branding

3 Ways You Should Be Using Influencers, But Probably Aren’t

Originally posted at The Likeable Daily.

In recent years, the emphasis in social and digital marketing has been on paid media. By and large, brands are concerned with determining the budgets necessary to meet their goals and hit their KPIs. In 2013, I predict that we’ll see a shift toward earned media as the more likeable brands continue to look for meaningful and genuine ways to connect with consumers. We saw the beginnings of it in 2011 and 2012 with the rise of Klout, and trends indicate that influencers will be more important than ever in 2013. But are you doing everything you can to leverage the opportunities presented to you by influencers? Let’s take a look and see, shall we?

Why Entertainment Loves Social Media

Originally posted at the Likeable Media Blog.

Many in the entertainment industry fear the Internet because they don’t understand it. In 2011, those who backed SOPA made it clear that they would rather alienate an entire segment of their target audience and accuse them of criminal activity instead of harnessing their passion and turning them into brand ambassadors. But almost from the start, entertainers, studios, and networks that are active on social media and engage with their audiences have seen great success as a result. The numbers don’t lie. Social is becoming more and more a part of the entertainment experience, and those who jump aboard the social media train now will reap the rewards!

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Social Relevance: The @MarsCuriosity Story

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Originally posted at the Likeable Media Blog.

When Neil Armstong stepped foot on the Moon for the first time, millions watched with bated breath all over the globe. Ever since that historic July evening in 1969, public interest in the US space program has steadily declined. When NASA sent their Mars Science Laboratory rover (affectionately dubbed Curiosity) on its mission to the Red Planet in November 2011, they knew they needed to drum up support and breathe some life back into the program. So like any future-minded organization, they turned to social media to find their audience and their voice. The @MarsCuriosity Twitter account not only delights hundreds of thousands of followers here on Earth with funny and informative tweets, it also serves as a stellar example of how old-school businesses can make themselves relevant again by finding their audience where they already exist. Let’s have a look at what they’re doing right!

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3 Amazing Conferences You Wish You Could Go To

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Originally posted at the Likeable Media Blog.

When you work in marketing, it’s essential to stay on top of current trends and always keep an eye to the future. One of the most fulfilling and enriching ways to stay ahead of the pack is by attending conferences. They give you an opportunity to meet with like-minded thinkers, hear new perspectives on familiar issues, and engage in conversation with industry thought leaders. While world-famous conferences like SxSW and TED get bigger each year, small conferences are also thriving. Let’s take a look at three conferences that can really deliver value, even if you haven’t heard of them!

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5 Social Media Lessons from Steve Jobs

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Originally posted at the Likeable Media Blog.

With the recent passing of Steve Jobs, there have been countless articles and interviews calling him everything from genius to tyrant. Having just read appropriately-titled Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson, I was struck by what a polarizing figure he really was. Two things most people can agree on are that he revolutionized technology over the last 35 years in ways that few have ever done, and that he knew how to run a successful business. But can his business philosophy be applied to the way brands manage their social media presences? I think for many businesses, the answer is yes! Let’s take a walk through some of Steve Jobs’s core principles and see how they apply to the social realm.