Instagram: A Useful Marketing Tool for your Company

Many companies are aware that in order to reach their target audience these days, it’s necessary to participate in social networking. We all know about the popular use of Facebook and Twitter, but what about Instagram? This social media platform may seem like something that is used only to share photos of pets or food with your friends using various filters, but recently it has proven to be a marketing strategy for companies. Let’s take a look at its potential benefits…

 

Promoting Events: Many conferences and events have hashtags for attendees to use on Twitter while at the event. Those hashtags can also be used on Instagram to reach a target audience in the same way as Twitter, but while providing a visual. By uploading a picture of your conference exhibit booth customers have a way to interact with your brand, and it could attract more foot traffic not only to your exhibit but also on your company website.

Connecting with Followers: The images provided by Instagram allow clients to see who they are working with, essentially putting a face to the company name. Letting your audience to view images of your staff, products, etc., gives customers the ability to have a deeper insight into your company on a more personal level.

Web Profiles: Facebook’s recent purchase of Instagram has expanded the application far beyond its original mobile app platform. Users can now engage with those that they follow online in a way similar to Facebook, but the content is all photo based. Instagram is unique from other social platforms like Facebook and Twitter because there is little to no content provided through the application. As a result, Instagram provides an “instant” snap shot of the message you are trying to get across without overwhelming your audience with too much information.

In today’s technology driven society, Instagram can be an integral part of the marketing experience. These are just a few of the ways businesses have recently started using Instagram to market themselves. Can Instagram become an important part of marketing, or will it just be a silly way to kill time on the internet? Only time will tell. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

As we all know, the weather in Chicago can be very unpredictable as it is still expected to snow as we approach the spring. However, that does not stop Chicagoans and visitors alike from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the city. Chicago has a large Irish population and St. Patrick’s Day is one of the many traditions that occur to celebrate the city’s diversity. Some of the activities that everyone can enjoy include…

A crowd favorite is watching the Chicago River being dyed bright green. This year, it will take place the day before St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, March 16. A fun fact is that this is actually done by dumping orange dye into the river.

  

 Chicago River

Following the dying of the river, is a parade that takes place beginning at Balbo and Columbus Drive. The parade is a Chicago tradition that attracts tourists from all over the country because it has something for everyone. 

We recommend taking public transportation as heavy traffic and limited parking are to be expected. Have a safe and fun filled St. Patrick’s Day!

                                                      

What we learned from SXSW

Now that SXSW Interactive has come to end, let’s take a look at some of the new technology that was introduced…

Memoto: It’s a small camera that can be clipped onto your clothes. It has no buttons and takes pictures every thirty seconds. It also has a built in app that organizes all the photos taken and stores the time and place they were taken. Memoto allows us to avoid “missing out on the moment” by stopping to take pictures and instead takes pictures for us without any interruption. This device could potentially revolutionize the way we take pictures – it works for us without any interruption and also provides us with a way to relive the moments we experienced and never knew we were even taking photos of!

 

Leap Motion Controller: We have seen the release of touch screen computers by many different companies, but now there is a new advancement towards the way to use a computer. With the Leap Motion Controller that plugs into any computer, you can move your hands in the air to virtually do anything on the screen.

 

Cube: Cube is a printer that allows users to easily create 3-D models with the included software and print them in their homes. As opposed to previous 3-D printers, the Cube is designed to be consumer friendly.

 

These are just a few of the latest tech developments. Do you think this new technology will catch? What new technology has you the most excited?

Project Glass: Innovative Technology or a Distraction from Reality?

We previously mentioned one of Google’s highly anticipated products, Google glass, set to be released at the end of this year. You remember – the product that consumers will be able to wear as a headset that has a small screen attached to it that displays whatever they want.

 

While this product is something everyone seems to be excited about the device itself leaves us pondering just how well the consumer market will take hold of Google’s newest tech addition. The product itself may seem like a leap forward due to its ability to access information seamlessly and faster however, what are the disadvantages? We wonder how our already tech crazed and cell phone dependent generation will be able to focus on anything outside of the “tech world” while sporting Google glass. Will this be an even bigger distraction to our already distracted population? With the ability to see any information you want right in front of you, users may become even less aware of their non-virtual realities happening around them. So you vote – will Google glass be a more helpful or harmful device to us once it hits the market? 

Can Samsung Outsell Apple?

For years, Apple has produced the top selling smart phone with fans often waiting in long lines for new products and without facing much competition. However, when Samsung released its Galaxy S III smart phone in the summer of 2012, it beat the iPhone 4S and became the top selling smart phone. Samsung’s success was only temporary as Apple shortly after released the iPhone 5 and ended 2012 producing the top selling smart phone.

 

Samsung Galaxy S III vs. iPhone 5

These two smart phones are strong competitors as they are advertised as having the latest technology. Since the release of the Galaxy S III, Samsung has been appealing to its consumers as being “The Next Best Thing” and by trying to show in commercials that iPhone users have old technology. Samsung plans to reveal its highly anticipated Galaxy S IV at a launch event on March 14.

 

With everyone wanting to have the latest and most advanced smart phone, can the Samsung Galaxy S IV become the top selling smart phone or will current iPhone users remain loyal to Apple? 

Right Now: 5 Tech Companies we’re Watching

With all the technological advancements to look forward to in 2013, it’s interesting to see which companies have been deemed “most successful” thus far. Here’s a few of the “trending” companies we’re watching…     

1.       Apple: Even with competition from Samsung’s Galaxy S III smart phone and Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD tablet, Apple has still managed to stay on top as one of the most successful tech companies. With its recent release of the iPhone 5 and iPad mini, Apple continues to maintain its strong consumer base.

2.       Google: Although its first Nexus smart phone failed to compete with other similar products, Google is currently awaiting the highly anticipated release of Google glass and has recently released its first touch-screen Chromebook. Google glass is an augmented reality headset essentially allowing users to take pictures, look up information, and share information with friends via a screen located on the headset.

 

Google Glass

3.       Amazon: In addition to its success as an online retailer, Amazon has joined Apple in the competition for tablets. With their release of the Kindle Fire HD, which ranked #2 among tablet sales, Amazon’s cost effective product seems to have given the iPad a run for its money.

4.       IBM: In 2013, IBM plans to expand into the mobile market by creating a partnership with AT&T. Reports also predict extensive growth in emerging global markets.

5.       Microsoft: With the release of Windows 8 and Windows RT, Microsoft has had incredible success, mainly due to the distinctly different operating systems and interface. Launching its own touch screen tablet with PC capabilities, the Microsoft Surface has separated itself from the iPad. The Microsoft Surface can essentially be used just as a desktop can, while still maintaining the portability and convenience of a tablet.

 

Microsoft Surface

Now that these major companies are putting new technology out on the market and other companies are competing to be the best, will these companies be able to remain on top?

Note: Information is gathered from CNN article posted 2/28/13 by Omar Akhtar.

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2013/02/28/most-admired-technology.fortune/index.html

Help Us Help You!

Welcome to the new generation of phone devices and technology. What we do at Percipia Networks is something extraordinary. We help customers who are still using older technology and phones migrate to the new generation of phone technologies.

Yup, those little fancy screens that you always admire while on staying at your favorite hotel are provided by us. Our clients range from various sizes and locations throughout the country, and just like almost everyone in today’s world we continue to look for the next best thing and ways of making life during your hotel stay even better and more relaxed than you are customary to.

Our goal with these technologies is to provide the customer with the most innovative features and cutting edge technology. As part of our efforts to keep up with the latest needs of hotel guests we ask you, the modern traveler for your input.  What features would you like to have access to during your next hotel stay?