What We Learned From Social Media Marketing World 2016

What We Learned From Social Media Marketing World 2016

Social Media Marketing World is the world’s largest social media conference and hosts the top speakers on each platform.  It’s a great venue for learning and networking!  While there were many great speakers this year – Guy Kawasaki, Mari Smith, and Brian Solis, just to name a few – the true impact of Social Media Marketing World 2016 was more about how you used your time outside of the conference.

With networking events, meet and greets, and even morning power walks; there was plenty of opportunities to make great connections. We hope to continue learning as we make our way through the digital replay sessions and pick up on anything we missed while networking!

Here are just a few of our key takeaways from SMMW 2016.

No, Facebook Isn’t Going Anywhere…But Up!

Facebook is alive and well and expanding. This theme made it’s way into many sessions, with many speakers emphasizing this point. It’s still the most influential social media platform, and increasingly the most influential mobile app. One of the key takeaways was that 8 out of every 10 minutes spent on any app is spent on Facebook. With 80% mobile penetration, it’s clear why brands should continue to invest their time and money into the social media giant.

Quality is Still More Important Than Quantity

Marketers continue to saturate the web with content, and many struggle to get noticed. Many speakers focused their time on tips to find your audience and get the most out of each piece of content. It’s never been more important to identify where your audience is and invest in that platform. While newer platforms like Snapchat and Periscope may seem appealing, if you’re targeting women in their mid-to-late-thirties you’ll want to look elsewhere. Be authentic to your brand and your customers.

People Connect With People

Bringing personal connections to social media marketing was a hot topic at Social Media Marketing World. People will connect with you easier than they connect with your brand. It’s important brands loosen up on social media and show their personalities, flaws included. People want to know that there’s a person behind the keyboard, so show them!

Tips For Next Year

Yes, it’s a recommended place to go!

  • Decide early on what you want out of the week. With so many sessions and so many events, it’s easy to get lost in the commotion. Pick your must-see speakers and events, and then leave some time open for any last minute invites.
  • Put together a wish list of who you’d like to meet and make it happen! But don’t be so strict to your plans that you aren’t flexible. You never know if you’re talking to the next social media guru.
  • Host your own networking events! We found that the people we connected with early on in the week continued to seek us out. Stand out in the crowd by hosting your own event, and invite all those people on your list.

This year was all about meeting new people and making connections. We’re so glad to have met everyone we did, and look forward to next year!