Transitioning From Television Ads to Internet Ads

Transitioning From Television Ads to Internet Ads

  Proper marketing and advertising have always been such a vital part of any successful business, and as times change, so must the methods of reaching out to the targeted audience.  The youth of today live in a very technologically dominated world.  Due to the access of which they have, it is necessary for businesses to place ads accordingly where they think will get the most exposure to the people they want to see it.  To stay in the game, you have to adapt, and that is exactly what many companies are doing.  

Making the Switch

  People use a variety of means to access media. With that being said, many businesses are finding that their ads receive more exposure online than they would on television.  The amount of people that use the internet on a daily basis exceeds that of the amount of people who watch television for an extensive amount of time.  Not only is the population of the intended audience for certain advertisements decreasing by using television, but the price to air those ads on television are more expensive than it would be to place them on the internet.  By using key words on the internet, businesses can draw much more attention upon themselves at a lower cost.    

Proven Results

       As stated in the above video of my expert, Peter Bekisz, Keuka College, which he works at, has saved a substantial amount of money since switching from television ads to ads strategically placed on YouTube.  The specific ad he was discussing was used to promote a scholarship based off of community service.  This year was the first time the school was broadcasting the ad on another form of media other than the television.  They had previously been spending $80,000 and television advertisement.  Now, they specify the amount they pay for each view.  In addition, they can target the ad based on certain criteria.  They found that for 25% of the investment, they can bring the leads up 33%. Results show that the new method is more efficient in reaching the particular audience of which they are after; in this case, 18-19 year old college bound students.  They can also benchmark the ads to see which parts of the ads are more effective and what happens when somebody clicks on the link to the video.  Through the use of analytic tools, the school can also track conversions when a student submits the scholarship application so that they can see how much money they are actually spending.  Needless to say, the switch has been highly beneficial for Keuka College, and this is just one example of the success making the switch can potentially bring to any business.



The ad can be viewed by clicking the link below:

Keuka College - Community Achievement Award

Benefits of Online Advertising 

       Internet marketing helps businesses to attract potential customers who are already looking for the products and services that they offer.  This enables the business to draw in those prospects who are ready to make a commitment.  Businesses use what is called a “pay per click” system which allows for drawing in prospects who live within a certain area.  Such advertisements can spark an interest amongst the viewer, and by clicking the link, they have the choice to gain more knowledge on whatever it is the advertisement is brining to attention.  As reputation grows in a good manner, so will the profits.  

Simplicity as a Factor

       From the customers prospective, it is much easier to click a link and take further action than it is to see an ad on tv and call a number or visit a website unless it is really persuasive and captivating.  It may seem lazy, but that is the reality.  People are more responsive to simplicity.  The more that a business is able to get interested customers to their websites, the more they’ll succeed in the long run.  Sales will eventually began to increase as the website gains more exposure.  The layout of the website is extremely important as well.  It should contain sufficient information that the customer needs to see in order to propel them to make a purchase.  It should be inviting and helpful. 

Adapting With the Times

       The internet is definitely overtaking television as a desired form of relaying advertisements.  Studies show that it is less expensive and more efficient than previous methods.  If used correctly, online ads can boost any company's sales.  It's not to say that businesses will completely move away from using television ads, but online ads seem to be more reasonable and efficient in the long run, not only saving money, but increasing profits or desired results.  

       

Related links:

Entrepreneur

Converting Visits to Value

Roommate iPad interview

listen to ‘Clip one (iPad interview)’ on Audioboo 

listen to ‘iPad interview Part II’ on Audioboo

Hurricane Sandy

Natural disasters, as devastating as they may turn out, are remarkable occurrences.  One just has to sit back in awe of nature and the power it possesses.  As much as we'd like to think we can, humans can't control certain events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches, etc.  That is out of our hands.  The only thing we can do is prepare for such disasters and know how to be as safe as possible in the event that we are caught in one.  It is good to be aware of the situation at hand and never underestimate what could happen.  Technology is very useful in tracking potential patterns for hurricanes, for example, and with that, the government can take proper precautions necessary to warn citizens and advise the best possible ways to get through them safely.  Currently, Hurricane Sandy is reeking havoc across the Caribbean, causing much damage in Cuba, Haiti, the Bahamas and Jamaica.  It is now en route to hit much of the east coast of the United States in the upcoming week.  The wind shield is increasing in size to the already prominent storm.  Cold fronts coming from the west are adding to and energizing Hurricane Sandy as well.  This is not a storm to be taking lightly.  Both CNN and FoxNews seemed to focused on the potential the storm has still and the threat it still poses to much of he east coast.  There were summaries of the casualties suffered in the areas already hit.  So far, there have been 40 deaths according to Fox News and CNN.  According to Sky News, which is a news organization in the United Kingdom, stated that there have been 39 recorded deaths.  Although it's only one off, I feel as if they don't have as much of an immediate supply of accurate information as news organizations in the United States might have.

All three news organizations highlighted the fact that this storm could be an historic one.  Obviously, to those in the United States would receive most of their news from US sources, so the message may be stressed more than in that of a foreign news article.  The Sky News article was a bit scarce and lacked enough detail to fully inform its audience.  Both Fox News and CNN's articles had convincing information and in addition to that, a few personal recollections from victims and survivors.  This creates much more of a "real" experience and even makes it more personal.  I trust US news covers much more than that of Great Britain or anywhere else around the world, unless it's coming from the Caribbean itself.  It comes down to contact with the story being covered as well.  The United States, which is already being hit by this storm, is going to be affected directly where as the rest of the world is not.  Therefore, I find American sources and news coverage more credible.  I have more of an understanding from the news of the potential of this storm, and I and my community are taking the proper precautions in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy.  

Digital Divide or Participation Gap?

I found Kevin Guidry's writing to be quite interesting.  There was a central focus on innovation of technology and that despite technology advancing so much, it was still not achieving it's full potential.  In his writing, Guidry used college students as an example.  Some students have access to the internet at home and at school via their own laptops or computers while others don't own their own and have to rely on their school or a local library.  This is referred to as the "digital divide" as a large amount of Americans still do not own computers or have internet access at home. It is proven that those who do not have internet access at home, typically Blacks and Hispanics, are less educated and disproportionally unemployed.  According to the results of the 2007 Data Service from the 994 institutions that participated,  65.1% of their students use their own computer.  Rates differ from school to school of course, but this shows consensus still goes on to show that on average, one third of students do not own their own computer.  Demographics play a role.  The more expensive institutions produce the highest results for computer ownership as you can imagine.  As for the "participation gap", I definitely believe that exists in America.  Some people have more exposure to different technologic formats and devices.  I personally have never been technologically savvy, but with that being said, I have many technological items that I can operate just fine to do what I need to do.  Others, though, may have much more knowledge than I do on how to get the most out of certain things and make things even simpler and efficient.  It all has to do with the purpose one is trying to achieve and if he or she would embrace new ideas.  You have to be open minded in terms of technology because it is constantly changing and improving.  It's good to be up to date with such information and have the knowledge to operate different sorts of technology and not just stick to what you already know.  I strongly agree with Guidry's closing statement which said that different understandings of and experiences with technology may not always be conceptualized negatively as a "gap.  The fact that someone does not own a certain piece of technology does not mean an individual is unwilling to embrace new technology if he or she was given the opportunity.

 

Privacy and Data Management on Mobile Devices

Smartphones provide so much more than simply communication.  With all of the apps available for the iPhone and Droid, users have such a broader range of actions they can carry out.  You can now do banking at your fingertips and transfer all sorts of information.  Some apps have a negative aspect to them, though; that is adds and providing personal information.  Many apps require the user to provide fairly personal information.  It seems unnecessary for a lot of the apps to ask for such info, and therefore, people tend to either not install that particular app, or once realizing the type of information they need to provided, uninstall the app.  Once you put your information out there, you don't know who is actually viewing it and if there are any third parties involved.  In the future, I think there needs to be more guarantees from the apps that the information being provided by its users is in fact secure and confidential.  This would ease the minds of potential users and would in turn gain more.  People are reluctant to provide personal information via cellular devices for a good reason.  I think that fact will always remain.  

FaceBook has it's advantages if it is used properly.  By no means does the amount of friends I have on FaceBook reflect how much friends I actually have, true friends especially. Some of my best friends don't even have a FaceBook.  I'd say a majority of my FaceBook friends are just acquaintances or "friends of friends".  I surely don't see most of them on a daily basis and I only talk to a few people on occasions via FaceBook.  When I do engage in a meaningful conversation, though, it's usually with an international friend.  I have a decent amount of good friends in several countries around the world, England especially, and I stay in touch with them on a fairly regular basis.  That's where FaceBook comes in handy and also Skype.  In all honesty, I text my closest friends or people who I want to talk to.  I only use FaceBook for pictures and occasional shared articles or photos.  Twitter has overtaken FaceBook, in my opinion, as an easier way to display and receive information from a more narrowed, select few that you freely choose to 'follow'.  It is better built for multiple status updates.  That's just me though.

With being your own person comes responsibility.  If you don't care who sees all of your information and what not, that's fine, but it's on you when that comes back to bite you.  You here it everywhere that once it's put out on the internet, it's there forever.  That is true and if a person is involved in questionable activities and pictures end up on FaceBook, for example, you can untag yourself, but the pictures will still be on there and people will find them.  Personally, if you don't want a potential employer to see something on a social networking site of yours, it shouldn't be on there, simple as that.  There shouldn't be a need to hide something or be uneasy when at an interview.  If I randomly went to a friend's FaceBook page right now, there would more than likely be something inappropriate on it.  It may not necessarily be wrong, but you still need to be conscious that you're representing yourself and everything that you stand for whenever you decide to post something.  Just think before you do and everything should be fine.  You can't have two identities; one online and then your "real" self.  Act and present yourself in a way in which you want to be known.