Online Video Marketing a ‘Must-Have’ Marketing Strategy

Did you know? 85% of the UK’s internet users viewed online video content in March 2013 alone.

As one of the hottest trends to hit the internet in recent years, online video marketing is considered a ‘must-have’ tool in order to take your business to new heights. A recent ‘Infographic’ released by ‘Brainshark Incorporated’ quantifies, the relentless surge in popularity of online video marketing.

Waseem Saddique comments: “Online Video Marketing offers a unique edge to marketing a business. Many business owners say that an online marketing video allows them to ‘personify’ their business affectively humanising their company enabling them to reach potential consumers in a much more interactive and personal way.”

Online Video Marketing has not remained static, it’s not just a big hit now, it continues to thrive and grow to even higher heights. Towards the latter stages of 2012, ‘Social Media Examiner’ revealed that many marketers planned to increase their marketing efforts through the use of online video, setting aside investment funds to launch numerous online video campaigns during 2013.

According to a report released by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), the result of increased investment into video marketing campaigns has led to a 12% increase in online video usage across B2B marketers at the start of 2013.

Waseem Saddique states: “If you’re business is considering using Online Video Marketing, the time for consideration is over, it’s time for action. Video marketing is trending phenomenally and shows no signs of slowing down.

Some key facts concerning Online Video Marketing:

#1 – 46% of UK consumers state that they would be more likely to source information about a product or service after viewing it on an online video.

#2 – Online Video Marketing is now recognised as the sixth most common content marketing strategy, with 70% of B2B and B2C marketers incorporating some form of video marketing into their overall marketing strategy.

3# - Online video database, YouTube, averages approximately 4 billion hits per day, with 61% of B2B and B2C marketers utilising YouTube to broaden the reach of their message and brand.

#4 - It’s estimated that mobile viewers will watch videos that are three times the length than those featured on PCs and laptops with predictions that the number of mobile viewers will reach 108 million by the end of 2013.

#5 – According to marketing experts, by 2014, online video could account for 50% of all internet traffic.

Waseem Saddique concludes: “Businesses should sit up and take notice of these statistics as online video will help them to reach a wider audience and increase marketing impact. Video offers longevity and holds the attention of consumers effectively.”

Founded in 2007, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services has consistently provided small to medium enterprises, as well as larger corporate firms, with a range of digital marketing & online solutions.

Instagram Impact: Waseem Saddique Marketing Services Studies the Impact of Instagram on Business Marketing

As Instagram hits 90 million ‘active’ monthly users, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services investigates how businesses can use the latest up and coming social media tool to enhance online marketing efforts.

What’s Instagram?

Instagram is a free mobile photo-sharing application which has recently reached 90 million active users with this figure expected to rise continuously.

Waseem Saddique states: “Official statistics, released by ‘Instagram’, reveal that 40 million photos are uploaded onto its site every day, it generates 8500 likes and 1000 comments per second via Facebook and Instagram now ranks in the top 10 most ‘actively’ used social networking sites in the world, coming in at number six.”

What’s the hype?

What is most notable about the rise in prominence of Instagram is the sudden surge of engagement that has occurred across the Instagram network.

Previous figures released show that the social networking site only used to generate 81 comments per second, but now it generates 1000. That represents a staggering increase of 1134%.

Likewise the network only used to generate 575 likes per second, but this has increased significantly to 8500, representing a whopping increase of 1378%.

How can Instagram help businesses?

WaseemSaddique comments: “Instagram is a photo rich networking site and ideal for displaying products before a network of 90 million monthly users. The potential in terms of advertising and promoting a product could lead to unprecedented interest.”

The concept of Instagram is most favourable for businesses that have products to promote. Interestingly, large corporate companies such as Argos and other ‘catalogue’ stores, which sell a substantial amount of products, have embraced Instagram and utilised it very inventively in order to entice customers by displaying how products work and how they look.

Whilst Instagram is arguably favoured more by product related businesses, those companies that offer services have also found a use for Instagram, just on a lesser scale, but still with an innovative approach.

Most ‘service’ focussed companies have used Instagram to provide a ‘behind the scenes’ look at their company, effectively putting a face to the name. This involves displaying pictures of employees, the company office and the very creative upload pictures of a typical day in the office giving customers an intimate insight into business operations.

What businesses should be aware of is that Instagram is owned by Facebook, having been bought by the world’s largest social networking site in April 2012. This is also another plus point for companies as any engagement  on Instagram can be linked in with Facebook if a business has a presence on the social media site. Furthermore, the photos on Instagram are also compatible with Twitter providing further exposure across social networking platforms.

Waseem Saddique concludes: “The biggest attraction for businesses that use Instagram is that it allows opportunity for a much more intimate level  of engagement with customers and clients. The fact that it is free to consumers makes it accessible to all and attracts huge levels of attention. Furthermore, as is a mobile app, available on all smartphones and tablets, consumers constantly have access to up-to-date photo feeds 24/7.”

Instagram works as an effective marketing tool for businesses on so many levels. There is a ready-made consumer audience for businesses to target, keeping product images firmly in the customer spotlight whilst they are on the go. As Instagram is a mobile app, a world-wide picture gallery is instantly available in the palm of the hand and images do not expire, once uploaded they are permanent unless removed by those that uploaded the image(s).

The power of the picture is infinite and provokes intrigue and impulse, particularly when it comes to products, therefore making Instagram instantly impactful.  

‘Be Smart & Take Your Tablets’: Waseem Saddique Marketing Services Explores the Impact of Smartphones and Tablets on Mobile Marketing

Attention all businesses, did you know? Owners of both a Smartphone and a Tablet spend more time and money on mobile shopping. Waseem Saddique comments: “According to research conducted by PayPal, there exists, an incredible opportunity for businesses to market themselves on a global scale by implementing Mobile Marketing strategies.”

The recent findings of the PayPal survey highlighted that tablet ownership increases the frequency of mobile shopping, improving the buying experience and leads to consumers, who own both devices, using smartphones more frequently.

As a result businesses have begun to target mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, to launch new and innovative mobile marketing campaigns. Mobile ‘app’ development has surged in the last 12 months as businesses look to expand the reach of their marketing efforts.

What the figures say…

•       More than 40% of people who own both a Smartphone and a Tablet made more than 20 purchases via a mobile device over the past 12 months
•       Two-thirds of people that possess both a Smartphone and a Tablet revealed that their overall spending had increased as a result of their mobile purchasing habits
•       ‘Dual owners’ are also 63% more likely to make a mobile purchase as opposed to 29% of people who own a Smartphone only

The Impact

Waseem Saddique comments: “Businesses that do not have a mobile marketing campaign need to seriously consider revising their marketing strategy. Businesses are starting to take advantage of this growing trend and are adapting mobile websites and apps for devices such as Smartphones and Tablets.”

Mobile marketing has become a necessity for businesses in order to tap into a massive consumer audience and to stay in touch or exceed rivals. Mobile marketing has seen a phenomenal increase with the emergence of mobile devices. After all, mobile devices allow people to access information on the go; therefore a mobile marketing campaign is a must for any business.

The revolution of mobile shopping is only set to grow and with Christmas 2012 on the horizon, experts are predicting a surge in the volume of people purchasing goods via mobile devices. This provides a great opportunity for businesses to engage and interact with customers instantly.

The impact of mobile devices on mobile marketing has been glaringly apparent. Mobile devices allow businesses to reach consumers via websites, social media (such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube), mobile applications and a whole host of other platforms.

Waseem Saddique explains: "In short, mobile marketing has gone global; there is virtually nowhere that a business is unable to reach a consumer, as the majority of the world now owns a mobile device. From a business point of view this is great news, because hypothetically speaking, businesses are able to put a marketing mobile campaign in the ‘pocket of the consumer’ or place it in the ‘palm of the consumer’s hand'."

The 4G revolution: Birmingham based, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services, welcomes 4G technology.

With much of the world’s data going mobile, businesses across the globe are adapting their online marketing campaigns for mobile technology such as smartphones and tablets. 

Companies that have not adapted their internet marketing strategies for the mobile market are being urged to ‘get on board’. In a bid to cope with more data going mobile, 4G technology has recently been launched to process all data at much quicker speeds.

Waseem Saddique comments: “If businesses do not respond to the rise in mobile technology usage and adapt online marketing campaigns accordingly, a number of companies will fast go out of business.”

There are a number of factors behind the need for 4G technology, most important of which is to manage the massive rise in the use of mobile data. As consumers frequently access social media sites, personal e-mail accounts and mobile applications whilst on the go, 4G technology has been launched to allow consumers to access data on a much quicker scale.

Waseem Saddique states: “4G technology is set to revolutionise the speed at which consumers can access information whilst on the move. Therefore, business competitiveness to get their brand in front of potential clients will intensify. The only way this can be done is to develop innovative online marketing strategies that can be adapted for use with mobile technology.”

Predominantly, social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, are the most frequently accessed applications via mobile gadgets. 4G technology means mobile gadget users can access such applications much more swiftly when compared with 3G technology.

According to the Chetan report, the mobile market is set to generate $1.5 trillion in revenue over the next 12 months, thanks to the introduction of 4G technology. From a business perspective, worldwide figures for mobile gadget owners are set to surge; therefore there has never been a better time for business owners to develop internet marketing strategies adapted for mobile technology.

Despite early ‘teething’ problems, 4G technology will change the face of the mobile market and in order for businesses to reap the benefits, they need to adapt to consumer needs and modify online marketing strategies to embrace the growing domination of mobile devices.

In a bid to assist clients with adjusting online marketing campaigns for mobile devices, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services offers comprehensive advice and guidance.

Mr Saddique concludes: “4G technology represents a new era for businesses and alongside welcoming the new technology, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services aims to assist clients in maximising the potential of what 4G has to offer.”

The Social Savvy Solution: Waseem Saddique Marketing Services Announces Record Number of Businesses Using Social Media.

As the number of internet users on a global scale rises to 2 billion, Waseem Saddique Marketing, a Birmingham based marketing consultancy, announces a record number of businesses are turning to Social Media to enhance their internet marketing campaigns.

According to a report released by Forbes, a record 81% of businesses worldwide are now utilising Social Media as a form of online marketing. Due to this surge, Waseem Saddique Marketing has revealed growing interest in the use of its marketing consultancy services.

Waseem Saddique, CEO of Waseem Saddique Marketing Services, commented: “Businesses are becoming far more aware of the impact of Social Media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and LinkedIn and they are looking to maximise the potential of such sites to increase customer bases and become more interactive with their consumers.”

Many of the businesses represented by the 81% figure now employ staff dedicated solely to providing that social savvy solution. Waseem Saddique Marketing is pleased to report increased use of their service as businesses make contact in need of advice and guidance on using Social Media to enhance online marketing strategies.

Social Media has become a widespread phenomenon, with a distinctive allure and the capability to reach out to audiences through laptops, smartphones, tablets and a whole host of other means. Basically, there is no escaping the reality that it has become an integral part of society that many cannot do without.

This latest announcement from Waseem Saddique Marketing Services comes as no surprise as businesses do battle to keep themselves ahead of competitors and in the sight of target audiences.

Waseem Saddique states: “Many businesses have turned to Social Media because of the reach it provides and the simplicity of being able to interact with potential customers. Social Media sites also allow for fresh and innovative approaches to online marketing campaigns.”

Further factors behind businesses increasing their use of Social Media have been revealed by SocialStatistics.com

One in every nine people on Earth is on Facebook (this number is calculated by dividing the planet’s 6.94 billion people by Facebook’s 750 million users).

People spend 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook.

Each Facebook user spends, on average, 15 hours and 33 minutes a month on the site.

More than 250 million people access Facebook through their mobile devices.

More than 2.5 million websites have integrated with Facebook.

30 billion pieces of content are shared on Facebook each month.

300,000 users helped translate Facebook into 70 languages.

People on Facebook install 20 million “Apps” every day.

YouTube has 490 million unique users who visit every month (correct as of February 2011).

YouTube generates 92 billion page views per month (these YouTube stats don’t include videos viewed on phones and embedded in websites).

Users on YouTube spend a total of 2.9 billion hours per month (326,294 years).

Wikipedia hosts 17 million articles.

Wikipedia authors total over 91,000 contributors.

People upload 3,000 images to Flickr (the photo sharing social media site) every minute.

Flickr hosts over 5 billion images.

190 million average Tweets per day occur on Twitter (correct as of May 2011).

Twitter is handling 1.6 billion queries per day.

Twitter is adding nearly 500,000 users a day.

Google+ has more than 25 million users.

Google+ was the fastest social network to reach 10 million users at 16 days (Twitter took 780 days and Facebook 852 days).

Google Instant May Boost Mobile Marketing

A beta version of Google Instant for mobile devices has been launched in the US.
According to an official Google blog, users of iPhones and Android handsets can access the tool with the click of a button on the search engine's .com site.

The feature works on mobiles in much the same way as the desktop version, by streaming real-time predictive results as a person types in a search term.

On mobile devices, the first suggested link will appear automatically and further results will appear by tapping the screen.

Software engineer Steve Kanefsky advised that pressing enter on the search button will remove the predictions and return pages for the user's specified phrase.

The launch of Google Instant for mobile comes after new research indicated the tool could have a "massive" impact on search engine optimisation if it becomes the norm.