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LeapOut Gets Media Spotlight on Award-Winning TV & Radio Show Pilipinas, Ngayon Na

Tony Chua January 11, 2024

Marvin, LeapOut President and CEO, imparted digital marketing insights on the radio program on the topic Thriving Businesses: Ride the Digital Wave. Marvin Ortiz, LeapOut Co-Founder and CEO, had the honor of guesting in a radio program Pilipinas, Ngayon Na on January 8, 2024, aired on DWIZ 882 and Aliw TV 23 and hosted by Undersecretary (USec.) Robert Rivera and Lady Elyza. Marvin’s guesting highlighted the power of digital marketing and e-commerce to the hosts, who, like many ordinary Filipinos, are still not well-versed but are enthusiastic about this thriving sector. Helping Businesses Leap Into Digital At the start of the program, USec. Rivera stressed the importance of keeping abreast with developments taking place on the Internet. “We know that AI and digital are all over. That’s why communication time has been cut considerably. With the touch of a finger, you can video chat anywhere in the world and talk to anyone.” USec Rivera also admitted that many businesses in the Philippines are struggling to compete because they still opt to use traditional methods. However, he emphasized that to be competitive in today’s world, they need to keep up with the fast-changing business practices such as establishing an online business presence. Taking off from this backgrounder by USec Rivera, Marvin introduced LeapOut and its mission. He said that the company aims to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and even micro-enterprises “to leap into its digital transformation.” The company equips companies with capabilities to break into and then grow and succeed in the digital realm. “We are a digital marketing agency that helps businesses maximize their business presence online — especially legacy businesses — to spot more opportunities and thrive online.” “From First-Scale to Full-Scale” Marvin, one of the pioneers in the country’s digital marketing landscape, commented that it is LeapOut’s mission to help Filipino businesses, especially those who are eager to establish their footprint online via digital marketing. “The goal of digital companies is not only to share information but also to help users navigate the digital landscape by elevating their user experience. Usually, we help companies that have the vision and goal to serve online customers but have no capabilities and capacities to venture into digital media,” he said. To guarantee success in this transformation, Marvin said LeapOut is committed to empowering its clients to succeed from laying their foundation online to providing excellent customer experience. This end-to-end approach is what digital marketing professionals consider the “from first-scale to full-scale” approach. Using this extensive approach, the company has provided and is currently providing these services to its clients from SMEs to those belonging to the top ten Philippine companies. “We have already helped and continue helping businesses and organizations in the Philippines. in transforming their digital footprint,” Marvin added. LeapOut’s clients include household brands such as SM, Ajinomoto, Cebuana Lhuillier, Malayan Insurance, and Wilcon Depot. To accomplish this, LeapOut helps conceptualize, create, and compose digital content for its three key businesses: social media and content marketing, e-commerce, and paid media. The company started as a digital marketing agency. The company later ventured into e-commerce development and programmatic advertising. Screengrab of Marvin explaining how digital marketing benefits businesses during the radio interview streamed live on Pilipinas, Ngayon Na Facebook page. Hypertargeting 101 To showcase what digital marketing can do to businesses on the program, Marvin described the power of programmatic advertising. With this technology, companies can now show their marketing content and copies directly to their specific intended audience. He demonstrated this technology through an example. A company wants to offer two contents to two demographics: Content A is for seniors and Content B is for millennials. With programmatic advertising in Google and social media platforms, the company can show only Content A for seniors in the platform you subscribed to and Content B to only your target millennial audience. Since this method will only allow your content to be seen by your ideal audience, it provides amazing efficiency to your campaign. It lowers the cost as it prevents you from showing the ads to unintended audiences. And because only your target people can access your content, your probability of sales increases considerably. It Started With A Mission When talking about LeapOut’s mission, Marvin shared the humble beginnings of the company. He recalled the time when a plumber sought his service when he was still an advertising agent in 2009. Short of funds to pay for the ad, it took some time for the plumber to pay for the creative and publish it online. At a time when the internet was just starting and selling online services was difficult, the freelance plumber believed that the new tech would open business opportunities. This kindled Marvin’s passion to open an agency to serve as a launch pad for the growth of SMEs and micro businesses. With digital marketing, he believes these small and startup businesses have a “leveling playing field” where they can compete head-on with established companies and corporations. Cybersecurity Insights Aside from digital marketing, Marvin also provided his insights on cybersecurity, especially on email and social media accounts. “Social media accounts like Messenger and email addresses can be hacked and faked,” he stressed. One of his takeaways is to be mindful of emails that we receive. For email, check for the sender. To find out if the email address or URL is legitimate, check the domain name if it matches the exact spelling of the domain name (.com or .edu) of legitimate sites. Another thing you can do is to verify whether the sender uses a real name. When you are doubtful of the sender, you should research if the email is factual over the Internet or confirm with your friends and people you trust. Pilipinas, Ngayon Na! airs every 2 pm – 3 pm on DWIZ 882 kHz and Aliw TV 23. The entire interview can be streamed on the Pilipinas, Ngayon Na Facebook page.

Featured Blog

LeapOut Gets Media Spotlight on Award-Winning TV & Radio Show Pilipinas, Ngayon Na

Tony Chua January 11, 2024

LeapOut Gets Media Spotlight on Award-Winning TV & Radio Show Pilipinas, Ngayon Na

January 11, 2024 No Comments

LeapOut Bags Three Awards in the 2022 Marketing Excellence Awards

December 2, 2022 3 Comments

We are thrilled to announce that Leapout has been awarded in three categories in this year’s Marketing Excellence Awards! Held at the New Coast Hotel in Manila on the 1st of December, the awarding ceremony was attended by various agencies and companies, all eager to witness who would win gold, silver, and bronze in over 30 categories. LeapOut won in three categories, recognized for its data-driven B2B and e-commerce marketing strategies. Excellence in Data-Driven and Consumer Insights – SILVER (Campaign: Malayan PetCare | Malayan Insurance) Excellence in B2B Marketing – BRONZE (Campaign: Dell, HPE, Lenovo Lead Gen | Integrated Computer Systems) Excellence in E-commerce Marketing – BRONZE (Campaign: Uniquely Filipino | Kultura) Deeply grateful for this recognition and excited to keep getting better moving forward, LeapOut aims to form more and stronger partnerships and gain even higher credibility across various industries. LeapOut is truly proud of its team and clients. Cheers to us and all the winners!

Difference Between Gen Zeds and Millennials

The Characteristics of Generation Z and How to Market to them

July 22, 2022 No Comments

Differences Between Gen Zeds Vs. Millennials There are a few key reasons marketers must understand the differences between Gen Zeds and Millennials. For one, these two groups represent very different stages in life. Gen Zers are still young, while Millennials are in their 30s and 40s. The age difference means they have different needs, wants, and priorities. Gen Zers (The Generation Z) grew up in a completely different world than Millennials. They are the first generation to grow up with social media and constant access to the Internet. The accessibility of technology has shaped their behavior and expectations in ways that previous generations haven’t experienced. Businesses need to understand Gen Zeds to craft compelling digital marketing strategies and adapt to the behavior and preferences of the growing Gen Z consumers. Finally, as the two largest generations currently alive, understanding their differences is essential for any business that wants to stay relevant and appeal to the broadest possible audience. So, what are the key differences between Gen Zeds and Millennials? Here are 10 of the most important ones: (related: Top 10 Traits of Filipino Millennials) Age: As mentioned above, Gen Zers are children or young adults, while Millennials are in their 30s and 40s. Age is a significant difference that should be considered when marketing to either group. Life Stages: Gen Zers are still in school or just starting their careers, while many Millennials are established in their jobs and may even have their own families. Priorities affect what they care about and what they’re looking for from products and brands. Social Media: Gen Zers grew up with social media, while Millennials didn’t. This difference significantly impacts how Gen Z communicates and interacts with brands. Mobile Usage: Gen Zers are much more likely to use their smartphones as their primary device, while Millennials are more likely to use laptops or desktop computers. Tech maturity and exposure affect how marketers need to reach them and what kind of content they should offer. For example, The Gen Zeds are desensitized to ads and marketing messages, so marketers need to find a way to make their messages click and stick. Shopping Preferences: Gen Zers are more likely to shop online than in-store, while Millennials are the opposite. Generation Z knows their way on the Internet and can verify if a brand or a product is legit or a rip-off. *See how Gen Z is shaping the future of shopping podcasts. Brand Loyalty: Gen Zers are less brand loyal than Millennials, meaning they’re more open to trying new products and brands. Being open to other options can be both good and bad for businesses, depending on how well they’re able to keep up with the latest trends. Impulse Purchases: Gen Zers are more likely to make impulse purchases than Millennials, meaning they’re less likely to research products before buying them. Gen Zers are more susceptible to marketing messages and promotions with the right offer and strategy. Word of Mouth: Gen Zers are more likely to trust recommendations from friends and family than traditional advertising. Businesses need to focus on building positive word-of-mouth buzz if they want to appeal to this group. Price Consciousness: Gen Zers are very price conscious and often looking for the best product deals. Pricing can be a challenge for businesses that need to find ways to stand out from the competition on price. Don’t get us wrong; Gen Zers are willing to pay more premium if it matches their quality, values, and preferences. Social Causes: Gen Zers are more likely than Millennials to care about social and environmental causes. Organizations must consider how their products and actions affect the world around them if they want to appeal to this group. Known as “The Woke Generation,” Gen Zeds are more likely to endorse or cancel a brand or a product than any other generation. Marketing to Pinoy Gen Zers vs. Millennials When marketing to Gen Zers, it’s essential to focus on digital channels since this is where they’re most active. Social media is vital, as is creating compelling content that can capture their attention. It’s also important to focus on value and deals, as this group is very price conscious. When marketing to Millennials, it’s essential to focus on building trust and relationships. This group is more likely to respond positively to personal recommendations so word-of-mouth buzz can be very effective. It’s also important to focus on quality over quantity, as Millennials are willing to pay a premium for products that are of quality and sustainable. The Gen Zed Aspirations There’s no question that Gen Zers are an ambitious bunch. They’re constantly striving to improve themselves and their situations and have big dreams for their futures. Whether making a difference in the world or becoming financially successful, Gen Zers want to achieve great things. We expect the Gen Z generation to bring changes with many environmental and geopolitical challenges. How big is the Future with Gen Zers As the largest generation in history, Gen Z is poised to impact the economy in the years to come significantly. They’re already making their presence felt, and businesses are starting to notice. According to recent estimates by The Philippine Statistics Office, the Filipino Gen Z (aged 0- 20) will account for around 45% of the Philippine population. That’s nearly 45 million people! And as they enter their prime spending years, their economic power will only grow. Gen Zers are already spending money on travel, experiences, and food. They’re also very interested in causes and social issues and willing to spend their money on brands that align with their values. In the future, Gen Z’s spending power will only continue to increase. Businesses that cater to their needs and wants will be well-positioned for success. How the Gen Zers use the Internet Gen Zers are the first true digital natives. They’ve grown up with the Internet, and their lives have been shaped by it. As a result, they use it in very different ways than other generations. For Gen Zers, the

LeapOut Talks SEO at Peepcon Lite Manila, 2022

July 15, 2022 No Comments

Gathering the greatest minds in the field of SEO in one place! On August 13, 2022, PeepCon comes back to share the latest SEO trends and insights with agency figureheads and marketing enthusiasts. The much anticipated whole-day conference has a flawless lineup of big names in the SEO industry in the Philippines, making it one you should not miss! Headed by SearchWorks.Ph CEO Glen Dimaandal, LeapOut Digital’s SEO Head Mike Bandilla will speak at PeepCon, along with thought leaders from True Logic and Growth Rocket. Bandilla is well-versed in SEO, thanks to a near-decade-long career launching organic strategies for clients worldwide. He oversees search engine optimization for enterprises and E-commerce sites of The SM Store, Ajinomoto, Beko Philippines, Malayan Insurance, and many more. What are you waiting for? Don’t miss this chance to rub elbows with like-minded individuals aspiring to grow their SEO knowledge and networking opportunities. PeepCon Lite 2022 is set to take place at the Grand Ballroom of Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas Manila from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Those interested can register now for only P1,500! Update: Peepcon Lite 2022 tickets were sold out less than twenty-four hours after the registration opened. The organizers are expanding the 150 seats to 250 to accommodate the high demand. Make sure you secure your tickets. See you at PeepCon!

LeapOut Digital is Now a SEMrush Agency Partner

December 16, 2021 No Comments

Good news to all our current and future clients: LeapOut Digital is now officially a SEMrush Agency Partner in the Philippines! LeapOut has been identified as a credible SEO agency in the Philippines by SEMrush, making it one of only two partners in the country. This achievement proves and establishes LeapOut as a trustworthy partner for high-quality SEO, content marketing, and advertising projects. What is a SEMrush Agency Partner? The SEMrush Agency Partners program is a platform that helps marketers quickly build and manage marketing campaigns to improve their online presence. Since 2008, SEMrush has over 7 million users and is currently servicing 143 countries. It has provided its services to numerous top global brands, including Tesla, Apple, Samsung, and more. This fantastic line-up of brands is one of the many reasons why becoming a part of the list of SEMrush Agency Partners further proves LeapOut’s competency in the field. With the SEMrush Agency Partners program, agencies can have their company listed as trustworthy based on a rigorous assessment by a credible platform. Partners gain access to thousands of SEMrush users as potential clients, while brands can easily find the right ones to work with. How to Become a SEMrush Agency Partner Like all under the agency partners program, LeapOut underwent a thorough process to become one. To get started, LeapOut Digital purchased SEMrush’s agency growth kit. The kit includes SEO and content marketing tools that help agencies become partners and improve campaigns, generate reports, and manage workflow. Afterwards, we took two tests, which are the: SEMrush Toolkit Proficiency – A set of toolkit exams related to SEMrush and its various features. Examinees may choose any exam corresponding to the type of service they’re using from the tool. Topics per exam include keyword research, rank tracking, link building, and more. SEMrush for Digital Agencies – For those looking to get certified, they may take this 25-question exam that tackles topics such as pitch presentations, client research, and campaign execution and management with SEMrush at their disposal. Once LeapOut Digital passed the comprehensive tests, we set up our Agency Partner page. This includes basic information about the company such as our name, logo, no. of employees, background, services, and contact details. The Agency Score One of the metrics presented on the Agency Partner page is the agency score. It is used to gauge an agency’s efficiency for campaigns. It’s also a great way for agencies to see what else they can improve. The range is from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Currently, LeapOut has earned a 4.4 score. The score is determined by two factors: agency and client success. The more successful the agency and their client campaigns are, the higher their displayed score is. A higher score comes with possible business as more brands will collaborate with the agency based on track record. At LeapOut Digital, we ensure that every campaign deliverable is submitted with high standards and on time. We follow a seamless process from campaign briefing to keyword research to writing and optimization to quality control to reporting. This way, we can ensure our partners that we are on top of the project every step of the way. With our status as a SEMrush Agency Partner, we aim to continue showcasing our team’s expertise and knowledge in the digital marketing field. With everything and everyone going digital, there’s no time to lose. Collaborate with us and implement effective marketing campaigns to improve your digital presence. Send us a message to discuss your campaign needs today!

Philippines’ E-commerce to become a $15B industry in 2025

September 14, 2021 1 Comment

Despite the pandemic wreaking havoc in various industries and economies, a key player has been steadily rising: e-commerce. Even without seeing the exact figures, you’re sure to feel the boom of e-commerce in the Philippines in various ways. It can be in the packages delivered to your house daily, or it can be in simply checking out your online cart more often than before. This has become a norm since the pandemic started due to lockdowns limiting physical stores from their businesses and general public health safety concerns. But how exactly has the e-commerce industry been performing in the country numbers-wise? PH e-commerce to hit $15 billion by 2025 In a report by BusinessWorld, an analysis made by Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity said that the gross merchandise value of the e-commerce industry in the country is projected to reach $15 billion by 2025 despite having a low penetration rate of 5% compared to the average 6% in Southeast Asia. Penetration rate aside, the e-commerce industry’s reported gross merchandise value of $4 billion last year indicates the increasing use and demand. “With the Philippines having a young population dominated by Millennials and Gen-zeds, we can expect that e-commerce is just on its way to becoming a dominant industry in the market. Most catalysts for growth are present, such as improving internet speeds, growing popularity of digital payments, and increasing logistics companies’ investments for order fulfillment. All systems go!” said Marvin Ortiz, Managing Partner of LeapOut, a digital and e-commerce company based in Manila. In a separate write-up made by Manila Bulletin, it was reported that online shopping transactions have soared up to 325% ever since the pandemic started. Additionally, with how insistent Filipinos were on cash-based transactions before, the pandemic has resulted in more Filipinos turning over to the online method, as reflected by website traffic on major shopping websites. For example, Ken Research’s analysis states that Lazada’s traffic had 30.47 million monthly visits in Q2 2020, signifying a massive increase from the 26.76 million monthly visits it gained from the first quarter. Plain and simple, all these numbers indicate that the e-commerce industry is becoming a powerful force compared to physical stores. And with how the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, e-commerce’s dominance is here to stay. Challenges of e-commerce in the pandemic Despite e-commerce performing well during this global health crisis, there are still challenges along the way. A survey conducted by Vesta states that safety and security are still cause for concern among Filipino e-commerce shoppers. Fraud, identity theft, and hacking are just some of the significant security concerns your potential customers are worried about. So for those looking to set up their e-commerce websites, partnering with an expert is the way to go to ensure both you and your customers that each transaction is secure. Additionally, with more and more online shops popping up to take advantage of the current situation, there are many more inexperienced sellers looking to go online that need help. Some of them may be unfamiliar with how it works. Therefore, they would need help in employing the proper strategies to reach their audience. With so many possibilities and platforms to use, they might end up choosing the least effective tool to reach their potential audience without proper guidance. With this, it’s better to have a team of experts doing the legwork for this rather than trial and error yourself and potentially cause business losses. The e-commerce industry, as it’s currently rising amid the global health situation, has massive untapped potential in terms of businesses. It isn’t easy for many, especially those who are used to the physical means of selling their products. But with the help of a digital marketing agency and e-commerce experts, your business can also thrive in this new online landscape.

New Google Ads Lead Form Extensions: How To Get More Leads

February 22, 2021 No Comments

Another simple yet significant tool for search engine marketing in the Philippines and around the world has occurred when Google made its recent announcement. The leading pay-per-click (PPC) advertising platform now allows advertisers to present their lead form when people click on their ad on search engine result pages (SERP). As consumers are becoming smarter, they constantly find new ways to be more informed. And for the industry of digital marketing in the Philippines, the competition to get leads is getting tougher. To make this easier, Google made in-SERP lead form extensions available to help both advertisers and their audiences reach their goals faster. For more information regarding the use and benefits of this extension, keep reading: How does it work? First, create a lead form extension in Google Ads and add it to your campaign. This is available for Search, Video, and Discovery (Gmail) campaigns. When a user clicks your ad, the extension would pop up a form directly without the need of a clickthrough. Upon interacting and opening the form, the audience could request or download information from your brand. This is done by submitting their contact details like email address, phone number, and other information in exchange. Afterwards, they would be asked to visit the advertiser’s site or go back to the SERP, video, or email. What are the considerations? Aside from having a good history of compliance, assess what kind of content you would be using. When creating lead form extensions, sensitive or adult content is not eligible. From Google’s help page, you also have to provide a link to your privacy policy to appear at the end of the lead form. And for Video or Discovery campaign users, you need more than $50,000 USD total spend in Google Ads or equal before proceeding. What are the advantages? One of the extension’s benefits is generating leads more effectively and efficiently to drive conversions for your business or organization. Having a pop-up lead form on the SERP, video, or your email presents a quicker way of collecting your audience’s information. Thus, this gives you advantage over their diminishing attention span with ads. You now have the chance to move these leads further down your marketing funnel and reach your business goals. In the future, more people could respond to your ads, as this extension makes the whole process easier for both parties involved. How can the leads be managed? You can manage your lead data by downloading them in a CSV file. Another way to do it would be to create a webhook integration to have leads moved directly into a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. However, keep in mind that you can only download leads submitted in the last 30 days. Because of this, you would have to download your leads often. What are the things to keep in mind? Even if PPC visitors are 50% more likely to convert than organic visitors, you should still improve all other marketing efforts in your arsenal. Use the Google Ads in-SERP lead extension forms to support the strategies you already have. Make the most of creating and optimizing for Google Ads in Search, Video, and Discovery by constantly researching for better practices from bigger companies, your competition, and Google itself. This includes regularly improving your keywords, creating simple but enticing ads, having a strong call-to-action, and reviewing your campaign performance. Additionally, your PPC efforts would be a lot more effective in conjunction with your search engine optimization, website and app development, and social media marketing as well. With your paid and organic strategies going hand in hand, you are likely to attract more well-intent leads for your business or cause. You would be able to provide value for your audience while getting the value you desire in return. For better assistance with gaining more relevant leads, consult your trusted digital marketing agency in the Philippines today to get you started!

5 Social Media Marketing Trends to Watch Out for in 2020

December 5, 2019 No Comments

Now more than ever, businesses are advised to invest in social media marketing efforts. Why? Let us enumerate the reasons. One, it’s not a passing trend. Basing on the extensive 2019 report of Hootsuite and We Are Social, internet users are growing by more than a million per day. It’s also been said that an estimate of more than 5 billion people will be using social media platforms by 2020. Two, whether you are a leading brand or a local shop, you need a social media presence. Social media has given businesses the power to connect with both their current and potential customers for free. Take advantage of various platforms and create content to build awareness for your brand and grow your audience. Three, you can boost your sales and leads affordably. Creating ads on social media platforms aren’t as expensive as traditional campaigns. With these channels, you can have the opportunity to reach your target market within your budget. Four, you have numerous social media platforms to choose from. Take a pick of what’s suited for your brand and invest in creating content that will ensure engagement with your target market. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to get on the bandwagon. Here are 5 social media marketing trends that are predicted to boost your business in 2020. TikTok to be used to reach a younger audience TikTok is a video-based social media app that has about 1 billion users. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, the short-form video app has been reported to be the third most downloaded app with 188 million downloads. It has about 500 million active users with 41% belonging to the age group of 16 to 24 years old. The platform gives brands the chance to increase brand awareness and engage younger audiences by showcasing their creativity. The app itself is a hub for creativity and humor which is why a typical post won’t give you that engagement you’re after. To get it, brands must be ready to show a different side of themselves. Here are brands who experimented and gained quite the attention. Chipotle Burger King LinkedIn ads to combine with personal branding Interaction with consumers has become vital in building brands. Gone are the days where businesses are only represented by logos. Today, with the help of LinkedIn, brands get humanized through its executives and representatives. With over 660 million users worldwide, LinkedIn has established a community of professionals connecting for business purposes. Even top executives are encouraged to share noteworthy content that can resonate with users. Hootsuite CEO Ryan Holmes is a great example of executives reaching out to their followers with great write ups and thoughts. Not only does he share content about his company, but also things that others can relate to as well. This is ideal for B2B targeting. When partnered with LinkedIn ads, it can help businesses connect with hard-to-reach audiences. While LinkedIn has higher ad cost, it is found to have better conversion rates and bigger ROI (return of investment) potential. Micro-influencers sponsorship to continue to grow Micro-influencers are those who have 1,000 to 10,000 followers. Sponsoring content with these influencers is said to play a vital role in creating brand awareness. How? According to the 2018 Global Micro-Influencer Study, micro-influencers receive seven times more engagements than influencers with bigger followings. With these results, survey shows the trade is bound to reach $10 million in budget by 2020, a 39% increase from previous figures. Micro-influencers have become relatable and credible for consumers. Thus, collaborating would promote authenticity for your brand. As public relations company Edelman CEO Richard Edelman shares, “People want to hear from real people, not celebrities.” Product discovery to be made easier on social media Social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, have created a huge impact on online shopping and e-commerce. In fact, a 2018 Kleiner Perkins Internet Trends report indicates that about 55% of people bought a product online after seeing it on social media. With the use of Facebook and Instagram Live videos, small online shops have used this strategy to generate sales. Even big e-commerce companies such as Lazada found this as strategic, using it to promote their products. Oftentimes, they invite influencers or celebrities to entice consumers into watching and eventually buying. Other than this, social media has also made it easier for consumers to see services and products of businesses, along with its prices. Facebook pages, Instagram stories, and even IG TV has made it all the more convenient for consumers, thus, solidifying their decisions to buy. For instance, Instagram now offers a feature that allows price indications. However, not all accounts are given access to it. There are several requirements businesses must meet in order to use Instagram Shopping features. Brands to use FB groups to connect better with its audiences Mark Zuckerberg has claimed that Facebook groups will be Facebook’s new future. In order to encourage meaningful interactions and at the same time improve the platform’s privacy measures, Facebook has given brands the opportunity to create groups. With this feature, marketers and businesses are now able to connect personally with their consumers. This helps establish trust in your brand identity and nurture your community. Of course, it must be noted that brands have to be careful of being too forward. This opportunity must be used wisely by creating a space for authentic conversations with your audience. Social media is a platform that constantly evolves, may it be in the form of updates, features, or functionalities. This only means, what works today may not work tomorrow. Taking this into consideration, staying on top of current trends is a must for businesses to maximize social media’s potential. This can help the brand to create a significant and meaningful connection with consumers. So, are you ready to take on these trends for 2020? Let us know what you think!

Understanding Filipino Millennials: Top 10 Traits of a Typical Filennial

January 28, 2019 3 Comments

Much has been said about the millennial generation: Entitled and impulsive. Ambitious yet lazy. Classic narcissists who refuse to grow up. The word millennial itself has continuously been used in the media to discredit and belittle this entire group of individuals born between 1981 to 1996. Regardless of the negative reputation millennials, in general, seem to effortlessly attract, the fact remains that they will soon dominate the workforce. With a population of 35 million strong, Filipino millennials, or Filennials, are ready to shake and reshape the country’s economic landscape. Emerging millennial market According to a 2015 census by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Filennials comprise 53% of the working age population, with 45% employed. The staggering rate at which they descend on jobs means that they also have a growing purchase power. Businesses must learn how to better market their brands to these young consumers, whose behaviors and ideals are drastically different from previous generations. To successfully capture a stable Filennial market base, one must first understand what they value, which is central to how they behave. The characteristics of millenial, after all, are not just randomly selected options in a checkbox; they stem from principles that Filennials respect. Indeed, despite how Filennials are often viewed as the Me Generation obsessed with selfies and the perfect Instagram shot, they are actually “politically and socially engaged.” So what are the traits of a typical Filennial? 1. They value authenticity. Hard selling your brand and product is just about the best way to lose a Filennial customer. They avoid brands that scream how great an item is or how a product is such a steal. Filennials want to make the purchasing decision themselves and they want authenticity from brands. Brand authenticity simply means that the brand knows your consumers, their needs, and how to get that message across. One way brands are doing this is by using influencers to promote their products and services in a far more relatable way. Others, like Angkas, are using social media platforms to connect to their target market in a refreshingly candid way. Read: AN INFOGRAPHIC: How Millennials Are Using The Internet 2. They want to be rewarded for their loyalty. Older generations are loyal to brands for the sake of loyalty but this is not the case for millennials. Filennials want to make sure that the brands they are loyal to are also loyal to them. Eighty per cent of millennials[i] subscribe to loyalty programs and 55% said some kind of reward card would keep them engaged with the brand. They also prefer digital rewards more than boomers, with 66% saying[ii] that they are more likely to shop from the store where they are part of the loyalty program. 3. They favor word-of-mouth recommendation. Filennials don’t merely rely on ads and copies. They trust reviews from friends, family, and even strangers. Before ordering food or visiting a restaurant, they will first check reviews on Zomato[iii]. When planning trips, they will browse TripAdvisor[iv] first before booking a flight or hotel. Brands must take steps to build a good reputation through relevant user-generated content. This can help show Filennial audiences that they are trusted by other people and can deliver high-quality products or services. Read: The Power of Influencer Marketing 4. They are tech-savvy. Millennials spend 5 to 10 hours[v] a day consuming numerous online content—and that’s a modest estimate. As digital natives, they are a highly mobile generation who rely on technology to help them perform their jobs better. With smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other gadgets, millennials are often plugged in and online—ready for communication, shopping, entertainment, and everything in-between. Millennials don’t just love consuming content but also sharing it within their circles. Whether it’s eating, drinking out, or watching films, they like documenting their experiences and letting other people know about it, perhaps even get influenced by it on some level. Each real-life activity is a digital activity, and vice versa. Brands should invest in taking their business digital, whether through social media, a mobile app, or an e-commerce website. The goal is a simplified, engaging, and intuitive digital experience. 5. They will pay for experience. Millennials want to experience life[vi] the best way possible with their friends and they are willing to pay for it. They like travelling and even view it as a necessity rather than a luxury[vii]. They would rather attend the actual concert than to buy the band’s merchandise. They always crave new adventures and discoveries and want to put thrill in the mundanity of every day. Characteristics of millennial consumers appreciate brands that put value to their experience—something exotic, adventurous, memorable, and perhaps a little bit dangerous[viii]. An astounding 98% of participants in a survey conducted by Factory360[ix] admitted that they are more inclined to buy a product when they participated in an experiential campaign. 6. They are socially conscious. For 76% of millennials[x], it is important that the brands and stores they purchase from are doing some good for the local community. Furthermore, 44% of millennial parents[xi] claim to shop only from brands that reflect their social and/or political values. When a brand makes a mistake, the backlash can be quite harsh, especially in this age of social media. Millions of losses[xii] can be incurred once consumers decide to boycott a brand on social media sites. Brands should be very careful about the values they espouse, especially since millennials are an entirely new breed when it comes to advocacy and social justice. 7. They carefully consider prices. According to Goldman Sachs[xiii], 57% of millennials compare prices in stores. That doesn’t mean they won’t consider buying more expensive goods, though. Your brand can be a pricier option and millennials will still make the purchase, as long as they are confident in the quality of your product. Consistently good quality is one of the factors that make millennials loyal to a brand. 8. They love good content. Filennials like witty and thought-provoking content. They are just as likely to share a