Ten Trends to Watch in 2008

For much of my career, I have written articles on my vision of where technology and media were heading in the future. Here is a quick list of some of the trends to be aware of.

1. Social Media will diversify into thousands of specialized social networks and groups

2. Large media companies will engage social media in meaningful ways to create more loyal viewers for their programs and allow their viewers to interact with each other and the cast.

3. Amazon's new Kindle eBook reader will bring in a new wave of media and drive the demand for eBooks to another level.

4. Small companies and inventors in clean technology will collaborate in social networks such as facebook to come up with innovate solutions for "sustainable living" and reduction of the carbon footprint.

5. Video content will increase significantly, especially from individuals and small business as the new video cameras such as "The Flip" enter the market.

6. Musician's will be able to find their audiences more easily and engage with their fans via virtual concerts and performances. Live performances from smaller venues will begin to surface on the web.

7. Author's will need to consider multimedia when creating their brand and launching a book. Social media, such as facebook, will be an area they will need to focus on for a larger percentage of their readers.

8. Large companies who have ignored or who have not figured out a strategy for facebook and social media, will begin to lose out to new innovators who embrace the new era of Word of Mouth marketing. Those who began that journey this year will start to see their efforts bear fruit.

9. Privacy rights will become even a larger issue as social networks expand.

10. The personal brand and business brand will continue to merge within social networks providing some conflicts yet some opportunities.


As we enter into this next year, we will continue to see rapid changes in the way people from around the world find themselves and interact. Virtual business teams are cropping up. Are you part of one? Facebook Enthusiast will be exploring those areas of job seeking, sports marketing, collaboration and publishing in the next year.

I would encourage you to write to me or post on here any predications you might have for 2008.