This Week in Content 5.23.13

This Week in Content spotlights the latest research and trends in branding, content marketing and social media.

How Social Media Improved Writing

The proliferation of social media has led to an impressive increase in writing. As prose has become more universal, language has become more colloquial. Many are quick to attack this new short-form way of writing, citing the omission of punctuation or the increased use of abbreviations as the decline of language. However, social media offers a model that can teach a valuable lesson about good writing.

 

3 Ways to Use Google to be better at PR

Google is perhaps the most ubiquitous online tool, primarily thought of as little more than a search engine. However, by using the correct tabs and keywords, Google becomes an invaluable PR tool professionals can use to submit press releases, identify guest blog opportunities, and post client comments.

Will Thinking Beyond Social, Ruin Social

In terms of social media, businesses take one of two approaches: either taking the time and energy to truly invest in these platforms, or forgoing them altogether in favor of more traditional methods of marketing. As marketing increasingly incorporates social media, the ultimate goal of a business’ Facebook page or Twitter handle is to increase revenue. This article debates the relative merits and drawbacks of using social platforms exclusively for financial gain.

Getting Back to Basics: Why Brands are Getting it Wrong in Social Media

Do a company’s social media initiatives truly align with their business goals? Most of the time, the answer is no. Social media strategists and executives speak different languages. It is essential to treat these platforms not simply as a means to a stronger virtual presence- with more likes on Facebook or Retweets on Twitter-, but a means towards introducing value to that company’s brand, service, or product.

Why It’s a Mistake for Brands to Ignore  

Tumblr advertises itself as a platform that lets users “effortlessly share anything”: including text, photos, quotes, links, music, and videos. It is a vast community, yet many businesses are still unaware of how to describe the site, much less how to incorporate it into their social media initiatives. Two things set Tumblr apart from the likes of Twitter or Facebook: its largely visual medium and GIF compatibility.