This past year saw some dynamic changes in social media. Consider the rise of Facebook, Twitter’s increasingly strong position as the microblog network of choice, blogs’ maturation as a media form, and the continued adoption of social media by millions of Americans. Looking forward to the New Year, it’s a time of consideration, hope and aspiration.
Here are my top ten wishes for social media in 2008:
- Discussions revolve around integrating social media into the larger media picture, rather than the legitimacy of two-way, conversational media. The continued debate about relevancy seems passe given the sheer numbers of consumers, media outlets and businesses using social media.
- Similarly, that social media becomes viewed as its own unique tool set for several different corporate roles as opposed to just PR or customer service.
- Serious industry progress towards social media measurement.
- Discussions around ideals in social media stop getting turned into black and white debates. In reality, humans strive for ideals, but rarely attain them. Common sense fosters conversation about progress, instead of absolute wrongs or rights.
- People stop validating shameless cowards that use false identities to attack others (note: no validating link).
- Businesses who try to bend social media to their rules continue to fail miserably.
- Past astroturfing incidents actually discourage new ones. You could probably repeat this one every year.
- Blogger relations evolves beyond just pitching bloggers. The desire to force traditional media relations principles on this form just doesn’t make sense.
- The Buzz Bin doesn’t lose its edge. Let it not be said that we sold out.
- Apple engages in social media. Why not?
What are your social media wishes for 2008?
Apple has a top ranked support site, Knowledge Base, with praticipants from the both the vast network of users as well as the company itself. It’s a fantastic resource, a strong community of knowledge and is one of those little details that make Apple products so beloved by their users. Sure, they don’t have a blog — but they have created engagement between users and developers. They’ve had it for years and is really the sort of foundation that their in-store Genius Bar and outstanding phone and web-based Apple Care services are based on. By contrast, Dell has a blog where they in theory listen and engage their customers — but consistently tone deaf support. Sure there is some mystery surrounding the product releases — but Apple is engaged in the community and has been listening and responding for years, especially where it counts: service and support.
Greater and greater mainstream adoption of social media tools – this one is a given I think, but my wish is that the language of social media permiate popular consciousness more and more. The flip side is that we (social media-ites) must learn to ’speak’ our message in a more and more digestible way.
I relish the challenge and look forward to an exiting year of industry growth.
Good luck to everyone!
@Christopher Hopefully Apple will embrace blogging, too. I would not say their method of controlled communications really is socially enabled.
@Madhave I like that one! Thanks for adding the social media language to the larger lexicon.
My social media wish for 2008 is simple:
Focus more on my personal social media activities in order to provide my clients with richer knowledge of the landscape and how it can impact their business.
Happy New Year Geoff!
/kff
Geoff,
I like the wish list. On a related note, don’t worry about the Buzz Bin losing its mojo!
With regard to Apple, they are active in many different communities. Walk into an Apple store, it is amazing to watch (customer service – supersized). The result – Apple fans everywhere and returning incredible value to their shareholders.
All the best in 2008,
Chris