Social Purpose 2: ARGOS

Argos is a unique multi-channel retail organisation recognized for choice, value and convenience. The organisation deals with general merchandising and products for homes through numerous stores, online and telephone sales. The social purpose is to provide consumers with a range of value household products and value added services at affordable prices. Argos social strategy is to be fun for all and all for fun. Argos employs the use of digital marketing and traditional media to sell their products and services to consumers and increase bottom-line sales. The organisations products are tagged "great value products" as seen on their social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, corporate website, mobile apps on Iphone and android. Hence consumers are not found wanting and can shop anywhere at their convenience, on the go or at home. This is convenient has filled the need of so many consumers such as a)the busy executive, the stay at home mom, students and children. 

The social purpose/ strategy has proved effective in the social media employed by the organisation on the above mentioned platforms and can be seen by the number of followers, likes, shares, re-tweets or mentions, downloads to mention a few. Earlier this week, Argos had the following stats on social media; followers/subscribers on Facebook 834K,  Twitter 78.3K, Youtube 12,476, Google + 26,052. This shows that their social purpose/strategy has been effective over the years.

Social Purpose

Having a social purpose and strategy that ties into the overall organisations objective is a core driving force behind a brands digital or online presence. A social purpose is what the brand will provide, where it fits into the lives of its consumers needs or challenges. The social purpose is simply the reasoning or purpose behind the brand,for example the mission statement of the organisation embedded into all the organisations activities. For instance Nike brand purpose is very clear, to make everyone and Athlete. 

Brands engage with a social strategy and this is used to engage the consumer through various tactics and web tools such as, corporate website, blogs, apps and other social media platforms. This gives the brand and consumers mutual benefits such as, the former receives complaints, product feedback, brand awareness, product insights and loyalty. On the other hand, the consumers can rant, interact, enquire and express concerns on the brands products or services. Not having an online presence or a social strategy may be considered as a lack of concern for consumers and will ultimately lead to sadness and anger of the consumers towards the brand.

Furthermore,  the main objective of the social purpose/strategy for brands is to increase sales and generate brand awareness through social media. Once a social strategy is in place a brand can easily decide to embed its purpose into all its social gimmicks to increase the bottom-line sales and measure social media effects or success through likes, mentions, shares, comments and views.

However, some brands opt not to engage in the use of social media for a number of reasons such as a lack of budget, resources, skilled personnel,  poor management and evaluation cost.  Sometimes, it could be that the management does not feel the need for social media or questions its effectiveness on a brand. This can have a damaging effect on the brand in the long run.

Blogging: Video & Digital

Blogging is generally an online journal used to share ideas, concepts, reflections, products, services and what not. It is a tool used by individuals, company or brands to reach different audiences, and is done in creative ways such as blogs, videos or Vlogs and blogging with so many websites and CMS systems available to users to share ideas in a common market place. Websites such as blogspot, wordpress, tumblr and youtube are very popular for these purposes. This has fashioned the market trends used by many brands such as Apple, Samsung  and Nokia to mention but few. Marketing has taken a different platform through digital or online presence and consumer interaction doing what can be seen and heard or experienced and felt.

Digital platforms have far reaching impacts on its audience and appears more engaging to the consumers. Agencies should encourage their clients to maintain an online presence that will engage consumers more socially, not just marketing alone. A good example will be #Dove beauty campaign #whatbeautymeanstoyou that has people interacting with the brand by making their own videos and sharing online. It has the consumer talking, increasing brand awareness and giving product feedback, all at once.

These are generally the benefits of blogging, and this should be utilized by brands and consumers to stimulate thoughts and perceptions, exchange ideas and for marketing purposes.

Knowing Didi

DigiPost: Digital Me

DigiPost: Digital Me: I have practically spent all day online, clicking and clicking and clicking doing some desk research for an association I volunteer with in...

Digital Me

I have practically spent all day online,clicking and clicking and clicking doing some desk research for an association I volunteer with in Aberdeen. I reckon we need to improve our marketing skills and utilize digital platforms. So far I have seen videos, documents and sample templates the association should be working with right now. So I have come to the conclusion even though I figured this out years ago that going digital is very practical in a global and digital world, it is indeed the way forward. To think I was almost left behind is unthinkable. So with ease I say i'm ready to embrace the info and opportunities flashing before me online. Sometimes I just want to blog...because I can or maybe I'm bored. Fortunately for me an opportunity has presented itself for this association to enter a competition to be nominated for best society by creating a video about the association and its goals,so its definitely a task I will overcome.

SquaredOnline has given me a greater overview of the power of digital media and marketing. I look forward to my ditigal future and improving my digital life.