Brave New World

   

   2012 is here!  I hope everyone's year is getting off to a great start.  I enjoyed taking some downtime during the holidays, but now it's back to work on a new year of business social media blogging.

   First, "Cyber Monday" following "Black Friday" was huge.  More money was spent on that day than on Black Friday -- which should be a warning shot to everyone not practising their business social media.  If you're not online, you're offline.  And that means you're flatlined.  DOA.  Kaput.  Finished.

   More people than ever are connected via smart phones.  There is just NO EXCUSE for any business not to have a cyber presence in 2012.  Is your website up to speed and updated?  Are you sending out emails to customers and prospects?  Are you giving them a reason to click on your site?

   Advertising Age's digital magazine lists five facts to look for in social media this year.  The full article can and should be read here:  http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/social-media-facts-bank-2012/231859/

   For the quick takeaway, here's what to expect in 2012 from writer Matt Wurst.

  1) Facebook is going to continue to evolve.  The major fracas over changes a couple of months ago has quieted down now, but there are more changes on the way.  If you don't keep up with them, you're going to be more lost than the cast of a past show that crash landed on a desert island.

  2)  Google+ has passed the 65 million user mark.  Still not up with Facebook, but certainly a force to be reckoned with this year.  Is Google+ really something you should be interested in?  Well, think about this: When was the last time you heard someone say "I'll Facebook it" when they were looking for information?

  3)  It's time to get serious about paid media support for your Facebook and other pages.  A media strategy that combines fan acquisition and fan engagement tactics is now a must-have.

  4)  Mobile, mobile, mobile.  Your customers are no longer tied down to a home computer.  They haven't been for some time now, but the massive move toward smartphones has really set them free.  They expect to get things from you EVERYWHERE, and that means EVERYWHERE THEY ARE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.  Time is money?  Yes, but mobility is more money.

   5)  Lead, follow, or get out of the way.  It's an old saying, but it's true in today's digital business social media world.  You cannot set your yearly outlook and then stick with it no matter what.  It's got to change and adapt moment by moment.  Tattoo this thought on your soul:  business social media is a LIVING BEING that is CONSTANTLY in a STATE OF FLUX.   A shark that stops swimming sinks - and a business that stops monitoring their digital business will follow suit.

   Have a great and prosperous 2012, and keep your business social media running at full speed!   

It's not your mother's Black Friday anymore!

     Are you ready?  Black Friday is upon us!  For many businesses, this is the make it or break it beginning to the make it or break it shopping season.
     In the old days, your mother's Black Friday depended solely on foot traffic at the brick and mortar stores.  It still does, judging by the crowds we'll see at Best Buy, Target, WalMart and etc.  But now -- if your business social media isn't addressing Black Friday, you're going to be missing out on a lot more traffic.
     Every year, the number of people who do their shopping online increases exponentially.  Those people who are glutted on turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie are going to be couch potatoes, but they won't be alone.
     No, they'll be armed with their smart phones.
     Merchants are offering online only deals (see the last blog entry on coupons) and are expecting to reap huge benefits from them, as well.  Hopefully your business is among that number.  Online only outfits like Rue La La, Amazon, Gilt and HSN will be competing for that shopping dollar - even as folks stand in line to get into the stores.  What could be better?  Shopping WHILE you are standing in line???
     Did you know that almost ten percent of of e-commerce purchases made in October came through mobile devices?  That's up about 3 percent from last year, according to research from IBM Coremetrics.
     AND -- about 43 percent of Americans with cell phone service own smart phones.   Amazon says the number of its American customers shopping on smart phones has nearly tripled since last year.
     So...get out there and sell through your business social media.   The brick and mortar stores are adding salespeople -- and now, you need to think about adding IT people, as well.  Punch that message out there, and don't be shy about doing it, either.
     It's not your mother's Black Friday sale anymore.