Social media is rapidly evolving and new platforms are being introduced almost daily it seems. Here's a simple overview of some smart tactics being employed in the marketplace. All the images are clickable to additional content.

1. Social Shopper Trends
11 Thoughts from about the current state of the
Emerging Media industry
John Andrews (@Katadhin)
Collective Bias CEO
May 2012

2. Invest Now for a Strategic Advantage
First movers in the space will be at
a huge competitive advantage as
rivals will have to overspend just
to get to parity.
Additionally, the relationships will
have already been established
creating a barrier to entry.
-Gary Vaynerchuk
The Thank-you Economy

3. Mobile Only Networks
Facebook buys Instagram for $1bn, begins focus on mobile only networks.
Path and others are capitalizing on this media consumption change.

4. Responsive Location Based Services
Location based services are moving away from manual check-ins, retailers
will use them to connect customers that are nearby and help them in-store.

5. Images Are More Important Than Words
Pinterest, Instagram and their ilk are driving not only engagement but also
making more people content creators.

6. Anything Can be a Media Channel
Media channels are being created by users around their interests. TED Talks
leverage audience passion to deliver on mission of spreading ideas.

7. Video Gets Easier, People Produce More
Video is hard. Ask anyone that has run a YouTube contest and not had much
participation. As video becomes more of a feature, more is produced.

8. Simple Syndication Contests
Consumer brand creation is a strong engagement driver. Instagram,
Pinterest, Twitter etc. make fun contests easy and active vs. passive.

9. Aggregate Content to Build Engagement
Aggregating content across the digital sphere enables users to easily create
comprehensive media. Uncram, Issuu and Pinterest are leading the way.

10. Syndication + Aggregation = Scale & Reach
Aggregation of content creates new avenues for syndication. Different mixes
of media can be seamlessly broadcast to a variety of audiences.

11. Social ROI Can and Is Being Measured
Good marketers measure and monitor awareness, consideration, preference
and loyalty. Advocacy and defenders can be too (and mapped to conversion).

12. Micro-Publisher Content is Engaging
Micro-Publishers (bloggers) are creating some amazing content and it’s
continually improving. Aggregate common content to provide scale.

13. Micro-Publisher Content is Engaging
Micro-Publishers (bloggers) are creating some amazing content and it’s
continually improving. Aggregate common content to provide scale.