If you have somehow managed to avoid social media, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. In the previous 10 years, the world of social media has completely changed the way we live and work. For those of us who have always belonged to the traditional generation, the world of social media can be a bit strange and even overwhelming.
To help make sense of this phenomenon, we have compiled a list of the key differences between the old school ways and the new school ways of doing business. If you’re new to the concept of Social Media and want to know more, read on. Otherwise, find the “meat” of the article in the list below.
Old School Vs. New School
From television appearances and magazine covers to online databases and social media, the world of advertising has undergone a complete makeover. One of the most significant impacts of this transformation is the ability of businesses to reach consumers wherever they are.
The rise of social media has made this ‘everywhere’ accessibility a reality. Thanks to platforms like Instagram, businesses can now reach consumers where they are, when they’re there and even when they’re asleep. Platforms like Pinterest allow companies to ‘pin’ their content to consumer’s ‘pin’ boards, effectively multiplying the exposure for that content.
In the past, if a business wanted to promote a new product or service, they would typically advertise in a magazine or on television. A few decades ago, if they wanted to target an international audience, they would need to set up a booth at a major international trade fair. Today, with almost every country having an online presence and an active social media community, businesses can target potential customers in ways that were never before possible.
Traditional TV vs. Online Video To Get Views
Another significant difference between old school and new school advertising is the way consumers interact with ads. Back in the day, viewers would typically watch an ad, follow the instructions in the advertisement to find out more and maybe make a purchase. Thanks to the wonders of Google, this process has changed somewhat. Now, when consumers encounter advertising they view on social media platforms like YouTube, they are much more likely to click on the content and view more. This is often referred to as ‘native advertising’ or ‘sponsored content’.
The rise of online video has also impacted how brands can advertise. If you remember, when YouTube was a fledgling platform, advertisements were very similar to videos. They were short, they were often highly-stylized and they were square. As the platform grew, so did the demographics that were attracted to it and the advertisements that appeared thereon.
Today, with more and more people using the platform, advertisers have taken notice and have shifted their approach to better match the video-loving user base. While video advertisements still exist, they are much more subtle and take a back seat to the content itself. When someone watches a video, the primary purpose of the ad is to support the content, not to draw attention away from it. This evolution can be attributed primarily to YouTube itself, as well as the increasing number of consumers that prefer to avoid advertisements altogether and jump straight into the content.
Old School vs. New School Branding
If you have a traditionally-branded product with a long sales cycle, you may not need to worry about branding too much. After all, you’ve been using the same logo and color scheme for years and you know that your target audience will recognize your product.
However, if your product has a short sales cycle or if you’re just getting started, you may need to think about branding a bit more seriously. When customers encounter your product for the first time, you will want to make sure that they not only recognize that it is your product, but that they associate it with your brand. The best approach is establishing a strong connection between your brand and the product first and foremost, then tailoring the design and messaging to support that relationship.
For example, take a look at this laundry detergent package that was designed by Neat Camp. The positioning of the product on the packaging and the design of the box itself is spot on. The content on the box is also cohesive with the overall design theme. The color palette and typeface are both in sync with one another, establishing a consistent and easy-to-follow brand look and feel.
This laundry detergent package wouldn’t be complete without a clever use of copy that seamlessly weaves the product feature into the narrative. For those customers who have never used this product and are searching for it online, you will want to grab their attention with an enticing headline that encourages them to click on your ad and learn more.
Traditional Magazine Vs. Digital Magazine
While print newspapers and magazines have always coexisted with the rise of the information age, the methods of getting information have changed considerably. In the last 10 years alone, we have gone from pull quotes and brochure pitches to short snippets of text and photos designed to grab attention to longer pieces that create lasting memories. To put it simply, in the past, if a business wanted to reach a wide audience, they would typically advertise in a traditional magazine. However, in today’s world, businesses can target consumers on social media platforms like Twitter where they are most likely to be engaged, interested and potentially lead acquisition opportunities. As a brand or business, you will need to decide what is the most effective and efficient way to reach your audience.