Social Marketing Revolution

HBO’s Games &  Game Theory
Game of Thrones season 5 finale was disturbing, depressing and as close to experiencing chemotherapy by watching TV you will ever get (and we hope you ever get period). The season 5 finale has us wondering if social media marketing is changing the way we create art and not always in good ways. 

What about you? Share your GOT and social media thoughts on Curagami: http://www.curagami.com/magical-thinking/news/game-of-thrones-whack-a-mole/  

The day a big company understands social media marketing it may be time to buy water and canned goods and get in the basement. The end of days is near.

As this post shares, doesn't look like the end of days is near based on how TONE DEAF Nissan was to a cool social marketing idea, and idea that would have sold $240,000 in cars and costs...well NOTING.

We may NEVER need water and canned goods...sadly.

Social Media Doubters Begone
Created an interesting spontaneous "campaign" for New Years. New Years day is my birthday. It is my father's birthday too. After a great suggestion from @Kelly HungerfordI set up a spontaneous event.

Every Happy Birth generated a $10 donation to Dr. John Byrd's work at the James Cancer Center at Ohio State where I'm being treated for the leukemia my father and I share.

After the event I created a report showing where my 72 Happy Birthdays came from:

33% Came from Social Media Friends (many made here on @Scoop.it).
24% came from work friends.

19% came from Greenwich (where I grew up during a special time)
12% came from Vassar where I graduated i 1980
11% came from Choate where I graduated in 1976

Still think social media doesn't matter? As I noted in the GPlus post, the ONLY thing that can scale in that list is Social Media. I may be able to incrementally increase my alumni networks, but only Social Media can quadruple.

The future is social. Get used to it and realize it changes everything.

Klout has become a valuable resource for major brands and businesses looking to maximize their influence through social platforms. Here are some reasons your business should consider using this free online service.

As social media changes the web marketers need to inspire the kind of commitment, support and contribution made popular by Wiki-pedia - the Wiki-ization of Marketing is happening. You in?

A prominent author tells brands that social media will not help their bottom line. Marketing leaders think differently.

Marty Note
Don't be fooled by nattering nabobs of negativity. Social media is changing the world and marketing at its core. Here's why....

Marty Note
Solid post by Ted that explains the subterranean traps many marketers fall into when using social media. Rubin points out that some OLD marketing truths still hold water such as:

1. You are NOT Your Customer—Do Your Research

1. Frequency Isn’t a Bad Thing

1. Story is Important
   
   

Great tips here about lessons every marketer learned but seem to forget when "social media" is in front of "marketing".

Social Media It's The Conversation, Stupid is about the new rules of branding being created by a social world. If you aren't creating LOVE and winning hearts and minds online this Haiku Deck may help you join the revolution (in a good way). 

It is now common for companies to develop Social Media strategies and to hire Social Media Managers in order to boost their online presence. But what can you really expect from Social Media Marketing?

Marty Note
Don't agree with every aspect of this "truth", but I have been working on a new concept about social media marketing that discusses means and ends. The means of social media helps find the wind to sail.

The ends of social media should be positive ROI. ROI can be difficult since attribution is something we don't currently have the tools to accurately measure and that is one truth this post skips over.

I also don't agree that social media's forward momentum stops the instant promotional efforts cease. Yes that is the way traditional one sided advertising works. No money no momentum.

Social media is a conversation so YOU the marketer are being changed by the interaction (if you are doing it right) and that benefit could pay returns for a long time. This is the means not fully discussed in these "truths".

This @HaikuDeck provides specific tests to know if your business loves social media marketing or, like many, your biz is doing the minimum. Tips for how to learn to love social media marketing are included. 

Not every business must become a "social business" and the specific conditions such as an established and growing brand with many brand advocate helpers or a brand or company so elite and well known growth is assured.

2014 will be the "beyond social media tipping point" for most businesses.