1) You need to remember that, especially in this day and age, you are your own media company. You want to be seen and heard across all platforms – the larger your audience, the more leverage you have. Work to gain a deep connection with that audience, leading to more room for personal branding and growth.
2) Know who your audience is. Learn what you can about them, how to reach them, and the ‘language’ that they use – then execute. If they are proficient with Facebook but rarely use Twitter, it should go without saying that you should be ultimately reaching out to them on Facebook. The next person though may be easier reached through Twitter… as always, be ready to adapt.
3) Everyone has weaknesses. Once you understand this you can either (a) attack your weaknesses to strengthen them or you can (b) build a team around you in which individuals will fill any void left by your weakness with their strong point.
4) Learn Snapchat. Use Snapchat. The brand with Snapchat. Promote with Snapchat. Snap. Chat. Snapchat. This will be THE app of 2016.
5) Instagram is still the hottest app, in terms of gaining end-user attention. More than ever, people are also using a ‘word of mouth’ conduct with Instagram – if they see something they like, or want to share, they simply ‘tag’ their friends in the comments section, increasing the buzz around the photo or ad.
6) In whatever industry you are in, and no matter your service or product, you need to become THE expert in the field. Strive to become the person that everyone goes to for information regarding that subject.
7) You need to love what you are doing. I understand that there are going to be bad days, as there are good ones, but if you don’t have a true passion for what you are doing maybe it’s the year to start looking elsewhere.
8) Yes, businesses with social media marketing programs will go further than those businesses using only traditional marketing tactics. Cheap, easy, and effective. If you’re not currently using social media to boost your brand don’t look at it as if you’re already behind… look at it as though NOW is the time to start.
9) Trying to market to the college crowd? Figure out and win at the YikYak game.
10) To sell you may not be going door-to-door anymore. Well… not literally. Contact potential clients and customers on Twitter, via email, and any other method. Create a relationship, so as to not spam them, and find the time to ask if they’d have interest in your service or product. Contacting and asking 100 people may only get you 4 new clients, but it is 4 clients you didn’t have before you started.
11) For the 200th time, hashtags are not ‘ownable’… instead, focus on a trending hashtag and ride that to gain eyes on your content.
12) LinkedIn made a tremendous step in the content game in 2015, as people were able to now natively post to the platform. Not sure what to post? Or when? Like anything else, try various mediums (photos, articles) at various times of the day. Do your research to discover what works best not only for you but for your audience.
13) In marketing, if nothing else… be memorable. Don’t just show and tell – show an epic, tell the greatest story.
14) It looks more and more each day that the younger generations could really care less about Facebook. See Number 4.
15) Research and stay on top of the new social media applications that will be developed almost daily. If it seems like it has some traction, even if minimal, jump in ahead of the market as an early adapter. Of course, there will be a slow time or some bumps in the road, but wait that out and you’ll be able to capitalize (eg. Periscope early users in 2015… some of them carry celebrity status now).
16) We are all living a life ‘on the record’. I’ve said many times to my own clients: Your social media content is a living resume.
