Companies Use of Social Media

One of the most important factors success is advertising.  Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are the newest way for companies to market themselves directly to the consumer.  Sites like Facebook and Twitter allow companies to advertise directly to the consumer, for free.  A company that uses social media well can boost their brand awareness.  This report will highlight 2 companies (Starbucks and Oreo) and how they use social media to promote their brand and products.

Starbucks is leading the way for advertising through social media.  Starbucks' twitter profile often posts content that encourages their followers to favorite, comment, and retweet.  They will often provide giveaways for their followers.  These giveaways require followers to like or favorite to participate and will usually be something small like a $5 gift card.  This allows Starbucks to increase their companies awareness with very little cost.  Starbucks' average customer is familiar with social media which means content posted to their Facebook and Twitter spreads to potential customers faster.

Oreo has greatly improved its exposure online in the past few years by using social media.  They have been so successful with social media advertising due to the speed that they react to current events.  For example, when the Supreme Court overturned a ban on same sex marriage in California, the same day Oreo posted a picture of an Oreo cookie with rainbow filling and the word pride written beneath.  Oreo's quick and witty response to current events has drastically improved their online exposure.

Being able to advertise directly and immediately to their consumers is a great advantage of using social media.  Companies are able to connect directly with customers and create a greater connection between between a customer and a product.  It also spreads awareness of a brand much faster and cheaper than traditional methods of advertising.  Social media is one of the most valuable tools companies have to advertise to where customers.

Sources:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ilyapozin/2014/03/06/20-companies-you-should-be-following-on-social-media/

https://econsultancy.com/blog/63908-how-oreo-owns-social-media-through-twitter-instagram-vine-and-pinterest#i.negqi21995esar