Adapting Strategically (Facebook and Twitter)

Developing a social media strategy in today's fast pace world involves many factors, and many businesses and organizations already have adapted to marketing online. Establishing a strong social media presence is necessary in order for companies to engage properly with the masses. In order to 'show' how all types of companies have used these tools, taking a closer look at specific models, provides a greater understanding.

Effective ways to use Social Media platforms has already been studied, shared, and used in many ways. Two of the most abundantly used are Facebook and Twitter, each having their own unique advantages for business development. To succeed, businesses need clients, otherwise known as customers, basically people who support their product or service. Using examples, it's much easier to grasp this concept; large global organizations such as Starbucks, or even Adidas have evolved to use an effective social media strategy. At a glance it may not seem impressive, yet still they use them, and somehow its helping them stay ahead in profits and products. 

Starbucks 

Facebook

Starbucks, Facebook page

The 'About' section on Starbucks FB

• Very useful platform allowing a profile page for others using Facebook to access and explore.
• Easy to share pictures and video content promoting events, products or other important information.
• Provides visible basic information 'about' the business.
• Starbucks actually has a tab dedicated to certain job openings they are looking to fill.
• Their strategy involves, simple yet eye-catching posts, vast amounts of helpful information, fun contests, very subtle sales techniques lining the page.

Twitter

Starbucks Twitter Page

Replies from Starbucks to their customers

• Can also be used for pictures and video content relating to the company's goals or sales.
• Simple promotions and other useful information regarding the business.
• Starbucks has in place a very unique strategy for its traffic on Twitter;
• Because of the features Twitter offers, the Social media team and Leaders of the company have put in place a very useful strategy. Focusing less on quantity of posts, they have decided that quality is more suited for the users of Twitter. Starbucks uses replies heavily, people can actually 'talk' to them through replies and Retweets. This has provided a more personal touch to the businesses persona, yet any comments or concerns will be addressed in a professional manner. Being a global organization, they have used the 'Lists' as a way to archive specific locations in which Starbucks has cafes. 

Adidas

Facebook

Adidas Facebook page

• Many useful fact about the business can be found quite easily.
• Promotions of newer products and events are found with use of their timeline.
• A basic use of engaging with their customers, nothing out of the ordinary, but still effective.
• Their main strategy for Facebook is actually involvement with another social media source;
• Adidas relies mostly on visual content as a source for creating hype, this is why they have methods in place to route Facebook users to their Instagram page. Using a tab on the home of their FB, as well as posting pictures directly from Instagram, Adidas really tries to grab a large audience. 

  

  Adidas Instagram page

Twitter

Adidas Twitter page

• Useful picture and video sharing, also linking back to Instagram.
• Answering customer concerns, comments, and questions in a timely manner.
• Great use of tweets and retweets of other Adidas related twitter pages or supporting content.

With social media becoming more mainstream over the years, it has allowed many large businesses to create a personality. This transition has also given customers more ability to converse with the companies they love, or even hate. The business model of any organization hoping to survive in today's economy, should heavily involve customer feedback. Social Media and the use of many platforms has inspired creativity, innovation, and increasingly positive results for those using them correctly.