Trends in Social Media

As the polar vortex refuses to loosen its icy grip on the majority of the country, abnormally cold weather provides an ideal time to review and adjust your personal and professional social media strategies. Whether you’re a novice user or practiced veteran of the social media environment, you can always learn a new technique or application that fits your needs. With a little research, you can easily improve your efficiency and skills in a communication medium that continues to evolve with improved technology and greater importance, as more and more individuals rely on outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for news, shopping, and social interaction. As an active member of the Jaycees, you’ll find social media used in a variety of ways on the local, national, and international levels, from internal communication to chapter marketing to community project support. It has quickly grown from an entertaining way of staying connected, to an essential element of your personal and professional communication practices.

To help direct your efforts in the most beneficial ways, check out this article from Jayson DeMers, a contributor at Forbes.com, breaking down the top social media trends for 2014. Some of his insights include:

1.       Investment in social media will become a necessity, not a luxury.

2.       Google+ will become a major factor.

3.       Image-centric networks will see huge success.

4.       We’ll witness the rise of micro-video.

5.       LinkedIn will become a major player for B2B growth.

With social media firmly cemented as a major factor in how individuals communicate with each other, get yourself educated. Whether through your local chapter, JCI USA trainings, project applications, or outside educational opportunities, invest your time in understanding the various methods and programs associated with effective social media communication.

Now it’s your turn. Would you recommend any additional resources to help your fellow Jaycees learn more about social media? Please take a few minutes and tell us about any books, videos, online sites, speakers, etc. that you found particularly valuable – and thanks for the suggestions!