Hello Readers!
It’s pretty cold out there! On a day like today I like to sit inside with my coffee and blog! Today I am going to be talking about Facebook! Facebook can be a great friend, or a terrible foe. Reading someone’s status can make your day, and turn you into a very angry, screaming, teenage girl. Facebook has become not only a social network, but a way for businesses to reach out to the general public. If used in the right way I think it can bring more business into the store, or into the online shops.
American Apparel and Urban Outfitters are unisex clothing stores that sell trendy and unique clothing. Both businesses are aimed towards young adults and are known to sell some very interesting styles. From the wild and revealing, to the tight and bright. I personally have shopped at both stores quite a few times and always walk out with something that I love. I have followed both stores for quite sometime. Both pages have a large number of likes. American Apparel with 1,383,169 and Urban Outfitters with 1,703,022.
When you first look at American Apparel’s facebook page you are immediately drawn to the cover photo. Which is Valentine’s Day theme, and I think it really captures the style of the store. Urban Outfitters also has a similar photo, a very bright Valentines themed photo. I think both photo’s are great. The Valentines day theme shows that the Facebook pages are updated often. Urban Outfitters photo is very eye catching, and shows cute Valentines related photos. Where as American Apparel has an actual model wearing a Valentines themed outfit. I think that American Apparel is really taking advantage of their cover photo space by showing off some of their clothing line.
Both pages have direct links to their other websites. Making it easy to access their blog, instragram, and pinterest. They also both have a link to where you can actually apply for a job directly from Facebook. I think that both Facebook pages are quite similar. They are both frequently updated with at least one or two times a day. With photos of products or merchandise. Urban Outfitters featured a post with a Valentines theme hat, which pulls together the Valentines day theme. American Apparel posted a photo of a red and white outfit with all the links to the online store. I think both shops are using their Facebook page very well for advertising. I really like they are both keeping with the red and white theme. American Apparel also posted an image of a Valentines theme store display.
Urban Outfitters uses their facebook to advertise their instagram, which has become quite popular these last few months. They would like customers to post pictures of themselves wearing their outfits they have purchased. They will choose their favourite photo and someone could win a $500 Urban Outfitters gift card. I think this is a great way to advertise their clothing. I really like that they have actual customers posting their photos. American Apparel doesn’t have much interaction on their facebook. Their photos are mostly of the store, merchandise or models. I really think that Urban Outfitters is really making use of interacting with their customers and getting real opinions from people.
American Apparel seems to be really up to date with what’s going on right now. They have many posts that are Valentines day related. They also had posts around the time of the super bowl, showing Beyonce wearing a referee outfit. She is wearing a pair of American Apparel shorts, and they link the photo directly to wear you can buy them. I think that this is a great way to draw people to the online shop. Both pages are very bright, and all the ads are eye catching. They both have a vibrant and happy style. Which I think sends a positive message to customers.
One thing I have taken advantage of is the Facebook Flash Deals that American Apparel posts on their page. They are usually just special day sales that are online. They post a photo of something that is on sale just for that day and link it directly to the online shop. I think that this is a great idea! They usually use popular items that sell a lot. I got my favourite green American Apparel sweater from a flash deal. I can imagine that this would be great for sales. Seeing your favourite item on sale.
American Apparel and Urban Outfitters have both taken advantage of the advertising opportunities on facebook. By showing customers new products, letting them know about contests or sales, and giving the customers a chance to comment on their clothing. Both pages are quite simular and use a lot of the same advertising ideas. Their bright ads, and frequent photos really make the pages appealing.
Thanks Readers!
Mariah
