This was too good not to share – So, we’re sharing…

This animated vid is re-purposed from a post on Social Media Timesby Megan O’Neill:  “Animated Video Points Out The Ridiculousness Of Hiring A Social Media Intern”

We couldn’t agree more with Megan. Don’t send a rookie in to do the work of a pro and expect to get the same results. Sometimes, you get what you pay for.  Just sayin’.

This article was originally published on Hip Chameleon

Like different breeds of dogs, Influencers have unique traits that are better suited to meet specific goals.  Among Influencer breeds are Activists, Connectors, Impactors and Trend Setters.  Each type of Influencer has a distinct role to play in executing a successful social media strategy.  Knowing your own strengths as an Influencer as well as those of the influencers you work with can give you a fundamental advantage in your marketplace.

For example, if your goals are related to increasing your companies ROI, then Connectors and Impacters will offer important opportunities to engage other key people and resources. If you’re rolling out a new tech product, then Trend Setters would be the first group of Influencers that you’d want to reach. Trend Setters are predictably “early-adopters” of innovative products. They like to be in “the know” first, while the Connectors and Impactors take the lead in sharing information with the broader community. Throw in the Activists, who initiate real change by recognizing where progress can have the greatest impact, and together you have a dynamic network of people who collectively drive change, but alone each has less influence on singular outcomes.

Read the full article here.

Return on Influence may never be seen as important as Return on Investment by CEOs and shareholders, though it should be for anyone interested in the health of their business.  This ROI’s rewards are not as immediately apparent, though the ultimate impact on the strength of a business from Influence is quantifiable.  There are some good models for early adopter successes of companies using their influence online.

Read the full article here.

About a year ago the big prediction was that mobile platforms were going to break out in 2009.  Their influence grew, but outside of Asia, the world is still way behind in utilizing the full potential of what’s available now for mobile computing much less what’s around the corner.

The latest 2010 breakthrough prediction is that next year is the year that social media ROI will finally be measurable.  This will be a great leap forward for advertisers if it comes true.  It will also solidify the shift from traditional media domination of ad buys over to a large increase in those funds moving to work with individual online influencers.

My company predicts that, based on our extensive research, 2011 will be the Year of The Influencer.  Therefore, it’s not a surprise that I agree that 2010 will be the year that social media ROI can finally be measured.  One reason why I expect that to happen is that we’re one of the companies working hard to build the structures to make it happen.

Aside from that, the biggest question about social media in 2009, especially from people new to the field, was “what’s the ROI on a social media marketing campaign?”  The analytical tools like Klout, Radian6, Twitter Grader and Filtrbox are getting sharper by the day in measuring online influence in ways that actually matter to answer that question.

Brands are just starting to seek out channel partnerships and influencers who can be brand advocates.  In the last six months this space has become white hot and is currently in it’s infancy.

Remember that ‘Twitter’ was declared the most used word in 2009 and ‘influencer’ may be on it’s heels for that title in 2010 or 2011.  When those two words create the return on investment everyone’s looking for, then the evolution of media power from traditional media to social media will begin it’s second phase fueled by multiple models of profitability.

The biggest problem in the social media landscape these days is the thousands of ‘experts’ with little to no business experience or success.  Lots of unemployed marketers, PR people, advertising people and Generation Y folks with Twitter accounts and blogs are pimping themselves out as ‘Social Media Experts’ or ‘Social Media Consultants.’

If you’re looking for help in navigating the social media landscape understand that it’s about business strategy more than about the new tools and online tactics.  Having a Twitter account without knowing how to communicate with customers and prospects in ways that build your business is a waste of time and money.

Do your due diligence on a consultant’s background and don’t be blindly influenced by hip buzzwords.  Social media is a revolutionary business and personal tool, but if you’re using it for business hire someone with business building experience.

Click here to view the embedded video.