Social Media Predictions 2009
Peter Kim, the former Forrester analyst, was kind enough to invite me to join several other smart folks in looking ahead to Social Media’s likely evolution in 2009.
“Community and collaboration are wonderful things,” he says. And then I realize that the 14 voices Peter’s lassoed into ginning up their ideas could’ve been 15, if Peter himself had hazarded some predictions! Crazy like a fox, that guy.
Without further ado, with true thanks to Peter, “fourteen great minds on social media have shared thoughts on what 2009 may have in store for us.” Here’s some of what they’re thinking:
- “Although it is now cheaper to launch an initiative leveraging Web 2.0 technology – it requires qualified and passionate people to make them successful.” – David Armano
- “You may not always start the year as a leader, but you can certainly finish it that way.” – Rohit Bhargava
- “Intimacy touches emotion; emotion powers conversation.” – Pete Blackshaw
- “Doors are going to close all over the social web. Why? Because the money didn’t come the way people thought it would.” – Chris Brogan
- “The tipping point has not only *not* been reached, but could still tilt *away* from Social Media.” – Todd Defren
- “There’s a lot of fixing that needs to be done.” – Jason Falls
- “Dwindling budgets suddenly make low-cost social media look like the pretty girl at the ball.” – Ann Handley
- “We’re going to develop a set of better metrics to help guide, direct and validate ‘commitment’.” – Joseph Jaffe
- “The movement is rooted in a desire to have quality, not quantity, as people cocoon in the face of the economic crisis.” – Charlene Li
- “After a pre-qualifying wrestling match…” – Ben McConnell
- “These will be cumulative events and interactions that will build brand loyalty for the companies that pay attention to them.” – Scott Monty
- “The recession will force revenue results out of social technologies.” – Jeremiah Owyang
- “Companies that focus on earning love will thrive during hard times, and kick ass when good times return.” – Andy Sernovitz
- “Suddenly, being Facebook friends with your mom will seem less ridiculous than following 4,000 strangers on Twitter.” – Greg Verdino
Everyone’s thoughts have been assembled in this PDF. You can also read the document in-line below.
Your feedback is appreciated and I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
Subscribe by Email
We tell people at our firm to invest in PR and marketing during a downturn. When there’s less business coming in, spend that time building up your PR and marketing. Keep it strong when everyone pulls back. That includes going the social media route.
But if the social media technologies take a dive because the money didn’t come in, and that strengthens the attention and use of common, house hold name networks like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, will that put a permanent damper on the mom and pop operations? Will the household names create a monopoly that dominates moving forward? OR will the more well known names take a hit as well?
Great report for 2009, nice work!
Twitter Comment by @allegragiorgia (allegragiorgia)
RT@TDefren Some social media predictions for ‘09 [link to post]
– http://twitter.com/allegragiorgia/statuses/1058750582
– Posted using Chat Catcher (http://www.chatcatcher.com/)
Funny how diverse the opinions are, which kind of demonstrates the unpredictable nature of social media. I don’t think it will die off as quickly as some of the experts do. I see social media as a modern wave, much like the advance of newspapers during the industrial revolution. Question is, when will the wave crash? I think it will build until there’s a viable replacement for free expression between cafe-sized groups of people… who all own iphones.
Twitter Comment by @luxuryprgal (Christine Kirk)
Social Media PR Predictions for 2009 – [link to post]
– http://twitter.com/luxuryprgal/statuses/1059309991
– Posted using Chat Catcher (http://www.chatcatcher.com/)
I also find it intriguing that the forecasts are so diverse. It’s hard to really know if Social Media is on the upswing. It’s so much information all at once, it would be nice to see more organization of networks, or of the information out there, if that’s even a possibility!
I love social media networks. I have for a very long time. It seems like connection in a format that was not face to face has been a part of my life for a very long time. I don’t personally believe that social media will suffer some great blow or get cut off at the knees.
I do, however, think that there will be a decline. Eventually, people will want to see each other again. IMs will no longer correctly convey messages and somehow, 140 characters won’t be enough to full express how you feel.
In all, a great compilation of some of the brightest social media minds around. I look forward to seeing what you say this time next year.
Blogging is not dead.
FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) in a down economy will inhibit marketers from launching promising initiatives.
“Thought leaders” will increasingly be seen as, if not naked, wearing very skimpy bathing suits. The thought leader biz will suffer vs. the agency or marketer which executes.
Detroit will continue to use social and traditional media to talk to itself rather than its market.
Several other smart folks!
Hubris?
>;0)
Hi Todd,
Good to read your predictions for 2009 that you and others have written.
I too have attempted to foresee what 2009 holds for social media.
http://windchimesindia.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/predictions2009/
Would love to read your take on it.
Nimesh Shah
What I Hope To See In 2009?
The predictions for 2009 is already a piece of hot cake floating around the blogosphere, as much as I hate predictions. More often, these predictions become marketing objectives in the following year. I think it is more appropriate to label these as …