There is an unsettling buzz about the future of Facebook. Some analysts report that Facebook usage is declining , or at least  slowing in some parts of the world  and if that is true, it is a problem of Facebook’s own making. The Facebook is foremost a place to connect with family and friends. Secondarily, Facebook provides a place for self-expression. Yet, for some years, Facebook has failed to effectively innovate on any of these fronts! As Facebook has moved through its IPO, it has increasingly lost focus on serving its primary customers. MORE >>

The thought is that by integrating video into your Facebook posts you can increase your YouTube video views by three-fold.  InteractiveWe recently came across this SocialMedia Examiner article with an interesting tip on increasing your YouTube marketing efforts.  Helpful step-by-step pointers using meta tags as well. We think it’s good stuff, how about you? MORE >>

Great article with some really interesting (and yes, even facinating) facts and statistics on interactive marketing… #5. LinkedIn generates more leads for b2b companies than Facebook, Twitter or blogs. Yet only 47% of b2b marketers say they are actively using LinkedIn vs. 90% on Facebook. InteractiveMobile commerce is projected to ten-fold from 2010 ($3 billion) to 2016 ($31  billion). and yet… #45. Just 16% of b2b marketers are producing mobile-specific content as part of their  content marketing efforts. Check out all 72 facts here. MORE >>

Facebook monthly active users now total nearly 850 million  . InteractiveWe recently ran across this Huffington Post article   featuring a great compilation of stats from 2012 that are worth taking a look at, especially as you plan for your 2013 social media campaigns. Here is just a sampling: Websites using the +1 button generate 3.5x the Google+ visits than sites without the button. 625,000 new users on Google+ every day. 56 percent of customer tweets to companies are being ignored. Check out all 100 facinating statistics here. MORE >>

When marketers think about social media, they tend to focus on Facebook and Twitter. In most cases, even if I recommend a Facebook page, Twitter account, or creating a LinkedIn group, I recommend engaging in other communities , as well. Research is suggesting that Facebook and Twitter are often NOT the best places to do that. When you create a Facebook page or a Twitter account, you’re asking people to come to you. How many existing Facebook pages and LinkedIn Groups are full of your customers? By Neicole Crepeau, Contributing {grow} Columnist. 93% of the Inc. MORE >>