Just wanna say a HUGE thanks to Sublime’s friends, partners, clients, and colleagues for an amazing 2009.
Having been almost exclusively in the digital space for 2 and a half years now, it’s been really exciting to see the evolution of technology, culture, and business.
Here are Sublime’s 2010 Digital Trend Predictions.
Enjoy…
xo Selina Jane xo
1. Real Time Rawks It
An emphasis on real time social search results will be huge for 2010. Search engines will pull in real-time results from places like Twitter, Facebook, social communities and video sharing sites. More shared content will come from peers than ever before. Facebook may even launch their own social search, allowing you to search posted content across their network. How cool would that be?!
What this means for you: If you don’t have social content on the web, you need to get on it!
2. Bandwagoner’s will fall off the wagon
The amount of self-proclaimed Social Media strategists, agencies and gurus that emerged in 2009 was mind boggling. In 2010 simply knowing how to set up a Facebook page, sign up for Twitter, spew social gibberish, or throw a deck together won’t be even close to enough. The bandwagoner’s who tried to cash in on Social Media in 2009 will lose interest when they realize that they actually have to “know something”. The buzz of the term “social media” will die down, which is good… We’re really just talking about digital interactions here, no biggie!
What this means for you: The people who are still in the space, will be there because they know the space. Your digital activity will not be a scary “experiment”!
3. Location. Location. Location
A greater emphasis on local connection will be prevalent in 2010. This means more Tweet Ups, Meet Ups, geo-targeting, personalized ads, mobile apps, local digital communities and networks. The people in our own backyard will be the ones who help us the most. Location-aware applications will be huge for Mobile!
What this means for you: You might wanna start thinking about how mobile can help your business, as well as how you can tap into your local community.
4. Consumer Review Evolution
Consumer reviews will be more important than ever. Companies WILL be held accountable for their products and services and WILL suffer the scrutiny of consumers who will blog, tweet, photograph, rate, comment and broadcast their experiences. We will trust each other, share our opinions, and base our brand loyalty on deserving brands.
What this means for you: Make SURE that if you are launching something, it’s not too early to market, flawed, problematic, or useless…. Otherwise you’ll sink like a submarine.
5. Creative Content is King
Continuing the trend of 09, static websites will be a thing of the past as companies begin to express themselves through creative content, blogs, photo, video, and microblogs. Emphasis will be placed on delivering creative valuable content that does NOT focus on a hard sell, but rather on helping your audience, connecting, and crowd sourcing public opinion. The companies that do this well, will see greater success than those who don’t focus on this. Simply having a blog won’t be enough. With so much content crowding the space, you’re gonna have to be pretty damn good!
What this means for you: You’re gonna need to get creative with your content. Call me.
6. Social Measurement
In 2009 the jury was out on ROI for social media. With so many differing opinions and schools of thought, we’re gonna have to come to a consensus in 2010. Marketers aren’t gonna give up on asking for ROI, and we are gonna have to standardize something here. My feeling is that we will come to an agreement on measuring ROI, but maybe call it something different.
What this means for you: Talking results of your social activity won’t be as complex of an issue anymore. Hooray!!
7. Unmasking Brands
Consumers will realize the power they yield in the digital space and will begin unfollowing and unfriending brands who are attempting too much take and not enough give. Brands that seem too artificial or smarmy will not only face severe backlash, but they will shake violently in a corner when they realize how quickly a poor execution can turn into a PR Nightmare. The brands that will succeed will be the ones who (get this) have good honest people working for them! In order to succeed, brands will HAVE to have heart and soul.
What this means for you: You should probably start thinking about what you can do to be better, more accountable, and genuine in 2010. This is what will matter.
8. Honesty & Transparency
Gone are the days of one-sided marketing messages, classical conditioning, and hard sells. We’re in a new era now. An era where only the honest will prevail. It will be okay to make mistakes, okay to admit them, and okay to apologize in this era. Genuine conversations and connections will matter… Quality over quantity.
What this means for you: You’ll need to focus more on genuine interactions with your customers, friends and followers in the digital space.
9. The Year of the Social Policy
2009 really caused some problems in the area of digital compliance. How could companies “go social” when employees weren’t even allowed to check their personal email on company time. Many companies struggled with this one. 2010 will be the year of the social policy. More and more companies will create internal social policies, allowing their employees to access the internet providing they are representing the interests of the companies. Should work out fine… for some.
What this means for you: Are you still surf blocking? Let’s talk.
10. Fresh Collaborative Content
It’s increasingly harder to manage a blog with so many other activities to participate in online… As people realize the difficulty in maintaining regular fresh content, and deciding who to make responsible for blog activity, they will start to look at the practicality of collaborative blogs with multiple authors. Which is great news for writers like me, hooray!
What this means for you: This is the one instance where it’s okay if you hear voices. It’s good! The more perspectives, articles, and content… The better!
Written By Selina Jane
Sublime Marketing
