Social media is like snakes and ladders

Tilburg - Now these days, is it not surprising or original anymore; more companies use social media to advertise as it is cheaper. And also we are helping them to promote their brands. How? Just take a look at your own pictures placed on your social media site, do you see any product placement? No? Take a clear look, they are definitely present.

And this probably even happens unconsciously, for example think of a party on the hockey club or taking pictures of each other on a terrace in the summer. These videos and pictures contains a lot of differential brandnames without even knowing. An innocent picture can show clothingbrands, shoe-brands and also what type of soda or beer people are drinking. A short, simple movie, gives the big brands the opportunity to make commercials for free. 

It is unbelievable to see that so many brands are present on one single shot or even in a picture. My opinion is that the ordinary man helps companies to promote their brand, unconsciously.

Alterian, a social media monitoring company compares this to the Snakes and Ladder game, that you all probably well known. They think it is all about seeing and to be seen, and named online. Alterian have looked at the Social Media Reputation (SMR) of different brands, which examines how often a well known brand is called by the users of social media. Here is the top 50 brands in social media revealed.

Now this article made me start thinking: what is the benefit for companies to have money to spend on advertising in the time where YouTube and other major networks to produce free advertising? I am not so sure, what do you think about this? Tell me about it!

Let me introduce to you: Tommy Parker, artist and entrepreneur

Social media can be very useful to make yourself known to the world, just look at Esmee Denters. She was discovered by an American record label after she put video’s of her, singing populair songs on YouTube.com. Social media could also have benefits for the promotion of your company. But could it also have benefits for entrepreneurs? What do they think of social media and what are their underlying reasons to use them?

I asked Tommy Parker his opinion about social media. Tommy Parker is TV journalist, who also works as an artist. He sings, acts, directs and even had an interview with Mr. Bean, John Legend and Cameron Diaz.

Name: Tommy Parker

Social media since: 2005

Favorite social media: Facebook

1. Why did you start using social media?

"First, there was an absolute hype. I’ve never been someone who directly jumps and participate in a hype, but if anyone has it, then why not. I started my own YouTube and Hyves profile. In 2005 I did get my first television assignments and I’ve putted my first song on YouTube.com, but I wasn’t an artist at that particular moment nor was it clear what impact social media could have for artists. It just was a fun experience to put video’s on YouTube and to know what people thought about it. To be honest, it is about to see and to be seen. By using social media you can promote yourself to the rest of the world. I think that is social media’s big success, curiosity about others and share your information with anyone."

2. Why is social media so important for artists?

"Social media and the Internet is at this stage important, perhaps the most important for artists and performers. Now, you can show your work, video’s and music, to the rest of the world. Via Facebook you can be in touch with millions of people, and you can create a big scaled network with all people across the world. This wasn’t possible ten years ago. Yet, so many people put things on the internet it is hard to reach a large audience if you are not world famous."

3. What was your biggest social media benefit related to your work?

"Since social media I’ve contacted the last couple of years many talented people. It is nice to keep in touch with people who share mutual interest. Thanks to social media I’ve got in contact with a famous Dutch singer. She heard my songs and was blown away. Now, we are making plans for a duet. I also got in contact with Netherlands biggest casting director. We got along so well, that I am going to be represented by that office for film, theater and television work. Furthermore by social media I like to show the people what I do for a living. By getting responses I can improve myself, even if they are negative."

4. How dependent is an artist of social media?

"With social media artists can create a bond with their fans to keep them close. I am not a big fan of (Dutch) artists who describe every second of their day on Twitter. Like: “I am eating chocolate” or “I went to the store, but I forgot some cookies, I’ll have to go back..”. Maybe that is typical Dutch, because I haven’t seen this yet by the international artists. I think it is nice to place a private photo of yourself or a message on social media occasionally, to attract visitors to go to your site. But that is all, it must be related with work. However, I think that artists nowadays are dependent of social media and its effects. I believe that almost every artist agree with me and have their own social media website to promote themselves."

See below: music video clip with Melody Klaver and Mike Weerts directed by Tommy

For more Tommy Parker look at: http://www.tommy-parker.com/website/ or

http://www.youtube.com/tomstarnl