More than 12 million Facebook users. National broadband penetration is over 80%. Almost 17 million total internet users. And how much are Malaysian businesses spending on online advertising?
A measly 1% of their total advertising budget.
A report released recently by Google and McKinsey & Co shows that Malaysian businesses hardly see internet advertising viable. In fact, Malaysia is placed at the bottom 10% of the 57 countries surveyed.
You can reap unexpected rewards advertising online... kacching!
Look, I’m no advertising genius. But doesn’t this seem like a severe case of head-in-the-sand ignorance?
Just 10% of Malaysia’s Facebook population is still more than the total daily readership of The Star, which is at about 1.06 million.
But that’s not all. We Malaysians spend more time on the internet than on watching television or listening to the radio combined.
If you ask me, I think we spend more time online than even talking to our spouse, family and friends combined.
If anyone out there thinks online advertising is crap – it can be annoying if improperly executed though – here are 5 good reasons why you should take your next campaign online:
Costs a fraction of TV, Print or even Radio ads
You can measure results and effectiveness almost immediately
Internet allows for almost pin-point targeting, bases on niche interests
Those in their 20s and 30s are active internet users; a consumer goldmine!
Almost 40% of purchase decisions are made on the net; making online presence critical
In times of dwindling marketing budgets and an ever-evolving consumer landscape, please feel free to double or even triple your online marketing efforts this year.
If you still want to spend RM40,000 or upwards on a one-time-only print ad (I’ve got some tips for that too) instead of a highly-targeted, response-oriented online campaign; then go right ahead.
If you can’t serve your customers, bash them up. A method practiced by a certain KFC employee; allegedly of course.
But you can’t refute the video evidence. Even if he was provoked, this is still no reason for an employee of a global fast food chain to get all Bruce Lee with anyone; let alone a customer.
But strangely, I wasn’t all too surprised.
That’s because I’ve been noticing the lowering standards of customer service in Malaysia for many years now. I’ve also written about my own experiences and the possible reasons behind such dismal customer service.
The KFC tagline these days is “So Good”. I guess they are not only referring to the chicken (again, allegedly), but also to the whacking that one would get from disgruntled employees.
But that’s the problem isn’t it. The brand spends millions to say something and the employees – who are probably working long, unforgiving hours for pittance – say another. There is hardly any synergy between what you see and what you get from Malaysian businesses these days.
He was, after all, a Colonel... don't be charmed by that smile!
And the worst part, no one is bothered.
Like the many customer service mishaps of the past, this video will be forgotten and conveniently dismissed as a one-time-only incident beyond the company’s control.
But I would really like to see is Ronald McDonald kick someone’s ass though… that would be awesomely funny!
It’s a dilemma every freelancer faces; how much to charge?
Too high and you might not get the job. Too low and you’re spoiling the market. Somewhere in between and you’re competing with every other freelancer out there.
Will work for dough, not the bread kind ok?
As for myself, the way people perceive me is slight problem. Since I write as a pastime and dish out free advertising and marketing advise in the process; people expect me to charge next to nothing – sometimes none at all!
Don’t get me wrong, I am still learning and there are way better copywriters out there than myself. But I do have my strong points, so I think a little recognition is in order.
A man was suffering a persistent problem with his house. The floor squeaked. No matter what he tried, nothing worked.
Finally, he called a carpenter who friends said was a true craftsman.
The craftsman walked into the room and heard the squeak. He sat down with his toolbox, pulled out a hammer and nail, and pounded the nail into the floor with three blows.
The squeak was gone forever.
The carpenter pulled out an invoice slip, on which he wrote the total for $45. Above the total were two line items:
Hammering, $2
Knowing where to hammer, $43
So, you know… as I said… the thing is. Ahhh never mind… I rest my case.
