Connect with us

Marketing

Who Egyptians trust most, least when it comes to brands

Published

on

Revealed: Who Egyptians trust most, least when it comes to brand building

Trust is one of those intangibles which we as communicators must always focus on. Trust, that notion of one person relying on and believing in a second person, is key to changing attitudes and behavior. But how do you build trust, and what channels should you focus on? These are the questions that we need to answer to be able to do our job of building and protecting reputations. So, where should one begin when looking to build trust?

Based on research by YouGov, which was commissioned by the Middle East Public Relations Association and which included a survey across the six Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, the place to begin isn’t online, but rather face-to-face. Fake media, less impactful advertising, and third-party advocacy are also reshaping where consumers in the region put their trust.

Here are the research results from Egypt. The research is quantitative, so there are no explanations from those surveyed as to why they chose what they did.

Survey Base

1004 people were surveyed in Egypt, 97% of whom were Egyptian and 3% were ex-pat. When it comes to gender, 51% were male, and 49% were female. Just over 40% were aged between 18 and 29, 21% were between the ages 30 and 39, and 39% were aged over 40.

In terms of geography, it’s no surprise that over a third were Cairo-based, with 36% living in the capital. Of the remainder, 24% live in the Delta, 17% in Alexandria, 16% in Upper Egypt, and the remainder in the Canal Zone/outside of these areas.

Advertisement

In terms of salaries, 30% earn less than US$266 per month, 24% earn between US$266 and US$532, 17% earn between US$533 and US$1,065, 8% earn between US$1,066 and US$2,665, and 3% earn more than US$2,666. Approximately 18% of people refused to disclose their earnings.

Finally, 41% described themselves as single, 47% as married with children, and 6% were married but had no children. The remaining 6% were classed either as other or did not respond.

The Influence of Family, Friends and Third Parties

When it comes to those closest to them, Egyptian respondents said they have an 85% level of trust in face-to-face conversations with friends and family about products and services.

Only 3% of respondents said that they would not trust a face-to-face discussion. Those who displayed the highest levels of trust include respondents earning between US$533 and US$1,065 (90%), those living in the Canal Zone (96%), and those who are married with children (88%).

Trust in social media posts by friends and family about products and services averages at 51%; mistrust comes in at 14%. Trust is most pronounced in those earning above US$2,666 (62%).  Those who are between 18 and 24 are least likely to trust such posts (20%), as are those living in Alexandria (22%).

Advertisement

Egyptian respondents have a higher trust in third-party endorsements of products and services than most other countries in the region; 62% agreed that they trust third-party endorsements more than what a brand says about its own products and services, compared to 6% who don’t. The highest trust is among those who are earning less than 500 Egyptian Pounds and those who are earning over 10,0001 Egyptian Pounds (both 70%), as well as ex-pats (76%).

Trust in Social Media

Egypt’s respondents were torn over social media posts by influencers and people with lots of followers on products and services; 32% said they found such posts trustworthy, and 31% said they found them untrustworthy. Men were much more likely to be trustworthy (37%) than women (27%). Those who are earning between US$1,600 and US$2,665 also had the most trust (51%) in such posts. The least trusting were ex-pats (23% for, 43% against).

Unsurprisingly, social media has become a vital source of information for Egyptian respondents; 57% of respondents agreed that it has become more important to them as an information source today than five years back (12% disagreed). This is especially true of younger respondents between 18-24 (63%). However, almost half (45%) have low trust in what they see online.

When it comes to the most popular social media channels for information on goods and services, it may be no surprise that Facebook is the most popular by far (71%), followed by WhatsApp (8%). In third with 8% was the choice of none. It seems that if you want to do social media in Egypt, you have to be on Facebook.

Trust in Media & Advertising

Only two media channels scored higher for being trustworthy than untrustworthy among those polled – they were brand websites (46% versus 18%), and website articles (35% to 24%). All other media scored higher for not being trustworthy, with television and blogs both at 27% (their untrustworthy scores were 41% and 35% respectively), and radio at 30% positive, compared to 35% negative. Respondents weren’t asked why, but it’s probably fair to say that Egyptians have a healthy skepticism of official media, given the events of the past seven years.

Advertisement

Levels of trust in advertising are approximately the same as the media, with billboards being the most trusted (34%), followed by television and radio (both 30%), and finally online at 28%. For online, radio, and television, they’re not trusted more than they are trusted, with negative scores of 32%, 31%, and 33% respectively.

When asked if they trust advertising less today than they did five years ago, 62% agreed and 8% disagreed. Those earning the least (500 Egyptian pounds) trust advertising the least, with a 70% rating. Over two-thirds of respondents (69%), agreed with the statement that so-called ‘fake news’ has lowered their trust in mainstream news media. Only 8% disagreed.

Marketing

5 AI Copywriting Tools That Are Transforming Content Creation

Published

on

By

5 AI Copywriting Tools That Are Transforming Content Creation

In today’s digital world, businesses constantly seek ways to stay ahead of the competition. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is through content creation. However, creating engaging content requires a significant amount of time and effort, which can often be a challenge for busy professionals. This is where AI copywriting tools come into play. In this article, we will explore the latest developments in AI-powered copywriting tools and how they are revolutionizing content creation.

What are AI Copywriting Tools?

AI copywriting tools are software programs that use artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) to generate high-quality content. These tools allow users to create content quickly and easily, without extensive writing skills. The software analyses data and generates text content, including articles, blog posts, product descriptions, social media posts, and more. The content generated by these tools is often indistinguishable from content written by a human, making it an excellent option for businesses looking to scale their content creation efforts.

Benefits of AI Copywriting Tools

Here are some of the benefits of using AI copywriting tools:

  • Increased efficiency: AI-powered tools can generate content faster than humans, allowing businesses to produce more content in less time.
  • Improved accuracy: These tools can help ensure that content is free from errors, improving the overall quality of the content.
  • Cost-effective: AI copywriting tools can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time writer, particularly for businesses that require a lot of content.
  • Consistency: These tools can help ensure that content is consistent in tone and style, which can be a challenge when using multiple writers.

Top AI Copywriting Tools

There are several AI copywriting tools available in the market. Let’s take a look at some of the top options:

1. Writesonic

Writesonic is an AI-powered copywriting tool that uses deep learning algorithms to generate high-quality content. The tool offers many features, including blog post generation, product descriptions, landing pages, and more. It also supports multiple languages, making it an excellent option for businesses in different regions. Additionally, the tool offers a content rephrase, which can help businesses avoid duplicate content penalties.

2. Copy.ai

Copy.ai is another popular AI copywriting tool that uses GPT-3 technology to generate high-quality content. The tool offers several features, including blog post generation, email marketing, and social media post creation. It also provides a feature called “Inspire Me,” which gives users writing prompts to help them get started.

Advertisement

3. Conversion.ai

Conversion.ai is an AI-powered copywriting tool that uses GPT-3 technology to generate high-quality content. The tool offers many features, including blog post creation, product descriptions, and more. It also provides a feature called “Long-Form Assistant,” which can help users create in-depth content, such as articles and white papers.

4. Articoolo

Articoolo is an AI copywriting tool that uses NLP technology to generate articles and blog posts. The tool analyses a user’s topic and creates an article from scratch, making it an excellent option for businesses looking for original content. It also offers a feature called “Content Quality Score,” which can help businesses ensure their content is high-quality and engaging.

5. Writesphere

Writesphere is an AI-powered copywriting tool that uses GPT-3 technology to generate high-quality content. The tool offers many features, including blog post creation, product descriptions, and more. It also supports multiple languages, making it an excellent option for businesses in different regions.

Continue Reading

Advertising

Advertising and Digital Adoption in MENA and SEA

Published

on

By

Advertising and Digital Adoption in MENA and SEA

As traditional advertising revenues plummet globally and broadcasting budgets are slashed, The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South East Asia (SEA) regions have reported tremendous growth in digital adoption and a rise in digital advertising revenue as a result. 

This growth is driven by an increase in internet users, smartphone penetration, and the rise of social media platforms. AI Copywriter tools are now being widely adopted by brands, organisations, and companies in these regions to enhance their digital advertising campaigns.

 Let’s delve deeper into the trends and statistics of advertising revenue and digital adoption in MENA and SEA.

Digital Advertising in MENA

Digital Advertising in MENA

MENA has emerged as one of the fastest-growing digital advertising markets, driven by a young population and increasing smartphone penetration. According to a report by McKinsey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the highest degree of digitisation, while Egypt represents the largest untapped opportunity. The report also highlights a growth in the adoption of digital channels and spending in the coming years, coinciding with the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) across all sectors.

The Market Size

The digital advertising market in the MENA region is estimated to be worth over 1.2 billion U.S dollars in 2021. The market is expected to continue growing, with a projected growth rate of 20% by 2024. The region’s e-commerce market is also expected to grow and reach 69 billion U.S dollars by 2020. The GCC and Egypt account for 80% of the regional e-commerce market.

Advertisement

Media Channels in the MENA

The advertising market in the MENA region is witnessing a major shift toward digital advertising. Traditional channels such as newspapers are declining, while the internet is taking over with 44.2% of the total ad expenditure in 2020, according to Statista. Social channels account for more than half of the total digital ad spend, surpassing global benchmarks. The region is also moving towards a “mobile-first” strategy, with a majority of internet traffic generated through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Performance Marketing in the MENA

Performance-based campaigns are gaining traction in the MENA region, with 59% of advertising agencies significantly shifting into performance-based campaigns, according to a survey conducted by the Interactive Agency Bureau (IAB). Brands are demanding payment by results (ROI & Return on ad spend ROAS) as well as enhanced consumer insights and analytics.

Digital Advertising Agencies in the MENA

The MENA region has over 500 advertising agencies that have a large number of employees, with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE fuelling the region with small and medium-sized agencies. The UAE is home to big advertising firms, while Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan represent the majority of digital marketing talents and creative resources. However, the highly qualified talents in digital advertising and performance are always moving outside the region to join companies in the European market.

Programmatic Advertising in the MENA

The slow transition from traditional to digital media is one of the key reasons programmatic advertising is struggling to dominate the region. Collectively, the MENA trails other regions in innovation and adoption of ad tech and marketing technologies. The top ad networks in the MENA region include Facebook, Google Ads, IronSource, Applovin, Adcolony, AdFalcon, InTarget, AdZouk, and Ambush. The United Arab Emirates is leading the growth in programmatic advertising due to technology partners and pressure from clients and brands to automate the process and use AI.

Digital Advertising by Sector

According to Ipsos research, the top ten sectors in the region are dominated by beauty care, food, telecommunications, and entertainment. Telecommunications companies, followed by real estate and banking, are the top categories.

Advertisement

Digital Advertising in SEA

Digital Advertising in SEA

SEA is a rapidly growing digital advertising market, driven by a young and tech-savvy population. According to a report by eMarketer, digital ad spending in SEA is expected to reach 15.3 billion U.S dollars in 2021, with Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam leading the growth.

The Market Size

The digital advertising market in SEA is expected to grow at a rate of 13.7% in 2021, with a projected market size of 22.45 billion U.S dollars by 2025. The region’s e-commerce market is also booming, with a projected market size of 153 billion U.S dollars by 2025.

Media Channels in SEA

SEA is also witnessing a major shift toward digital advertising, with traditional channels such as newspapers and TV declining. Social channels are the most popular, accounting for 63% of total digital ad spend, according to a report by Hootsuite. Mobile advertising is also on the rise, with a majority of internet traffic generated through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Performance Marketing in SEA

Performance-based campaigns are becoming popular in SEA, with advertisers demanding more accountability and transparency. Brands are looking for more measurement and optimisation to ensure their campaigns are reaching the right audience and delivering the desired results.

Digital Advertising Agencies in SEA

SEA has a large number of digital advertising agencies, with many emerging startups and creative agencies. The region is home to a highly skilled workforce, with many professionals trained in digital marketing and advertising.

Advertisement

Programmatic Advertising in SEA

Programmatic advertising is becoming more popular in SEA, with many brands and agencies adopting the technology to automate their advertising campaigns. The region is also seeing an increase in the use of AI-powered tools and platforms to help advertisers optimise their campaigns.

Digital Advertising by Sector

The digital advertising market in SEA is dominated by the retail and e-commerce sector, followed by the travel and hospitality sector. The region is also seeing growth in the financial services, healthcare, and automotive sectors.

AI Copywriter Tools in Advertising

AI copywriter tools are becoming increasingly popular in the MENA and SEA regions, with many brands and agencies adopting the technology to enhance their digital advertising campaigns. These tools use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to generate high-quality, engaging content that resonates with the target audience.

AI copywriter tools can help brands and agencies save time and money by automating the content creation process. They can generate a large volume of content quickly and efficiently, allowing advertisers to test multiple variations of their ads and optimise their campaigns for better performance. AI copywriter tools can also help advertisers improve the quality of their content by ensuring that it is grammatically correct, engaging, and relevant to the target audience. They can analyse data from social media and other sources to identify trends and insights that can inform the content creation process.

Conclusion

The MENA and SEA regions are witnessing tremendous growth in digital advertising and digital adoption, driven by a young and tech-savvy population, increasing smartphone penetration, and the rise of social media platforms. AI copywriter tools are becoming increasingly popular in these regions, providing brands and agencies with a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance their digital advertising campaigns. The future of digital advertising in these regions looks bright, with continued growth and innovation in the years to come whilst broadcast and traditional advertising feels the pinch. The time has come for the more conservative amongst us to take the plunge and fully embrace digital and all it entails. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Marketing

5 Digital Marketing Strategies You Should Be Using in 2023

Published

on

By

5 Digital Marketing Strategies You Should Be Using in 2023

Well, savvy marketers and content enthusiasts, we’re over halfway through 2023, and what a year it’s been already. As the digital landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game and ensure your marketing mojo is switched to activate. In this article, we unveil five strategies to keep your campaign ideas on point. Prepare to unleash your marketing prowess like never before.

1. Interactive Experiences: Engage, Delight, and Convert

In the dynamic world of content marketing, engagement is the name of the game. Embrace interactive experiences to captivate your audience and leave a lasting impact. From quizzes and polls to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, the possibilities are endless.

Imagine immersing your audience in a VR journey that showcases your product’s unique features or offers personalized quizzes that provide tailored recommendations. Interactive content breaks through the noise, sparks conversations, and turns passive consumers into active participants. Get ready to elevate engagement to new heights in 2023!

2. AI-Powered Chatbots: Deliver Seamless Customer Experiences

Say hello to the future of customer service: AI-powered chatbots. In 2023, it’s time to embrace these virtual assistants to provide real-time, personalized support to your customers.

Imagine chatbots that can handle customer queries, offer product recommendations, and provide instant assistance 24/7. By integrating AI-powered chatbots into your digital marketing strategy, you can deliver seamless customer experiences, enhance engagement, and streamline your customer service operations.

Advertisement

3. User-Generated Content: Empower Your Audience to Shine

Harness the power of your audience’s creativity by embracing user-generated content (UGC). Encourage your customers to share their experiences, testimonials, and creations related to your brand. UGC not only builds a vibrant community but also generates authentic and relatable content that resonates with potential customers.

Run a photo contest where users submit their best moments with your product or inviting customers to share their success stories on social media. By showcasing UGC, you empower your audience to become brand ambassadors, creating a ripple effect that amplifies your reach and builds trust.

4. Personalisation: Tailor Your Content to Individual Needs

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all marketing. In 2023, personalization takes center stage. Leverage data insights and automation tools to deliver hyper-targeted content that speaks directly to the individual needs and preferences of your audience.

Imagine creating customized email campaigns that address specific pain points, offering personalized product recommendations based on previous purchases, or tailoring website experiences based on user behavior. By delivering personalized content, you enhance engagement, foster loyalty, and ultimately drive conversions. It’s time to make your audience feel seen, heard, and valued.

5. Voice Search Optimization: Speak to Be Found

As voice assistants become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, optimizing your content for voice search is well worth considering. Voice search optimization involves understanding the nuances of how people speak and tailoring your content to match their natural language queries.

Advertisement

Consider incorporating conversational keywords and long-tail phrases into your content, focusing on answering specific questions, and optimizing your website for featured snippets. By embracing voice search optimization, you position your brand as an authoritative voice in the digital soundscape and ensure your content is discoverable to the growing number of voice-search-savvy users.

In the exciting era of 2023, these five digital marketing strategies will empower you to conquer the digital realm, captivate your audience, and drive your brand to unprecedented success.

Continue Reading

Trending