Trends in Social Media and other predictions for success in 2012*

“I’m somewhere between The Great Carnac and Jimmy the Greek. Sure, I can make predictions, but it’s based on my experience.”

As part of the San Diego Direct Marketing Associations (#SDDMA) 2012 Marketing Trends Seminar, I was asked to present what I thought would be trends to watch in social media during this coming year. Admittedly, I felt somewhere between Carnac the Magnificent and Jimmy the Greek (links provided as a courtesy for those too young to get this reference ;-). Sure, I can make predictions, but ultimately where I would tell you to put your money will be based on my experience and insight.

In preparing, I reviewed each of the types of social media (yes, there is more than one ;-) and recounted some of the the latest activity in the space (not necessarily the newest comers). Most of the usual suspects are still very active (Facebook, Google+ – even MySpace), but there’s some new names on the roster for this coming year you may not be familiar with (like Pinterest, Tumblr and Klout).

Ultimately, it’s still just people interacting with people – using technology.

American journalist Edward R. Murrow once wrote, “The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” Many businesses (of all types) are looking at social media like its a magic bullet – it isn’t. And it’s no longer an option.

It is a new channel of communications, it is the way more and more people communicate, and it is expected.

I encourage you to watch this presentation – all of it – to expand your understanding of social media. Discuss my insights and predictions with your colleagues and associates to identify your current choices in social media (or lack thereof), and to make even more informed decisions about where you’re investing your time, dollars and resources in communicating with your target markets.

This presentation is available in its entirety to members of the Ideahaus Professional Community. Sign up for the free Social Member level here.