With just two weeks remaining in 2011, I figured that instead of reflecting on the past year, like I did with the Tweets of the year, I would look ahead to 2012. While it was truly exciting to be a part of the social media sphere in 2011, I think that 2012 will be even more interesting and filled with new twists and turns. So with that in mind, here are what I think will be the biggest trends or buzz words of 2012:

Measurement is King – we have all been beat to death with the phrase, Content is King. While content might be a strong driver, it has never been looked at in a measureable way within the social media space and is kind of like the underwear gnomes in South Park. If you are unclear as to the reference, click on the video below before continuing reading.

In 2012, I see companies really focusing on the fruits of their labor in the space. Social mediums have become part of business and top decision makers will not be satisfied with folks who can’t show results. While I anticipate companies really jumping on the measurement train, it doesn’t mean we are going to see industry-wide standards. The main reason for this is that companies have different goals for participating in the plethora of content and conversations and there is no one-size fits all cap.

Institutionalization – many companies have scraped by in social media, building success from a small team. Oftentimes these teams are early adopters or communications teams. In the New Year, these teams are going to have to partner with other sections or silos within companies. As mentioned in the previous prediction, decision makers are looking for measurable success in social media. This will present both an opportunity and challenge for companies. Since social media has more touch points than a Kardashian sex tape, teams focused on social media will have to learn to partner with other areas of the business to make it part of business DNA. If you are interested in learning more on ways to get started in this area, check out my series on institutionalizing social media.

Consolidation, acquisition and mega networks, oh my – The social networking space is going to get a heck of a lot smaller in 2012 and could wind up being a two-horse race between Facebook and Google. Much like Microsoft v. Google in the search arena, social will be dominated by the big G and Facebook. The niche and smaller networks are going to start to be gobbled up by these behemoths (like Facebook buying Gowalla) in an effort to offer a network that we’ll all be addicted to and share our data with them.  I also don’t think my favorite social network; Twitter is immune to this and think that Google will buy them in the new year.

I plan on revisiting this post in December of next year and will see if these predictions turn into trends or if I was just full of hot air. What do you think will be the biggest trends for the New Year?

With just two weeks remaining in 2011, I figured that instead of reflecting on the past year, like I did with the Tweets of the year, I would look ahead to 2012. While it was truly exciting to be a part of the social media sphere in 2011, I think that 2012 will be even more interesting and filled with new twists and turns. So with that in mind, here are what I think will be the biggest trends or buzz words of 2012:

Measurement is King – we have all been beat to death with the phrase, Content is King. While content might be a strong driver, it has never been looked at in a measureable way within the social media space and is kind of like the underwear gnomes in South Park. If you are unclear as to the reference, click on the video below before continuing reading.

In 2012, I see companies really focusing on the fruits of their labor in the space. Social mediums have become part of business and top decision makers will not be satisfied with folks who can’t show results. While I anticipate companies really jumping on the measurement train, it doesn’t mean we are going to see industry-wide standards. The main reason for this is that companies have different goals for participating in the plethora of content and conversations and there is no one-size fits all cap.

Institutionalization – many companies have scraped by in social media, building success from a small team. Oftentimes these teams are early adopters or communications teams. In the New Year, these teams are going to have to partner with other sections or silos within companies. As mentioned in the previous prediction, decision makers are looking for measurable success in social media. This will present both an opportunity and challenge for companies. Since social media has more touch points than a Kardashian sex tape, teams focused on social media will have to learn to partner with other areas of the business to make it part of business DNA. If you are interested in learning more on ways to get started in this area, check out my series on institutionalizing social media.

Consolidation, acquisition and mega networks, oh my – The social networking space is going to get a heck of a lot smaller in 2012 and could wind up being a two-horse race between Facebook and Google. Much like Microsoft v. Google in the search arena, social will be dominated by the big G and Facebook. The niche and smaller networks are going to start to be gobbled up by these behemoths (like Facebook buying Gowalla) in an effort to offer a network that we’ll all be addicted to and share our data with them.  I also don’t think my favorite social network; Twitter is immune to this and think that Google will buy them in the new year.

I plan on revisiting this post in December of next year and will see if these predictions turn into trends or if I was just full of hot air. What do you think will be the biggest trends for the New Year?

With just two weeks remaining in 2011, I figured that instead of reflecting on the past year, like I did with the Tweets of the year, I would look ahead to 2012. While it was truly exciting to be a part of the social media sphere in 2011, I think that 2012 will be even more interesting and filled with new twists and turns. So with that in mind, here are what I think will be the biggest trends or buzz words of 2012:

Measurement is King – we have all been beat to death with the phrase, Content is King. While content might be a strong driver, it has never been looked at in a measureable way within the social media space and is kind of like the underwear gnomes in South Park. If you are unclear as to the reference, click on the video below before continuing reading.

In 2012, I see companies really focusing on the fruits of their labor in the space. Social mediums have become part of business and top decision makers will not be satisfied with folks who can’t show results. While I anticipate companies really jumping on the measurement train, it doesn’t mean we are going to see industry-wide standards. The main reason for this is that companies have different goals for participating in the plethora of content and conversations and there is no one-size fits all cap.

Institutionalization – many companies have scraped by in social media, building success from a small team. Oftentimes these teams are early adopters or communications teams. In the New Year, these teams are going to have to partner with other sections or silos within companies. As mentioned in the previous prediction, decision makers are looking for measurable success in social media. This will present both an opportunity and challenge for companies. Since social media has more touch points than a Kardashian sex tape, teams focused on social media will have to learn to partner with other areas of the business to make it part of business DNA. If you are interested in learning more on ways to get started in this area, check out my series on institutionalizing social media.

Consolidation, acquisition and mega networks, oh my – The social networking space is going to get a heck of a lot smaller in 2012 and could wind up being a two-horse race between Facebook and Google. Much like Microsoft v. Google in the search arena, social will be dominated by the big G and Facebook. The niche and smaller networks are going to start to be gobbled up by these behemoths (like Facebook buying Gowalla) in an effort to offer a network that we’ll all be addicted to and share our data with them.  I also don’t think my favorite social network; Twitter is immune to this and think that Google will buy them in the new year.

I plan on revisiting this post in December of next year and will see if these predictions turn into trends or if I was just full of hot air. What do you think will be the biggest trends for the New Year?

With just two weeks remaining in 2011, I figured that instead of reflecting on the past year, like I did with the Tweets of the year, I would look ahead to 2012. While it was truly exciting to be a part of the social media sphere in 2011, I think that 2012 will be even more interesting and filled with new twists and turns. So with that in mind, here are what I think will be the biggest trends or buzz words of 2012:

Measurement is King – we have all been beat to death with the phrase, Content is King. While content might be a strong driver, it has never been looked at in a measureable way within the social media space and is kind of like the underwear gnomes in South Park. If you are unclear as to the reference, click on the video below before continuing reading.

In 2012, I see companies really focusing on the fruits of their labor in the space. Social mediums have become part of business and top decision makers will not be satisfied with folks who can’t show results. While I anticipate companies really jumping on the measurement train, it doesn’t mean we are going to see industry-wide standards. The main reason for this is that companies have different goals for participating in the plethora of content and conversations and there is no one-size fits all cap.

Institutionalization – many companies have scraped by in social media, building success from a small team. Oftentimes these teams are early adopters or communications teams. In the New Year, these teams are going to have to partner with other sections or silos within companies. As mentioned in the previous prediction, decision makers are looking for measurable success in social media. This will present both an opportunity and challenge for companies. Since social media has more touch points than a Kardashian sex tape, teams focused on social media will have to learn to partner with other areas of the business to make it part of business DNA. If you are interested in learning more on ways to get started in this area, check out my series on institutionalizing social media.

Consolidation, acquisition and mega networks, oh my – The social networking space is going to get a heck of a lot smaller in 2012 and could wind up being a two-horse race between Facebook and Google. Much like Microsoft v. Google in the search arena, social will be dominated by the big G and Facebook. The niche and smaller networks are going to start to be gobbled up by these behemoths (like Facebook buying Gowalla) in an effort to offer a network that we’ll all be addicted to and share our data with them.  I also don’t think my favorite social network; Twitter is immune to this and think that Google will buy them in the new year.

I plan on revisiting this post in December of next year and will see if these predictions turn into trends or if I was just full of hot air. What do you think will be the biggest trends for the New Year?