THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
What Top 20 Experts Think!
We asked 20 experts, 5 questions regarding the future of Social Media Marketing:
- What are the primary strategies you use to engage with your social media followers?
- Which are your favorite Social Media Marketing tools?
- What are your boldest predictions for The Future of Social Media Marketing?
- Which are the new social media platforms you expect will build momentum?
- Do you believe social media channels will increasingly become "pay-to-play" for marketers?
The future of Social Media Marketing according to Martin Shervington, Author of The Art and Science of Google+ and a Marketing Consultant
MARTIN SHERVINGTON
Author of The Art and Science of Google+ and a Marketing Consultant Twitter: @MartinSherv
I feel people want to feel a personal connection with you, and the best way to do that is either to meet face-to-face (like at a conference), or using Google Hangouts or Skype..
Your primary engagement strategies?
I feel people want to feel a personal connection with you, and the best way to do that is either to meet face-to-face (like at a conference), or using Google Hangouts or Skype.
As such, I run events where people can pop in and introduce themselves. Alongside that, every +1/like matters when someone puts value on it; combined with making sure I reply to comments/questions where I can, people will feel I am paying attention.
I am not perfect on this, though, which is why the events really matter.
As such, I run events where people can pop in and introduce themselves. Alongside that, every +1/like matters when someone puts value on it; combined with making sure I reply to comments/questions where I can, people will feel I am paying attention.
I am not perfect on this, though, which is why the events really matter.
Your favourite Social Media Marketing tools?
Agorapulse is great for comment management, and Talkwalker (one of our partners) is simply awesome for social listening.
Your biggest prediction for Social Media Marketing?
More live video on its way for sure. And soon enough we will have 360/VR video on Facebook and YouTube, but it won't really take off until next year.
The next up-and-coming social media platform?
Snapchat will continue to rise (even though I don't use it), and Facebook will win on live streaming this year, but know that Google are still very much in the game and I expect YouTube to bring us new functionality before long.
Linkedin is integrating Lynda.com into the platform, so consider the two together being the 'career' choice, with learning pathways.
Then we have Google+, and seeing as Google own Search, expect to see more interest once some of the stories of how it is driving traffic start to come out more.
Linkedin is integrating Lynda.com into the platform, so consider the two together being the 'career' choice, with learning pathways.
Then we have Google+, and seeing as Google own Search, expect to see more interest once some of the stories of how it is driving traffic start to come out more.
Will SMM become increasingly pay-to-play?
I don't. I think there will remain a mix. If platforms push 'pay to play' too much, people leave and find a new home. Instead, I think we all should consider the user journey, the relationship with website visitors, and work towards social driving traffic and spend (e.g. Adwords remarketing) being used to increase conversions.
Watch this space. Lots to play for this year.
Watch this space. Lots to play for this year.
