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Key 2012 Social Media Lessons and What We Can Learn from Them

December 31, 2012 by 38 Comments

The year experienced amazing global developments on social media. From big news to small but important ones, we have much to absorb from these 2012 social media experiences moving forward to 2013.

2012 Social Media Lessons

With so many developments, updates, and events on social, I have elected to choose three of what I believe are the most actionable for individual-use (bloggers especially) and business purposes (social media managers in particular).

It May be Time to Shift

The most popular social network, in terms of users, remains to be Facebook. However, its efforts to monetize their large user base of individuals and businesses have gained it little love this year. Take for instance the Edgerank roll-out (read more on Edgerank here); it costs a LOT of money to have any significant reach or perhaps growth. This is where I believe Twitter has an edge; I find it simpler, easier for connecting with, and most importantly, allows you to reach all of your followers/community. The point is, the world is not just Facebook; explore other platforms as one could prove better for you than another.

Vanity Metrics are harder to Support

It has become too important to have a massive fan base on Facebook, huge numbers of followers on Twitter, or YouTube view counts in the millions for both individuals and brands. 2012 has exposed one crucial question though: What do these truly mean?

  • For individuals, do high numbers on social vanity metrics equate ‘popularity’ with authority?
  • For businesses, are these numbers grown naturally or through paid methods? Is the money spent on these metrics gained back with profit?

Social proof (positive comments), reputation (personal recommendations), and increased sales figures are still more reliable.

Tricks and Gimmicks are nothing without Content

2012 Social Media Lessons jsncruzCountless times it’s been said that ‘content is king’. It’s not merely a statement. A blog can be ‘optimized’ as much as it can be but without readable content which entertain or inform users and visitors, it’s useless. Same with Facebook page updates or tweets; terrible content (low-res images, bad copywriting, and misleading claims to name a few) will either get nowhere or make you or your brands famous for all the wrong reasons. Giveaways and promos may also ‘breathe life’ to your social assets but if the basic content is bad to begin with, people are not going to come back. 2013 is a chance for you to write more and write better.

Your social media plan for 2013:

  1. Start exploring other options; you might just be the new king of a new social hill. It may also be a good idea to have your own website once and for all.
  2. Start putting more importance on social proof and actual, tangible gains and not just numbers on a screen.
  3. Start giving more focus on creating better written content accompanied by better quality media (images, videos).

What are your own 2012 social media lessons, moving forward into 2013? Share your thoughts in the comments! Also, please Like and Share this article if you found this helpful.

Featured image from RadioILoveIt, retrieved on December 31, 2012.

2012 Social Media Lessons for 2013

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About Jason Cruz

Social Media Guy at MRM Worldwide Manila, McCann Worldgroup Philippines' digital arm. I live social media, positive thinking, & running. Marathoner, loves wine & hip hop. Social Media Examiner's Top 24 Social Media Blogs of 2013. Get in touch with me on Twitter, @jsncruz.

37 comments
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CheRamos
CheRamos like.author.displayName 1 Like

Social Media platforms I see have all the same purpose, to reach out to people. I think whatever social media platforms we use, the best thing to do is maximize  whatever features they can offer.For this year, I plan to post more about how I see the country where I am right now which is its primary objective.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @CheRamos Hi there, thanks for dropping by. Hmm I do feel like you meant to say "enable people to reach out to one another better"? 

 

Have a fun blogging experience then for 2013 :)

Teresa Martinez
Teresa Martinez like.author.displayName 1 Like

After all has been said and done, we all go back to the basics which in writing is providing content that provides value whether in information, entertainment or mental stimulation.  The role of statistics however in determining blog "success" cannot be denied thus it would be best to find the right balance that can effectively combine the strength of exceptional writing and social networking. 

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @Teresa Martinez Hi ma'am, thanks for that great insight!

 

It is true - exceptional writing, as you put it, is a great asset for any digital influencer to have. In a year expected to be full of user experience tweaks and priority for better content, writing well certainly won't hurt. I've found that the blogs I truly enjoy are also well-written. Not flowery, just gets its point across in a professional or entertaining manner.

YaniMetrado
YaniMetrado like.author.displayName 1 Like

I felt a lot of positive vibes in your blog post Jason! Gearing towards better content is my topmost priority :)

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @YaniMetrado Hi there! Good to know you found this post not just informative but inspiring as well.

KennFrankRave
KennFrankRave like.author.displayName 1 Like

Facebook is still the best, but i dont use facebook alone as a social platform, as you said world is not just facebook

ronniedare
ronniedare like.author.displayName 1 Like

I can say that Facebook is moving towards or making changes for more money for their company. How I wish Twitter won't limit our tweets per day or followings/followers until we pay. For me, Pinterest will be a big player this 2013.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @ronniedare Hi Ron! Interesting point of view.

 

I seriously doubt Twitter will do that; they would have watched Facebook and derived their own lessons on how to better compete with this social networking Goliath. Facebook's drive for profit since its IPO may backfire enough for the company to consider making social on their platform fun again. Fingers crossed.

rochkirstin
rochkirstin like.author.displayName 1 Like

True. Word-of-mouse marketing is booming and this trend will continue to increase next year. Social media is changing the world of SEO as well, as Google now tries to depend on the social shares more than guest posts for link-building strategy. Maintaining good relationships and engagement with readers and followers becomes very important in every angle.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @rochkirstin Oh, perhaps word-of-cat marketing might work too :P Just kidding.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @rochkirstin Hi there! Great insights!

 

Social shares and social proof is important simply because on a very basic level, they show real eyeballs on a given post as well as show a level of interest (because otherwise, why share anything if it won't help you, right?) Thanks for dropping by!

annramirezz
annramirezz like.author.displayName 1 Like

I still trust Facebook over any other social media platforms because FB proved to me that they can get me a lot of blog followers. 

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @annramirezz Hey don't get me wrong - it's been an effective platform for social promotion thus far. Still, as a digital influencer (read: a blogger), it never hurts to diversify in terms of social accounts which you can use :)

kid3378
kid3378 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Very precise insights and helpful solution for social media guys. Keynotes that I think I should remember: popularity, content, variety of social media platforms.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @kid3378 Hey there, thanks for dropping by. Variety is the spice of (social) life, but to minimize the risk of spreading one's self too thin, it's always good to go for some of the more familiar ones at first.

qbp9900
qbp9900 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Tricks and Gimmicks are really nothing without Content. It distracts the users and sometimes mark your posts as spam. I would always go to have quality posts and then share it on my social medias then, tricks and gimmicks would follow. I don't really rely much on Facebook. It would always depend on where is your market. Other countries aren't using Facebook  @tambayofficial 

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @qbp9900  @tambayofficial Hey there, thanks for the visit. Ooh that's a sketchy statement to say, mentioning that "other countries aren't using Facebook". It's the most wide-reaching social network for a reason - it's virtually everywhere. What I'm trying to say in this article is that just because it's almost omnipresent it must be 'the choice' as well.

 

Good job on going for quality posts first! Always a good step.

robimrln
robimrln like.author.displayName 1 Like

I still manage to maintain the quality of content rather than quantity of post -- content is really the big asset to social media but posts should also be promoted on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Stumbleupon, YouTube and others. And hear, hear for your 2013 social media plans! :)

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @robimrln Hi Robi, thanks for dropping by. Yup - social proof is key to having articles which don't just get read, but are spread across the Internet as well (in a good way, mind you). You could have the most awesome content in the world, but if you won't promote it using a sound social strategy, it might be months or years before anyone finds it. Assuming it even appears on search results.

exlink2001
exlink2001 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Written with gusto Jason. Just keep on updating us and I am learning a bunch in this very unpredictable world called social media

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @exlink2001 Hi sir, thanks for the comment. I'm happy you find my content useful, especially since you're in the business of events and promotions.

gilcamporazo
gilcamporazo like.author.displayName 1 Like

I go for blogging not to earn, but to give outlet for my passion in writing. Little by little, there are social media emailing me to write for them and with my own convenient time I do and I am receiving a penny from them. At least I earn. I don't want to be an instant moneyed blogger or content writer for that matter.

 

I just maintain how I write and do some connection with some of my friends and others who become my regular subscribers or readers.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @gilcamporazo Hi sir. I'm not really sure how that is connected with my article, but it is great that you write out of passion. 

 

Hmm.. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter email you to write for them? That must be some clout you've built! :D

gemdenise2002
gemdenise2002 like.author.displayName 1 Like

It may be time to shift... mmm, still deliberating, since I still haven't joined the twitter world. I do agree that content is king and that matters a lot! I guess, I'd have to shift and refocus why I'm here in the first place! Lol!

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @gemdenise2002 It is about time, if you are really interested in promoting your content on more channels. You may have a better chance spreading your content on social networks OTHER than Facebook.

mishidems
mishidems like.author.displayName 1 Like

Twitter has become a more reliable (not to mention faster) way to disseminate information and traditional media and our government started to embrace it as well.

 

I'm a little concerned with the stats, just because I want to maximize my reach. Still, content is my number 1 priority. And I'm saving for a new camera to have better pictures and take videos to include in my posts :D

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @mishidems Twitter's speed in disseminating information, as well as the useful hashtag feature, is its greatest strengths. 

 

What stats in particular are you concerned about? :) I'd love to help you out. I mean, if you don't really have a 'huge' reach on Facebook then one shouldn't be too worried about starting over again on Twitter, in my humble opinion.

franckxethee
franckxethee like.author.displayName 1 Like

I would have to agree that twitter can be a faster medium in social network than facebook since it's easier to access. Content will always be king.  People bookmark your blog or return to your blog because of content.

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @franckxethee Definitely! If a Twitter user has nothing to offer - neither entertainment, knowledge, or useful links - why follow right? Twitter is indeed so much easier to use than Facebook.

RianelPhantomhive
RianelPhantomhive like.author.displayName 1 Like

This could be a great help to new bloggers. :D Looking forward with new lessons in your insights. :D

corros121
corros121 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Thanks for sharing Jason. I agree with you. Facebook is not just the social media platform we can use in our marketing. I have seen the big potential of Google plus communities since it does most of the communities do not require permission from the moderator so you can join. And one thing that really makes google plus really pwerful is the power of adding circles. I haven't fully understand it somehow but everytime I post something on the homepage, people in my cirlce can see it and they give it a plus. Twitter is also one of the best social media platform. With so many followers, you can also really drive great traffic on your site. SEO is also important for a niche marketer, BUT I agree with you that without value in your content, SEO is nothing. You may drive traffic for a period of time but it won't last long. Thanks for sharing and have a nice year this 2013! @lightyourbulb  

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator

 @corros121  @lightyourbulb Hi buddy, thanks for dropping by! G+ in my opinion has more than 'just potential' - it has the capability to be the 'complete package' when it comes to the social experience. I like it much better than Facebook but the challenge is that not many people in my country (Philippines) are active on it (compared with FB or Twitter).

 

Have a great 2013 as well! Thanks for the insights.

Jiromie
Jiromie like.author.displayName 1 Like

2013 is the year of the online writer as my idol, Brian Clark of Copyblogger said. Content marketing rules! 

jsncruz
jsncruz moderator like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Jiromie Hi buddy thanks for dropping by. Yup, it's a good and positive shift to content again! Couldn't have come sooner :)

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