The Use of Technology in Promotion (Edexcel IGCSE Business)
Revision Note
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
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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