Strategies to Improve Brand Awareness Through Social Media Marketing
Downloads
Objective: The objective of this study consists of; 1) To understand the current situation of an Event Organizer Company (EOC), 2) To examine the influences between Electronic Word-of-Mouth (EWOM), advertisement, interaction, and customization, with brand awareness among the EOC clients, and 3) To recommend strategies to increase brand awareness among the EOC clients.
Design/Methods/Approach: Using the applied research approach, a situational analysis was used to gather information before survey questions were used to capture data. In this correlational study, which takes a quantitative method, individuals are the analytical unit. This research involved 108 clients in total. A 25-item questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was given to clients living in the Klang Valley in order to gather data. This research used regression analysis to analyze the data and two strategic tools (SWOT Analysis & TOWS Matrix) for data analysis.
Findings: The results show that EWOM, advertising, and interaction have a positive influence on brand awareness. In contrast, the influence of customization on brand awareness was found to be statistically insignificant.
Originality: This study's value lies in the fact that researchers examined the factors that influenced the EOC's brand awareness and provided recommendations to the company, such as increasing audience engagement and creating appealing social media content and advertisements. This research paper highlights a specific problem within the company in the event management industry that has not been addressed in prior studies.
Research Practical: The four critical factors in this research are EWOM, advertisement, interaction, and customization. The results of this study can be used as guidelines, and the researchers' suggested strategies can help the EOC increase awareness of its brand.
Ahmad, N., & Guerrero, E. (2020). Influence of Social Media on Brand Awareness: A Study on Small Businesses [Master Thesis University of Gavle]. http://hig.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1392939/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Wan Jusoh, W. A., Mohd Ishar, N. I., Sjahrir, M. I., & Hussin, N. F. S. (2022). The Strategies to Improve Customer Experience: A Case of Online Shopping Platform. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Management (Jurnal Manajemen Teori Dan Terapan), 15(3), 330–346. https://doi.org/10.20473/jmtt.v15i3.40294
Backman, K. F. (2018). Event Management Research: The Focus Today and In the Future. Tourism Management Perspectives 25, 169–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.12.004
Bell, R. J., & Warren, V. (2023). Illuminating A Methodological Pathway for Doctor of Business Administration Researchers: Utilizing Case Studies and Mixed Methods for Applied Research. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7(1), 100391–100391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100391
Benzaghta, M. A., Elwalda, A., Mousa, M. M., Erkan, I., & Rahman, M. (2021). SWOT Analysis Applications: An Integrative Literature Review. Journal of Global Business Insights, 6(1), 55-73. https://www.doi.org/ 10.5038/2640-6489.6.1.1148
Bernama. (2021, December 3). Drop in Number of Marriages in 2020. The Malaysian Reserve. https://themalaysianreserve.com/2021/12/03/drop-in-number-of-marriages-in-2020/
Bilgin, Y. (2018). The Effect of Social Media Marketing Activities on Brand Awareness, Brand Image and Brand Loyalty. Business and Management Studies: An International Journal, 6(1), 128-148. https://doi.org/10.15295/bmij.v6i1.229
Chen, J., Kou, G., Peng, Y., Chao, X., Xiao, F., & Alsaadi, F. E. (2020). Effect of Marketing Messages and Consumer Engagement on Economic Performance: Evidence from Weibo. Internet Research, 30(5), 1565 - 1581. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-07-2019-0296
Bradley, A. N. (2021). A Study on the Impact of Social Media Marketing in the Event Industry: Executing A Marketing Plan [Thesis University of Arkansas]. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/hnhiuht/15
Cheung, M.L., Pires, G. and Rosenberger, P.J. (2020), The Influence of Perceived Social Media Marketing Elements on Consumer–Brand Engagement and Brand Knowledge. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 32(3), 695-720. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-04-2019-0262
Cheung, M. L., Pires, G., Rosenberger III, P. J., Leung, W. K.S., & Chang, M. K. (2021). The Role of Social Media Elements in Driving Co-Creation and Engagement. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 33(10), 1994-2018. 10.1108/APJML-03-2020-0176
Cheung, M.L., Rosenberger III, P. J., & Pires, G. (2019, January). Developing A Conceptual Model for Examining Social Media Marketing Effects on Brand Awareness and Brand Image. International Journal of Economics and Business Research, 17(3), 1-19. 10.1504/IJEBR.2019.10019330
Chierici, R., Barbara Del Bosco, Mazzucchelli, A., & C Chiacchierini. (2018). Enhancing Brand Awareness, Reputation and Loyalty: The Role of Social Media, 14(1), 216–216. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v14n1p216
Chu, S.-C. (2021). Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM). Communication. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0267
Dabbous, A., & Barakat, K. A. (2020). Bridging the Online Offline Gap: Assessing the Impact of Brands' Social Network Content Quality on Brand Awareness and Purchase Intention. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 53(101966). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.101966
Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal. (2022, October 4). Www.dosm.gov.my. https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=157&bul_id=SzNvU0ZhaGpCMUROVlpCdTU1WWJSdz09&menu_id=Tm8zcnRjdVRNWWlpWjRlbmtlaDk1UT09
Domazet, I. S., Äokić, I., & Milovanov, O. (2017). The Influence of Advertising Media on Brand Awareness. Management: Journal of Sustainable Business and Management Solutions in Emerging Economies, 23(1), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.7595/management.fon.2017.0022
Facebook IQ. (2019, February 6). How Instagram Boosts Brands and Drives Sales. Facebook IQ. https://www.facebook.com/business/news/insights/how-instagram-boosts-brands-and-drives-sales
Ghorbanzadeh, D., Zakieva, R. R., Kuznetsova, M., Ismael, A. M., & Ahmed, A. A. A. (2022). Generating Destination Brand Awareness and Image Through the Firm's Social Media. Kybernetes, ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/k-09-2021-0931
Harb, A.A., Fowler, D., Chang, H.J.(J)., Blum, S.C. and Alakaleek, W. (2019). Social Media as A Marketing Tool For Events. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 10(1), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-03-2017-0027
Hair, J. F., Celsi, M., Money, A., Samouel, P., & Page, M. (2016). The Essentials of Business Research Methods (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Hutter, K., Hautz, J., Dennhardt, S., & Füller, J. (2013). The Impact of User Interactions in Social Media on Brand Awareness and Purchase Intention: The Case of MINI on Facebook. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 22(5/6), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1108/jpbm-05-2013-0299
Kanuri, V. K., Chen, Y., & Sridhar, S. (Hari). (2018). Scheduling Content on Social Media: Theory, Evidence, and Application. Journal of Marketing, 82(6), 89–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242918805411
Karen, K., & Zai, I. (2022). Analyzing the Effects of Digital Marketing on Brand Awareness Among Internet Users. MBR (Management and Business Review), 6(2), 153"167. https://doi.org/10.21067/mbr.v6i2.7298
Kulshrestha, S. (2017). Tows Analysis for Strategic Choice of Business Opportunity and Sustainable Growth of Small Businesses. http://www.pbr.co.in/2017/2017_month/Nov/15.pdf
MACEOS Malaysia. (2020, April 8). Malaysia Business Events Industry Report 2020. MACEOS. https://maceos.org.my/the-malaysia-business-events-industry-report-2020/
Madray, J. S. (2020, August 25). The Impact of COVID-19 on Event Management Industry. International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 5(3), 533-535.
Maria, S., Pusriadi, T., Hakim, Y. P., & Darma, D. C. (2019). The Effect of Social Media Marketing, Word of Mouth, and Effectiveness of Advertising on Brand Awareness and Intention to Buy. Jurnal Manajemen Indonesia, 19(2), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.25124/jmi.v19i2.2234
Mohtar, J., & Mei Si, T. (2020, November 30). Wedding industry players need to adapt to new norms - Focus Malaysia. https://focusmalaysia.my/wedding-industry-players-need-to-adapt-to-new-norms/
Morley, S., Cormican, K., & Folan, P. (2015). An Analysis of Virtual Team Characteristics: A Model for Virtual Project Managers. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 10(1), 188–203. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0718-27242015000100014
Nick G. (2020, November 13). Latest Social Media Marketing Statistics in 2020 [Updated]. Review42. https://review42.com/resources/social-media-marketing-statistics/
Peek, S. (2023). Why Small Businesses Need a Social Media Presence. Business.com; business.com. https://www.business.com/articles/social-media-small-business-importance/
Rimadias, S., Alvionita, N., & Amelia, A. P. (2021). Using TikTok in Social Media Marketing to Create Brand Awareness, Brand Image, and Brand Loyalty on Tourism Sector in Indonesia. The Winners, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.21512/tw.v22i2.7597
Rrustemi, V., & Baca, G. (2021). The Impact of Social Media Activities on Raising Brand Awareness During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Management, 26(2), 295–310. https://doi.org/10.30924/mjcmi.26.2.17
Square Contributor. (2021, March 5). Square BrandVoice: 5 Ways To Engage Consumers On Social Media. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/square/2020/12/04/5-ways-to-engage-consumers-on-social-media/?sh=17d66ca9b3f4
ÅšwitaÅ‚a, M., Gamrot, W., Reformat, B., & BiliÅ„ska-Reformat, K. (2018). The Influence of Brand Awareness and Brand Image on Brand Equity – An Empirical Study of Logistics Service Providers. Journal of Economics and Management, 33(3), 96–119. https://doi.org/10.22367/jem.2018.33.06
Tan, A. (2022, November 23). Hate Speech Emerges on Malaysian TikTok as Political Uncertainty Drags Out. Arab News. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2204766/media
Zakirai@Zakaria, N., Mad Isa, N. Z. A., Emran, E. S., Azmi, N. S., & Mohd Azan, N. A. (2022). A Review of The Event Industry's Impact and Crisis Management Analysis During Covid-19. International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business, 7(42), 110–115. https://doi.org/10.55573/IJAFB.074214
Copyright (c) 2023 Nadirah Azizan, Hanis Zulaika Ismail @ Chik, Aida Maisarah Fadzli, Nor Irvoni Mohd Ishar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1. The author(s) hold the copyright of the article without restrictions.
2. The author(s) retain publishing rights without restrictions
3. The legal formal aspect of journal publication accessibility refers to Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY).