Being Peter Kim: Social Media Predictions 2009

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Peter Kim has - with the help of many social media thought leaders - assembled a fantastic array of 2009 predictions on his blog.

Click the link for the full document; excerpts selected by Peter Kim below:

Fourteen great minds on social media have shared thoughts on what 2009 may have in store for us. Here's some of what they're thinking:

• "Although it is now cheaper to launch an initiative leveraging Web 2.0 technology - it requires qualified and passionate people to make them successful." - David Armano
• "You may not always start the year as a leader, but you can certainly finish it that way." - Rohit Bhargava
• "Intimacy touches emotion; emotion powers conversation." - Pete Blackshaw
• "Doors are going to close all over the social web. Why? Because the money didn't come the way people thought it would." - Chris Brogan
• "The tipping point has not only *not* been reached, but could still tilt *away* from Social Media." - Todd Defren
• "There's a lot of fixing that needs to be done." - Jason Falls
• "Dwindling budgets suddenly make low-cost social media look like the pretty girl at the ball." - Ann Handley
• "We're going to develop a set of better metrics to help guide, direct and validate 'commitment'." - Joseph Jaffe
• "The movement is rooted in a desire to have quality, not quantity, as people cocoon in the face of the economic crisis." - Charlene Li
• "After a pre-qualifying wrestling match..." - Ben McConnell
• "These will be cumulative events and interactions that will build brand loyalty for the companies that pay attention to them." - Scott Monty
• "The recession will force revenue results out of social technologies." - Jeremiah Owyang
• "Companies that focus on earning love will thrive during hard times, and kick ass when good times return." - Andy Sernovitz
• "Suddenly, being Facebook friends with your mom will seem less ridiculous than following 4,000 strangers on Twitter." - Greg Verdino
  

ADMAVEN On Twitter!

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Searching for the right blog material is a challenge - looking for the right tweets much less so.

I am actively pushing ADMAVEN Twitter, so those of you who enjoy a more regular (albeit smaller) broadcast from me should follow the tweets here:

http://www.twitter.com/admaven

Get useful social media and web 2.0 information, ask questions about your campaign planning, and contribute to future ADMAVEN articles.

I look forward to seeing what you are up to!

NPR Digital Culture: Tim O'Reilly On The Future Of Social Media

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Talk of the Nation, December 19, 2008 · From Flickr to Facebook, Twitter to MySpace, social media sites help people follow the news and, in some cases, become part of the story. Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, looks back at the role of social media in 2008 and gives predictions for the future.

comScore Media Metrix: Retail Sites Gain as Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off

From comScore:
“The current economic situation has caused retailers to slash prices and offer highly attractive offers, such as free shipping, to appeal to cost-conscious Americans this holiday season,” commented Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of comScore Media Metrix. “With budgets a top concern for consumers, the ability to conveniently search the Web to find the best prices has become an increasingly important part of the holiday shopping buying process, for both online and offline purchases.”


Full story

Personal Branding, David Armano, Critical Mass

From Chicago Convergence:

Watch Personal Branding, David Armano, Critical Mass in News Online, Webisodes, and Game Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Windy City Social - Social Media Networking Event

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Windy City Social hosted an outstanding networking event at the Mid-America Club December 10th. Thanks to everyone who stopped to speak with me about the economy, social media, the state of advertising.

Special thanks to the organizers who threw together one of the biggest and most interesting networking events this year!

Social Media - Discussing Ideas With People In Communities

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.At the base level, social media is a pretty easy thing to define. A lot of marketers have trouble encapsulating what it means to be in the social media space, and whether a campaign is comprised of "just another website" or a functional 2.0 experience. This post is designed to create a very general framework to assist in understanding and developing true social media campaigns.

Let's have a look at my chart above; its based on a traditional approach but bear in mind that a brand or agency -with the correct core competencies - could perform all of the functions under one roof. The ad agencies who diligently invent creative concepts and the next great campaign are working with ideas. The PR agencies who interact with people on a daily basis and manage the perception of the product/service/brand are facilitating discussion. And the brand ambassadors - the ultimate caretakers of the brand (and our clients) - represent the people who are most influential throughout the advertising process.

When ideas, discussions, and people come together online the result is a community. Consumers spend a lot of time these days discussing what goes on in the world around them, and they are doing it via social media outlets. This isn't news to anyone I know, but it is important to ask yourself this question:

"Is my campaign facilitating discussion about ideas with people in online communities?"

If you are lacking in one or more of the aforementioned areas, you are not truly involved in a social media campaign.

And for those of you in denial about using social media - take a lesson from Motrin Moms... They had ideas and delivered them to people, but failed to facilitate any level of meaningful discussion in online communities about the negative feedback that resulted. As a result the brand suffered and a lot of money was lost.

I'm interested to hear your feedback; let me know what you think by commenting below!

Google Friend Connect Goes Live

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

From Google:

"Google Friend Connect means more people engaging more deeply with your website -- and with each other."

Learn more at the Friend Connect website.

Maddock Douglas Seeks New Talent in Chicago

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Maddock Douglas, the agency of innovation, is seeking new talent to add to it's already skilled Digital Team in the Chicago area.

We are currently looking for a Developer with the following credentials:

• At least two years experience developing interactive sites, micro-sites, banners and other rich-media online experiences

• Flash action-scripting expert with experience coding dynamic Flash applications. Extensive knowledge of AS-2 or AS-3.

• Experience coding Web pages, leveraging knowledge of HTML, CSS, Java Script, XHTML, ASP and PHP.

• Web 2.0 experience and knowledge necessary

• Experience creating email blasts and inline style sheets

• Knowledge of server-side technology a plus

Up to US$60k depending on experience. Visit Maddock Douglas to learn more about the company. Please send resume and cover letters to my attention.

Happy hunting!

Crain's Chicago Features Maddock Douglas In Chicago's Coolest Offices

Nicholas Kinports (follow him on Twitter @ADMAVEN) has worked in the interactive technology world for over 15 years. He is the Digital Strategy Lead and founder of Chicago-based digital marketing firm lonelybrand, where he directs the creation and execution of digital marketing programs that generate measurable signups, conversions and sales.

Crain's Chicago featured Maddock Douglas in the December 1st edition as one of Chicago's coolest offices. I suppose I am biased because they are my client, but the article is definitely justified...