Google+, branded communities, mobile--the emerging trends in social come as fast as you can read about them on Mashable. But which ones really matter, and which are a flash in the pan? More to the point, which do you need to pay attention to for your marketing programs? What strategies will marketers be adopting to be successful in social media this quarter, this year, next year?
4. Branded Communities Group of loyal brand customers who are bound together by their loyalty for a brand fundamentally based on intrinsic connections, shared rituals & beliefs and moral responsibility.
5. Mobile People are spending more time inside mobile apps than on the web. 79% of their time is devoted to gaming and social networking, the rest for news, entertainment and other apps.
6. Geolocation Technology As Smartphone usage increases, businesses have more opportunities to connect with their customers by rewarding loyal customers and attracting new ones by offering freebies and discounts through Geolocation technology applications.
7. QR Codes When QR codes are scanned with a Smartphone, users are linked to digital content on the web in which they can activate a number of various functions. Companies have started to use QR codes to promote offers, give free MP3 downloads and even instructions on how to install products.
8. Group Buying Group buying sites are those that offer deal-of-the-day type offers for major markets throughout the U.S. Group buying sites are looking to expand their services through location-based services to create services in which customers can unlock deals through their mobile device.
9. Competitions Campaigns encourage fans to become interactive with the brand’s product through social media. By “Liking” brands on Facebook, customers can participate in their various competitions.
10. Gaming Social games are distributed through social networks and existing relationships with other users through invite systems, news feed postings or paid acquisition. It allows games to create unique content by tapping into a player’s social network.
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12. YouTube is the world's most popular online video community, allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos.
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14. A social networking website — a gathering spot, to connect with your friends and your friends’ friends. Facebook allows you to make new connections who share a common interest, expanding your personal network.
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16. A microblogging service that allows people to type in messages or “tweets” that can be read by people following them. All tweets are 140 characters or less.
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18. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. LinkedIn connects you to your most trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities.
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20. Social networking platform that allows users to hang out within different social groups or “circles.” Users can engage in “hangouts” with up to 10 other friends in a video chat conversation.
24. Search is King. Findability for those on-the-go is critical, so customers can find you. This translates to search and related services like Yelp and Google Maps.
25. Can you join me here? Think beyond mayorships to get customers to check in. Think about mobile coupons and text messages as well.
26. Text is not just for kids anymore. As a marketer, it’s useful for time-critical updates like bank accounts or Groupon-type notices.
27. It’s an app, app world. With growing Smartphone options and other mobile device, apps are exploding.
28. Mad men go mobile. Jump into mobile advertising to take advantage of strong response rates and branding opportunities.
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Notas del editor
Not an audience anymore where you push message out, rather it is a conversation. As a brand, customer has a lot more power in shaping/ influencing perceptions than company does. Companies will integrate social feedback into their decision making process As “social thinkers,” these companies will use the social engine to inform strategic decisions, and execute on the organization’'s objectives, marketing plans, product roadmaps and more. Expect to see a rise in companies who, by end of year, will be recognized for socially-informed innovation, customer focus and work environment (i.e., Zappos, Amazon). Mobile will become our gateway to the world From social shopping on the go, to easy paperless transactions and check-ins, to watching (and creating) videos with friends abroad, to in-class learning and collaboration, to managing our health real-time - prepare for an explosion of connected experiences across all points of interactions between people and people, people and companies, and people and information in the cloud. ROI will be redefined As brands move this year from being on social media to using the social media ecosystem, ROI metrics will finally evolve beyond counting ‘likes’ and comments. Aligning with actionable business objectives and their corresponding metrics will be critical to being able to demonstrate repeatable contribution to the bottom line.