social media trends vs. fads

(how to leverage real strategies that impact your bottom line)

Conversations is a social media and digital strategy company powered by passionate individuals

who love to help businesses of all sizes THRIVE online.

Trend:a general direction in which something is changing, adapting, evolving or moving.

(this is what you want to pay attention to)

Fad: A widely-shared, short-lived enthusiasm for something (without basis of the object’s qualities).

(these are bandwagons you probably shouldn’t jump on if you have better things to do)

THE DIFFERENCE:

Is Social Media itself a “Fad?”

How to avoid Fads: AskAskWaitAsk1. ASK: Is it important/does it solve an existing

problem or roadblock?

2. ASK: How will this affect your bottom line?

3. WAIT: Everyone you know jumping on the new bandwagon off the bat? Sit back and wait. Then ASK about their results.

Social Media Fads to watch out for:

● usually in the form of a “hot new social networking platform”

● time consuming setup with no clear return

● anything that instantly promises 10,000 new facebook fans

Social Networks that are beneficial for one brand might

not work for others.

How to stay on top of trends:

● produce content around trending topics (related to your industry)

● read high-quality (no fluff) blogs you can trust

● measure your impact and ROI

google.com/trends

Develop an RSS Feed:

Adapting to Trends

1. Planning and Strategy2. Perfect your Story / Message3. Prep Content

Strategic planning is EVERYTHING.

KEY STEPS:

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN?

PLANNING AND STRATEGY

Strategy 1: Niche Marketing

1. Qualified Leads

2. Increased Engagement

3. Greater Marketing ROI

Strategy 2: Create Amazing Content

● Social Media Posts / #s ● Photos● Press Releases ● Blog Posts ● Emails

Strategy 3: EngagementPersonal interaction is the most time consuming part of effectively managing social media, but responding to questions and interacting with fans/followers on social media is NOT OPTIONAL.

● Follow people back

● Answer questions

● Be likeable - not untouchable

Strategy 4: Curate and Wingman

Republish

Repost

Show love

another note on the wingman effect:

The #1 way to get someone to share your content?

Create content about THEM.

Then tag them in it like whoa.

Strategy 5: Newsjacking

Analyze Results & Assess your overall ROI (Return On Investment)

REFINE YOUR STRATEGY

Tools are not strategies (they just help get the job done)

DIY INFOGRAPHIC TOOL: Easelly

GRAPHIC CREATION TOOL: Canva

Camera+ ProCamera8 Manual

APPS THAT TAKE BETTER PICTURES THAN YOUR IPHONE CAMERA:

DIY Video Tool: Explaindio

Get a “report card” on your Facebook Performance:

http://cscore.recommend.ly/

Find out the best time for you to post to Twitter:

Tools that help you schedule content in advance and monitor your impact:

● SPROUT SOCIAL ● BUFFER● DAILY● HOOTSUITE● EDGAR

DIY WEBSITE BUILDING TOOLS:

● Squarespace● Wix● Weebly● Shopify● Wordpress

Your website =

Online “home base” for your business…

(don’t rely on social to do all the work)

RECAP:

● Watch for market trends● Leverage trends with social media ● Avoid fads (when possible)● Measure EVERYTHING● Whatever worked: do it again● Whatever didn’t: stop.

megan@conversations.be