As last year was ending I famously predicted that 2012 was going to be ‘The Year of Social Media’. As predictions go this one was an easy one to make with a wide safety margin. Social Media was increasing in its spread and use throughout 2011 and its impact was beginning to be felt in many different areas of life and business. Of course for anything to be worthy of the title of being the thing of the Year it needs more than rapid uptake.

Well, it is only the second month of the year and perhaps you might think that this is too early to call, but it looks like we are getting just what is needed to make 2012 ‘The Year of Social Media’. For a start, social media was the central subject of conversation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the heads of state called it ‘…the age of damage’ and mentioned it as the reason why they are being forced to re-examine the very definition of Capitalism and whether, as it is now, it is an ideology which fits well in the 21st century. Then there is President Obama who, in a perfect display of modern democracy and transparency at work, held a Hangout in Google Plus where he was quizzed by members of the online community on a number of his policies and his record to date.

That’s great news for the impact social media is having upon shaping our world not just in the US but globally. It pretty much follows the pattern I laid out in my book on Social Media called The Social Media Mind, but what’s really pressing for everyone working online is the need to understand why this is really good news for online marketing and how it impacts upon business.

In this Online Marketing Help podcast we look at just how the fast-moving social media world is leading us down paths which are good for business. Best-selling SEO and Social Media Marketing author, David Amerland, explains.

Related Podcasts

2012 is the Year of Social Media
Understanding SOPA and What You Should Do
Want to Succeed in Business? Stick to the Plan
SEO Trends Predicted for 2012 for Webmasters and Businesses

{snippet smm}