Part 14 in a series introducing my new book, The End of Business as Usual…this series serves as the book’s prequel.
When you think about social media, what do you envision? Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Foursquare? If you’re like me, blogs would have made the top of the list. But how can blogs survive in a time when the attention of connected consumers is not only precious, it’s elusive. After all, people can read no more than 140 characters at a time right? With the surplus of networks and a river of social activity that washes away personal information levees, how can we be anything but distracted?
Technorati dates back to 2002, originally launched as a search directory for the blogosphere. By 2008, Technorati was indexing 112.8 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media. In 2011, Technorati Media has become a full-fledged new media network.
Every year, the company releases a State of the Blogosphere report that consistently documents the rise and evolution of the blogosphere. While there’s always debate that Twitter and emerging classes of microblogs threaten the blogosphere, Technorati shows that blogs are not only thriving, they’re challenging traditional media in trust and influence.
In 2010, we were introduced to the important distinctions between monitoring and listening. At the same time, we observed an emerging dichotomy between the social graph (your personal and professional connections) and the interest graph (those who share common interests, goals, and concerns). For business strategists, publishers, and marketers, windows into the world of customers and influencers were finally jarred open to reveal the people who define online markets.
The question we ask ourselves when examining the state of the blogosphere is whether or not the cup is half full or half empty? Personally, I believe the answer lies in the nature of circumstances. If drinking from the glass, it is then half empty. If pouring, it is half full.
Earlier this year, I wrote “The Value of Online Conversations,” to share and talk through my thoughts related to improving the quality of online discussions in the face of potential degradation and decentralization of important online discussions.
We live in the era of Social Media, which represents the socialization of content and conversations as well as the creation of communities around thoughts and ideas. People are the hubs of information and we’re witnessing the creation of mini-societies that expand, contract, and connect online and offline. This new paradigm for discovering, distributing and forging relationships based on thought leadership is inspiring and defining significant social and technological progression as well as conversational frameworks.
Sam Lawrence lit a fire under those in Social Media and PR today by sharing a story about whether or not his PR agency of record should blog about working with Jive Software.
Jeremiah Owyang, Chris Brogan, Strumpette, and many others discussed it on Twitter (my favorite place for listening to and joining amazing and insightful conversations.)
Sam’s headline says it all, “I want our new PR Agency to blog about us but they don’t want to.”
There are many blog rank lists out there, but this is one that only seems to gain greater relevance as each day passes. Kudos to Todd Andrlik for starting the Power150 list where he tracks the most influential marketing blogs covering advertising, new marketing and PR.
The list has made Advertising Age, aka Ad Age, and PR 2.0 is among some of the best and brightest. Looks like we could use some additional Technorati and Bloglines points though. Nonetheless, it’s an honor to be ranked in such brilliant company.
I just read over on Techmeme that Microsoft PR may be digging itself deeper into another potential PR fiasco. There is a blogstorm out there with dozens of bloggers, myself included, casting opinions. Many of which I don’t necessarily agree with. I had to find out for myself, so I contacted several of the privileged bloggers who already have the notebook as well as other PR leaders to discuss the topic.
Brian Solis is principal at Altimeter Group, a research-based advisory firm. Solis is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist, Solis has studied and influenced the effects of emerging media on business, marketing, publishing, and culture. His current book, Engage, is regarded as the industry reference guide for businesses to build and measure success in the social web.
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