2010-10-28

How Social Media Worked for IKEA


fbIKEA is known for connecting different components to make something practical, right?  In 2009, they connected with customers via Facebook to create a brilliant marketing campaign that engaged their customers for a store opening in Sweden.

To promote the opening of a new store, a Facebook page was created for store manager – Gordon Gustavsson.  This effort immediately created a ‘personality’ to the store and allowed and individual (Mr. Gustavsson) to engage Facebook members with the national IKEA brand. 

Immediately (and with minimal expense), there was a ‘face’ to the store that allowed customers to connect on an individual level – bringing them closer to the organization.

The Campaign

A 12-day campaign was launched during which time Gordon uploaded images of display rooms.  The first person to tag themselves on a picture of the specified item won that piece of furniture.  This ingeniously simple ideas quickly went viral (utilizing the mass of Facebook users as a virtual sales force) and had furniture aficionados watching the page like cyber-hawks.

Why it worked

This campaign went for a specific time period that proved short enough to maintain hype, but long enough to take advantage of the popularity of social media and traditional ‘give-away’ marketing.  It achieved accessibility by using a tool (in this case – the ‘TAG’ function in Facebook) that nearly all Facebook account holders are familiar with.

Better yet, it kept people coming back!  Unlike traditional giveaway promotion, users could ‘win’ at any time over the 12 day campaign which kept users coming back to the profile.  Additionally, the talk of the campaign in countless status updates increased the exposure by utilizing Facebook users as the mouthpiece of the organization.  Brilliant!

The results

Gordon’s profile was visited by thousands of virtual customers who begged him to continue to release new winnable items.  Everyone then knew about the store opening (the original objective of the campaign) and – as a bonus – IKEA’s online catalogue was distributed between thousands of Facebook friends for free.

As a brand, IKEA discovered the power of social media to launch store openings, reinforce their brand and create customer loyalty. 

Since this time, they have gone on to create an online community that includes a well-done YouTube Channel.

Terry
terry@aisoftwareinc.com  

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2010-10-09

By The Numbers – Part 2

The exponential growth of the Internet is almost unfathomable.  What’s even more amazing is the adoption of social media, check out the following stats – AMAZING!

  • 60% of all web users visit at least one (1) social networking web site.
  • On September 8, 2010, The Huffington Post published an article called:  Why YouTube is the future of the written word.
  • Users on Twitter grew 109% in June 2010.
  • Facebook now has half a BILLION (with a B) users.
  • Americans spend 25% of their online time on social networks.
  • 33% of women (aged 18-34) check Facebook when they first wake up.
  • Social Media/Networking adoption is up 230% since 2007.
  • 30 Billion online videos watched in April 2010.
  • Worldwide, social networking adoption is up 82% in 2010.

Gosh, if that wasn’t enough to fathom, think about the impact of all this online traffic of mobile devices, such as:

  • Twitter saw 347% growth in mobile browser access in April 2010.
  • Social Networking became more popular on mobile devices (vs. Desktop/Traditional computers) in February 2010.
  • RIGHT NOW, Americans 18 & under send a text message every 10 minutes (when they are awake).
  • Mobile app store downloads will hit 25 BILLION (with a B) by 2015 (if not sooner).

By now, your head is probably spinning (mine certainly is).  So, let’s break it down.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

  • If you don’t have a decent website – please get one immediately.  We’d love it if you hired AI Software, but either way, get online and/or get your online presence up-to-date.  Excuse the language, but DON’T HALF-@$$ it.  It’s likely the most important part of your marketing strategy. 
  • Stop considering Social Networking and DO IT!  If you’re still considering, read the stats above.  Social Networking is not a fad, it’s HERE TO STAY and will be a part of your marketing strategy (and will evolve) over the years.  You can no longer ignore it.  If your firm does not have the resources to tackle social media, then engage a firm like AI Software to help make this happen for you.
  • Consider mobile browsing/apps.  Ever heard of an Android, iPhone, iPad?  These devices are real.  It’s no longer PC vs. Mac.  Your online marketing partner needs to be aware of the possibilities, implications and opportunities that we now have.  Guess what?  AI Software can help!

No time like the present to get on board.  Email me today to learn how to put affordable and effective strategies together for your organization. 

Terry
terry@aisoftwareinc.com