Over the years, I've been asked to give my predictions of where things are going with the web, social and mobile and technology. For context: I've been online since 1987, started the first woman-owned, full-service Internet company in 1995, started an early social media marketing agency in 2006 (before we really called it that), started a social/mobile dev and consulting firm in 2010. Here are 4 tech/marketing trends I'm watching with fascination.

1. 4 Tech
Trends
for
2014
by Aliza Sherman

2. Never make predictions,
especially about
the future.
--Casey Stengel
@alizasherman

3. “For better or for worse,
2014 escalates
the ubiquity
of connectivity.”
@alizasherman

4. Prediction 1:
Hybrid or 360 degree
experiences
Lines between online/mobile
and offline blur even more.
@alizasherman

5. Prediction 1
The hybrid or 360 degree experience
demonstrates that what we see and do
online is inextricably connected to
what we see and do offline.
We engage in offline activities and
instantly share them online. We go
online whenever we have “down time”
offline* to stave off boredom by
“connecting.”
@alizasherman
*and
too
o1en
at
moments
when
we
should
be
paying
a8en9on…

6. Prediction 1
Examples of hybrid experiences
• Wearable
technologies
– FitBit,
Up
by
Jawbone
– Fuel
by
Nike
• Geo-­‐Fencing
– Bytelight
– PlaceCast
and
PlaceAd
• QR
codes
and
improved
scannables
• Social
mobile
gamifica9on
of
offline
experiences
– EventMobi
– Bizzabo
@alizasherman
Pictured:
Up
by
Jawbone

7. Disrupting:
Our ways of being
“present” and how we
“connect” with others.
@alizasherman

8. Prediction 2:
Social fatigue
Overconnecting becomes even
more overwhelming.
@alizasherman

9. Prediction 2
The flip side of hybrid experiences:
People will seek solutions to hyperconnected burnout. Businesses,
products and services catering to
simplifying, even disconnecting, will fill
a growing need.
Think retreats, workshops, software
that quiets notifications or tracks time
online and gently reminds people to
pay attention to life.
@alizasherman

10. Prediction 2
Examples
•
•
•
•
•
•
Camp
Grounded
Digital
Detox
(“Disconnect
to
Reconnect”)
Wisdom
2.0
(“Disconnect
to
Connect”)
#unplug
Movement
Tech
“Diets”
Reboot
–
Na9onal
Day
of
Unplugging
– March
7-­‐8,
2014
– “I
unplug
to
_______”
@alizasherman

11. Disrupting:
Our compulsive mobile
device and social
networking habits.
@alizasherman

12. “2014 will be
the year of
unplugging.”
@alizasherman

13. Prediction 3:
Domination of the
user gen model
More companies solicit,
cull & exploit content
from their customers.
@alizasherman

14. Prediction 3
User Generated Content (UGC)
continues to be solicited and
aggregated by companies as a stand-in
for paying writers.
Why will people continue to contribute
this content for free? Human nature.
We yearn to be heard. We seek a
platform or soapbox. We correlate
being published with being connected.
@alizasherman

15. Prediction 3
Examples
• Ar9cles
and
essays
– Medium
– Dot.complicated
– Huffington
Post
– Open
Forum
(American
Express)
• Ci9zen
journalism
– iReport
• The
fine
print
in
the
terms
of
service
for
social
networks,
video
and
image
sharing
sites,
wikis,
podcas9ng,
etc.
@alizasherman

16. Disrupting:
The price (and value)
of content.
@alizasherman

17. Prediction 4:
Crowdfunding
goes mainstream
Each of us has
the power to invest.
@alizasherman

18. Prediction 4
Crowdfunding sites are finally resulting
in tangible products. Contributing and
investing via social crowdfunding sites
will become more common, particularly
as the Jobs Act rulings on crowdfunding
are determined.
Anybody can make small investments
with ease. Anybody with an idea or
cause has the power to solicit money
from friends, family, fans and strangers.
@alizasherman

19. Prediction 5
Examples
• Kickstarter,
Indigogo
– Studio
Neat
Glif
– Everpurse
• Quirky
products
sold
at
Target
• Cause-­‐related
fundraising
plajorms
– Catapult
– StartSomeGood
Pictured:
Cordie
from
Quirky,
Everpurse
in
Persimmon
@alizasherman

20. Disrupting:
The need for financial
middlemen and money
gatekeepers.
@alizasherman

21. “2014 means
more power to
the consumer
as creator.”
@alizasherman

22. “The best way to
predict the future
is to create it.”
--Peter Drucker

23. Aliza Sherman
Speaker, Author,
Web Pioneer
@alizasherman
AlizaSherman.com