Thoughts on Week 1 Readings

In reading 7 Steps to a Successful Location-Based Social Media Campaign, the first step, "1. Offer Strategic Incentives" describes how businesses can offer incentive that increases volume during down times (eg: between 3 - 6pm).

 

Starbucks' clientelle purchase coffee in the morning and the mid-late afternoon, however just after lunch, the business probably experiences low volume sales. One of their sales campaigns runs in August called the "Treat Receipt program, offering 16-ounce cold beverages for $2 after 2 p.m. when you make a morning purchase at participating stores. So, if you buy a Tall Pike's Place at 9 a.m., save your receipt, pop back in at 2 p.m. and show it to get a Mocha Coconut Frappuccino for $2!" This is a great incentive to bring bag clientelle during down times.

 

In reading The Power of foursquare: Best Practices from Carmine Gallo, author of The Power of foursquare, there are "Five Pitfalls to Avoid". The last one of them spoke volumes to me:

 

5. Doing it just to do it: Do it because you believe in it, not because it’s the hot new marketing tool.

 

I think the above statement is key. Our Social Media instructor mentioned in our first class that people are either 'on' social media or 'in' social media. 'On' being signed on, but 'in' being a contributer, an influencer, a player (in the game, so to speak).

 

I think it's important to be true to yourself and why you are on a social media platform. What is your motive? Are you trying to help people, make a difference, influence change, provide valuable information or are you a spectator, not adding any real or significant value?

In reading, Why QR Codes Won’t Last, I was surprised to learn the following:

"Recently, there have been documented cases of QR code misuse and abuse around the globe. For instance, infected QR codes can download an app that embeds a hidden SMS texting charge in your monthly cellphone bill. QR codes can also be used to gain full access to a smartphone — Internet access, camera, GPS, read/write local storage and contact data. All of the data from a smartphone can be downloaded and stolen, putting the user at risk for identity theft — without the user noticing.
Mobile visual search is a safer and more secure technology that can provide more information and content than a QR code, without as many security risks. By focusing on real-world objects and images rather than code, MVS lessens the risk of a virus or Trojan attack."

I've scanned two QR codes in the past and didn't get hooked. I didn't really see the benefit of having to scroll my list of apps to find the scanner and centre it on the image and click, etc. I'd rather just type something in Google and get the info. I need in seconds. I'm glad to learn the info. above about the security risks of using QR codes.

 

 In reading, "No, QR Codes are not dead. But some of the stupid ways they’re used should be killed",
on the other hand, I thought the following was a very effective way of using a QR code:
A QR Code postage stamp was issued for the 20th anniversary of the issuance of postal stamps by Croatian Post Hrvatske pošte, the national postal service of Croatia.
Each of the 3.10 Kuna (0.56 U.S. dollars) stamps has a unique code printed below the QR Code. When you scan the QR Code you’re taken to a mobile site where the unique code can be entered and you can view confirmation on the receipt of your mail as well as additional data about its route. Users can find out when the mail was sent, how many kilometers it had traveled, when it reached its destination and more.