What happens in Vegas stays on YouTube? Really?

Insightful. That’s what I first thought when I finished reading Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business by Erik Qualman. I highly recommend this book. Why? How much time do I have? Not much? Okay, socialnomics is an important resource for anyone who wants to understand the potential of social media platforms.

After I finished reading Socialnomics, I had the pleasure of exchanging a few words with Erik and he graciously agreed to conduct a quick interview for sneezr.ca. Since I practice what I advise (i.e. I believe that differentiation should be a strategy driver for your business), I did not want to follow some “traditional” formula for this interview. Instead, I decided to organize the whole experience around just two open-ended questions.

Jenan: Erik, when and why did you first get involved with social media?

Erik: Like many, I was big into paid and organic search; writing and speaking on the topic. When I first saw MySpace and then Facebook (only offered to a select few colleges at the time – fortunately I lived in Boston near Harvard) I thought this is going to change the way we live. When I started focusing on social media, in particular for businesses, many thought I was crazy since social media was considered just for teenagers at the time. What a difference a few years make!

Jenan: What is a major trend you see rising in the social media space?

Erik: Social commerce is the big trend. Social media enables Word of Mouth on Digital Steroids. We care more about what our friends think than what advertising or Google thinks. Social Commerce and Social Search are the biggest trends we will see in the coming years.

Jenan: Thank you and all the best until next time Erik!
Feb 8 2011