What does 2012 have in store for social media in public relations?

Yes, we know that the only thing more dangerous than making predictions is making predictions and then publishing them for everyone to read. But here we go anyway. GillespieHall expects social media to continue to grow in 2012 and, in particular, looks for growth from two fairly new players in the social media arena — Google+ and Instagram.

Facebook or Google+ in 2012? Or Both? For a lot of organizations in 2011, a Facebook page and a Twitter account were the beginning and end of their social media presence. That will not be enough in 2012. Google+, the social network from Google, could challenge Facebook for the #1 position. You owe it to your organization to at least investigate the opportunities to be found with Google+.

Instagram can capture your target audience’s attention immediately! Instragram, a free photo-sharing mobile app from Apple, is poised to explode in 2012. Already at 15 million users, 2012 will mark the debut of the Instagram app for smartphones on the Android system. Brands as diverse as Red Bull and Burberry are using it now. It’s an ideal way to introduce your organization to a brand new audience.

Don’t just sit there — participate! Forbes reports that 2012 could end up being known as the year of content and if you want your organization to grow, content marketing and social media marketing must be part of your 2012 public relations and marketing strategy. To do that, focus on your brand, create branded online destinations, find your audience, participate in the conversation and publish content worth sharing.

If you’re still not sure how to implement a social media strategy, contact us. When it comes to social media, we know more than anyone else. Our understanding of the unspoken rules that govern human interaction in social media distinguishes GillespieHall as a leader in social communication.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

How To Keep Your Online Visitors Engaged

Most every organization these days has an online presence: a Facebook page, a Twitter account or more. If you don’t, you should be asking yourself why you’re ignoring something that one out of three young professionals considers as essential to daily life as air, food and water.

But simply having a presence on social networks isn’t enough. Once you let your customers or clients know that your Facebook page is up and running, how do you get them to visit and return?

Here’s a list of 10 Easy Ways To Spark Engagement on your Facebook Page. Some of the items – post consistently, be timely – are fairly obvious. Others, while maybe not as obvious to those of us who don’t regularly spend a good chunk of their days on Facebook, are just as valuable.

For instance, things like “Asking for your fans’ opinions” and “Using fill-in-the-blank posts” are great ways to get your audience engaged with you. Too many times, organizations posting on Facebook are focused on getting their message out and not focused enough on finding out what their audience wants to know.

Do you know any tips on getting people engaged online? Post them in the comments section.