92 percent of marketers say that their social media efforts have generated more exposure for their businesses

Social Examiner recently published a report about stats and trends for 2014. Have a look.

1/ INCREASED EXPOSURE

I am pleased this has been confirmed. Just don't forget to make the customer/sales life cycle work for you.

2/ VISUAL ASSETS

As mentioned before, attention span of an average customer is about eight seconds. Pictures and infographics help to engage and let the customer memorise your point.

3/ BLOGGING

Again, very happy this is being confirmed too. There were times I had to endlessly justify why blogging is important and what are main benefits of providing good quality content on blogs.

4/ GOOGLE+

Yes, I know, not many people are happy about this (and there's lots of rumours about Google+ being left to die slowly), but again - if you want good results in Google search, Google+ can help you enormously.

5/ PODCASTS

A rather new one for me as I'd expect videos to be more effective. I look forward to seeing what the next months will bring in podcasting.

6/ FACEBOOK ADS

It's a big yes from me. Facebook is most versatile of all mainstream social media channels. Targeting your audience is pretty straight forward. You see the stats, you can take your strategy further.

8/ ROI

 Well, there's a bit of confusion about Social ROI. Especially for businesses that can't use offers on regular basis. But if you improve event tracking and set sensible goals as a start, you'll get a good idea about what converts the best.



Infographics used via SocialMedia Examiner

READ ALSO: MARKETING GUIDE 2014

How to get social media campaigns right #nomakeupselfie

Brilliant article explaining key points of the #nomakeupselfie campaign.

Great points about Q&A, relevant content, PPC campaign, integrating mobile donations and how 'nominations' were the key to amplification.

Source: Cancer Research / Econsultancy

 READ ALSO: OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES OF FACEBOOK CAMPAIGNS

How Social Media is Changing Business

In 10 years, social won’t even be a question. In the same way we don’t question using the internet to conduct business now, we won’t be questioning the use of social tools. It will be so ingrained that we’ll have a hard time imagining how we ever did anything without it.

Katie Douthwaite for The Daily Muse 

READ ALSO: AS TIMES MOVE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

Have a break, watch some kitties and cats

How to make your content shareable? Put a kitten on it. Dogs may be our best friends but it seems that cats are the kings of today's social content. I have to admit, I love the new cat-beards...

Creating Social Content

The Audience of the Future

Spot-on example and it's happening right now....

Apparently, There Are Five Stages of Grief and Six Stages of Social Media Transformation

In my books, it's rather a never-ending story, but we all hope for a nice happy end. A lot of useful information to be found in this presentation.

Social Networking Trends

Social networking is the most popular online activity worldwide

Social networking behavior both transcends and reflects regional differences around the world

The importance of Facebook cannot be overstated

Microblogging has emerged as a disruptive new force in social networking

Local social networks are making inroads globally

It’s not just young people using social networking anymore – it’s everyone

‘Digital natives’ suggest communications are going social

Social networking leads in online display advertising in the U.S., but lags in share of dollars

The next disrupters have yet to be decided

Mobile devices are fueling the social addiction

ComScore  - BUILDING MORE INFORMED MOBILE STRATEGIES

READ ALSO: LOCAL SEARCH

Google + Authorship

DO IT NOW! If you create content on the internet, you need to make sure it is recognized by Google. This should be one of your first steps.

READ ALSO: GOOGLE+ SCORES ANOTHER PLUS

History of Social Media

I don't think it is completely accurate but I appreciate the thought. It all depends how we define social media. What is interesting in this infographics is the relation between certain channels.

I think internet started to be social from the point where you were allowed to give feedback and express your thoughts while making them available to others.

You asked for it... there are answers! In plain English

These videos are few years old but still relevant, so if you need to get your head around, start here...



Or see similar video about Twitter and Blogs.

Social Media explained

Let's start from the user's point of you. These are just examples, of course. You need to analyse where your brand stands and your clients/consumers are present on these media.