#SMWNYC

STORIES: With Great Influence Comes Great Responsibility. Ultimately, stories have the power to influence the world and the people who consume them, and with this influence comes responsibility.

1. Stories: Social media has become the world’s most influential storytelling platform. The stories we tell have the ability to touch and inspire, and shake people to their cores. They can elevate people, educate them, and change them—or, they can divide us and tear us down.

The number of social media users worldwide in 2018 is 3.2 billion, up 13 percent year-on-year. By 2020 almost 5 billion people will be connected. Social Media Week (SMW) is one of the world’s premier conferences and industry news platforms for professionals in media, marketing and technology.

2. Vulnerability. Brands now must encourage vulnerability, not to isolate consumers, but to celebrate their differences — engaging focused communities, sharing insightful, relevant content, and allowing passionate people to connect with one another.
What's your P.O.V? (Power of Vulnerability)

Tips taken from the session with Amy Emmerich/Refinery29: To Service – not sell – to your audience. Keywords: Celebrate, Strenght, Connection, Joy. What is the solution you offer to your customer's problem? Claim your Power, the Power of Vulnerability.

3. Connection. Vulnerability: how true connection is formed. Brands: use connection over perfection. Many speakers mentioned connection, but Lola Banjo explains it perfectly, fear is the emotion that prevents true vulnerability.

Vulnerability: how true connection is formed

Lola - I froze my eggs - Banjo: The Fear of Being judged, Lola talked about Not being relevant, Losing friends, Being overlooked. Vulnerability is: Accepting yourself first, Believing you are worthy, Celebrating growth opportunities. Letting down your guard, Embracing others.

4. Authenticity. Authenticity + Vulnerability: being who you are and allowing others to be who they are. Embrace your journey, engaging in honest dialogue, living with gratitude. Brands: focus on human factors, tell real stories and be humble.
Being vulnerable has vastly improved both my personal and professional life

Bonus word: Zeitgeist, the spirit of the times. Zeitgeist is the defining spirit or mood of a particual period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. Tijdsgeest in Dutch. In a time when everyone is polarized, it is critical as marketers to tell stories at key moments that bring people together.

How to Harness the Cultural Zeitgeist: Hey Google campaign during the Oscars.

More zeitgeist: since its founding in 2006, charity: water has raised over $300M to bring clean drinking water to more than 9.5 million people around the globe. Renowned for its 100% donation model, bold storytelling, imaginative branding, and radical commitment to transparency.

Founder Scott Harrison has pioneered a new business model for non-profits, one that has earned them the reputation as being one of the most trusted and admired nonprofits in the world. Harrison is the author of bestseller Thirst.

'To use the powers you were given to the benefit of others'

(quote by Scott Harrison) #SMWNYC 2019. Social Media Week brings together marketing, media and technology professionals from more than 50 countries with a curiosity and passion for new ideas, innovations and emerging trends in social media.

More SMC events: LA 12-13 June (Santa Monica), London 31 October-1 November. Nederland/Holland 13-14-15 November (Den Haag/The Hague).

Photos & text: Melanie E. Rijkers LinkedIn

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