On December 4th, 2007, I looked into my crystal ball and made some bold predictions for 2008.
It’s 6 months later, and I thought it would be fun to take a look and see how close to the mark (or off it) my rambling thoughts have been!
I predicted “Social media overload”.
It’s happening. And it’s actually good so far, because the newer services are bringing new benefits and functionality, making things better. With one problem - portability of one’s network. If that happens, this could take off in a big way, with everyone using their own favorite service.
Yet, it also was responsible for posts like these:
- Integrating your social networking
- Social Media Marketing Advisory
- Don’t Waste Time on Social Networks
I predicted ‘Death of email marketing’.
It’s happening. My email delivery and response rates are the WORST they have been in the last 10 years of practicing email marketing. I’m making a major shift to alternative approaches of communication with my audience.
What’s your experience with this?
I predicted ‘StumbleUpon and Twitter gain mindshare’.
Twitter has been growing by leaps and bounds. Over a million users, and speeding ahead. Not sure about StumbleUpon, though it still has a vast network of users.
I predicted ‘Postcard renaissance’.
At least, I’m living it. Sent more postcards this past month than I’ve sent all last year - and I expect this to continue to grow, as email effectiveness drops (for me) and postcards work better to get a response.
I predicted the ‘Open Source’ movement getting traction.
I’m reading a lot about it, though most of it is too technical to make sense to me, the point is that people are working to give each of us a unique online identifier.
I predicted ‘To each man his blog’.
Do you have one of yours? My blog now gets more readers than my email newsletter gets opened! Response rates parallel this figure.
I predicted ‘Contextual advertising gets pervasive’.
Must admit I haven’t noticed that happening - which could mean this prediction is indeed true!
I predicted ‘Trust, influence and attention becoming the new currency’.
Truth be told, it has always been the currency of power on the Web.
I predicted ‘Global microbrands fulfill their promise’.
Then, I started working on strengthening and reinforcing my own - with this personal site to complement my ‘Be Different‘ brand, a business site, a non-profit branding site and now am in the process of building social credibility for it by securing feedback and testimonials from clients, subscribers and friends.
Take a look at them - and maybe leave a comment of your own?!
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2 Comments Received
May 25th, 2008 @3:59 pm
Dr. Mani, you appear to be right on with most of your predictions. I’m personally watching the social media space for the “portability” that you mentioned. FriendFeed seems to be emerging as the tool that provides the ultimate portability. You can aggregate your content there, do a Twitter-like microblog, and connect to other people with similar interests.
My knowledge of FriendFeed is a bit academic at this point though, “Social Media Overload” makes me cautious about jumping in to new networking activities.
Another trend I see is the move toward more authenticity in marketing. With blogs, social networking, etc. the most attractive way to market is with transparency and authenticity. It’s self-perpetuating concept because authenticity gets rewarded.
You are a good example of this trend!
December 9th, 2008 @6:30 am
Let me first say I am very new.
All that was typed in last night over here, did vanish due to a power loss - that says a lot about me - rather where I am -
presently.
I have read this article before - but the impact of reading it again - is so severe that I am obliged to type in my thoughts.
I consider it lucky to have been exposed to a blog of this nature. Secondly, the majority of individuals, steps into this field networking with the idea of ” what & how could I earn a fast buck” ISO “what & how should I —–.”
The beauty here is that, we are taken back from May 25th 2008 to another era six months before - December 4th, 2007.
One is surprised - I am, for sure - surpringly for a newbie - to see the frenzy of people joining Tweeter - NOW.
Amazon is releasing a book in Feb 2009. Every day is another
launch now.
There has always been cycles & trends, but the discreetly gracious will always remain at a point, that I need not even
try to imply.
Only the annals will tell, when we see your name, in resonance
ith IM.
It would be there, certainly in the same way that Late Sir. Arthur C. Clarke’s & Stephen Hawkings’ names do - in their respective fields of passion, so persued with trasparent clarity.
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