Thursday, April 24, 2025

Week 13 Part A: Online Advertising - Analysis of the Marketplace

 My Thoughts on Social Media Advertising vs. Traditional Ads

    This week I paid closer attention to the ads I was seeing on Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube—and it’s wild how much they’re tailored to what I’ve searched or interacted with. The ones that catch my eye the most usually include bold visualsshort video clips, or relatable, lifestyle-style photos. They often feel like regular posts until I notice the “Sponsored” tag. The most effective call-to-actions I saw were things like “Learn More,” “Sign Up,” or “Watch Now”—simple, clear, and action-based.

    One ad I clicked on had a cool aesthetic and was promoting a new fitness app. The vibe matched my interests perfectly. The ad led to a clean landing page with a video, testimonials, and a trial sign-up. That felt helpful and intentional. On the flip side, there were ads that felt random—like for car insurance or software tools I’ve never looked up. Those didn’t match my interests at all and felt more like traditional billboard ads just tossed into my feed.

    Comparing traditional advertising to social media ads, I definitely think social media is more effective, especially for small or personal brands like mine. Traditional media like magazines or billboards can be great for reach, but they’re expensive and way less targeted. Social media ads, even with a small budget, allow creators and businesses to reach people who are actually interested in what we offer—and track how well it’s working in real time.

    That said, sometimes it does get a little too dialed in. I’ve searched for something once and then had five ads chasing me across platforms for days. It’s kind of creepy and makes me more cautious about what I click. But on the other hand, if I’m researching something I actually need—like studio gear or camera equipment—those tailored ads can be super helpful.

    Overall, I think the key is balance. The ads that perform the best are the ones that feel natural, authentic, and visually engaging, not just digital versions of TV commercials. For Coco Shuffles, I can definitely see how paid ads could help if they’re done in a way that reflects the energy and style of my brand, while still offering real value to the viewer.

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