate. Make it enjoyable and easy to understand.

Make The Questions On Your Surveys And Questionnaires Short And Sweet.

Instead of having your consumers fill out 100 questions, take it apart into 10 or even fewer questions and send it periodically. Consider writing concise questions and simplify the selection of answers with pictures, provide a rating scale, or create multiple choice answers.

Get Creative And Make It Fun.

Design something engaging to encourage participation. Give the questionnaire a theme or create a “personality” quiz. Check out BuzzFeed quizzes for inspiration.

Don’t Go Full Out On AI Tech.

It’s important to add actual human elements. This is especially true for customer services. Customer services can use AI to help the consumer find the right department to talk to and collect data on what the brand needs to improve on.

In order to efficiently pursue a deeper relationship with their consumers in today’s market, local Hawaii brands need to invest their efforts into incorporating personalized marketing strategies into their new year’s marketing plan. AI technology and the help of an accomplished advertising and marketing agency, like Team Vision Marketing, can offer a simplified, smooth execution.

To help you set up and recommend the best personalized marketing strategies or AI technology, reach out to Team Vision. We are more than happy to help you with all your marketing needs.

Team Vision Marketing has been serving local brands from O’ahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kaua’i for over 20 years – check our past creative works in our portfolio. Then, subscribe to our marketing tips blog to stay up to date on today’s advertising and marketing trends.

Listen to what Harry A. Saunders, President of Castle & Cooke Hawaii, has to say on his experience working with Team Vision.

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Contact Us for Help with your Personalized Marketing

Call Us Today at (808) 536-0416.

April 2, 2018

Social Media Trends

No one can deny the importance and impact of social media marketing. It’s effective, fun, innovative, and a great way to connect with your target audience. But to truly succeed in social media marketing, brands have to stay on top of trends and become experts in all the cool updates.

Check out our social media marketing works here.

Our team suggests that brands should try out these four social media trends: Stories, Transparency, A.I. and Chatbots, and Videos and Live Streaming.

1. Stories

Stories include photo or video content that is only available for 24 hours and they are quickly growing in popularity.

The following infographic, compiled by story-experience producer Fastory, shows the popularity growth of stories.

Growth of Stories Format

Whether you post stories to SnapChat or Instagram, this type of content is great for adding brand personality, promoting, advertising, or increasing engagement. The possibilities of content are endless, too. Brands can create stories about promotions, announcements, behind-the-scenes footage, and so on.

Instagram Stories

Check out Team Vision’s work on Instagram’s Stories, follow @teamvisionhi.

Read more on Rise of the Story Format.

2. Transparency

One of the greatest (and sometimes worst) things about being on social media is how quick news spreads. One tweet or post can go viral, and with this political climate, people are feeling more empowered to voice their opinions. Audiences are demanding change, transparency, and advocating for social justice (i.e. #MeToo and #MarchForOurLives).

81% of consumers say social media increased accountability for businesses
47% of consumers use social media for complaints
Only 8% of consumers say they would be silent if a brand posted something inappropriate

Statistics provided by Social Sprout.

3. Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and Chatbots

To help effectively communicate with consumers, more brands are using chatbots or A.I. programs to increase positive experiences, handle customer service, complete purchases, or to provide more information about a product or service. According to CMO by Adobe, 72% business leaders agree that A.I. can provide a fundamental business advantage. These bots can help your brand identify business issues, compile data, and target audiences with your posts better.

Read more A.I. statistics from CMO by Adobe.

4. Videos & Live Streaming

Live streaming and videos are quickly becoming an important tool to communicate and market your brand. They add authenticity, keep your audience engaged, and can get your audience talking about your brand. Video also entertains and can help influence purchases.

Here are some tips for creating successful videos and live streams:

Catch the audience’s attention in the first 7 seconds
Rehearse before filming live
Have a concise message
Host a live Q & A and get your audience to post their questions on your social platforms

Check out Team Vision’s video work.

Read more video and livestreaming tips.

If you’re looking for help with your Hawaii Social Media Marketing, give Team Vision Marketing a call at (808) 536-0416, or check out samples of our social media work in our extensive online marketing portfolio at www.www.teamvision.com/portfolio.