Week 15: Final Blog

Social media marketing as well as other application marketing has seriously changed the game in terms of reaching the target audience. Trends in using social media to connect consumers to services and products has proved to be highly successful. While it is smart to move along with trends, differentiation and brand image becomes a growing concern. The message and content should have a purpose and clear value. 

Different platforms have unique unwritten rules that most every business follows. The direction of your social media content should be accordingly associated with the guidelines of how the platform is viewed. It is important to understand how outside factors such as artificial intelligence may shift the trends in this field. I hope that all of you have learned valuable information regarding social media marketing and the different ways in which a plan can maximize exposure and performance.

As the end of the Spring approaches, I would like to recommend completing certifications for your field of interest as it offers great value on your resume and LinkedIn profile. The more in depth your profile is, the better off you will be since employers can see just how much experience you have. 

Week 14: Social Media Norms

Each platform of social media has normalized a particular type of post or the actual content to be posted. For example, YouTube is primarily known as an informational platform where videos better display how to get something done. Although there are differences, all social media has one strong similarity. They all build strong business to user and user to user connections that encourages higher activity.

Social media marketers aim to engage the audience once they have established a connection. The type of engagement varies between platforms as well. LinkedIn engagement typically is more formal since it is viewed as the professional social media platform. Whereas Twitter engagement can be more informal such as poll voting new business ideas. Overall, each platforms has content rules that are expected to be followed. If your content varies from the norm, consider expanding your social media plan to a multi-platform plan!

Week 13: LinkedIn Marketing

LinkedIn is one of many social media platforms that has allowed businesses to advertise their business, although there are some unique differences. This platform is a professional business style social media used highly for recruiting and networking. More interestingly, LinkedIn allows individuals to create their own identity with the opportunity to market themselves towards possible future employers.

There are many ways better your LinkedIn profile. Adding experience and certifications are some important areas that employers will want to check out. Also, having an easily accessible resume attached to your profile can be helpful since it allows a deeper look at your qualifications. In order to gain more exposure, I encourage taking a closer look at all the sections available to be added on your profile (Education, Work Experience, Certifications etc.). After all, this platform is a mutual marketing platform, meaning that businesses are marketing to an audience and individuals are marketing themselves to business.

Week 12: Ethics in AI

While machine learning proposes many benefits, there are a number of tradeoffs in regards to business ethics. The number one concern as mentioned in Todd Kelsey's book, Surfing the Tsunami, is that unemployment levels will increase. With this shift, the markets will also likely see some change. Also, the programming of AI is rather complex that could result in a snowball effect of errors can occur. There are many factors that go into the automation of computer decisions or functions which poses a threat of error.

Cyber security is an area that may see increased demand as the artificial intelligence plays a larger role in marketing and other fields. As technology gains more power, that same power can be used against us by hackers or evil entities. One last point I would like to cover in regards to the ethics of AI is the behavioral change in the business world. We have all dealt with disrespectful or unhelpful associates, and AI's have the ability to be programmed to treat all consumers equally while building relationships. It is very odd to think that AI technology can positively effect human behavior. With that said, the message that needs to be conveyed can be optimized which is great opportunity especially in SMM and other marketing fields.

Week 11: Social Media Marketing Skills

As we all know, it is rare to keep the same job or even title throughout a career. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen your skills/weaknesses in social media marketing as there are many skills that will translate into a variety of other jobs. For example, managing a social media marketing plan holds that you take a deeper look into the analytics of the page. The more frequent you check on analytics, you will become more familiar with the dashboard and truly learn the analytical language. These analytical skills are important for many businesses and a number of different departments so the translation of these learned skills can be helpful throughout your career.

Running the social media plan actually connects highly to what entrepreneurs think about: How can this improve, what are we doing thats unique etc. Below is a list of skills that I recommend making a strengths/weaknesses diagram to see where you stand and what to possibly focus on in the future.

• Strategy Planning
• Tactical Execution
• Public Speaking Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Technological Skills
• Creativity