DIGITAL MEDIA GHOST
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
Search

3 Ways Trendjacking Can Make You Look Stupid

10/29/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Lily Bradic

​When something goes viral online, it’s inevitable that brands and businesses across the globe will try to get involved. And, while this seems like a good idea in theory, it usually ends up going wrong. Here are five reasons to seriously reconsider jumping on the next bandwagon that passes through your Twitter feed:




If you’re going to take part in a trend, it’s vital that you understand it.



​Relevance
Where newsjacking and trendjacking are concerned, the key to success is relevancy. Of course, you want to post before the trend dies out, or you’ll just embarrass yourself — but, if you post too quickly, your risk sacrificing quality for speed. Oreo’s “Dunk in the Dark” tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout is a perfect example of quick-response newsjacking done right.

Understanding
If you’re going to take part in a trend, it’s vital that you understand it.  There are several subreddits devoted to misused memes, and you don’t want your post to end up there.

Brands that start their own trend also need to be careful. Last month, Transport for London started the #HomeSafeSelfie campaign, encouraging women to post selfies when they returned home from nights out. The idea was to raise awareness of the dangers of unlicensed taxis, but it only seems to have raised awareness of the thoughtlessness of their marketing team.

While you can understand where they’re coming from —#NoMakeupSelfie was popular, the #WakeUpCall selfie was popular, and drunk girls love taking pictures — this was a really, really bad idea. Transport for London is being widely criticized for victim blaming and implying that not getting raped or murdered is something to celebrate with an Instagram post. This problematic thought aside, if you’re getting home drunk at 4am, you should probably stay away from social media. Your boss doesn’t need to know what you look like trashed.

Substance
Transport for London’s campaign is a disaster because it focuses on the trend, rather than the message. To the marketing team, it probably seemed like it could be the next big selfie craze to hit social media, raising brand and cause awareness. Instead, it’s embarrassed the brand and offended a lot of people. While the sentiment is right, the message is wrong. 

Chili’s attempt to exploit the popularity of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge is another example of trendjacking that lacks substance. Instead of pouring ice water on members of staff or thinking up a really creative alternative, they just poured water on a pepper. It doesn't make you feel anything. It's not funny. It's just...a pepper. And now it's wet.





Have any tips or golden rules for trendjacking or newsjacking? Share them in the comments!
​
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Become a Ghostwriter!
    Picture
    Contribute to DMG
    Picture
    BECOME A GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
    Picture
    PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS BY GUEST POSTING
    Picture
    ARE YOU A GHOSTWRITER? WE WANT TO KNOW!
    Picture
    DO YOU HAVE A GHOSTWRITING BUSINESS?

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Agency Spotlight
    Business
    Digital Marketing
    Ghost In A Flash
    Ghostwriting
    Media Relations
    Privacy Concerns
    Social Sabotage
    Technology
    Writer Spotlight
    Writing

    Advertising Disclaimer

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

Find your domain and create your site at Weebly.com!
Digital Media Strategy
Content Marketing
Law Firm Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Social Media Marketing
eBooks
Writing
Becoming a Ghostwriter
Blogging
Content Marketing
Ghostwriting Services
Guest Post Guidelines
Media Relations
Online Crisis Management
Personal Brand
Public Relations
Reputation Management
About
Our Team
Our Results
Testimonials
Contact Us
Locations:
New Orleans, LA
Nashville, TN

DMG University
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Policy
Digital Media Ghost  @2020
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About