3 Reasons Facebook is Too Big to Fail

3 Reasons Facebook is Too Big to Fail

3 Reasons Facebook is Too Big to Fail

Facebook stock is down, but the future is looking up.

Let’s face it, the Facebook IPO was drastically overvalued.  Overly optimistic traders, corporate greed, a shift in members viewing Facebook on smart phones vs. PC’s (resulting in fewer advertising opportunities) are among the many reasons for a lower than expected IPO and corresponding current stock price. And while its revenues represent only 1% of the world’s $507 billion in total ad spending, the growth opportunities for Facebook are limitless.

It is not uncommon for a stock price to dip significantly after its IPO. Companies such as LinkedIn and Angie’s List experienced similar plunges. LinkedIn’s share price was $94.25 in their first day of trade after their IPO, yet plunged to $63.71 a month later. It currently trades at $105 a share. Angie’s List Inc., the consumer-reviews site, had a first-day close after the IPO value of $16.26, up 25 percent from IPO price. It dipped to $11.56 within the first month. Four months later the price was $18.89.

There are many examples of tech stocks which have performed well after initially dipping in price.  Google is currently trading at $675, compared to $84 since its 2004 IPO. Apple stock prices were at $22 dollars for its IPO back in December of 1980 – and increased 1700% within one year – and as of today are trading at a whopping $665 per share (over a 4000% increase). What is most important to recognize is not the short term expectations, but the long-term growth potential of this technology platform. There are three reasons Facebook is too big to fail:

1) Lifestyle Facebook is not just a software application, it is a way of life.

Individuals can find lost family members, old classmates, share pictures and events with friends and family, and chat live with other members. According to Mashable.com, the average person spends 5 hours and 46 minutes per month on Facebook, up from 4 hours and 39 minutes back in June of 2009.  This is more than Google, Yahoo, YouTube, Microsoft, Amazon and Wikipedia combined!

2) Advertising Machine Facebook relies on Ads to drive revenues.

While there has been a shift in members viewing patterns on Facebook from personal computers to mobile phones (which have fewer ad opportunities due to a smaller screen), Facebook has barely scratched the surface of reaching out to other companies to partner with. Companies with large networks of people have the ability to exponentially grow the views and ad opportunities. The same untapped potential is true of 3rd party software applications that allow Facebook users to share content with online friends, and login with their existing Facebook logins.

3) Demographics Collection and Meta Data build value.

The most significant accomplishment of Facebook is the statistical data they have compiled. Users fill out their age, physical location, interests, simply by signing up. Pages users view, topics they frequent, companies they visit, all are collected which allows Facebook to search for patterns that their advertising department can capitalize on. But even more than that, Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon have all have teamed up to share demographics (meta-data) from one site to another. While in many cases the personal information or identity of a specific person cannot be revealed, those seeking to advertise now have a larger reach, and the most precise statistics ever available. As the number of technology partnerships increase, the value and advertising opportunities increase.

Like any other tool, technology can be used to build or to harm.  Other Social Medial platforms such as MySpace have gone by the wayside. This is not because they weren’t useful, but because their technology did not keep up with the changing needs and demands of their users. Facebook understands their users. They “get it”.  Improvement of existing features, incorporating new features such as Timeline which allow users to display more content (and allow for more advertising opportunities), a large R&D budget, and an untapped world market guarantee a long and profitable future.

Click here to contact GANZ Media today and find out how we can create a Social Media Campaign for you!

Retailers Fail to Understand Social Media! – Gamestop & J.C. Penny Facebook Failures

Facebook “F-Commerce” enables consumers to purchase online using Social Media: but is it a bust?

Retailers Fail to Understand Social Media! - Gamestop & J.C. Penny Facebook Failures

Retailers Fail to Understand Social Media! - Gamestop & J.C. Penny Facebook Failures

 

Last year Facebook launched a new platform for online purchasing through their Social Media platform called F-“commerce”.  Many large retailers jumped on board to sell using this new distribution channel without understanding Social Media, and those who use it.

In a recent Bloomberg article GamesStop & J.C. Penny were cited as halting their Facebook store presences after disappointing sales. The article inferred that major retailers pulling out was a result of a poorly designed strategy by Facebook as a company, and would weaken their proposed upcoming IPO.  The real story is that the failure of Retail stores launching into Facebook e-commerce is a lack of their own understanding their digital audience.

Retailers enter the world of Social Media marketing without an understanding of the unique buying patterns of their visitors. They offer nothing new: no novel product or content, duplicating efforts found on their company websites or in the store.

Here are five tips for Retailers looking to use Social Media-

Retailers may want to consider:

1) Selling specialty items: hard to find or rate items not found in the store will keep existing shoppers excited, while bringing in new customers that might not normally shop at the physical stores.

2) Selling overstocked items: retail outlets can reduce inventory and cut storage costs by creating an outlet for products that are not flying of the shelves as fast as they would like, or selling used items as well.

3) Providing discounts not already found on website or in store: unique discounts, special offers, and linking them to QR codes on printed marketing materials.

4) Posting unique content: original news items, articles, customized Facebook apps & games, that keep viewers coming back for more. Creating a “Like Us” tab to showcase video and pictures combined with an opt-in email/newsletter sign-up. These allow for more advertising opportunities as well.

5) Incentivize sharing with friends: referral programs, “Like Us” programs traded for discounts, and integrating Social Media icons & links into every company email (both for corporate & employee sales teams).

[See article reference]

Contact GANZ Media to see how we can help launch your Social Media Campaigns!

Holiday Greetings Email Campaign a Success! GANZ Media soars with 18% open rate!

The Holidays have been really good for GANZ Media. Our recent Holiday email campaign was an amazing success; achieving an 18% open rate, versus a 14.3% industry rate.
Click here to see the email.

We attribute the high open rate to an effective choice of the subject line, and a love of the Holiday Spirit.

From the staff at GANZ Media, we wish you a Happy New Year!

See the results below:

 

GANZ Media Holiday Email Results 2011

GANZ Media Holiday Email Results 2011