Staying On Top of an Everchanging Internet Landscape

One of the biggest things I have learned this past semester while writing the Social Sideline is that in order to be successful in new media (Internet, social media, etc.) today, you have to be on top of all the trends and apps, becoming a part of the influencers and the "early majority" of users, as opposed to catching on to something late. 

This, of course, leads to the question of how one stays on tops of trends in an online world where 15 minutes of fame has decreased to just 15 seconds of fame?

1. Be flexible
Trends and apps rise and fall at the drop of a hat it seems today - remember how popular those Harlem Shake videos were on YouTube? Remember how big games like Candy Crush and Flappy Bird got? Yet, as quickly as those rose to prominence, they disappeared into obscurity again. Even sites that seem firmly entrenched (looking at you MySpace) can fall from grace, so to speak. So be prepared for any and all apps and trends and, more importantly, to change your content so that it fits. For example, Vine only shows six seconds of videos. So find ways to get important information in then. Show the team coming onto the field. Get video of postgame celebrations. Make sure to give the audience things they cannot get anywhere else. Which leads to point #2...

2. Separate yourself
The beauty of the Internet is that anyone and everyone can add to the conversation. Unfortunately, this also leads to a whole lot of noise, making it hard for even the best work to raise to the top. There are ways though, and you need to find the one that works best for you. Find a topic that few people are talking about and focus on that. Answer questions for people. Find a niche and stick with it. On that same note, follow people who talk a similar topic as you and do what they do not. Some good sports social media accounts I follow (in case you are curious) include MLB Fan Cave, Fieldhouse Media, Wealthbridge, SB Nation and Black and Blue Review.

3. Follow influencers
If you cannot become an influencer, then you should find them and follow them closely. They are the ones who help create and determine what is popular and the public's opinion of things. What to know what the next big thing will be? Follow these guys closely and you will be ahead of the curve at whatever comes next.