Social Grace

Cortez, Vanessa Marie V.

MFGE20/A

Mari-An C. Santos wrote on her article, “Social Graces; Maximize your social media presence” in Entrepreneur magazine that social media is practically mandatory platform strategy for any businesses in the Philippines. According to UK-based social media agency WeAreSocial.net, about 38 million Filipinos use the internet with 34 million of them uses social media. She interviewed Francis Jimenez, a international marketing consultant at digital marketing agency Zesty Visibility said that social media helps businesses interact with customers and provides low-cost venue for advertising- paid and viral. It is also a good way to get feedback and address queries, complaints, and comments from consumers.

One example of social media marketing is in Facebook, it is said that there are 30 million users in the Philippines and still the social media king. Maximizing Facebook targeting strategy; targeting the right demographics, having a large fan base and consistently posting gets you in front others. Businesses should use Facebook ads as these can help them communicate directly to their clients. It is very cheap and targeted, the lowest budget per day is around P200 and when you accumulate ‘likes’ it can be a long-term advertising strategy. Aside from Facebook, there are also many social media platforms that can be use to avoid any social media hijacking on brand’s name by digital trolls like Twitter as a means of growing followers and announcing promos for 18 to 35 year old market.

Andrew Garcia, lead developer of digital marketing agency Mad Hatter Media, listed 5 ways when social media is use the wrong way: Not having a plan; trying to be everywhere; underestimating the time needed to manage account; inactivity and not maximizing the media.        

When starting up and posting, it is important to do a research and know your business, your goal, the target market, your competition and to study the social media platform to make the most of its potential. In the article, it is said that there’s a need of content marketing campaign that deals with contests, freebies, giveaways and promotions that followers can avail, a profile photo that represents the brand, and the important basic business information. It is important to plan resource use; deciding who will handle social media engagement. Profile should reflect the values of the company and to make sure social media persona jives with the target market’s behavior. A well- researched content will attract an engaged audience that always share, like and promote the brand for free. It is important to create a positive things about your company that involves the clients, the community and upcoming projects to build a positive image for the brand and get the results you’re looking for.