Buzz building ideas for a product launch with impact

Posted on June 6, 2018 by shopkick

When looking for ideas for a product launch, brands have come up with many innovative ways to get attention. Continue reading “Buzz building ideas for a product launch with impact”

How to earn a gift card using free apps

Posted on June 6, 2018 by shopkick

One piece of advice that I’ve learned over and over again as a shopper is that there’s more than one way to find what you want. This has especially become true with online shopping. Way back when, in order to find a certain type of electronic device or that absolutely perfect blouse you saw last week on display, you had to go to one specific store that sold it, and if that store didn’t have it, well, you were just out of luck.

Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Because now, I’m able to have my go-to online shopping sites, brick-and-mortar stores, and vintage and consignment shops when I’m looking for the perfect clothes for all seasons and occasions: winter, summer, work, exercise, going out, you name it! This same attitude also applies to savings strategies, like sales, deals, and gift cards. In fact, that last one is what I want to talk about today. There is more than one way to earn a gift card, and today I’d like to share with you how to earn a gift card using free apps.

Gift cards earned through free apps have actually become a cornerstone of my hybrid shopping routine, both online and in my favorite stores. Today, I want to share some of that shopping love with all of you!

How to Earn a Gift Card Using Free Apps for Surveys

One of the most common ways to earn a gift card using free apps is by taking surveys. That’s where Ipsos comes in. The Ipsos app’s mission is to find out what the public thinks, especially when it comes to topics like advertising, politics, and other sources of debate on the national level. The way Ipsos works is that the average user receives about eight survey invitations each month, which they can then accept or deny. For completing each survey, users get points that can later be cashed in for prizes, including gift cards to many different places, which to me are just as good as cash.

There are so many different survey apps out there, with more and more new ones seeming to pop up every week, but Ipsos is certainly one of the most popular. If you are looking for a survey app that will give you gift cards, know that you can use Ipsos via a smartphone app, which gives it a leg up over some other survey platforms that require you to use a desktop computer.

How to Earn a Gift Card Through the Lock Screen on Your Phone

You know the lock screen on your phone, the one you see every time you hit a button on your device without unlocking it first? That screen can give you free gift cards. Well, with the help of an app called Fronto, that is. All you have to do is be willing to swap out whatever photo you have there now, whether it’s stock wallpaper, a photo from your vacation, or a cute snapshot of your kids.

Opt in to receive news and ads selected by Fronto and each time you view one of these of ads, you’ll earn points. Sometimes the app will ask you an interactive question to help you earn extra points. Once you have earned at least $10 worth of points, you can exchange them for free gift cards. A word of advice, though, for those of you who are tethered to your phone all day like I am: Fronto can be a bit rough on your data plan and your battery life, so make sure you have available data—and a full battery—before you download it.

How to Earn a Gift Card for Shopping

Taking surveys and renting out the lock screen space on your phone are both great ways to earn a gift card with a free app, and you should definitely use them—I know I do. However, I think my absolute favorite way to earn a free gift card that helps me save money when I’m shopping is through shopping itself. That’s right, you can literally shop your way to free gift cards with a free app called Shopkick.

How it works is that Shopkick turns every trip to the store into a super fun scavenger hunt for points, which the app calls kicks. It’s also super easy to use, and the tasks that users like us have to complete for kicks are ones we do every time we go shopping anyway. At its core, Shopkick is basically a free app that pays you to shop. For example, if you download the app, then walk into a partner store, you’ll earn kicks. Scan featured item barcodes, get kicks. Buy a featured item, get more kicks! Shop from your sofa using the app, get kicks! Watch videos when you have a little downtime, get kicks! There are also “instant surprises,” kicks you can find when you look around in the app—it’s an in-app treasure hunt, you just have to look around to find them, tap on them, and collect them! Once you’ve earned enough kicks, you can then trade them in for gift cards to a super wide range of stores. One of my favorite things about Shopkick is that you really don’t have to go out of your way at all. It really is that easy!

Now, you should know that these are just my personal favorites and that there are many more out there.

I’m so glad that I got to tell you how to earn a gift card using three of my favorite free apps. Now, you should know that these are just my personal favorites and that there are many more out there. I’m sure now that you’ve learned about the game, you’ll come up with a hybrid shopping routine of your own, involving free gift card-earning apps of course.

If I had to choose just one of these apps, it would definitely be Shopkick! Like my personal shopping routine, it works both online and off, and I just can’t imagine what my budget would look like without all the free gift cards I’ve been earning through Shopkick.

Ready to take your online and brick-and-mortar shopping games to the next level? Start using Shopkick today to earn gift cards for free. Just download Shopkick and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered the rewards of shopping with us!

And, if you love using your smartphone to stay up on social media, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration.

Image courtesy Rido81

The biggest kicks of the season are coming!

Posted on June 1, 2018 by shopkick

Don’t miss HUGE upcoming kicks in stores and online! Our Blue Weekend event runs from June 8, 2018 through June 10, 2018. Plan ahead and check out this sneak peak of participating stores!

Get big kicks in stores

T. J. Maxx

Marshalls

Brighton

Reebok

Carter’s

OshKosh B’gosh

Best Buy

Fabletics

Ulta Beauty

Shoe Carnival

Corningware, Corelle & more

Bed, Bath & Beyond

+ MORE

Get big kicks online

Walmart.com

eBay

Etsy

Amazon Devices

Amazon Home

Amazon Fashion

Overstock

Lane Bryant

Jet

ASOS

Kohls.com

CheapOAir

Three video advertising benefits for brands competing in the digital space

Posted on June 1, 2018 by shopkick

Video advertising benefits CPG brands by making them more discoverable in the digital space. Continue reading “Three video advertising benefits for brands competing in the digital space”

3 grocery shopping rewards apps that can be used anywhere

Posted on June 1, 2018 by shopkick

Rewards and shopping have always sort of gone together, at least in my experience, whether those rewards end up taking the form of a really great secret sale, or the feeling you get when you find the absolute perfect top that you can wear to both the office and out with the ladies. Grocery shopping, however, has always been the one part of shopping where I have personally found the rewards opportunities to be just a bit more elusive.

That is until I discovered the concept of the grocery shopping rewards app. Technology these days is truly amazing—and getting more amazing all the time—and it’s now being used to make trips to the grocery store more fun with great savings. There are different ways that these apps can save us shoppers money, with the one thing they have in common being the positive effect they can have on our shopping game, as well as on our budgets.

One of the best parts of all this, I have to say, is how you can take these apps with you, meaning that they aren’t just limited to your local grocer. Let’s say you’re on the other side of town for spin class, and after you make a quick run to a nearby store for a few items. You can do that. I’ve even used all three of the grocery shopping rewards app selections here while I travel! Simply put, saving money knows no bounds, so neither should the apps you use to get rewards for your groceries!

Grocery Shopping Reward App #1: SavingStar

Our first grocery shopping rewards app that can be used anywhere is SavingStar. It’s what’s known as a digital couponing app, and how it works is that it discounts items at most grocery store locations, funneling your savings into an account that you can cash out later.

It’s super easy to use because you can link SavingStar up to your store loyalty card account (or an equivalent), and you don’t even have to scan your receipt after you’ve made purchases. SavingStar offers its users an array of methods that they can use to cash out, including PayPal, direct bank account deposits, checks, a Upromise account, or gift cards to a select group of stores.

Grocery Shopping Reward App #2: Coupons.com

For the second entry on our list of grocery shopping rewards apps that can be used anywhere, we have Coupons.com, which is like SavingStar in that it’s an online digital coupon app. It’s different, however, in that users must go on and download digital coupons, although recently they’ve worked to add a linked store loyalty card functionality that is similar to SavingStar, but in all honesty, I haven’t had a chance to try it out just yet.

Coupons.com also gives its users an option to shop in a truly old school way. That’s right, you can use this app to print out physical coupons that you then take with you to the store in order to redeem your savings. You know, just like most of us did when we were kids and the Sunday paper was the primary way to collect savings at our local stores.

Grocery Shopping Reward App #3: Shopkick

The other two apps on today’s list are great, make no mistake, but my favorite out of any grocery shopping reward app is Shopkick. It’s definitely the one I use the most. Like the other two, how it works is pretty simple. You go to a grocery store in your town, on vacation, while visiting friends—basically anywhere—and you get points for the simple things you do while you’re shopping anyway, things like making purchases, scanning the barcodes on certain products, and even just walking into the store. Then you trade those points in for free gift cards!

It’s really easy to use, clearly, but what I think I like the most about it is the way that it fits so seamlessly into my regular grocery shopping routine. I hardly have to go out of my way at all, I just quickly scan the barcodes of the things I put in my cart, and then when I’m done, I scan my receipts, and the points roll in. As an efficient shopper, I’m a huge fan, and I can’t recommend Shopkick enough. It even makes your trips out to the store more fun, because once you get familiar enough with the point-scoring system, each time down the aisle starts to feel like an exciting scavenger hunt for more rewards, especially if you like to push yourself a bit at things, like me.

Finding and redeeming rewards have never been such a vital part of shopping.

The last point I want to make here today about all of these apps is that because of their wide-range of eligible stores and their inherently digital natures, you can literally take them with you anywhere. You can (and should) of course use them for your normal grocery shopping, but you should also remember to use them at stores that fall outside of your normal routine.

Finding and redeeming rewards have never been such a vital part of shopping. There are more and more ways to incorporate rewards into your regular shopping routines, but I strongly suggest you incorporate some or all of these apps into yours, especially Shopkick, which you can pair with either of the digital coupon apps on this list. And if some savings is a good thing, double the savings is even better, right?

Looking for a grocery shopping rewards app to save money and make your trips to the store much more fun? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy wdnetstudio

The highest paying apps for Android that are free and fun

Posted on May 30, 2018 by shopkick

I remember the days when I used to roll my eyes at old sayings and cliches, things like it feels better to give than to receive, or an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Then I became a mom. All of a sudden, I found myself very sincerely teaching these old sayings I used to think were corny to my boys because I realized there’s quite a bit of truth to them.

And the truest of them all, at least in my humble opinion, is that the best things in life are free. I have three boys at home, three boys who love their fancy video games, but, honestly, I think they have the most fun on the random days when the weather is nice and we all get out to run around at the park. Thinking about all of this was actually a big part of my motivation recently when I set out to earn a little money by using my Android smartphone, and I decided the ideal way to do that was by finding the highest paying apps for Android that are both fun and free.

And you know what? I actually found some really cool apps! It’s my pleasure to share what I’ve found with all of you. To borrow an old cliche, in my experience sharing really is caring. I hope you have as much fun using these free apps as I do!

Highest Paying Apps for Android #1: App Trailers

App Trailers is the first on the list of highest paying apps for Android. It’s both free and fun, and it’s also an app that my boys and I can enjoy together because it pays you to watch free videos. I like it because of the rewards and my boys like it because many of these videos are about something that’s very near and dear to their little hearts: video games.

We’ve watched videos about games from EA, Rovio (which makes Angry Birds), and plenty of other companies that my guys know far more about than I do. The more videos you watch, the more points you earn. Then you can trade those points in and get paid via PayPal, or in Amazon gift cards.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #2: Make Money Earn Free Cash

As you can tell by the name—Make Money Earn Free Cash—this app is basically about two things: making money and earning free cash. And it’s free to download via the Play Store on Android devices.

I think of this app as no-nonsense, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lot of fun to use, especially if you’re like me and enjoy learning about new apps that you might have otherwise missed out on. It’s pretty simple to use. All that you do with Make Money Earn Free Cash is download free apps, watch videos, and then complete offers from the sponsors, which usually involves signing up for mailing lists or taking surveys. Obviously, this isn’t always fun, but sometimes you learn about really cool new apps, and that can be a blast! When you’re ready, you can then go ahead and get paid for your earnings via PayPal.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #3: Shopkick

The last one on the list of the highest paying apps for Android is actually the one I’ve been using the longest. It’s called Shopkick, and, just like the other two, it’s both free and fun to use. How it works is that Shopkick rewards you for things you do while you’re out shopping. Don’t worry, you won’t even have to go out of your way to use it. See, Shopkick gives you points for things like watching videos, making purchases, scanning barcodes on certain products, and even just for walking into the store! You can then trade those points in and get paid in gift cards to some of your favorite stores, which is just as good as getting cash back.

But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store.

It’s a free app for Android (and also iPhone), but more importantly, Shopkick is seriously a ton of fun to use. Finding time to get out to the store can be kind of hard, especially when you have three boys at home like I do, and, if I’m being totally honest with you here, it used to be a bit of a hassle. With Shopkick, though, a lot of times I’m having so much fun trying to maximize the number of points I get on each trip, that my trips fly by. I’ve even started looking forward to going to the store! Oh, and I’ve really started looking forward to cashing my points in for gift cards.

Those are just some of the choices, though. There are literally dozens more out there. But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store. Even the boys have gotten in on the fun, coming with me and asking me what items they should look for to scan for points. It sounds cliche, but you really can’t put a price on that kind of togetherness.

Get to know one of the highest paying apps for Android that also happens to be as free as it is fun! Download Shopkick today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy Bankrx

The top benefits of video marketing with apps for CPG brands

Posted on May 30, 2018 by shopkick

The benefits of video marketing for CPG brands may be overlooked as this is a category of brands where the products have relatively low-price points and high competition. Continue reading “The top benefits of video marketing with apps for CPG brands”

Does your product launch marketing formula include a shopping app? It should.

Posted on May 28, 2018 by shopkick

Often, a product launch marketing formula involves a step-by-step process, but it should be an ongoing cycle. Continue reading “Does your product launch marketing formula include a shopping app? It should.”

Apps that pay you real money for real-life activities

Posted on May 28, 2018 by shopkick

Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a virtual world, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. These days, there are just so many of us out there who work online, play games online, and who most certainly have friends that they only contact through social media channels online—at least I know that I do. And I think these are all great things. In fact, some of my closest friends in real life are friends that I first met online.

And friendships are not the only new thing I’ve been making in the digital world lately. In fact, thanks to a little poking around, I’ve recently discovered apps that pay you real money for your real-life activities. These apps are exactly what they sound like. Although they obviously exist solely on your phone or another compatible device, they basically track your real-life activities and give you rewards, generally in the form of cash, for the things you do every day. Isn’t that a great concept?

So, I figure why not share it with all of you fine people out there today? In fact, you might like these apps that pay you real money for real-life activities just as much as I do. After all, what’s not to like about turning the things you do every day into some nice bonus income? With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #1: Gigwalk

Gigwalk is what’s known as an in-person app because, in order to use it to make real money, you have to complete tasks in person. The way it works is that let’s say you’re out for a walk, and you open up Gigwalk and see a pin at a store in your community. You simply click that pin and it gives you a task to complete.

These tasks are usually so simple that you can spend a few minutes knocking them out before continuing on your way. Examples include seeing if a brand display has been set up properly, or even doing a quick bit of inventory for a certain product. Depending on how involved the tasks are you can make anywhere from $3 to $100 per gig (although in my experience it’s generally much closer to $3). Once you complete those gigs and your work is approved, you can then get paid real money via PayPal.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #2: Field Agent

Field Agent is another one of those apps that pay you real money. Much like with Gigwalk, with Field Agent, you may find yourself doing things like checking out store displays or making sure things are priced correctly as you go for a walk or head out to shop.

Sometimes, you can even use it in tandem with Gigwalk, doing two tasks at the same store! I know I have in the past, and it’s been really productive for me. Oh, and just like Gigwalk, Field Agent pays you for your work starting at $3, and it lets you cash out and collect your money via PayPal. Basically, my advice is that if you’re using one of these, you should just go right ahead and sign up for the other. That way you don’t miss out on any chances to earn real money.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #3: Shopkick

I think of all the apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, my favorite is Shopkick. Shopkick is actually what’s known as a shopping rewards app, and how it works is that it gives you points for shopping activities that you do each time you go to the store anyway, activities like buying certain products, scanning barcodes while you’re browsing to get more information, and even just walking into the store. You can then trade those points in for gift cards, which, let’s be honest here, are the same thing as real money.

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun!

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun! Instead of a chore, every time I hit those aisles it feels like I’m on a fun scavenger hunt for points to earn as many rewards as I possibly can. I’ve even become a regular on Shopkick’s Facebook page, where I share tips, jokes, and whatever else with fellow users. I like Shopkick so much that I honestly can’t remember all that well what going to the store used to be like before I started using it—though I’m sure I wasn’t nearly this engaged. That’s why overall Shopkick is my favorite of this bunch.

The last thing I want to tell you is that I’ve been using all three of these apps for some time now, and they’ve helped me add a nice little boost to my budget, especially Shopkick. I’ve also just now started to share them with my many friends online, and they seem to be enjoying them as well! At least, they certainly seem to be awfully grateful for the advice.

So, there you have it: three great apps that pay you real money for real-life activities. I suggest using them all, of course, but if you have to select just one I would highly advise going with Shopkick. Let’s face it, no matter what you do you’re going to have to make somewhat regular trips to the store, and with Shopkick those trips become not only a way to earn yourself some rewards, but to also make every stroll down the aisles a whole heck of a lot more fun!

Looking for the coolest apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, especially one that can help you make your routine shopping trips more fun? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy bigtunaonline

5 Ways to Earn Totally Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

Posted on May 25, 2018 by shopkick

I was in my favorite coffee shop the other day, getting my morning banana bread and cup to go when I noticed next to the door they’d mounted an iPad to act as a mini-kiosk for customers. On the screen, there was a green smiley face and a red frowning face, and above these two faces, it said, How was your experience with us today? Everyone had been super nice (that’s why this place is my favorite) so I pressed the green smiley face and started walking out the door.

Before I could leave, though, I noticed that the screen now had a set of at least 10 more questions for me to answer, all with small print. Well, I just didn’t have time for that. So, I kept walking. I just don’t have time, or—if I’m being honest—the patience to fill out long and intricate surveys. Smiley faces, sure, but long questions? There just isn’t a window in my day. I do, however, know that many of my friends use survey apps that pay them in gift cards to answer questions. That’s not for me, and I imagine there are plenty of you out there nodding right now in agreement. That’s why today I want to talk about some great ways to earn free gift cards, no surveys required.

Most of these ways to earn free gift cards require little to no deviation from your daily routine—about the same amount of time it took me to tap that smiley face on the iPad. Let’s face it, that old cliche about time being money, it’s true, especially these days. So, having to spend your valuable time taking surveys to get free gift cards kind of makes it not so “free.” The ideal way to score those cards is through stuff you’re already doing. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective methods I’ve come across.

Play Games to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

This first item on my list is, without question, a great way to earn free gift cards, but whether it saves you time in your everyday life will vary depending on your hobbies. I know that I’ve personally played games to relax for a good long while, going all the way back to when I was a little kid with my old Super Nintendo. I still have plenty of puzzle games and the like on my phone, and I’m not shy about busting them out when I’m in a waiting room or in the breakroom at my office.

There are actually several sites or apps you can pick from that will make playing to earn a reality. The way they work is that they give you points for the time you spend playing games, and then you can later trade those points in for free gift cards, no surveys required (of course). Some of my favorites are CashCrate or InboxDollars. While survey-taking is the main way to earn rewards on these, it’s definitely not required (thankfully!) and you can actually earn by playing games. They all have slightly different interfaces, as well as types of games that you can play, but the general idea is the same: play games for a while, earn points, trade them in for your free gift cards.

It’s really all about playing the averages in this sort of setup. Read a lot of blogs, and you’re likely to come across more blog giveaways. Enter more of those giveaways and you’re likely to win. It took me a while to win my first one, but now I’ve won a great deal. I’ve also come across some really interesting blogs, which has been a nice little bonus for me. I’ve even come across websites that track blog giveaways and help you find the ones with gift cards. Some of my favorites include Bloggy Giveaways or Giveaway Monkey.

Use Credit Cards to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

This is one I recommend to my responsible friends out there. There are plenty of credit cards you can sign up for that give you cash back or free gift cards for all that you spend. This is, of course, only valuable for you if you pay your bills on time and don’t become liable to have to pay back much interest. Not to brag, but I’ve always been a conscientious credit card user, so I don’t even really have to think twice when it comes to taking advantage of this one.

Finding cash back credit cards is a bit more common than finding ones that pay you back in the form of gift cards, but it can be done. In fact, I personally use Walmart’s credit card, which allows me to turn in my cash back rewards for statement credits or gift cards. I like to go with gift cards there because they’re much more versatile: you can save them, use them right away, or even give them—like their name implies—as gifts. Like the other techniques on our list, I have a few websites that may be able to help you find these cards, including creditcards.com and NerdWallet.

Browse Social Media to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

I’m the type of person who likes to follow the stores that I frequent most on social media. I started doing it so I could have an easy way to find their pages and check their hours. Then I started to notice that the stores used social media to share information about their products, giveaways, coupons, and opportunities to receive gift cards. I get it, it’s a fun way to win new customers while also generating word-of-mouth buzz.

Shop to Earn Free Gift Cards, No Surveys Required

I try not to play favorites with my recommendations, but I have to say I think this last method is the best to earn free gift cards. There are actually apps out there that will give you points for your shopping behaviors that you do anyway. How they work is you just go ahead and do things you do when you’re shopping already, things like scanning barcodes to get more information about certain products, buying products, and for even just walking into the store.

The shopping app I use the most is this one called Shopkick, which I can’t recommend enough. It gives you points for all those reasons I mentioned above, and it’s also a whole lot of fun to use. In the simplest possible terms, I’d say it’s a fun app that also pays you for shopping. The key to using it is consistency. I know I’ve heard of users earning at least a gift card each month, and I can say that from my own experience that doesn’t sound at all unrealistic. It really is just one of the best free apps that pay you money. You can also combine Shopkick with some of the other sites and apps on this list, specifically the ones related to credit cards.

I know the saying has been around forever, but I think it’s especially true these days: time really is money, and I don’t have much extra time to take surveys, even if they do reward me with free gift cards. If you do, great! But I’ve found that it’s much easier to take advantage of ways to earn free gift cards that fit neatly into my existing lifestyle.

While things, like playing games, entering giveaways that I learn about through blogs, and browsing social media with an eye out for deals, are all really effective ways to earn free gift cards, my personal favorite is the Shopkick app. It depends on what I have going on any given week, but there are some weeks where I literally find myself heading out to the store five or six times for little things. Now with Shopkick, I can earn points each time I set foot in the aisles, points that I can later trade in for free gift cards, no surveys required. That’s definitely something that would make me hit a smiley face instead of a frowning face.

The 2018 video advertising trends that will shape 2019 and beyond

Posted on May 24, 2018 by shopkick

Video is going through a significant transitional phase as emerging video advertising trends are set to change the way advertisers approach this medium. While traditional video marketing has always had strong sales conversion potential, new formats like 360-degree campaigns, rewarded video, and live features may offer an even better benefit. That benefit is the ability for a brand to gain attention with video, even as the traditional marketing space for videos becomes a crowded and challenging area in which to compete.

Most of these new features in video advertising trends come as a result of improved mobile technology and the platforms these consumers use on their devices. With increased access to smartphones, consumers can interact with brands in immersive environments, receive incentives for watching content, or participate in events remotely as they happen. Today’s video advertising trends show us that brands must be prepared to deliver innovative marketing content as consumers’ demand for incentives, live features, and immersive experiences grow.

Going Live on Social Media

Live streaming is such a favorite feature among consumers it’s even been called “the future of social media.” Most popular social platforms offer live streaming features as part of their apps, allowing consumers to film and share simultaneously. This is an area of which brand leaders can take advantage to help their content stand out.

Live video offers content without the expense often associated with creating it. Consumers tend to have lower expectations for the quality of live streams than traditional formats such as professionally-produced commercials. Live streaming allows someone to create a short, in the moment video that can be shared immediately. Some live videos can even be saved and stored, for future accessibility.

Live Internet video is expected to account for 13% of all Internet video traffic by 2021. This boost in live traffic will continue as brands start creating live campaigns as part of new product launch plans or other branded events. Those who understand the power of live content will be best poised to deliver it.

Length versus impact:

A consumer may be more than happy to watch a 15 second advertisement, but are they really grasping the concept in such a short span of time? The purpose of the ad is to share the brand’s message and increase consumer connection. If the ad is extremely short, the consumer likely won’t retain anything from it. However, if the ad is too long, they may not watch it all the way through. Brands must test various advertisement lengths to determine the maximum amount of time needed to retain the message compared to how long consumers are willing to watch.

Value for time investment:

The most prominent factor in whether or not the consumer will view a video all the way to the end is if the consumer feels that the amount of time spent watching the advertisement is worth it. At best, some brands hope to get passive watchers of their ads, in that the consumer tolerates the commercial until they are able to skip to their primary content but isn’t fully engaged with the ad. However, by rewarding the consumer for watching the video in the first place, the likelihood that they’ll actively watch the video increases. This active watching is where rewarded video can make a stronger impact for brands.

Immersing Consumers in 360 Video Advertising Trends

One of the most advanced ways to reach out to consumers with video advertising is through immersive experiences that allow the consumer to feel like part of the advertisement. This immersive experience is a more cost-effective option than virtual and augmented reality video advertising. These experiences can also improve sales, as one study showed a 7% greater purchase intent from those who’d viewed a 360-degree experience from a brand.

One example of this type of advertising is a campaign for Mountain Dew that included immersive trailers for a street basketball game sponsored by the Pepsi brand. The brand features popular streetball player Grayson “The Professor” Boucher in a series of 360-degree video ads for an event. Overall, the commercial reached a 22% click-through rate, which is significantly higher than the standard 1% rate of most video advertising campaigns. Mountain Dew was able to achieve this by using immersive ads in conjunction with:

The results speak for themselves when it comes to immersive campaigns. They offer higher conversion potential than standard video while improving consumer engagement. Despite that, these campaigns are incredibly expensive to create, far more so than a traditional video ad. While technology is being designed to lower the barrier to entry in this medium, it will be some time before it’s a feature that’s affordable to all. One more cost-effective way to leverage new video innovations is by partnering with a third-party app provider.

Managing Video Experiences with Third-party Mobile Advertising

When it comes to video advertising, the trend seems to be moving the way of mobile. In fact, mobile video traffic now accounts for half of all mobile traffic. Brands must be prepared to take a mobile-first approach to offering video advertising to consumers. This mobile-first approach is often more accessible for a brand to manage by partnering with a third-party, like a shopping app, to provide videos to consumers while offering a well-rounded mobile experience. Leveraging a third-party mobile app for delivering videos offers more than a few benefits to brands, including:

Using mobile apps in conjunction with third parties can provide a cost-effective solution for a brand that wants to leverage video advertising but isn’t sure they’re ready to invest heavily in the technology. These apps can be a way to test the water before a brand moves on to more complex, in-house video marketing campaigns. Finally, they provide a better way to incentivize consumers without giving discounts.

Video advertising trends that will shape the future combine technological advances to deliver greater interactive experiences for consumers. Whether a brand is using live video options, incentivizing consumers through rewarded video, or promoting an event with 360-degree content, it is gaining an edge by offering content consumers are starting to demand. By making these experiences mobile, through a third-party partnership, brands will be better able to leverage trends in video advertising as they emerge.

Celebrate Memorial Day with kicks!

Posted on May 24, 2018 by shopkick

When life gives you kicks, go shopping! Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with BIG kicks when you shop through the Shopkick app on LivingSocial, Kohls.com, Overstock, Groupon and more!

Thinking of heading out to stores on Monday, 5/28? Stop by T.J.Maxx and Marshalls to get BIG kicks when you walk in. Plus, earn even more when you pay with your linked card at Best Buy, Carter’s, and many more participating stores.

Happy shopkicking!