The integration of social media and business has come of age: 38% of CEOs now label it a high priority, and 57% of businesses plan to hike their social media spend in 2012

As the use of social media advances across the business spectrum, Edelman’s David Armano has put together a list of the major social trends for 2012.

Might one of them hold untold riches for you? Take heed of these highlights, get the team together, and get creative!

Convergence. Social will go “transmedia,” further integrating with the offline world. Example: Last year, Domino’s Pizza posted unfiltered consumer feedback, from across the Internet, on screens in Times Square. Watch for more of the same.

Influence scores. Everyone has digital influence, some more than others, and it pays off. The race is on to develop a system for quantifying that influence. Consider Klout’s efforts to track it and offer influencers “perks.”

Gameification. Expect gamelike qualities to enhance social experiences and motivate people to not only engage, but advance in a given experience. It may even be helping solve the mystery of AIDS!

Social sharing. Sharing’s taking a more transactional bent. Sears already lets users share products or reviews with their socnets directly from its site.

Social TV. Watching TV is already a social act, as those who tweet to Glee can attest. Networks are smartly trying to cash in. The X Factor lets you vote on Twitter, along with other social promotions.

Micro economy. This may be the most exciting trend this year! Watch for social approaches to solving huge business problems. Kickstarter, anyone? Or what about AirBnB?

The Po!nt: Keep your social chops sharp by tracking how the space matures. Spot a previously unimagined opportunity for your business? Now’s the time to jump on it!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 8:31 pm and is filed under Digital, Marketing 101, SMM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.