It has been a year since I lost interest...

It is funny how I have grown to neglect this blog. It all started with a trip to new orleans, and now two years later I am revisiting that wonderful city. Work has become the extent of my online activity. I still love using social media for work, and to help others to get the word out about their new products. I recognize the power, and the amazing reach of social media but I don't use it for fun anymore.

I think that this is the normal progression of social media. Many of my friends are starting to get "burned out" and dropping out of the social media realm. This is, I believe, the most important lesson that companies need to learn.

Trends come and go. Facebook and twitter are still growing, but the market has begun to mature. We the creators and the producers have to remember that we must go to where our audience is already at and build relationships with our customers.

The greatest takeaway that I have from watching social networks grow in popularity is that we do not just send a message out. We as marketers must facilitate a two-way conversation with consumers. Don't spend money trying to build a destination if you have already found your customers somewhere else. Don't focus on the few that don't like your product or company. Give positive reinforcement to those who are your evangelists. Remember these lessons and we will all be able to adapt to whatever the popular method of communication comes next.

This is a bit of a ramble, but it's the best I can do while sipping coffee in the break room at work. It feels good to write again, and I can already feel a bit of the rust sloughing off. My life is incredibly busy right now (exciting news is on the way!) but I promise to post here more frequently.