Follow for follow: marketing of a start-up company on Instagram

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Virtanen ◽  
Peter Björk ◽  
Elin Sjöström

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the deliberate social media marketing practices of a start-up company. The study aims to measure the effects of these practices (i.e. following potential customers and liking and commenting on their posts on Instagram) on creating and increasing awareness of the company’s business and gaining followers for the company’s Instagram account. Design/methodology/approach The research is exploratory in nature and adopts an approach similar to that of action research. The research was enabled and facilitated by collaboration between the researchers and a company representative. The company offers an application for young mothers. Findings The model developed in this study identifies the effects of the practice of endorsing and interacting with customers for marketing purposes. It points out following as a first-order practice that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can employ to gain followers instantly on Instagram. Research limitations/implications The method used limits the generalisability of the findings. However, the findings offer preliminary insights for future studies on Instagram marketing in SMEs. Practical implications Companies can attain success in social media marketing by actively engaging with customers and potential customers on various social media platforms. Originality/value There is a paucity of research focussing on Instagram marketing in SMEs. The model in this study contributes to theory on Instagram marketing and offers a framework that can help managers plan Instagram marketing strategies.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-213
Author(s):  
Fatima Abdulaziz Al-Emadi ◽  
Imene Ben Yahia

Purpose The study aims to explore why consumers engage with ordinary celebrities on social media by identifying the influential characteristics that have engaged followers and have led to opinion leadership on visual platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data were collected from 32 social media users following at least one ordinary celebrity on Instagram and Facebook in Qatar and Tunisia. Findings The findings of this study highlight five main characteristics that lead to fame and opinion leadership on social media visual platforms: credibility, storytelling and content quality, fit with the platform, Actual and aspired image homophily and consistency. Research limitations/implications This research is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, one of the first studies that highlight the features determining opinion leadership on visual platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Second, the results of the study highlight some features that distinguish ordinary celebrities from traditional established celebrities. Practical implications The findings of this research represent a guideline for effective influential marketing development. Based on the results, recommendations are provided for companies, influencers and social media users who aspire to become influencers. Originality/value This research, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is among the first to shed light on opinion leadership through ordinary celebrities on visual social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, and thus, adds new insights to the area of social media marketing.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds impartial comments and places the article in context. Findings – Engagement can help strengthen the emotional bond that characterizes consumer–brand relationships. But mutual trust and commitment are fundamental if the customer is to closely engage with a company or brand in the first place. Thanks to social media, establishing this critical foundation has become easier. Social networking is a major part of many people’s lives, and communicating with both firms and other consumers is a routine activity. From an organizational perspective, such channels provide an invaluable means of reaching both existing and potential customers. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 145-149
Author(s):  
A. Ekanthalingam ◽  
Dr. A. Gopinath

‘Marketing’ is not just an activity. It is a process, a philosophy and a phenomenon. The evolution of marketing has produced tremendous benefits to business and end consumers. The innovation in this field has been steady and yet at high speed. From ‘word of mouth advertising’ which was the only option earlier we are now at the mercy of what consumers are sharing about their experience on the internet. Social Media has become more powerful than what we think and this article shows how we can leverage this to benefit the top-line and customer delight. We dive deep to understand the influence Social Media can create towards purchase of residential property. As much complex it is to make the purchase decision of a property, it is equally difficult for marketers to send the right message to their target audience. Through this article, we are trying to see how marketers have transformed their traditional marketing strategies to address the needs of the millennial population, who are the most potential customers for property purchase.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kulvinder Kaur ◽  
Pawan Kumar

PurposeThe rise in the use of Internet technologies and social media has shifted the marketing practices from offline to online. This study aims to determine the pros and cons of social media marketing in the beauty and wellness industry.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews were conducted with the owners and marketing executives of beauty and wellness centers to understand the use of popular social media platforms in this industry and their pros and cons.FindingsThe researchers identified eight merits and seven demerits of social media in the beauty and wellness industry. Every respondent is happy and satisfied with social media use, particularly Instagram and Facebook. Irrespective of the demerits, they have shown the intention to increase its usage in the future. The merits override demerits; thus, social media is a blessing for this industry from the owners' perspective.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is exploratory and is confined to just one industry. Research implication is that the visual nature of social media makes it a powerful tool for the promotion of the beauty and wellness industry.Practical implicationsThe study's findings will be beneficial for small-scale businesses as it will push them to take advantage of this low-cost marketing tool.Social implicationsSocial media marketing is helpful for communication and marketing purposes for society.Originality/valueThe beauty and wellness industry remained unfocused by researchers because it is highly unorganized, fragmented and not regulated, yet has huge growth potential. This research will provide a closer look at this industry as well as social media marketing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Ramis Akhmedov

<p class="Default">SMM occupies an important role in the lives of people and so many people are represented in social networks, it provides the ideal platform for companies so they can communicate with their current and potential customers. This study continues to explore how companies can use social media marketing to build and maintain relationships with customers. This investigates through conducted research questions. How SMM is effective in terms of CRM? Can Facebook replace CRM system? Why do people choose to follow a company on Instagram? To analyze more clearly the focus will be on Instagram and Facebook applications, which in a short time acquired great popularity among private users as well as among the companies. The purpose of this study is to indicate the integration of customer relationship management (CRM) with social media marketing (SMM) strategies, and defines its benefits for business.</p><p class="Default"> </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harsandaldeep Kaur ◽  
Kanwal Roop Kaur

Purpose Although the prominence of social media for companies is widely acknowledged, a close examination of the literature reveals a lack of empirical research pertaining to the effect of consistency specifically on social media. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill the gap in social media communication concerning the effect of consistent visual identity on social media users. Design/methodology/approach The study executed an experiment 2 (corporate visual identity condition) × 2 (organization type) between subjects design to map the effects of consistent visual identity on social media users appreciation of the visual identity, attitude toward the company, reputation and intention to commit to a company on social media. Findings The results of the study indicated the significant effects of consistent visual identity on social media users over the inconsistent conditions of visual identity on all dependent variables. Furthermore, there were insignificant main effects of organization type on general judgment, credibility, distinctiveness and reputation of the company. Practical implications This study presents the effects of consistent visual identity on social media platforms. The research will help marketing academicians, graphic designers and social media practitioners in online marketing by using its practical implications to strategically positioning their corporate brand in a social media environment. Originality/value This study provides novel insights on the impact of consistency on social media users. This is the first study to determine the role of consistent visual identity in the social media environment. It thereby adds to the literature of visual identity by developing the sphere of influence of consistency and its effects toward the user’s attitude.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Witanti Prihatiningsih ◽  
Ninis Agustini Damayani ◽  
Asep Suryana ◽  
Susie Perbawasari

Purpose The Opentable strategy is considered a taboo because of its ability to take advantage of peoples’ grief. Therefore, this study aims to explore the Opentable (Exhibition) as a marketing strategy for modern Muslim funeral products, considered a luxury by most people in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative research with a phenomenological approach used to collect data from six Memorial Advisors (MAs) through interviews. Findings The result showed that the Opentable strategy was carried out to introduce the concept of a modern Muslim funeral home and its products. Furthermore, MA does not encourage sales during Opentable, rather, it uses the process to obtain complete data from potential customers. Practical implications This research serves as a guidance for MA and other similar professions to socialize products uncommon or considered taboo in society. It also provides a repertory of new marketing strategies, especially for targeted and uncommon products. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first research to explore Opentable (Exhibition) as a marketing strategy for modern Muslim funeral products in Indonesia. Therefore, future research is needed on other marketing strategies.


Social media platforms have become a powerful marketing tool for brands in order to reach new audiences and engage with them. Creative content is a vital part of social media marketing strategies, as innovative content can attract more users and improve brand health. In this chapter, the channels and creative strategies that are being utilized by marketers in social media are explored, and brand health, which is how the brand is evaluated by consumers, is examined. Brand health is an indicator for brand equity in the long run, and as such, the impact of social media marketing on it should be considered by managers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 26-27

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Open innovation, bringing internal and external actors together to create new products and services, is the key to survival in the global market. Social media platforms are able to help companies bring a diverse range of actors together to gain competitive advantage. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers’ hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 2075-2092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Ge ◽  
Ulrike Gretzel

Purpose This paper aims to develop a taxonomy of value co-creation types occurring in firm-customer interactions on social media. Design/methodology/approach In total, 570 destination marketing organization (DMO)-initiated posts on Weibo and 3,137 responses were collected to develop a taxonomy by conducting qualitative empirical-to-conceptual analysis. To apply the taxonomy through conceptual-to-empirical analysis, 100 DMO-initiated posts and 823 responses were collected. Findings The communication-focused value co-creation taxonomy shows a variety of co-creators, verbal and non-verbal communicative co-creation actions facilitated by social media, and different co-created value types. Research limitations/implications This study used a single social media platform and selected three DMOs’ Weibo accounts. Future research should focus on other types of firms and different social media platforms. Practical implications This study used a single social media platform and selected three DMOs’ Weibo accounts. Future research should focus on other types of firms and different social media platforms. Originality/value This study enriches the tourism literature and the general marketing literature by examining value co-creation from a communication perspective and provides a comprehensive classification of value co-creation opportunities on social media.


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