The Panda Express Tabloid - Social Media (remember the days without social media?)

Sep 24, 2018 3:03:43 PM

Do you remember the days without social media? When people barely had a mobile phone let alone a facebook account, twitter account, instagram account and the ten other apps you can download. If you were born after 1999, then you will have been born into a world that has always known social media. For those of us before then, it was a very gradual concept with MySpace and whatever else started to trend.

Ashleigh is our social media guru, (in and outside of work) and she has shared some insights into an ever growing desk and sector!

It seems to be the trend now, that everyone wants to be seen online, found within one click and liked by people half way around the world they will never meet. For businesses, it is another method to help them reach their target audiences.

For a lot of brands, social media accounts were originally monitored by one unlucky individual who just so happened to be landed with the responsibility. But now, brands are devoting entire roles completely to an expert that can make their presence reach across the entire digital network! (I sense this world is turning into a 'Black Mirror' TV episode world!)

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What is it about recruiting for within social media that you like? Do you find social media and influencers affect your life outside of work?

"I enjoy recruiting for social media and influencer marketing positions because it is so impactful and relevant to the current digital space! Social Media platforms, (Instagram in particular) has massively picked up and created a vast array of opportunities for both business and individuals. Hence the term ‘influencer’ aka business/ personal brand owner which has become a much more common word over the last few years and was known for something entirely different previously! Influencers are the individuals that have found their niche on Instagram, working with brands that reflect their values/ aesthetics to create fantastic content for marketing purposes. Influencers are the trendsetters and the guys that push these awesome products mainstream to directly reach the brands targeted demographic."

"Influencers certainly affect me in my daily life outside of work, I love to use Instagram as a tool for aspirational purposes like a digital mood board that has new inspiration daily! And so I love to follow accounts or follow the journey of those paving out their unique path such as @thehoodhealer @calebcity_ and @kathy_drayton. These guys are AMAZING for the creativity in their content and motivation to be unique! Also, as a fashion forward girl (if I may say so myself) I find it best to keep up to date and on top of trends through checking in with what my favourite influencers are wearing (@miss_dyl and @Realberniceburgos). I wouldn’t have discovered so many brands such as Femme Luxe, Pretty Little thing and Fashion Nova if I didn’t!—These brands also are HUGE on influencer marketing and making massive waves in social, working with the hottest guys and gals on the gram!"

Currently in the industry what are clients lacking in candidates that they need?

"Current industry trends are definitely seeing a rise in the use of influencer marketing as well as paid social campaigns. Many clients view Instagram as a platform of just posting day to day content, but it’s actually much more technical than that and requires a very elegant skillset! These core skills include, the ability to have ‘the eye’ to create appealing and on brand content that also adheres to the aesthetics of Instagram and each social tool for maximum exposure and popularity, as well as the ability to build a social media strategy, measure the analytics/ report insights, organically grow your following and collaborate with the leading and most sought after influencers and bloggers for awesome content and conversion to sales. Ultimately bringing a social media manager onboard that understands the art of communications and the impacts that can have on brand loyalty and the longevity in the success of a business!"

What roles are in demand at the moment? Are you seeing an increase in companies needing a social media presence?

"I am seeing a huge demand in companies wanting to develop their digital presence using social media, more specifically on the influencer side; what previously sat as ‘Social Media coordinator/ manager’ roles, now sits as Social Media and Influencer etc. with a unique but not rare cross over with PR (be it on the traditional or digital side), I think brands are recognising how each aspect of social media marketing, public relations and influencer marketing greatly complement each other."

"But I guess this depends on the purpose of using social media marketing strategies. If the aim is to drive brand awareness, then the most logical step for brands is to work with individuals that already have a following of who the brand intends to target (sort of like match making)… None the less, Social Media provides the space for a brand to clearly communicate who they are, it allows them to establish a tone of voice (much easier and more effective than offline stores), it allows the brand to be creative and visual, engaging audiences in a very personal and emotional way (with beautiful images and inspiring videos), it also enables the brand to commence a movement and actually track the success (very efficiently with insights!) for instance the #thisgirlcan movement was extremely successful and went viral! With the right purpose/ intention, marketing perspective and social media strategy any brand can go viral… What a way to build brand awareness!"

What do you predict for social media? Is there going to be an increase or demand or will the novelty wear of?

"In terms of my views of what’s to come from social in the upcoming future, I certainly see a rise of micro influencers taking over from celebrity roles. By this I mean that previously celebrity endorsement was ‘the big thing’, if Kim Kardashian (first name that came to my head) was wearing a pink jumper dress, brands would be all over it trying to recreate the style, but what’s actually kind of happening now is brands are able to cultivate their own trends and work with incredibly inspiring ‘on brand’ individuals to push out new and innovative trends that appeal to each niche. So, my prediction more individuality will be celebrated for both consumers, influencers and brands! Let’s see, shall we. But you let me know if you agree or disagree?"

What do you think?

Share your thoughts on this post - whether you agree, disagree or have your own insight to share, we want to hear from you!

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