News
The 10 Social Media Facts They Are Not Telling You
Agencies usually fail to tell you about these 10 Social Media facts that have proven true over the years despite the diverse policies and strategies each company applies for their online marketing.
Understanding the truth about Social Media when you are working online will save you a lot of headache and frustration down the line and will make you stand out from the competition.
1- No, It’s not about how many fans or followers you have
Having lots of fan or followers is a good thing, but this should not be your sole goal; people often fall into the trap of chasing follower numbers, which is like trying to book more empty seats (more fans), forgetting that you need an audience to fill up those seats (engagement) by liking, sharing, retweeting, commenting…etc
2- No, You don’t have to be on every platform
Choose the platforms that are more likely to have your target audience, which better serves your industry and content, and you do not need to be on every single social media platform and jump into every new platform. Find focus on providing value on the networks where your customers and prospects are most active. Better to not be somewhere than to have a presence there and ignore it.
3- No, It’s not free
Even if you only use free channels to engage and don’t want to promote your posts, social media requires a time commitment, and like everything in life, the more time you put into it, the better it will be. If you want to stay ahead of your competition, you will need management tools. The good ones are not free; you need tools to listen and track conversations, you need tools to schedule your content, need proper hardware to maintain solid moderation…etc.
4- No, your neighbor’s kid can’t do it for you
Maybe he can build a wicked house in Minecraft, but does he know your business? Your customers? Does he have anything of value to add to a conversation about your industry? Would you ask him to lead a call with your biggest client? Social Media is indeed easy, yet it needs the experience to handle different and dynamic public situations.
5- No, not being on social media does not mean you’re safe
People will mention your brand either positively or negatively even if you do not have any accounts; having your own social media accounts means you have a chance of listening, responding, and ultimately seeding and steering conversations in your favor
6- No, you will not please everyone
No matter what you do, there will always be a group who attack you and find everything you say offensive, so don’t be offended. Just be polite, act professionally, and know there is nothing you can do
7- No, it’s not marketing or advertising
Social Media is not just another media to post your Ads, and your audience doesn’t want to see your marketing messages; they want you to listen and react to them
8- No, forget about B2C & B2B; it’s H2H
Have you ever had a prickly email or telephone exchange with a new prospect or client, and then you met in person and found out your kids go to the same school or that you both play tennis and then you were pals?
Brands now have the opportunity to create new energy – an energy that’s more powerful than even a Super Bowl TV spot. Why? Because it is delivered one-on-one, person-to-person, human-to-human, heart-to-heart.
9- No, you can’t ignore FB
Facebook is your core social media hub; there are 1,000,000,000+ people on Facebook. The number keeps growing so rapidly that you have to check it every time you need to mention it. Your customers may not use Facebook daily to conduct business, but they’re definitely there, sharing pictures, finding out fun information, researching products, and checking out local businesses. If you’re there too and have interesting, helpful, and engaging content, they’ll appreciate that and connect with you.
10- No, posting about “other” stuff is not bad
Over 80% of your content should be non-brand focused. You may talk about the competition. You may talk about the industry; you may even talk about totally unrelated topics… as long as your fans are happy, then you are on the right track.
Social media doesn’t have to be a big, difficult thing; in fact, it can and should be fun. Imagine having better, more human relationships with your prospects and customers all the time.
Social media should be part of your marketing strategy that you’ll enjoy. And if you’re having fun, your customers and prospects will have fun, too, and they’ll want to work with you.
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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