Social Media Monday + Tattly

December 18, 2012 ~ Nicole Monahan ~ Leave a comment

Social Media Campaigns I’ve loving this week:

1.) Patron’s Cocktail Share:

Love this concept and cocktails.

2.) GiltCity: #LoveYourCityMore Instagram

Amazing way to connect their community with their brand by asking fans to share photos on Instagram using hashtags #LoveYourCityMore and #NYC. I’m also loving how they highlight members on their Facebook Cover photo:

3.) Here comes the Advent Calendars:

The Yield 2012 Meme Calendar:

If you’re into Memes.

Wildfire by Google: Social Media Advent Calendar

If you’re into facts.

4.) Tasting Table’s: Food Fight Debate

Tasting Table gives their fans the chance to vote for the ultimate food debates and then throws an amazing party to reveal the results.

And the results:

5.) Foursquare’s 12/12/12 Robin Hood Relief Badge

Combining an opportunity to partner with Samsung Galaxy around the 12/12/12 Concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief.

6.) SiriTalks Instagram:

Creative finds-love this idea.

Bonus: My part-time gig at Tattly.

I was so fortunate to spend a few days at Tattly last week. Dream gig come true, I am the biggest Swissmiss fan girl- ask anyone I know. Over the week I ended up learning way more than just how these temporary tattoos are made and produced. The whole experience went above and beyond my expectations. I was initially dreading having to deal with the hour commute to Dumbo each day but the more I stayed the more I loved it.

Everyone was so sweet and welcoming. Daily coffee and lunch trips together were a must, then we would gather our food and eat together back at StudioMates. All this actually made me realize how miserable I was at my last job. How much I despised office politics, eating at your desk, and everyone only talking to you when they needed something. More companies should have the Tattly mentality. When you communicate and do things together is creates a much better working environment. Personally, I’m sick of working along side of people who are willing to throw each other under the bus — This was an epiphany. An epiphany of what I am and am not looking for in my next job.

Additionally, in my short time there I’ve learned a good chunk more about design then I ever had prior to walking in there. This is a piece of what I am looking for in my next job. I must be surrounded by creative and passionate people. The wealth of ideas was overwhelming.

Finally, I ran into mini celebrities. I don’t know the ‘who’s who’ in the design world, but many designers came in… so did author Jonathan Foer… and wandering photographer named Shantanu Starick who is on a journey around the world while spending no more, everything he gets is based on trade. It was quite an amazing story and definitely encourage everyone to check out his trades.

Many thanks goes out to Swissmiss and the amazing people at Tattly and StudioMates! You not only made my job dreams come true but you showed me there are amazing companies out there doing amazing things. I know now I want to be apart of that.

Social Marketing Finds: Classes, Contests, and Partnerships Oh My!

October 16, 2012 ~ Nicole Monahan ~ Leave a comment

The week started off with a class themed overload, just forewarned, but these contests, partnerships, and content finds just couldn’t be ignored. However, there’s more than just classes, I promise.

Here’s a few examples of partnerships and contests from my favorite brands, in addition to extra goodies I wanted to share with you all. Enjoy!

Of A Kind + General Assembly: Get Schooled Giveaway

I was first introduced to Of A Kind a few weeks ago, when I found out they were having an event at their limited time only Pop-Up store. While checking out the company I fell in love with the concept. It felt exclusive, like buying something truly unique. I saw this back to school set on the site before, which I loved and seemed like the only reasonable thing I could afford. However, I’m also one of those indecisive buyers. That’s why I’m glad I found this, and this is such a great partnership.

General Assembly: Private Class Giveaway

I’m not sure what the reason is for so many giveaways with General Assembly but I’m not complaining. Who wouldn’t want a private class. Keep ’em coming. You have my attention. I’ve enter to win both. Pick Me Please!

3rd Ward Brooklyn: Creative Speed Networking

Why must 3rd Ward be so far away. I’m in need of more class based companies in Astoria. This image instantly caught my attention first and then I looked at the description. Now that’s a creative event concept, especially since I don’t really like networking. This is a great solution; it’s quick, easy, and if it’s awkward you can move on in a few minutes.

Warby Parker Class Trip + American Express

This is simply well executed. More than anything, I love A.) A creative campaign or event and B.) Attention to detail. Check out the full site to get the whole experience. My personal faves: Their Facebook Class Rep Video Contest & the on the road blog. Now I’m super bummed I missed out on NYC- I’m due for a new pair of glasses. These old ones need to get off my face immediately!

ModCloth: Awe & Order Contest

This contest works because it makes me realize how much I need to spruce up my space and put more order in my life. These entries provide great visual examples of organizing your space while putting my apartment to shame. Then it hooks me into ModCloth– Could they be the answer to my clutter? Now I’m on their site…again. Brilliant. Just wish there was more buzz and promotion on it. As you can see I caught the tail end of the contest and I’m not the only one, they only had a handful of entries.

Seamless: It’s Raining

Clever, funny, simple, and doesn’t have to go too far on the design to get its message across.

Orbitz & 5 Gum Micro Pack – Freebies

Hustler Tip: Stick around Midtown for awesome street promotions and marketing ops, like these free micro gum packs I scored. I tend to avoid Midtown (and Chinatown) like the plague but I forgot about the freebies. I may need to rethink this.

Enjoy the rest of your week! Share your favorite social media brand posts, contests, partnerships, freebies, anything at all, in the comments.

Social Marketing Tuesday: Visual Marketing

September 4, 2012October 3, 2012 ~ Nicole Monahan ~ Leave a comment

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day break. Because of the holiday, this usual Social Marketing Monday will be dubbed Social Marketing Tuesday!

This week’s examples take a look into how brands are using visual marketing towards their social media efforts. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Visual Marketing. According to a Wikpiedia definition, Visual Marketing focuses on the study and critical analysis of the ability of objects to be ‘protagonists’ in a visual communication scenario. More simply put, a means of using visuals (i.e photos) that drive your marketing efforts forward.

Call to actions and elegant copy are certainly necessary, however it is the visual that speaks before the text.

Personally, this has always been a favorite task of mine on any given project. I enjoy finding the right visuals that will fit a particular piece of content ever so perfectly, it’s like a puzzle for me.

Here are some examples I found this past week that are driving the conversation forward, leading with the visuals:

Lost in E Minor:

This is a cool visual. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t stop and have a double look at this photo. Better yet, Lost in E Minor then asks its audience to think of a great one-liner for it. Visual Marketing can be used as a conversation starter, and usually isn’t that how things go viral?

Indiegogo:

Indiegogo is a global platform for crowdfunding, empowering anyone, anywhere, to raise money for anything. This post is what is known as texts over image. Admittedly, pretty pictures and inspiring quotes is a weakness of mine. I post similar visuals on my own Facebook every Monday for motivation. Many people do it, it’s a cliché but everyone needs some motivation and this example is particularly fitting to the brands core values.

Tasting Table:

As most of you know, a new feature to Facebook is endless updates. This includes when a friend or brand updates their cover photo. This example of Tasting Table’s latest cover update immediately caught my attention. Mostly, again, for the visual. It is classic, very fitting for their brand, overall I thought it was a unique idea. Showcasing one of their guest editors while doing a complete ROS (in this case run of social) take over.

Thrillist:

Another example of text over image. It is a very quick and engaging method that never fails to start a conversation.

More importantly, it serves as a reminder to all. If given the choice, always be Batman.

Warby Parker:

Here is an example of Visual Marketing at its best in Warby Parker’s Where’s Waldo Facebook post. Mixing a notorious icon to promote their product, Where’s Waldo inspired frames.

Takeaways

Visual Marketing can be approached in a number of different ways. Whether it be used to promote a product, promotion, event, or even if it is just to get the conversation started in your social community. I find the way brands are using visuals to market limitless. This is a passion subject for me so there will definitely be further research in the future.

Are there any examples of brands using visual marketing that have stuck out to you? I would love to know, send your best examples in the comment section.