The Social Media Scene In Singapore

Singaporean marketers expect social media marketing budgets to increase this year, with brand marketing focus directed at further engaging clients and consumers. Local brands are seeing social media as a leading channel for directly connecting with their consumers, helping improve customer support and getting insights on market opinions through customer feedback. 25% of businesses in Singapore already use social media channels mainly to drive traffic into their websites and generate sales leads, according to Microsoft Advertising’s study.

Social media marketing is a thriving channel in Singapore. Last year, Singapore was recognized by Firefly Millward Brown as the most evolved social media market in the world. For Singaporeans, discussions on social issues, important news and creating professional networks can all be accomplished with the use of social media. To help businesses with marketing their brands through this channel,  Christopher Madison of Millward Brown presented Singaporean marketers with eight "rules of engagement". This list can be consulted by marketers to get pointers for lead generation, to successfully retain converted leads and turn social media into a lead nurturing channel.

Although the country’s consumers are easily engaged online, businesses are still doubtful about social media’s ability to reach their specific target market and provide qualified sales leads. Additionally, measuring the ROI from social media marketing is a constant challenge for many marketers.

Social media is simply the latest addition to the marketers marketing equipage. Though it presents undeniably valuable opportunities, Singaporean marketers should learn to spread resources towards other, more easily measured marketing channels including telemarketing, email marketing, paid advertising and direct marketing.