YOUR Social Media Platform Persona?

Researchers at King's College London, working in collaboration with Penn State University, have found that social media users adapt their behavior to individual social media platforms in a way that is clearly identifiable and learn-able when tested on a model..

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Using the webpages of 116,998 About.me users, the research team extracted matched user profiles on several major social networks including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and found that different genders and age groups adapt their behavior differently from each other. Such behavior includes the language they use in profile descriptions and the type of images they choose for their profile pictures.

Women were found to smile more than men in the profile pictures across all five of the social networks, while those under 25 were less likely to smile and this was suggested to be a result of the popularity of selfies among young people.

On LinkedIn, 90% of profile pictures were of a single person, while less than 60% of profile pictures on Facebook and Instagram were of only one person. Interestingly, on Facebook and Instagram, up to 40% of users used a picture that didn't include their face.

In contrast to statistics which show that women have a slightly higher myopia rate than men, more men were found to wear glasses in their profile pictures, suggesting that the two genders choose to fit in with gender-specific norms or social pressures; men may want to appear more intelligent while women appear to give in to social pressure to not wear glasses.

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The first author, Dr Changtao Zhong, now working for Twitter, says that the model developed by the researchers is able to automatically identify the network when given a profile picture or self-description.

The differences in behaviour were generally consistent across different platforms and these behavior differences correspond to how informal or formal the network is. Networks that are more formal such as LinkedIn are easier to tell apart from networks that are less formal such as Facebook.

Guest Authored By King's College London. King's College London was established in 1829 and is a co-founded constituent college of the University of London. Today, King's College London has more than 19,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is home to five research councils, trains physicians, dentists and conducts complex medical and health related research. King's College London is also known for its academic and research in Physical Science and Engineering, Institute of Psychiatry and Social Services. Follow King's College London on Twitter.

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"Dr Nishanth Sastry, Informatics, said: "The results of our research have shown that different social networks do have different conventions, and users adapt their profiles to suit these conventions.

Our findings have implications for advertising strategies.

For example, brands that find a large audience on one particular social media platform may not be popular on another, because the expected norms and core demographic could be different.."

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  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)

YOUR Brand Engagement Social Media?

Brand engagement: How social media is being channeled to provide value for users..

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Social media is a constantly changing force that is dominating desktops and mobile devices across the world.

No single technological advancement has changed our daily lives and culture so quickly and dramatically.

But the success and popularity of social media also increases competition exponentially. This sparks questions surrounding social media practices, such as which platform’s processes work best and why?

Below, I’ve rounded up some of the practices today's brands are using to make the very most of their social media initiatives and how you can do the same.

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Following 'The Customer Is Always Right'

Generally speaking, people subscribe to brands that capture and hold their interest, and often for a more specific reason. Whether it's a clothing brand that promotes exclusive offers on social media or a news company that shares breaking stories, successful social media marketers understand that to succeed, there has to be an incentive. Of course, this incentive will vary by what your brand has to offer.

With that said, every brand should understand what their audience wants from following them on social media, and they have an obligation to follow through. Failing to provide what your audience is looking for can cause them to lose interest and look elsewhere -- likely to your competitors. This is why it is imperative to keep your brand’s reputation foremost in their minds.

From a social media perspective, it’s best to test various forms of content and measure which performs best. This could range from engaging videos to graphics to polls and more. Higher clicks and engagement rates should give marketers an idea of what kind of content to share in the future.

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Additionally, brands now look to social media as a convenient customer service platform.

Compared to the inconvenience of calling a customer service line and dealing with an automated machine, social media offers a valuable alternative. Don't just look at customer service via social media as an obligation, but as an opportunity to win over customers and to establish a deeper level of brand loyalty. In a digital age where people look for instant solutions, social media delivers.

For example, airlines regularly employ customer service representatives to help customers via Twitter. Was your flight canceled? Tweeting your issue directly to the airline can lead to faster solutions and less airport chaos while offering the peace of mind of having immediate help at your fingertips.

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Branding Through Quality Content

Social media is unique in that it acts as a personalized content aggregator for users. News feeds are meant to directly reflect the user's interests, making social media a 24/7 hub for personalized news and entertainment.

Brands are being reminded that “content is king,” following various algorithm updates. Users are shown content that they are likely to engage with. This data is harvested by following users’ behavioral patterns when they visit particular pages.

To increase your content’s organic reach, focus more on post engagement to win the attention of your customers and further brand loyalty. Over time, a larger, more engaged audience will result in increased future sales.

Quality content should typically provide a solution or alternative to an obstacle your audience may be facing. For example, a company that sells running sneakers might want to share tips and advice for people who run competitively. In this case, social content might include tips for increasing endurance through cardiovascular exercises or nutrition advice that can serve as a performance booster.

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Marketing Through Emerging Technologies

Social media is becoming more about the personal journey or experience than ever before. Fans want to be involved, not just sideline spectators. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat have introduced live video features to increase individual participation and to take brand engagement to the next level.

With live videos, consumers can feel closer to their favorite brands than ever before. Live videos are becoming their own genre of content, ranging from brief Q&A sessions to product releases -- all with the intent to increase engagement and further brand loyalty.

If you're looking to take advantage of live video capabilities, make sure to address your audience to make them feel more involved (this is what makes live videos more engaging).

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This could mean asking them questions or requesting their opinions or suggestions for future pieces of content. Projecting the message that your brand listens to its fans will surely strengthen loyalty.

Virtual reality is another emerging technology that may have a major impact on social media. Over time, as prices for this technology drop, usage will likely become more regular, and brands can align their marketing strategies to further enhance the experiences consumers are seeking. For instance, brands might find ways to integrate VR with live video to give fans a taste of the action. This may also be the case for product announcements. Imagine how much more traction a new car will get when people can virtually experience it.

Guest Authored By Michele Gray. Michele is Chief Operating Officer at Active Web Group, a full-service Digital Marketing Firm located in New York. Follow Michele on Twitter.

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"Social media succeeds because it is a fluid vehicle that can quickly effectuate changes and updates to enhance the user experience and facilitate the sales funnel to achieve a brand’s business goals. Whatever users demand and require for their loyalty, savvy brands will turn to social media to deliver.."

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  Post Crafted By:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at GetMoreHere.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, CO. where I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)

Keeping YOUR Social Media Fresh?

Break the monotony: Keep it fresh on social media..

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We'll talk about the strategy to increase social media engagement and improve awareness of your brand.

Variety is, as they say, the spice of life.

No one likes to see the same thing over and over again. With revamping our social strategy and trying out new social media tactics, we have a better chance of increasing the engagement and leave the audience with an impact.

The word "engagement" makes a lot of noise on social media which just isn't easy. It has to be, well, engaging.

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Do you know about the "AEIOU" of social media?

It is Answer. Engage. Influence. Offer. Use.

--Are you answering the rights questions asked on social media?

--Are you engaging your audience?

--Do you have an influencer?

--Do you offer reasons and rewards to choose you over others?

--And are you user-friendly?

With techniques that can answer these frequently-asked questions, you are sure to stand out in the era of social media.

From Facebook to Instagram, domains to websites, online shopping to online portals of different brands, everything is online and everyone is busy utilizing the best of the web market. With the snowballing accessible options of promotion, retaining attention is also becoming challenging day by day as competition increases and the attention span decreasing to a mere 8 second.

So, let's look at some new ideas that could make you a force to be reckoned with.

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Be a Social Storyteller

Storytelling is the new trend on social media. Facebook stories allow you to post content that disappears after 24 hours is now available for groups and events. Instagram Stories "Highlights" lets your brand showcase your best stories and post them permanently on your Instagram profile. Similarly, Twitter and WhatsApp also give a platform to upload stories, videos and share insights.

Say Hello to Chatbots

Chatbots are the new best friend of the one-click generation. They allow enterprises to deliver proficient service in an exceedingly personalized manner by combining messaging, human support and operations into one holistic experience. Chatbots provide an instant connection with customers from all over the world, solving customer issues almost instantaneously. Today not only chatbots are used as chatting tools but are also used for selling and ordering things with just a click.

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#Hashtags Are A Must

Today the generation is all about social media glams with new apps and trends adapted swiftly. If you wish to grow and walk parallel with such trends, then start following them re-utilizing them for brand representation. From Twitter to Facebook, Instagram to Snapchat everyone is using hashtags to make their post popular and highlight them among the sea of other posts. Find out which hashtag is in trend and use it!

Influencers Are Worth It

Today almost every brand is using celebrities, sportsmen, bloggers etc to boost their products and be a face of their brand. Because they know people also buy products when they see influencers using it. Influencer marketing is not something new but due to a clear majority, this option is all the more in a trending curve now. Consumers want authenticity from influencers and the brands who seek to work with them should strive to give a transparent portrayal of their brand as publicized by these influencers.

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Just go Live

Meet your audience where they are. Just go live and interact with your viewers in real time. Go online with live video sessions, conduct live talk shows like having chats sessions with doctors, skin experts, beauticians and others to bring in an industry opinion tackling general queries of your customers. People can similarly share their queries and brands can use this idea of live streaming to connect with more people.

Post Small Ads

Make your advertisement content only what it is for. Today we don't want to watch long ads grabbing our mind space as we either skip or use ad blocks. So, keep in mind that your ad has to be to the point.

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Try A Poll

Exhausted posting the same types of content over and over? Try a poll. Polls get your customers engaged in active conversations with your business. Platforms like Facebook even offer a built-in poll creator to make it easy!

Guest Authored By Pankaj Rahul Singh. An IIM Dropout, came out with this idea when there were no smartphones or Facebook and people were only using orkut, Pankaj Rahul Singh foresaw the future of the digital media in India 8 years ago. A marketing specialist with 10+ years of experience in the field of Digital & Social Media, Sports Management, Media & Marketing, and Mr. Singh has been an expert in driving Corporate Strategies, Business Development & Marketing. He also oversees all domestic and international operations focusing on the development and execution of a world-class, customer-driven organization. He has previously worked with ICFDS, Brazilian Soccer Schools & FTV. This True Sports Lover is a master in monetization of sports properties, international events and has successfully handled many big sporting campaigns in his career. Follow Pankaj on Twitter.

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"Utilize these strategies to increase social media engagement and improve awareness of your brand.

And, above all, Be a Customer-Service Leader! -PankajRahulSingh

• 

  Post Crafted By:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Salt Lake City, UT. where I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)

2017 Social Media Mover & Shaker List?

Which brands topped the social media Movers and Shakers list in 2017?

You do not have to be a new, hot technology in order to get consumers talking about your brand. Consumer engagement can happen across all brands -- if you get it right.

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It does seem that new products and those within sectors such as technology that are considered to be the "hottest" are the ones consumers are talking about most.

However, this is more of a myth than fact. New York-based data, analytics, and insights company Engagement Labs has identified the top 10 brands that saw the most improvement with respect to the quality and quantity of consumer conversations.

I looked at 500 consumer brands and ranked brands that gained the most consumer conversation over the course of a year.

It ranked its 'Movers and Shakers' as brands with the biggest point increase in their TotalSocial scores from the year ending in May 2016 to the year ending in May 2017, placing them in the top half of its TotalSocial ranking.

According to its analysis, these Movers and Shakers are not from just one category.

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They range from technology and entertainment to insurance companies, travel services, and food brands.

There is a raft of new products, such as the Apple Watch, along with well-established brands such as General Mills.

It does not seem to matter what the category or age of a brand is.

If there is a strong product, good customer case study, or great marketing campaign, there is always an opportunity to gain momentum and improve how much and the way in which consumers talk about a brand.

USAA and Bayer are clear examples that brands do not have to be 'sexy' to earn consumer engagement. USAA is ranked third on the list. It focuses on providing military members and their families with insurance, banking, and investment services.

Its marketing campaigns focus on patriotism and appeal to consumers emotional. This has resulted in a rise in people who were talking offline about their advertising and marketing.

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Life science company Bayer is second on the Movers and Shakers list. Bayer had a record-breaking year and substantially improved its face-to-face conversations and offline sentiment.

Apple Watch is the No. 1 Mover and Shaker. The brand moved up more than 100 places. During the reporting period, it released product innovations including the iPhone 7, Apple Watch Series 2, and Apple AirPods.

Consumers have long been talking and interacting with the brand. It used the Apple Watch launch to generate consumer conversations.

General Mills proved that even the most established brands can rise up the list, One of the catalysts that enhanced its position was its controversial "Bring Back the Bees" campaign.

Ed Keller, CEO of Engagement Labs, said: "In the case of Apple, it is clear that the company really made the most of its product launch for the Apple Watch."

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Consumer conversations are a proven driver of critical business outcomes, including sales.

Tracking, measuring, and benchmarking the impact of conversations happening around a brand and industry -- both online and offline -- is key to the brands success.

Guest Authored By Eileen Brown. Eileen is a social business consultant who has been working with collaborative technologies for 20 years. Eileen creates the social business, energizes communities and ignites social commerce and social CRM. She develops social business strategy, customer reach and online branding. Her book, Working The Crowd: Social Media Marketing for Business, is available on Amazon. She is a regular speaker at conferences around the world, maintains a blog Here. Follow Eileen on Twitter.

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“Consumer conversations are a proven driver of critical business outcomes, including sales.

Tracking, measuring, and benchmarking the impact of conversations happening around a brand and industry -- both online and offline -- is key to the brands success.."

• 

  Authored by:

  Fred Hansen Pied Piper of Social Media Marketing at YourWorldBrand.com & CEO of Millennium 7 Publishing Co. in Loveland, Colorado. I work deep in the trenches of social media strategy, community management and trends.  My interests include; online business educator, social media marketing, new marketing technology, skiing, hunting, fishing and The Rolling Stones..-Not necessarily in that order ;)