The Use of Technology in Promotion (Edexcel IGCSE Business)

Revision Note

Lisa Eades

Written by: Lisa Eades

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

How Technology has Impacted Promotion

  • The increased use of mobile technology, social media and online commerce have increased promotional opportunities for businesses

    • Businesses which respond quickly to changing technological trends are able to better meet the needs of their customers

  • Current technological trends to which business are adapting include targeted online advertising, viral marketing, the use of social media, and e-newsletters
      

Targeted Online Advertising

  • Advertisements are directed at specific customers whose online activity indicates that they may be interested in purchasing a product

    • E.g. Online stores such as Amazon include recommendations for products based on previous purchases

 

Viral Advertising

  • Organisations use online platforms, including social media, to promote their products by creating eye-catching, shareable content, which often includes humour or interactive media

    • E.g. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was a viral campaign which encouraged the sharing of videos via platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to raise awareness of motor neurone disease

 

Social Media

  • With many millions of users, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok allow business to target promotions at specific market segments whose social media interaction allows very detailed analysis of their behaviour, preferences and interests 

    • E.g. Instagram has been a popular platform for fashion businesses to promote their products through influencer partnerships

Diagram: Users of Social Media Platforms 2023

4--users-of-social-media-platforms-2023

Facebook and YouTube are the most popular social media platforms, whilst newer platforms such as Tiktok and Snapchat are enjoying rapid growth

  • Businesses use social media platforms to maintain an online presence, share content such as short promotional videos and swiftly distribute press releases 

  • The advantages of using social media for promotional purposes include

    • Billions of regular users provide a wide reach for advertisements

    • Inexpensive compared to other advertising media such as television

    • Advertisements can be targeted very accurately at customers with specific characteristics

    • Hyperlinks quickly direct customers to company websites
       

E-newsletters

  • Businesses build an email mailing list, which is used to direct promotional materials towards those who have expressed an interest in their products

  • The business may need to offer an incentive for potential customers to give up their email address

    • E.g. Fashion brand Uniqlo offers customer 10% off their first order if they sign up for email newsletters

  • Once the business has a list, they can use it repeatedly to promote products and build a deep, ongoing connection with potential customers

    • However, the business must avoid sending too many emails, as this may annoy potential customers or be ignored

Examiner Tips and Tricks

In the exam you could be asked to analyse the implications for a business of using technology in promotional activity. Analysis questions require you to develop short chains of argument that are related to the business context. You do not need to make a recommendation in these responses.

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Lisa Eades

Author: Lisa Eades

Expertise: Business Content Creator

Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.

Steve Vorster

Author: Steve Vorster

Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.