Week 17: Wrapping It Up

 As the class comes to an end, I have gained so much knowledge on social media and the influence it has for business accounts. I didn't really understand the influence social media had on a business until I took this course. The different tools and techniques that can be used to gain an audience is very much powerful.   

Learning how to create and set up a business page isn't as easy as seems. So much thought, effort, time, and detail is a must. When we started off using Facebook for this class, I was in shocked at how beneficial the platform is. Mind you, I'm not a Facebook user nor tech savvy so it was for surely an experience. Plus, finding out business owners can schedule their content/ post was nice. Having that feature is so stress relieving. But, even analyzing other businesses to see what works and what doesn't work. 

The websites that had to be analyze like craigslist was useful. Most of the websites analyze had to many images or the font took up majority of the page. It goes to show what shouldn't be incorporated within your own and every little detail makes a huge difference. You want to gain an audience, not lose it. 

All in all, I very much enjoyed this class as a whole. Learning how to create a business page and the different resources I can use. Thank you professor Faulk for all that you have taught this term and I really don't have any suggestions for you. Have a great summer!

Week 16 Part B: Building Out Your Strategy

 TikTok: 

• Post at least three times a week 
• Each color wave of shoe has its own background / inspiration for content
• Use specific hashtags to have content on the "For You Page" 
• Join others lives to get recognition 
• Use trending sounds for exposure 
• See what trends are popular and combine it with brand 
• Posts will be videos of shoes / stories will be still imagery 
• Shoes being posted: Jordan 4 'Thunder',  Jarritos Dunk Low SB, Jordan 11 Low 'Yellow Snakeskin', Jordan 3 'Lucky Green', Marvel Jordan 1 High OG 'Next Chapter', Dunk Low 'Satin UNLV', etc. 
• Posts can be relatively day or night ( users are active at all times of the hour) 

Instagram:

• Repost TikTok content on stories and reels 
• Use hashtags 
• Create connections with other sneaker accounts/ join sneaker clubs 
• Have a models in some content/ just shoe content 
• Compare the different types of sneakers to what relates 
• Jarritos Dunk Low SB post will have an actual Jarritos drink next to it 
• Post between 12pm- 6pm 
• Consistent story of the sneakers offered
• repost any other followers repost of my content 
• 
  

Week 16 Part A: Developing Your Marketing Strategy

Throughout this semester I have covered how to use social media for business. Some platforms that I learned how to use were: Facebook and Instagram. When creating a business account on social media platforms, so much thought, detail, consistency, and time is put into it. Especially if you want your business to gain an audience and to be successful. 

As for my business, I feel that Instagram would be more suitable. Even though, Instagram and Facebook are similar, more of my target audience just fits with Instagram. There's so many tools that can be used to make my business become successful. Instagram provides: analytics, scheduled content, insights, orders and payments, meta verified, QR codes, and much more. 

Before taking this class, my knowledge on tools was very little. But as of now, it has definitely expanded. Also, the use of hashtags really makes a difference in the business industry. It can really influence and impact your business by targeting your audience or promoting it. 

Out of everything that I have gained from this course, I really enjoyed learning about the different tools businesses can use. Like when I read my peers blogs about what tools they discovered was very helpful. For instance one of my peers had wrote a blog post about Google and how it really helped their father's business which sounded like a great suggestion to use for my business. 

However, I don't have a specific time frame of how much time should be spent on social media marketing, but a lot should be put into it. You have to be precise, persistent, and detailed using social media. Too many posts all at once or less effort put into your posts can affect a business. I would say no more than 3 posts a week and posting on my story almost everyday will be good for my business. And of course, using hashtags on each post.

Week 15 Part B: What We Can Learn from Facebook Analytics

 Apple has made changes to their privacy practices that has impacted Facebook's ability to collect data for business customers. Due to changes in the IOS 14.5 that Apple created, gives individuals the choice to opt out of apps that can track them. The new feature created is called "App Tracking Transparency" or "ATT". It's impactful because some advertisers rely on Facebook to support their businesses. 

 The feature makes it hard for marketers to know if people are buying their products after seeing advertisements. Also, harder to know users behaviors. Many marketers had to seek other alternatives, especially those who solely relied just on Facebook. It has definitely caused harm to businesses. Even Meta which is Facebook's parent company believed that a huge decrease in sales would affect the company by $10 million.  

A huge factor in revenue for social media platforms are targeted advertisements. With the new feature, it messes up the business model. Businesses wouldn't know which users to target with their advertisements that could be potential customers. Other social media platforms like Snapchat and Twitter rely on advertisements and believe it'll affect their company sooner or later.  

However, just having the option to opt out may seem good in others eyes. They'll be more cautious and feel at ease knowing that personal data isn't tracked or leaked. But, there will definitely be a less percent of those who don't opt out compared to those who do. 

All in all, I see both parts of the affect Apple has made with their new feature. Business wise, it's very hurtful to companies. Can cause way more harm than they know. Although, it could be good for others. Just knowing what is done within your device doesn't save data nor have it tracking your activity. 

Week 14: Social Media Management Tools

 After researching many social media management tools or softwares, I've come across Sprout Social, Hootsuite, and Zoho. Sprout Social is a software designed to help businesses with its features of a scheduling tool and analytics. There are different subscription plans that are offered, but there is a free month trial to try it out. It can be very expensive to pay, but some of the different plans allows you to manage multiple profiles at once. They also support many social media platforms such as: LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, Meta, and Twitter. 

As for Hootsuite, this software has earned high rankings for its analytics and tracking tools. It allows you to engage in real time and discover trends. They also include a subscription plan like Sprout Social. Through any plan you choose to decide, you receive unlimited scheduled messages and other tools. But, there can be additional fees depending on if you want more detailed analytics. 

Lastly, Zoho allows consumers to manage multiple things at once. It's an all in one tool. Emails, projects, and accounting are abled to be managed through this software. There are plans/ subscriptions to this software as well. All plans allows consumers to publish, schedule posts on many platforms, have access to analytics and summary reports, and a Bitly integration & URL shortener. But, only one to three members are allowed on one plan. 

Week 13 Part A: Online Advertisiing - Analysis of the Marketplace

 On TikTok, I always get sponsor videos of influencers promoting make up product. What really draws me in, is the way the influencer will test out the product. It's like show and tell, but trying to convince others to buy the product. Once the influencer tests out the product, they tell the audience about the benefits of the product which could be vegan friendly or doesn't crease. It all just depends on what product is being advertised  plus the link they provide takes you straight to the product on the website to purchase. Although, there are some advertisements that I get from Shein that I find annoying. Their advertisement will only have like a screenshot of a product on the website with a link. It's just too dull and boring which I feel more thought could've been put it. However, Shein has influencers promoting their brand. I feel like the influencers do a way better job than the actual company .  

Advertisements have innovated over the past decade. From newspapers, billboards, radios, television, and etc. to social media. Social media is globally a huge platform society uses. It's very easy and simple to create ads. 

Week 12 part B: Business Specific Tools

Comments: 

• Christian De La Torre (Frozen Tower Treats): I agree with Google being useful for businesses, while LinkedIn is best for much bigger businesses. 
• Luis Godinez (Godinez' Gym): This is the first I have heard and seen about Al. Sounds like a good business tool to use. 
• Anthony McRoy (Dirty Diamond Fitness): Calendy and Acquit Scheduling sounds like a pretty cool tool for businesses that do services. 
• Sascha Shapiro (Tuesday & the Gypsy): I rely on Google docs too for certain things. Its very easy and makes it much easier to send to others. 

from reading off others findings, everyone had some tools uncommon, while there was also other tools discussed. Google was one of the common tools discussed which I feel is very beneficial when trying to promote a business. As for the other tools that really stuck out to me and discovered were Al, Calendy, and Acquit. Al seems like a very important tool when either being stuck on what to post or gaining ideas. Definitely one of the tools I look forward to using soon. As for Calendy and Acquit Scheduling, it makes it easy for clients or customers to book an appointment. If my business was more of a service, I would most likely used them.