5 Lessons for Social Media Managers from SXSW

1. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
5 Lessons for Social Media Managers
from SXSW
By Jade Furubayashi – March 17, 2015
212 10 11 87 0
Well people, I made it. I’m writing to you from the perpetual
state of frenzy, fun, and food coma that is SXSW Interactive. I
went into the belly of the beast and lived to tell the tales —
which in this case are some interesting learnings that I can
take back and apply to my work in Seattle. The following are a


2. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
few trends and takeaways that I picked up in sessions
featuring speakers from IBM, BuzzFeed, PBS, Spredfast, and
more.
1. Everyone Cares About Data
If the sheer number of SXSW sessions about “big data,” “data visualizations,” or “social data”
didn’t give you a clue, let me just say this: everyone cares about data. Around the office, we
have a little mantra: “Data or it didn’t happen.” Well, I think every single presenter at this
conference would agree. One of my first sessions of the week was “Visual Storytelling: The
Power of Design + Data” and the line went around the block.
In the BuzzFeed, IBM, and Team Detroit sessions everyone called out the fact that, “90% of
all data in the world has been created in the last 2 years.” When marketers from BuzzFeed or
PBS are talking about “success,” they refer to metrics like engagement, reach, etc. Data and
analysis were at the foundation of every session I went to this year.
2. Content Visibility Requires Creativity
Hey, it’s no secret: it’s hard out there for organic reach. But don’t worry, big brands aren’t
”
Huge line but, I am looking forward to this panel !!! #tdsxsw #Sxsw #SXSW2015
pic.twitter.com/OwnMcqQlxy
— cesar rivas (@Cesarrivas80) March 13, 2015

3. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
impervious to this either! The PBS team addressed these issues during their panel by offering
up solutions such as influencer outreach, brand partnerships, etc. The moral of the story is
that it’s hard out there, and it’s probably going to get harder, so we’re all going to have to
step our game up and out of the box.
3. Give Away Your Best Content for Free
BuzzFeed’s digital team spoke a LOT this year. They were popping up all over the place —
keynotes, panels, sessions, you name it. But, I’m not complaining! Not only is BuzzFeed the
go-to listicle AND news source for my generation, and their content + social strategy is
pretty impressive. One of my favorite sessions of the week featured Summer Burton, who
heads up BuzzFeed’s “BFF” team. Her entire team’s focus is to develop content for the sake
of developing content. There are no calls-to-action, no link backs, no nothing. They simply
create the content and watch what happens.
It works for Buzzfeed. Distributing content to your audience in the least taxing way possible
will give you the greatest return.
4. Social Strategies Must Account for Nuances
”For , runs the show.
— Simply Measured (@simplymeasured)
@Buzzfeed #socialmedia #SXSWInteractive #futuremedia #smm
pic.twitter.com/Cv7RpjL6RX March 14, 2015

4. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Last year, I ran a Tweet timing study and we found that spikes in engagement came around
the same time most people get out of business meetings. Granted, this is just a theory
(backed up by some interesting data), but even I thought it was a little far-fetched to assume
that our audience’s schedule could have that big of an effect on our engagement / traffic.
However, Serena Ehrlich, Director of Social and Evolving Media at Business Wire, echoed this
concept of understanding your audience’s everyday life. Ehrlich preached that you have to hit
people with things they can digest when they want to digest them. For example, in her
experience, video does not perform well in the morning. No one has time to watch a 5-
minute news recap in the morning – we have places to be! Paying attention to these small
nuances can produce big returns and save you a ton of time scratching your head.
5. Real-Time Marketing: There Are Only Winners (Mostly)
Often times when we see brands employ real-time marketing, we’re inclined to declare a
“winner.” The attitude towards real-time marketing is similar to that of the rap game: You’re
either the clear-cut winner or just the first to lose. This is nice in theory, but in reality, Drake
is amazing, and so is Kendrick Lamar. I’m getting off topic (sorry it’s been a long week). With
real-time marketing, all the brands usually win. Chris Kerns of Spredfast debriefed about his
book that he wrote on this subject and presented some very compelling data on the success
of these campaigns across the board. In most examples, 9/10 or 12/14 brands that tapped
into a pop-culture conversation would see lifts in their per-post engagement. So aren’t they
all winners? Not being the best shouldn’t thwart a brand from taking their shot at Dunk in
the Dark greatness.
Now, I’ve got to get to bed. I have my final day of sessions tomorrow. Tune in via
@simplymeasured!

5. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Jade Furubayashi
My name's Jade and I'm a social media addict from Seattle, WA. I'm the Community
Manager at Simply Measured, so my job is basically to talk to you fine people
everyday- which is awesome. Aside from that, my favorite things are dogs, tacos
and Beyoncé.
Get everything you need to analyze the metrics that matter
The Complete Social
Media Conversation
Analysis Guide
Download

6. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
2 Comments Simply Measured 
Share⤤ Sort by Best
Join the discussion…
• Reply •
Randy White • 3 days ago
www.urbanairship.com/mobile-sa... rather
△ ▽
• Reply •
Randy White • 3 days ago
Hi Jade, thank you for writing this. I had to run an all day session for SXSWi (www.urbanairship.com/mobile-sa...
certainly there are deep lessons. The biggest help I found was pre-programming social posts timed along with
different tech sessions while manning a two-person social cockpit outputting live updates as we went along. Killer
first SXSW for me!
△ ▽
Subscribe✉ Add Disqus to your sited Privacy
Recommend 1
Share ›
Share ›
Follow us on social!
Get the Newsletter
Work Email:
Recent Awards
Sign Up

7. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Listen to the Podcast
Simply Measured - 112: Lucy Hitz's Tips For Running Webinars
Simply Measured - 111: Damon Cortesi and Aviel Ginzburg on Twitter's Growth and Social Marketing
Simply Measured - 110: Michele Weisman on Using Social Media for Networking
Simply Measured - 109: Lee Odden on Content Marketing
Simply Measured - 108: Matt Navarra on Social Media Influencers and Content Distribution
Simply Measured - 107: Rebekah Radice on Blogging and Social Videos
Simply Measured - 106: Super Bowl Ads And Social Video
Simply Measured - 105: Jade Furubayashi on Community Management
Cookie policy
Recent Posts
5 Twitter and Instagram Lessons From Jimmy,
Johnnie, and Jack
iTunes RSS

8. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Podcast: @LLHitz’s Tips For Running Webinars
Webinar Recording: The 5 Essentials of Social
Analysis
3 Smart Ways to Compare Your Brand on
Twitter
The 5 Essential Steps for Complete Social
Media Analysis
Blog Categories
Brand Profiles & Case Studies
Company News
Education & Analysis
News & Events
Podcast
Social Media Studies
Social Media Trends
Uncategorized
White Papers, Guides & Ebooks
Search the Blog
Search

9. pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Twitter Analytics
Facebook Analytics
Google+ Analytics
Instagram Analytics
YouTube Analytics
Vine Analytics
LinkedIn Analytics
Tumblr Analytics
Social Ads Analytics
Cross-Channel Analytics
Retail Social Analytics
Finance/Insurance Social Analytics
CPG Social Analytics
Sports Social Analytics
Restaurant Social Analytics
Media/Publishing Social Analytics
Travel/Hospitality Social Analytics
Social Media Analytics Resources
Free Tools
Research, Guides & Definitions
Our Blog
Our Company
About Us
Careers
In the Press
Contact Us
Follow Us
Trusted and Integrated
Simply Measured
Simply Measured is the most complete social analytics solution, empowering marketers with unmatched access to their social data to more clearly define
their social strategy and to optimize their tactics for maximum impact.
Copyright © 2010–2015 Simply Measured, Inc. 2211 Elliott Ave, Suite 310, Seattle, WA 98121. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy