How much does it cost to run Arabic campaigns on Social Media?

Arabic is the 4th most used language on the internet today, and it's fair to say that most people want to use their native language when online. In fact, 88% of online users and shoppers prefer to purchase goods using their native language. And with stats like this in mind, it is vital for businesses catering to an Arabic speaking audience, to reach them in their language and provide them with a native language online experience. 

Social media marketing in the MENA region has rapidly increased in popularity and usage in the past few years.  In fact, this region produces some of the highest social media consumption rates and is one that is fast to adopt new platforms sa has been the case with Snapchat and TikTok in recent times.  Because of this, digital marketing campaigns in Arabic are quickly gaining traction. The problem around this is that most marketing materials and resources are based in English and not many agencies are able to provide quality Arabic social media content. Some businesses looking to target an Arabic speaking audience will turn to Google translate or related platforms to create campaigns, however, as the Arabic language differs significantly from English, with some words having different meanings in different regions and other dialect differences, using these translation tools is a wasted effort. 

If you are looking to create strong Arabic campaigns on social media, you will need to invest in an agency that specialises in the language, understands the culture and can create social media posts based on trends within the regions you are targeting.  Alternatively, you can also invest in internal resources that can help translate not just your content, but the actual brand message into Arabic.

So, how much does it cost to run an Arabic campaign on social media?

This is not a straightforward answer, as social media cost, no matter the language, varies from campaign to campaign and is different based on organisational objectives. 

Arabic Social Media

The majority of marketers will state the importance of social media marketing for any business, and this has been an ever growing trend as the world continues to become increasingly dependent on social media and related online platforms. The most popular social media platforms in the MENA region are Instagram, Facebook, and SnapChat and it is important for your business to present on these platforms if you are trying to reach an Arabic audience.   TikTok is fast gaining traction and we recommend you keep an eye on this platform and test this platform for your business if you are targeting a young, tech-savvy demographic for your products or services.

Despite the popularity of social media in the region, many businesses are missing out on the opportunity to advertise or campaign in Arabic on these platforms as they are concerned about cost and budget - however, they are failing to see the long-term return on investment. 

So, what is the cost of Arabic campaigns on social media?

This is a difficult question to answer but a good place to begin is to take a look at why businesses are unsure of what return they will generate from their Arabic social media campaigns or social media activity. The issue may be that businesses believe social media to just be about posting nice images and responding to customer queries - however this is not and never should be what your social media strategy encompasses. 

It is no longer about how many likes you have, it is now about how many quality leads you will gain through the platform - and by using your Arabic social media to generate leads, you will be able to track and measure your return on investment. With this in mind, Arabic social media should not be viewed as a cost, but rather a business investment.

Another important thing to consider is that your competitors are probably not yet capitalising on Arabic social media, as this is a new strategy but it is quickly gaining traction - and you want to be at the forefront of this marketing tactic. By creating Arabic social media campaigns with less competitors - you will also inevitably spend less and you will reach your target audience effectively - another investment and benefit. 

So, what do you need to consider when getting a quote for Arabic social media?

Look at this from two different angles:

1. How much will it cost to put out strong Arabic social media content?
2. How much will it cost my business if I do not? (especially if your competitors begin using this tactic before you do)

When it comes to social media in general, you get what you pay for and unfortunately, when it comes to Arabic social media, there are a myriad of companies claiming to be experts in the field yet they charge you incredibly low prices - this should be a sign that the company is unsure of what they are doing and probably using Google translate to get your message to your audience - a big “no no” when it comes to Arabic marketing as stated previously. 

When you are considering your investment in Arabic social media, consider the following before cost:

• Does the agency understand the Arabic consumer?
• Does the agency have Arabic speaking individuals within the company?
• Is the company aware of different words for different regions?
• How much is the average Arabic speaking consumer worth to your business?
• How much is quality lead generation worth to you?
• How many leads do you get on your English platforms? 
• What is your current cost per lead?

Once you have pinpointed what it is you need from your Arabic social media marketing endeavours, and once you are able to identify your goals and objectives, it is time to speak to a professional digital marketing agency that specialises in Arabic marketing.

Always make sure that the agency you choose is able to provide you with detailed metrics on your campaign success  and remember... you get what you pay for.

In Conclusion

If you want to get ahead of your competition in the Arabic market, you need to invest in a strong social media campaigns; however, this process is not a simple one and requires a lot of time and effort. It is important that all businesses do their homework when it comes to Arabic digital marketing and Arabic social media, because at the end of the day it is about your Return on Investment and you need to get it right the first time.

It is important to work with an experienced agency that is able to provide adequate Arabic social media and content services to ensure your business is able to flourish in the region and reach the correct audience. 

Nexa, Dubai's Leading Independent Digital Marketing Agency offers Arabic social media, Arabic digital marketing services and translations from English for all content, including websites, landing pages, brochures and social media posts to help you reach a new online audience.

Contact us to find out more.