Three Social Media Trends to Watch

One of the biggest questions facing social media strategists all the time is "What's next?"

As Facebook is set to unveil its latest attempt to take over the world via email, we're watching closely to see what new trends may pop up.

There are three trends that I am tracking very closely:

1. Location-based social media platforms. Gowalla , Foursquare , Facebook Places , Whrrl, etc. are all an interesting concept to watch unfold. Right now, all are still in the innovator and early adopter phases. It remains to be seen if they will achieve mainstream status. One thing is certain, location based social media platforms offer businesses the best chance at measuring their precious ROI in a dollar amount. 
2. Content clutter. In today's online world "everyone can be a publisher of content!" The interesting trend to watch however will be, "whether or not the number of people publishing content will decrease to a small confined group?" With so much information all over the internet it can be difficult for an unknowing consumer to judge the quality of content posted on a website, blog, etc. Will the top media dogs such as CNN, MSNBC, and Fox find a way to rule in the online market? We'll see.
3. Social Media Optimization. Since the dawn of search engines SEO has reigned supreme. But now with strong partnerships between Bing and Facebook and the growing use of social media influences in search, social media optimization will slowly take over. 

These are trends that I'm watching, would love to hear what your watching for in the world of social media?

Follow Whitney Breaux on Twitter @wbreaux or on Facebook . Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn. 

Three Easy Ways to Position Your Social Media Accounts in Search

Do you remember how to use a phone book? Or better yet, how do you use a library catalog to locate a book? The best part of being forced to learn these tools as a child is I no longer have to use them! Thank you Google, Yahoo, Bing, and ever other search engine out there.

As I've mentioned before our "instant gratification society" wants news, information, resources, etc. with a few keywords and the click of a button. The same applies for when a consumer is looking for more information about your business/brand. Your website is the front office! But the consumer may want to hang out with you at the bar across the street = social media.

1. Facebook. Populate your business/brand information throughout the fan page. Try not to get too excited that you are now engaging with your audience that you forget others will have to find you too. Use the open text box under the fan page avatar and provide a short applicable description of your business/brand. Also do not take for granted the "Info" tab on the fan page. Put all your information in and as your page grows in information and activity so to will your search engine results.

2. Twitter. Your name and your twitter handle no longer have to be the same name. In theory, you would like your twitter handle to be short in order to maximize the 140 characters you have to convey a message. But you still want users to know your full name, website and more information about you. For example, if you are the United Bowling League of America your full name would be "your name" on twitter and your handle could be @BowlUS. Also, populate the "bio" section of your Twitter page with keywords and phrase that best describe your business/brand. You only have 160 characters so use your words wisely!

3. Publish your social media account information on your website home page. Facebook search is pretty accurate, but Twitter and other social networking sites are still perfecting their search tools. Make it easy for the consumer to find you on social sites by putting your account information where they can find you easiest!

So there you have it! Go and populate the world... with your content!

Follow me on Twitter @wbreaux (Your Name: Whitney Breaux ) and on Facebook . Let's connect on LinkedIn !

Social media morals and ethics, do they exist?

Rutgers student Tyler Clementi jumped off the GW bridge after being exploited online.

I recently read a fabulous article by Austin Gaddis, a sophomore majoring in public relations and communication studies at the University of Alabama, entitled “Social media addicts.” http://www.cw.ua.edu/2010/10/08/social-media-addicts/ 

His article cited how social media has transformed the way we communicate and I could not agree more. Recent surveys have shown that Internet users spend more time on Facebook  than they do on any other website on the web. With 500 million users that’s an incredible statistic. While Twitter and location based social media platforms are still on the up swing, the mere fact that they are featured at the close of every major advertising commercial these days demonstrates their mainstay.

But in turn we as a social media industry must look to each other and question, where are we headed? In recent days the deaths of teenagers and college students who have been bullied via online networks is a scary fact. How can we as a community help drive a since of ethical behavior online?

My question is “how can we stop playground bullying, murder, crime, etc?” The only answer I can think of is education and parenting. These are societal issues that exists even offline. So are these kids just the victim of the next breed of criminals? Those who exist online? I certainly hope not.

Just as we hope our teachers are educating students on how to behave in the classroom, it’s time that we also start the conversation about how to behave online.

What can we do to help create the solution?

Why Mass Comm Students Must Learn Social Media Now!

Two weeks ago, I returned to my alma mater to speak to undergraduate Mass Comm students about the evolution of our industry. At the Louisiana State University (@lsu ), the Journalism college offers a wide range of concentrations including Political Communication (my degree program), Print Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations. The student I addressed are at the beginning of their long journey through the Manship School of Mass Communication . However, their enlightened professor Roxanne Dill recognized that social media will play a direct role in the future careers of her young students. I could not agree more.

The fact is every facet of the communications world now requires (or at least highly recommends) a social media component. I told the students "why we communicate as not changed!" Instead, "how we communicate has changed!" By the time the graduating class of 2013/2014 enters into the communications job market, social media will be in full onslaught swing.

Most, if not all, journalist will tease their next day print story with tweets about their investigations. In turn, after the story hits news stands they will use Facebook and blogs to tell the rest of the story that didn't get past the copy editors desk. Print journalist may use a small video camera to capture clips of their story research and build video clips that can be published online.

During one of my talks with students, I held up the LSU Daily Reveille, a student publication. On the front page was a story about the resurgence of New Orleans street bands and music. I explained...

"Now hear is a great story for print. It talks about something that is very important to the people of Louisiana and New Orleans, music. Now imagine if the same camera that took this great photo, also recorded video clips of the same band playing on the street corner. Let's say in the story conclusion, the reporter directs the reader to the LSUReveille.com website and there the reader can download iTunes clips from the artists and view a video of them performing. Now instead of just being a print journalist, I've added value to the newspaper website and increased interest in my story."

Of course, college is the perfect time to experiment with what's right and what's wrong, but that's just the first step. I encouraged the students to think beyond the boundaries of their particular field. Facts suggest, almost 200,000 students graduate each year with a degree in communications. My wish for LSU graduates is that they know how to "add value" to their particular field by being innovative and versatile!

Here is a recap from the Manship School of Mass Communication website, Dill and Whitney Breaux Team Up for Social Media.

I might be speaking to more students about social media in the near future, what would you recommend I advise them to do?

"The Social Network" Changes Lives

I just committed the ultimate Louisiana sin. I intentionally missed New Orleans Saints game and escorted myself to the local movie theatre to see the latest movie craze "The Social Network!"

"The Social Network" traces the history of everyone's favorite website Facebook.com. It details the turbulent start up of the now emphasis website that has changed the way we communicate forever. One could spend an entire post outlining what happened in the movie, more importantly is the reaction I had to the number 1 movie of the weekend.

In one word, INSPIRED. Not inspired that I may beat Mark Zucherburg to being the youngest billionare ever (I have two years left), but convinced that great are started around the world everyday. We are all one day away from the biggest idea, moment and action of our lives. Hardwork, late nights and determination will get you across the finish line.

In another sense the movie reaffirmed my belief that Facebook.com is here to stay. Just as the telephone helped change the use of letter-writing, 500 million users from around the country now use Facebook.com more and longer than any other site on the internet. Every business has a place on Facebook. 8 out of 10 a member of your target audience is on Facebook. Now how you find them, talk with them and build a relationship is the another piece of the pie.

Have you seen "The Social Network?" What are your thoughts on the movie?