1. ARUBA
7 Emerging Trends
in
Edward M. Erasmus, MA
Social Media Seminar, University of Aruba
July 3, 2012

2. State of Social Media
• Since the launching of Facebook (2004) and
Twitter (2006).
• Unprecedented growth in usage of social
platforms.
• Not just for sharing stuff with friends…
• Opportunities for businesses to engage in
creative new forms of online communication
with (potential) clients.

3. Countless array of platforms…
• Since the launching Facebook (2005) and
Twitter (

4. Not a hype…..
It’s a fundamental
shift in the way we
communicate.

5. Social Media is disrupting how we…
• Interact
• Gather information
• Make decisions
• Collaborate, develop and create
• Do business

6. “We always overestimate the change
that will occur in the next two years
and underestimate the change that will
occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself
be lulled into inaction.”
~Bill Gates

7. So here they are……
7 emerging trends in social media

8. Trend 1 - Social Mobile

9. Social Mobile
+ +

10. Social Mobile…
• 350 million users of Facebook’s 800 million
users are accessing via smartphone
• Majority of Twitter traffic from mobile 55%
• 400 Million YouTube views on Mobile devices
per day!
Gartner predicts that by the end of 2012, the
number one way that consumers will be
interacting with the Internet is via their
smartphones and tablets

11. Implications…
• Huge growth potential
• Create content for mobile
• Design websites, blogs for mobile
viewing
• Make it easy for viewers to act on
that content in a social manner

12. Trend 2 - Socialization of Search

13. Socialization of Search

14. Socialization of Search
• Google’s search results are determined by
complex algorithms.
• Google started rolling out its “+1″ button to
indicate ”social signals” that will be used to
determine what content is being voted on as
valuable by humans rather than just machines.
• Google and Bing have increased the visibility and
priority of social networks in search results.

15. Socialization of Search

16. Implications
• Create accounts on relevant social media
• Create content for social networks
• Publish and promote on social media
• Treat Facebook as an extension of website
• Optimize for search
• Place your media “Everywhere”

17. Trend 3 - Location Based Marketing

18. Location Based (Social) Marketing

19. Location Based Apps
• Facebook Places – 30 Million+ users
• Foursquare – 16 Million users
• Loopt – 5 million users
• MyTown – 5 million users

20. The KLM experiment…

22. Implications
• Drive traffic to Shopping Centers and stores
• Surprise and reward customers

23. Trend 4 – Integration of Social and
Traditional Media

24. The Tweet TV Generation…
Discuss shows with others, make new friendships
and fill in the time during commercials

25. Twitter hash tags

26. Twitter hash tags

27. Twitter hash tags

28. The next level of
social interactivity…

29. Social interactivity
Super Bowl XLVI
Viewers were able to tag Super Bowl 2012 commercials
to win amazing prizes like cars, gift cards and more.

30. Viewers were able tag Super Bowl 2012 commercials
to win amazing prizes like cars, gift cards and more.

31. Social interactivity

32. Social interactivity

33. Implications
• Manage conversations
• Create trends (generate curiosity)
• New forms of engagement
• Instant audio-tagging facilitates immediate
action by the consumer

34. Trend 5 - Super Blogs

35. Super Blogs…

36. Implications
• Start with “Focus” and “Passion”
• Advertising revenue needs large scale
• Freemium then Premium content – sell
your own content
• Platform for Influence
• Create Opportunities - Partnerships

37. Trend 6 - Global Micro Niche Business

38. Trend 6 - Global Micro Niche Business

39. Trend 6 - Global Micro Niche Business

40. Going global…
• Social Media provides Global Distribution
Platforms to Niche Markets

41. Global Micro Niche Business

42. Global Micro Niche Business

43. Implications
• Social media provides global content
distribution platforms to niche markets
• Democratization of marketing
• The availability of personal, global
publishing platforms
• Ease of use
• “Free” and real time marketing

44. Trend 7 - Social Commerce

45. Social Commerce

46. Social Commerce

47. • Top Facebook pages have stores
• Monetizing the networks
• Taking the shop to the network
• Existing e-commerce platforms building
plugins for Facebook

51. Implications
• Major reason for following a brand on
Facebook is to obtain a discount or deal.
• Include sharing buttons in your online store.
• Drive traffic to your online store with your
social networks.
• Highlight specials/deals/vouchers on Twitter
and Facebook.
• Make it easy for people to buy “anywhere”.

52. Recap
1. Social mobile
2. Socialization of search
3. Location based marketing
4. Integrating social and traditional media
5. The rise of super blogs
6. Global micro niche business
7. Social commerce

53. Aruba…?
Are we ready for the digital revolution?

54. Critical issues
• e-Commerce regulations
• Intellectual property laws
• Internet payment systems

55. e-Commerce regulations
• E-steering Committee 2001
• Update report: reposition Aruba as a global
business opportunity for internet-related
business, ensure international standards and
improve online growth possibilities for local
businesses.

56. Intellectual property laws
• Update intellectual property laws
• Anti-piracy regulations

57. Internet payment systems

58. Internet payment systems

60. Edward M. Erasmus, MA
e.erasmus@fzanv.com
erasmus.bpas@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/edwardmerasmus
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/em_erasmus
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardmerasmus
Blog: http://edwardmerasmus.wordpress.com

61. Q&A
Session