It’s a question that just about every newspaper, magazine and online source is tackling this month – what is in store for 2012?
Some will talk about the emergence of Facebook as a main branding page, others will reference the improvements with smart phones and online interaction, but we here at Daum Weigle believe one key topic has been left out of the discussion – theory vs. action.
2011 saw countless experts and services tout theirs beliefs and products that analyze social media and present users with an “expert” reading on the various parts. How influential are you? What is the best way to talk to followers? How do you build an organization solely with social media?
These are all questions that were debated to no end throughout 2011. But now, in 2012, we can expect most of these debates to shift towards real action and implementation, instead of theory.
Thanks to the trial and error of so many groups (read: Klout), users now have a better grasp of what is right and what is wrong in the world of social media.
Next year, prepare to see more services emphasize complete online integration across all platforms, frequency of consumer outreach and the effectiveness of specific tactics.
Whether it be algorithms aimed at finding the interests of certain followers or services that sort consumers automatically in the same way that we do contact lists, expect to see more options available to best utilize both the old and new online platforms.
It is time that we start breaking down the way audiences think on a targeted level instead of just lumping everyone into a ‘social media user’ or ‘not a social media user.’
