Social Media: Decimal Means Business

Do you remember the days where socialising involved going down to the local pub and having a drink with your friends, or meeting your clients for dinner to discuss future projects? You know, actual face to face contact with another person?

I don’t remember them either.

Social Media is no longer a passing trend meant for hippies and teenagers. It continues to grow the world, with active user accounts now equating to roughly 29% of the world’s population. Social Media is here to stay, and it means business.

South Africans are spending an average of 3.2 hours a day on Social Media, unknowingly spreading news of different products and brands, good or bad. An estimated 68% of people are likely to purchase something after seeing a friend’s post about a product or service. With stats like these, it is no wonder the likes of Facebook and Twitter have launched new “buy” buttons, allowing businesses to sell their products and services to clients, without the client even having to leave the social platform.

And that’s just the start: 38% of businesses are estimated to grow (this year alone) by expanding or trying new forms of marketing. Do you need any more reason to relook your Social Media strategy?

However, if you’re going to harvest all the commercial benefits of Social Media, there are certain “niceties” you need to adhere to, lest you make your brand look like a noob:

1. First Impressions: Make sure your Social Media profiles are completed, with pictures and regular posts. Take 5 minutes to fill in the “All about You” information - your clients want to know these things
2. You are what You Tweet: The Internet knows everything, and it remembers everything. Don’t post or share anything that does not represent your brand 100%, but don’t let it stop you either. Not having an opinion on anything is worse than having a few people disagree with your opinion on something
3. Automation: Social Media is all about building relationships with your clients, but sometimes it is ok to cheat a little bit. For example, HootSuite allows the management of social networks, scheduled messages, engagement with audiences while measuring your ROI right from the dashboard, but it still allows you to post your own news, tweet, share and communicate with the audience on your own terms
4. Get Direction: Find a direction, and stick to it. People like consistency when it comes to what they are expecting. Pick a theme, and make sure you know everything about it
5. Grammar Nazi: Avoid poor spelling and grammar. Remember: the devil is in the details, and nothing says unprofessional like poor spelling. This piece of advice also includes posting in ALL CAPS. YOU DON’T NEED TO SHOUT, WE READ YOU!
6. #Hashtag: Don’t abuse hashtags. Hashtags actually have an important function in Social Media Marketing. This does not mean that you should turn every word into a hashtag
7. Stop Repeating Yourself: Sharing the same message over and over again is lazy, and sleezy. Also, Social Networks are smart enough to see the repetition, and won’t show your posts as much. There is enough news out there; use it
8. Explore Your Horizons, and Have Fun: Remember that Social Media is there to engage with your clients, not just to sell your services. Try new things, post different things and keep things conversational. Social Media is the new Face-to-face, afterall

If this sounds too complicated for you, then consider giving Decimal Agency a call. Now.

Not only do they manage your entire Social Media profile, they will put together an effective Social Media strategy that is suited to your brand. They are also experts at keeping to Social Media Etiquette, in order to maximise your ROI.

Decimal Agency uses HootSuite to keep content fresh and up-to-date, while making sure there is new content several times a week. They incorporate your current Marketing strategy, making your Social Media match your brand messages exactly. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - you name it, they do it.

With a dedicated Social Media Team, and an on-board Copywriter, you can be sure your content will be correct, effective, on-point and impressive. Decimal stays on top of the latest trends, news and social gossip, so you’ll never lag behind.

If growth is what you are looking for, then Decimal Agency should make up a major part of your Social Media plan.

Decimal: The Brains Behind Business Branding

Branding is defined as:
“a word, name, symbol, etc., used by a manufacturer or merchant to identify its products distinctively from others of the same type, and is usually dominantly displayed on its good in advertising, etc.”

Doesn’t sound too impressive, does it?

So why is it of imperative importance for South African companies, big and small, Retail, B2B or even Direct Selling, to start branding their businesses?

With the technological advancements of today, especially in communications technology, people are empowered to be more informed, connected, united and interactive. Consumers are demanding accountability and transparency from the companies they support, and are forcing these companies to answer fundamental questions: What business are you in? Why do you exist? Why should I choose you, when there are so many others to choose from?

“Your brand isn’t just a logo and a quick tagline. Your brand is the way customers experience you. A good brand doesn’t just happen; it’s a well thought out strategic plan.” says Raffaele Mc Creadie, Managing Director of Decimal Agency.

A global marketing leadership study, Marketing2020, found that leading brands go beyond the functional product benefits and deliver on a higher order reason for being, thus creating the highest valued growth brands in the world.

“Put simply, the brands that care more about who they are, and what they stand for, do better. The most successful branding is built on a strong feeling, a feeling you and your staff can commit to and can deliver on.” comments Mc Creadie.

Branding promotes the following key indicators for businesses:

1. Branding promotes recognition
2. Your brand helps set you apart from the competition
3. Your brand tells people about your business DNA
4. Your brand provides your staff with motivation
5. A strong brand gets recommended
6. A strong brand tells people exactly what they’re going to get
7. Your brand represents you, and its promise
8. Your brand helps you stay focused and get clarity on your goals
9. Your brand helps you connect emotionally with your brand
10. A strong brand provides your business with value

Defining your brand can be a long road in discovering the core of your business: it takes time, effort and patience.To save yourself the energy, consider employing a branding agency that believes in leading brands, not just managing them.

“Brand leadership is based on the premise that brand building not only creates brand equity, but it is also necessary for institutional success.” notes Idris Mootee, Author of 60 Minute Brand Strategist.

Decimal Agency, a dynamic, sophisticated Branding Agency in Johannesburg, believes in this approach. Not only do they believe in it, they follow this doctrine down to the last detail.

With the expertise and tools to move your brand in the right direction, this agency also takes on branding tasks with passion, energy and creative spark. Their services include: digital, design, promotional, social media, copywriting and online strategies and implementation to help your brand soar.

 We were given the task to create a new and engaging campaign for Soviet’s new Hybrid Fit Flex denim- #JoltJeans.

 We needed to capture the movement and versatility of the #JoltJeans while keeping it stylish and real- true to Soviet's Brand.

 The Result:  Amanda Reynolds and Shogn Lee came together in a classic battle that showcases the flexibility and functionality of the #JoltJeans.

 Check out the Video Here

This week, we have Art Of The Week by our very own, Dominic Thayne Evans.

A wonderful way of telling stories. It is simple and unique, in every way possible. With a simple directional light; a new life is born. 

Japanese artists Megumi Kaiiwara and Tathuhiko Niiima have made their own little pop-up children's storybook. The book is titled, Motion Silhouette. It is a simple yet amazing way to give life to the story being told.

Watch the magic unfold... 

I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here but there is nothing better than some bad ass GoPro footage. Here we have a guy who takes a leap of awesomness. It's a pretty epic roof jump. I'd be lying if I said my stomach left my backside as he was about to land the jump.