Emotional Commerce - Brand Colors
When Red is a Literal "Red Ocean"
We've spent a lot of time writing about the data-heavy side of marketing. Advanced metrics, algorithms, attribution, incrementality, and the list goes on. And while all of these concepts are core to successful marketing in 2020, it's important to not forget about the more ethereal concepts. And to that point, it's important to not forget about the emotional component of advertising where you build a relationship with a consumer.
So let's have some fun, get away from the data, and talk about brand color. One of the most basic branding questions and one of the hardest to do well.
Let's start by playing a game. The image above represents 16 large brands that have spent billions combined on attempting to own a specific color. These are all very well known brands, and where possible we paired competitors next to each other.
Take a moment, how many can you name?
SPOILERS AHEAD!! STOP HERE IF YOU WANT TO GUESS
Pencils down!
Full answer key at the bottom (for those who are impatient).
When looking to build a brand, color can be a tremendous driver in context and connection at a glance. And while that may be great when your advertisements have their own spotlight... what happens when it's mixed in with a sea of other brands? Keep in mind the average person now sees upwards of 10,000 ads a day!
Did you pick the right color red for Coca-Cola and know that the blue in the 3rd row was Pepsi?
These are companies that don't just buy SuperBowl spots, they'll sponsor the whole half time show and yet when placed on a grid can be difficult to name. An exercise like this can quickly show which brands chose wisely. For instance, could you tell the difference between the Coca Cola and Verizon red? Because we got it wrong even after having the answer key...
We applaud the bold choices in the grid. Snapchat yellow stands out like a beacon in a sea of blue (Facebook & Twitter). Uber and Lyft have a fantastic duality with contrasting black/pink brand colors. Though black obviously has a lot of competition as brands shift into more simplistic color schemes (both the aforementioned Coca Cola and Verizon use black heavily in their advertisements). So we'd give the trophy to Lyft in that specific showdown.
I think our favorite is actually UPS which found a way to own the color brown... so dull that the potential competition is approaching zero. Sometimes the best way to stand out is by not trying to be one of the cool kids.
Our hope with this exercise is to highlight two main points:
- Try to own some sort of imagery or color as a brand. The best brands can capture their audience's attention at a mere glance, because sometimes that's all you have. And when you do have a color association, make sure to actually include it your advertisements! Our favorite example of this is how Hulu applies a neon-green border to nearly all their ads. This is actually very impactful from a scaled creative POV.
- Competition is everywhere today, and it doesn't just apply to your own vertical. You are competing against millions of advertisers for the attention of essentially the same audience. Find a way to stand out and take that first step in building an emotional relationship with your audience!
Answer Key
*Apologies on the grid illusion 🤷♂️
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Thanks to Alexey Malakhov for sharing their work on Unsplash.
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Localizing UGC ads involves tailoring the content to fit the cultural and linguistic nuances of specific regions. By doing so, businesses can make their ads more relevant and appealing to local customers. This not only enhances user engagement but also increases the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.
To run these ads at scale, a streamlined process is crucial. Effective tools and strategies are needed to gather, curate, and distribute UGC quickly and efficiently. This ensures that the message remains consistent while still catering to the local tastes and preferences of different customer groups.
Developing a Strategy for Localized UGC Ads
Creating an effective strategy for localized UGC ads requires a clear understanding of how localized advertising works, how to leverage user-generated content, and the best ways to incorporate performance branding principles.
Understanding Localized Advertising
Localized advertising tailors messages to fit the specific needs and preferences of different regions. This involves understanding cultural nuances, local slang, and regional preferences. Marketers need to research and identify what resonates with the target audience in each locality.
- Cultural Relevance: Ads should reflect local customs and culture.
- Language: Use the native language or local dialect where possible.
- Local Trends: Stay updated on regional trends and popular events.
Engaging with local influencers can also boost the credibility and effectiveness of the campaign.
Leveraging User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) involves real users creating content related to a brand. This content can include reviews, photos, videos, and social media posts. UGC is powerful because it’s seen as more authentic and trustworthy.
- Encourage Participation: Brands should motivate users to share their experiences.
- Content Curation: Collect and select high-quality UGC to feature in ads.
- Incentives: Offering rewards or recognition can boost user engagement.
Using UGC in ads helps build trust and shows real experiences with the product or service.
Integrating Performance Branding Principles
Performance branding aims to achieve both short-term results and long-term brand building. For localized UGC ads, combining performance branding can drive immediate action while strengthening brand perception.
- Measurement: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like engagement rates.
- Optimization: Continuously test and refine ads for better performance.
- Consistency: Ensure branding elements like logos and slogans are consistent across all ads.
This approach ensures that localized UGC ads not only engage users but also contribute to branding goals over time.
Execution and Scaling of Localized UGC Campaigns
To effectively run localized user-generated content (UGC) ads at scale, one must carefully plan the campaign structure, tailor the content for each market, and use the right tech solutions for efficient scaling. The goal is to optimize performance and reach the targeted audience with relatable content.
Creating the Campaign Structure
Success starts with a well-structured campaign. Begin by identifying the target regions and creating specific campaigns for each. Each campaign should have its own set of ads, keywords, and budget allocations.
Organizing ad groups by regional markets helps in tracking performance. For instance, a UGC ad targeting New York will differ from one targeting Miami. This setup allows advertisers to monitor which ads perform best in each market.
Use clear naming conventions for ease of management. For example, naming campaigns with prefixes like US-NY or US-MIA can help keep track of regional differences. This strategy simplifies reporting and optimization for various local markets.
Content Customization and Approval
Localized UGC ads require customized content. Start by collecting content from users within specific regions. This can include images, videos, and testimonials. Authentic, local content resonates more effectively with the audience.
A robust approval process ensures content meets brand guidelines and is culturally appropriate. Using a content management system can streamline approvals by storing, editing, and approving content in one place.
Ensure that all content respects local sensitivities and regulations. For instance, an ad campaign for Paris might include different imagery and language nuances than one for Tokyo. This localization boosts engagement and relevance.
Technological Solutions for Scaling
Technology plays a crucial role in scaling UGC campaigns. Ad management platforms like Meta Ads Manager offer tools for creating, optimizing, and scaling ads efficiently. Automation tools help in adjusting bids, budgets, and placements in real-time.
Utilize analytics tools to measure performance across different regions, adjusting strategies as needed. These tools offer insights into what works best, enabling quicker and better decision-making. Leveraging AI can assist in personalizing content and targeting effectively.
Adopting Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) can further enhance ad performance. DCO automates the customization of ads based on user data, making tailored ads at scale possible. This leads to higher engagement and better ROI.
How to Build and Run Localized UGC Ads At Scale for Maximum Impact
Expanding your reach on Meta takes more than just regular posts. It requires creative thinking and innovative strategies. By exploring diverse audience segments and utilizing Meta’s range of tools, you can tap into incremental audiences that you might have missed before. These strategies can help you connect with new users, enhance engagement, and ultimately grow your presence on the platform.
For instance, leveraging lookalike audiences allows you to find people who are similar to your current followers. This can help you reach those who are likely to be interested in your content but haven't yet discovered your brand. Another effective lever is using video content, which tends to have higher engagement rates compared to images or text posts, thus capturing the attention of potential new followers.
Experimenting with boosted posts and paid ads tailored to different demographics can further broaden your reach. Meta offers detailed targeting options, enabling you to tailor your messages to specific groups. Using these tools smartly ensures that your content gets in front of the right eyes, driving growth and engagement.
Strategies for Expanding Audience Reach on Meta
Reaching new audiences on Meta involves optimizing digital campaigns and diversifying creative content. These strategies boost ad resonance and efficiently target broader or more specific groups.
The Importance of Digital Campaign Optimization
Optimizing digital campaigns ensures that ad spending is efficient. By tweaking variables like audience settings, budgets, and bidding strategies, businesses can better allocate resources.
Meta Advertising Strategies include using tools like A/B testing to compare different ad versions. Campaign Efficiency is improved by continuously monitoring results and making data-driven adjustments.
Broad targeting reaches large numbers of people but may lack precision. Narrow targeting hones in on specific demographics or interests, making ads more relevant to those users.
Creative Diversification: Enhancing Ad Resonance
Diversifying creative content is key to keeping ads fresh and engaging. Different types of visuals, messages, and formats can appeal to various audience segments.
Creative Diversification can involve using videos, carousel ads, and interactive content. This helps in capturing attention and maintaining engagement.
Enhancing Ad Resonance requires regularly updating ad creatives based on performance data. This way, ads stay relevant and appealing, reducing ad fatigue among the audience.
Targeting Mechanisms for Audience Precision
To reach the right audience on Meta, it's crucial to use targeting mechanisms that focus on age, gender, and geography. These tools help advertisers zero in on specific groups, making their ads more effective.
Decoding Age Targeting in Ads
Advertisers can tailor their messages to different age groups. By choosing the age range of their audience, businesses can make sure the content is relevant.
For example, a clothing brand may target teens and young adults with trendy styles, while a retirement community ad might focus on people aged 55 and older.
Benefits of Age Targeting
- More relevant ads
- Better engagement
- Higher conversion rates
Using age targeting ensures the right people see the ads, improving campaign outcomes.
The Role of Gender Focus in Advertising
Gender focus in advertising allows businesses to tailor their messages based on gender. This is especially useful for products with a gender-specific market.
For instance, a makeup brand may direct ads primarily to women, while men's grooming products are aimed at men.
Key Points
- Customizes ad content
- Increases appeal
- Boosts engagement
This targeted approach can lead to higher interest and sales, as the ads resonate more with their intended audience.
Maximizing Reach through Geographic Targeting
Geographic targeting helps advertisers show ads to users in specific locations. This is useful for businesses with physical stores or services tied to certain areas.
For example, a local restaurant can target ads to people living within a 10-mile radius.
Advantages
- Reaches local customers
- Reduces wasted ad spend
- Enhances marketing efficiency
By focusing on geographic areas, advertisers can attract nearby customers, making their campaigns more effective.
