In the world of digital marketing, the debate about whether organic or paid is best rages on. And for good reason, because whether you’re talking about PPC, organic search or paid advertising, they all have benefits to consider.

Much the same can be said in the world of social media marketing. In fact, research shows that 86 percent of marketers now combine paid and organic social media tactics to achieve their goals. But, if resources are tight, the choice between paid and organic social media marketing can be a difficult one to make, although the simple fact that you’re considering both shows you’re on the right track.

In this article, we’re going to frame the argument for both an organic and paid-for social media marketing strategy, giving you the benefits of each to help you make the right decision for you and your business.  [Read more…]

As 2014 starts winding down, it’s important to look forward and capitalize on the latest trends coming down the social media pipeline. For marketers and bloggers alike, social media networks can be a veritable springboard for great products, services, and ideas. In case you missed it, here’s a list of the biggest social media stories that are going to make a splash in 2015.

1. Wearables

Image courtesy of Giuseppe Costantino. Used in conjunction with Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

As if we couldn’t get more attached to our smartphones, the increasing popularity of wearable technology now allows us to stay connected all hours of the day. From Google Glass to Android Wear and the Apple Watch, these ultra-portable smart devices afford new ways to post, share, and check in seamlessly.

How might this affect the social media savvy? Most important, these devices bring a new sense of immediacy to social media. With sharing that’s even more instantaneous, more visually-driven content will be critically important. As devices become smaller and more integrated “in the moment,” you can forget reaching your audience with pages upon pages of text. [Read more…]