6 Social Media Trends for 2011

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This article is referencing an article posted on the infamous social media news source – Mashable.
If you are in tune with Social Media at all, you have heard of Mashable. They are considered leaders in breaking news and keeping the public up to date with the latest and greatest trends in the social media world. While surfing through a series of articles as we do daily here at Apex Advertising, we thought this was an interesting one we should write about. They referenced what they felt to be the top 6 social media trends that took place in 2011. While 2011 wasn’t a breakthrough year for new world changing marketing ideas, it was an improvement over, and step towards the future in the marketing arena.

Several key features launched in 2011 that will help shape our future was the release of Google+, the Facebook Overhaul, and the growing number of novelty apps for smart phones. Here at Apex Advertising we felt these were key features for the following reasons… Google+ and Facebook are now in competition with one another. Well sort of… While Google + is trying to enter a market place with practically the same product that Facebook launched several years ago, only to offer it in a different platform and include circles and not groups. This one doesn’t make a lot of sense? But, more power to Google for releasing a product to help expand their notoriety. The next novelty apps being released for smart phones and mobile devices are pretty intriguing. While most consumers now days have a phone, they are likely to use that phone to do some sort of shopping or beneficial research at the time while away from a computer. Mobile app developers are becoming more advanced and offering some unique features specific to companies across the board to enhance your mobile browsing experience, but making it possible to purchase and search for goods without even having to stroke a key on your computer.

Google+

As we had mentioned above, the release of Google+ was a bit of a mystery in a way. Why would the most highly trafficked search engine company release a social networking platform only to copy Facebook? Well, not exactly copy, but the offering of circles and failing to release company brand pages while releasing the platform to the general public hurt their standings a little bit. Here at Apex Advertising we were ready to jump on the bandwagon and see where this great new feature was going to take us! However, we were forced to hurry up and wait. After reviewing the Google+ platform, we’re not overally excited about it and as amped as we thought we would be. Yes, it will be a great feature for helping your SEO results, but that’s about it. Maybe some big changes will take place in the near future?

Facebook Overhaul

Facebook had mentioned several updates at their f8 marketing release back in September. However, they failed to release the updates until recently. While the release was late, it still presented some great features to users and marketers. The new timeline will be a great feature if you actually take advantage of its benefits and present your fans with some solid content. Otherwise, simply put – you’re going to get dumped.

Twitter Ascendance

Twitter revised its online advertising services. “When Promoted Trends launched in April 2010, for instance, they cost $25,000 to $30,000 a day. By June, though, Twitter was charging $120,000 for such placements and had worked with 500 advertisers on 6,000 campaigns. Twitter also opened sales offices in London and New York. It also became more of a vehicle for ad campaigns. Audi referenced a Twitter hashtag in its Super Bowl ad, for instance, and many others ran online and offline campaigns that encouraged tweeting,” words of Mashable.

Daily Deals Shakeout

At the beginning of 2011, it looked like Groupon was going to be the next Facebook. The company’s owners had turned down a high-profile $6 billion offer from Google and competitors were emerging from every corner.

But during the year, Facebook killed off Deals, its would-be competitor to Groupon, and Yelp scaled back on its daily deals offerings. Groupon’s IPO eventually turned out to be successful, at least at first. But in the words of David Berkowitz, VP of emerging media at 360i, “Ultimately there was the realization that it’s more about couponing 2.0 and not the next coming of commerce.”

Augmented Reality Goes Mainstream

We all know how hard it can be to get someone to talk about your brand and actually remember your company unless you’re a Fortune 500 mainstream brand. Even then, it can be difficult to engage customers in social interaction constantly. This year Starbucks helped run a campaign where users could create their own coffee cup and share it via social media or with an e-card. This helped create some brand recognition and helped engage customers. What type of feature could you offer your customers to engage and interact with your brand?

Novelty Apps

The novelty apps are becoming more popular. However, not all are functional or practical. “Some simply don’t function at all such as the Jell-O “Jiggle It” app. It’s meant for a good laugh and to passed along, but that’s about it,” in the words of Mashable. But there are an increasing number of apps out there being published by corporations and even small businesses that will allow you to experience an entirely new way to engage with their shopping carts and ordering Christmas presents etc. Keep an eye out for new apps coming in the future. We are going to do an article on the top apps we feel are making some noise in 2011 and on in to 2012. Stay tuned!

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for professional Washington Web Design, Washington Graphic Design, Washington SEO and SEM, or Washington Social Media Apex Advertising is your premiere resource. Feel free to send us an email with your marketing questions or concerns and we’ll be glad to help.

Have a great weekend!
Apex Advertising LLC
info@apexadllc.com