8 in 10 Connect to Brands on Facebook

Edison Research and Arbitron found that 80% of US social network users preferred to connect with brands through Facebook. Twitter is tied with "Don't know" for a very distant second place.

We'll revisit this data in a few months when we know more about Google+ and the effect it will have on the customer/brand relationship.  But, for now, it's fairly clear where brands should continue to focus.

Consumers Expect Something for "Like"

According to ExactTarget, 58% of Facebook likers expect both access to exclusive content, events or sales, and discounts or promotions through Facebook.  Only 37% do not expect anything to happen.

What does all of this data mean?  In short, it means that the "If you build it, they will come" mentality only works in the movies.  Just as it is with every other medium, you need to give visitors a reason to engage with you.

What exclusive content are you providing to your likers?

Worcester Center for Crafts Holiday Festival

Davis Advertising has assisted the Worcester Center for Crafts over the years on a number of annual campaigns to deliver direct mail, radio spots, print ads, billboards, posters and eblasts to invite new and existing students alike to take courses or one-night workshops in a variety of media.  Whether it is a pottery course in the original location at 25 Sagamore Road, or a glass-blowing class at the glass studio at 35 B New Street, the WCC is open year-round for students of all levels. 

Together again, Davis Advertising and the Worcester Center for Crafts have delivered the 2011 Festival of Crafts campaign. Above, here's one piece of artwork Davis created. This annual event takes place on Friday, November 25 to kick off the holiday shopping season. This festival runs through Sunday, November 27.

Brand Pages come to Google+

As we’ve mentioned in the past, Google Plus is a wonderful new social media channel, that has attracted around 50 million people since it’s inception back in June. It came out of Beta, and became open to everyone in September. Until Monday, November 7th, only individual users were allowed, and businesses couldn’t form a page, as they can on Facebook. Google politely asked businesses to wait, and many obliged. By enforcing their Real names only policy, many small businesses that tried to cheat the system were bounced from G+, as were some notable personalities that have functioned under pseudonyms on other sites.

All that has changed. 

Google officially welcomed businesses to the Google Plus universe on Monday, November 7th, 2011. This was done in a two step process, and only a couple of businesses that had a heads up were allowed initially (Only top tier business, like, say, The Muppets!) in order to make sure that the services were set up in place correctly.

Online marketers rejoiced, and then many began to build their G+ pages (See ours, click here!), and pretty much mirror their Facebook pages. They brought over their image galleries, links to YouTube, etc. They set up their company information, and posted some public welcome messages, and tried to bring their Facebook followers over.

The question we are asking today is, “Should companies create a separate strategy for Google+?”

With the ability to set up hangouts, and to set up Circles to share information with, should company pages focus more on the type of communication they are trying to accomplish? Is your company planning on mirroring your Facebook page on Google +, or have you begun to think of different ways to engage with your customers and employees?

Please give us your opinions below. Should your company be on Google +, and should it have the same strategy as Facebook and Twitter, or are you hoping to provide a completely different experience?

We have some definite opinions, but are looking to see what you all think first, before voicing ours.

Worcester Academy's International Students

As a school rich in tradition and focused on excellence, Worcester Academy is known as a premiere learning institution. The knowledge and experience that the students receive prepare them for college and life in the future. Worcester Academy pulls from a pool of local, national and international students who strive to make a positive impact in the world around them.

With that in mind, Worcester Academy came to Davis wanting to make an impact with their open house materials, as well as their international brochures. Davis Advertising provided them with a comprehensive strategy that included direct mail, web banners and email blasts, PPC, print and signage.

A tri-fold brochure for International Students.

Sign for Open House

For more images from this campaign, please click here.