Startup: Vanilla Digital Marketing

1. What is the startup about?

We’re all about social! For the past 10 years we’ve been involved in growing online communities in the UK, combining traditional online channels like forums and websites with social media. 3 years and several projects after, we figured out how unique we are and how we can help grow the digital marketing industry in the Philippines.

We have massive aspirations for our startup, not only in terms of providing genuinely good service but in offering decent, rewarding, and enjoyable employment for our team. If after reading this interview, you’ve grown some interest in joining our team - do get in touch!

Currently we are in the process of developing a platform where social media managers, businesses, bloggers, and influencers can share their knowledge, thoughts, and debate about digital marketing strategies, news, and hypotheses. More on that soon.

2. What specific need or problem does it address? 

Several brands are on Facebook, Twitter, etc. but lack of time, focus, and expertise becomes a blocker to nurturing an organic and meaningful community around a brand, product or service. We exist to help businesses and partners obtain real and meaningful value from social media. This is beyond mediocre social media presence, activity, and follower statistics.

In terms of skills, we exist to inspire digital marketers especially social media managers to become more organic and strategic in their practice. Hence, our aspiration to continuously grow our team, provide training, and truly rewarding roles in our organization.

3. How did it start?

My fellow co-founder and I, Anthony Trollope have been working together for 3 years on growing an online community in the UK called TWF which Anthony founded. We’ve managed to grow the community to over a 150,000 members and it is the largest trade market community in Europe.

Social media is a growing market in the Philippines and we spotted an opportunity to offer a unique service centered around our passion for community. We think we can offer something different to brands and small businesses already using marketing agencies or digital agencies for social media consultancy.


4. How does it work?

It’s really simple. When clients engage with us, we sit down and ask “What do you want to achieve?”

We listen to what their objectives are and work together on how social media can help achieve those goals. Depending on the nature of their business or brand, we execute social media campaigns on platforms that are most relevant to them and their community.

We take pride in our handcrafted social media updates and content, our ability to listen with the intent of understanding community members, and our genuine passion to connect people with one another.

5. How to avail of this product or service?

Good question! Even if you are not decided to work with us, you can still contact me directly at lace (at) vanilladigital (dot) ph. We’re always up to meeting new people and a good conversation

6. How does it use social media in its marketing and operations?

Social media is an important component of our business. Not just because our service revolves around it, but it’s simply how we envision for our company to grow. We love not just following but engaging with other providers, connecting with our influencers, and offer solutions when we can.

Recently, we enjoyed ourselves too much in tweeting compelling content from the recent IMMAP Summit. You can check their hashtag #immapsummit2013. Social media makes sharing a lot easier, and we’re absolute advocates of the sharing economy.

You can follow us on Twitter @vanilla_ph and join our Facebook community http://facebook.com/vanillaph

7. What makes it unique from other startups?

As co-founders we have more than 10 years of experience in building a strong community. We have the ability to listen, engage, and connect. You’d probably heard of this before from other startups but people need to realize that however simple these abilities sound – someone should take it seriously, and that is us. 

We can say that we are up to date with social trends, strategies, and tools. Yes, and that’s easy. At the end of the day, social media is not about marketing jargons – it’s all about engagement.

8. Who are the founders and what do they do?

Weird to introduce myself at the late part of this interview! My name is Lace and I am co-founder & MD of Vanilla Digital. Outside of Vanilla, I am a blogger, closet housewife and mom to the luckiest child in the world. I am also one of those 90’s kids who started creating websites using notepad and Geocities.

My fellow co-founder Anthony Trollope started his first business at age 13 selling on eBay. He then founded a community The Wholesale Forums which he runs today and has successfully grown the site to over a 150,000 members. The largest of its type in Europe.

9. Any advice or message for other aspiring startupreneurs?

Focus and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. To be honest, starting up in the Philippines, dealing with registration and stuff are already a big challenge. But you have to realize that if you’re in it for the long term, growing pains will look less significant.

Finally, the only way you can love and succeed at what you do is to do it well.

Contact Person: Lace Llanora
Email Address: lace@vanilladigital.ph
Website: http://vanilladigital.ph 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanilla_ph
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Delgado is a Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur (CBSME) who is passionate about consultative works, creative writing, events management, ideation, startupreneurship, strategic marketing and training. He founded Mediactiv8, a startup social media marketing company that advocates digital marketing education and entrepreneurship in the Philippines. To see more of his works, please check out www.facebook.com/Mediactiv8.