Online social networks are proving the perfect space for brand messaging, as marketers shift their strategies and up their ad spend on these social sites. As advertisers harness all the potential that social media can offer, is your training company lacking a little online oomph?
The entertainment and food and drink sectors seem particularly keen to tap this online resource as they are now buying the bulk of adverts on Facebook. In fact, the volume of ad impressions bought by companies in these sectors (as well as in the beauty, automotive and games industries) has risen by around 117% during 2011, according to TBG Digital in a Financial Times report this week. It just goes to show how valuable these online resources have become to brands and how social networking has emerged as an important business tool.
Interestingly, brand advertisers spend a great deal of money on communicating with the public via Facebook because they claim people are in a relaxed frame of mind when using this site. If they’re relaxed, it’s more likely they’ll be receptive to the brand messages. In addition, ads can be carefully targeted so they reach the desired audience at the desired time.
Social networking sites have become a hugely popular channel of communication, with many people checking for updates daily – if not hourly. Also, unlike an email or phone call – it’s an easier, less intrusive way to communicate with people outside of business hours such as weekends and evenings. This increased scope of communication makes social networking the stuff of dreams for any marketing team. Having access to your community and engaging with them at these times, on a more informal level, can help increase uptake of an idea, campaign or product.
In a similar way, online booking systems could prove incredibly beneficial when it comes to maximising sales potential of training courses and other development programmes. With an online booking system in place, customers can sign up for an event whenever and wherever they are – whether that’s at the weekend or in the middle of the night!
In short, businesses from a whole range of industries are starting to fully appreciate the increased accessibility and communication opportunities offered by social media. Moreover, they’re acknowledging this by significantly bumping up their ad spend in these areas. The training industry should take note of these shifts in strategy and look to online potential to boost their own engagement levels.
Most of us are online every single day – it’s a familiar landscape, it’s comfortable and convenient. If training companies fail to make the most of online systems they could really be losing out on a vast and captive potential audience.
If you think the option of online booking could boost attendances of training programmes that you run, or would just like to test a demo of the accessplanit Course Manager software, get in touch with the team today on 0845 5430229 or email enquiries@ accessplanit.com.