The Friday Five – Tips and Highlights from #SMWNYC
For more glimpses into what was discussed at SMWNYC follow and join the conversation with #SMWNYC.
Healthcare NOW Radio joined 2,500 other attendees this week in New York for Social Media Week, a conference that brings together professionals with a curiosity and passion for new ideas, innovations and emerging trends in social media. The mood was innovative and the energy palpable. We left each session inspired, brimming with new ideas and excited about the future and what’s on the horizon for social media. This week’s Friday Five offers a little taste of what we experienced during SMWNYC and even some tips to use right now to improve your social media presence and possibly your life.
China puts us to Shame
Here in the US we often debate whether all of this “new fangled technology is good for us.” We say we miss the good old days when everyone wasn’t tethered to a device. What about the children? Will they grow into anti-social adults who can’t function in the real world? Well, while we’re debating the pros and cons of tech here in the States, China is moving on and is quite possibly at least seven years ahead of us when it comes to digital consumer experience. Jonathan Smith, Founder & Managing Director of Hot Pot Digital, brought us up to date on the WeChat app that all of China uses and why we might want to jump on board some time soon.
Our latest data report on the WeChat Lifestyle is out! Read it here: https://t.co/Ad2Aze1FxU pic.twitter.com/GKYD2YdN5x
— WeChat (@WeChatApp) November 9, 2017
It’s Personal
A theme that was woven throughout the sessions was that companies need to know who their audiences are so they can speak to what they want. These days the important thing is to engage on as personal a level as possible with consumers and followers. While the naysayers believe that our phones and social media platforms pull us apart, thought leaders at Social Media Week saw their strengths in bringing people together and believe companies have a responsibility to make this happen.
Audience always want to engage with things they care about. You will have more success focusing on the interest of your audience – @MelissaBell #SMWNYC pic.twitter.com/LMC8nmVpyt
— Trendz Global (@TrendzglobalGh) April 24, 2018
Don’t Follow Trends, Be the Trend
Growing up in the 80s, there was no way I was going to miss this chat with Rev Run of Run DMC. During his talk with Matthew Britton, CEO @ Suzy, Rev did what he does best which is offer some words of wisdom to audience members. His overall message, which he seems to live by, was “Figure out what your passion is, go hard at it and good things will come to you.” Rev doesn’t promote anything he doesn’t love himself and this he claims is the reason for his success, which all started with “His Adidas.”
“We werent wearing adidas to get an endorsement. We loved the sneaker.” @RevRunWisdom talking about the @adidas movement back in the day with RUN DMC. #MyAdidas #RunDMC #SMWNYC pic.twitter.com/VH7dWS07Ea
— Alissa Kostyk (@lissakostyk) April 24, 2018
Where Does Gen Z Fit into All of This?
Definitely not here on this Healthcare Now Radio post. Gen Z surely doesn’t have time for all of these words or to even click through to get to this post! How do you connect with GenZ? Three simple ways: Have a smart phone, send DMs, and utilize multi-media short story-telling. Done. And by the way if you think this is bad news think again. According to Kate Lewis, Senior Vice President and Editorial Director at Hearst Magazines Digital Media this generation may just be the one to save us.
Key ‘Gen Z’ takeouts from @kcwl at #SMWNYC:
– They understand ‘likes and shares’ easier than facial expressions 😯😯😯
– Asking ‘values based’ questions is top of their agenda
– Visual chat aids creative expression
– They understand they have a brand & one that lasts forever pic.twitter.com/CdCJshP5UJ— CraftBeerPinup (@KimberleyMDISCO) April 26, 2018
Who Run the World?
On Day 3 of the SMWNYC my boss pointed something out to me, “Have you noticed the number of speakers and panelists who are women?” Somehow I had not noticed. Maybe it comes from all of those years working as a teacher. I decided to do a little fact finding and sure enough almost half of the 218 speakers accounted for on the SMWNYC site were women. Whether this was done purposely or just panned out that way I do not claim to know but am I happy about it? Heck yeah. While I listened to several informative, thoughtful and brilliant sessions lead by women throughout my three days at SMWNYC, Chair of 360i (@360i), Sarah Hofstetter’s was my favorite. From her opening story about her grandmother surviving Auschwitz to her against all odds business success, she might just be my new hero.
“We’re in this odd place in social media. We want people to like our stuff, but then we start to look like everyone else. When you’re driving towards the middle there’s no way to differentiate.” – 360i Chair @Pezmeister1 takes the stage at #SMWNYC pic.twitter.com/NBlduMZQ09
— 360i (@360i) April 26, 2018
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives.
