automation – Jason A Woodruff

The world today is a lot different than it was a mere 30 years ago. As automation and AI technology revolutionizes business productivity, one thing is steadily being constant: many of these jobs aren’t coming back. While it’s tempting to follow the lead of politicians and industry leaders in promising that high paying manufacturing and industrial jobs are coming back, the reality is that that tactic is a means to placate these individuals and misleading at best. That said, here is a means to change the discussion by providing a more tangible means to improve individuals and the communities that have lost so much.

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In many ways, we are seeing a massive change in this country. Massive lay offs due to outsourcing labor to developing countries has given way to automation and AI taking over many positions once filled by Americans. Workers who filled these positions -and those who have considered taking these type of positions- are now left without viable work options. The result is a vast workforce of laborers with skills far removed from their current line of employment.

With this backdrop, it is imperative to understand that the types of jobs gone doesn’t just include manufacturing positions. In the past decade we’ve seen a steady drop in jobs from a wide swath of industries: call centers, customer service, manufacturing, retail, etc. Even industries that were considered safe from outsourcing and automation have even begun to take a hit.

A Possible Solution

With such changes to the way Americans make money, we also should take into the rise of the internet and mobile technology. We now have the ability to work remotely with ease. We also have the ability to communicate and reach across oceans and continents to people in a matter of milliseconds. The world has changed.

For those with skills going unused, it is now possible to freelance or develop small businesses that utilize these skills -while commanding what you are worth in providing these skills. Website costs have plummeted with the rise of cloud based storage, cheaper hosting options, and click and drag web design options. It’s now cheaper to develop and build an online/mobile business then ever before.

Even with Automation, AI, and outsourcing, a growing number of people still value human to human connection and collaboration. Freelancing and working with small businesses allows this type of relationship to continue unabated. If you’re stuck with a skill that is not being used, consider starting your own small business. After all, what have you got to lose?

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No matter how far along in your social media marketing efforts, there is always room for improvement. Whether you’re looking for content ideas, automation, or new ways to refine old content, change is in order. This article will present 3 tips for improving your social media marketing efforts.

Automation

While I love Hootsuite and Buffer, the reality is that unless you purchase the costly paid packages, you’re stuck with a limited automation software. One of my favorite automated social media posting sites is Social Jukebox. With Social Jukebox you have the ability to create ‘jukeboxes’ that contain your social media posts. These boxes then randomly select posts to share on your social media channels. All you have to do is set them up, assign hashtags, and Social Jukebox handles the rest -at a price that is less than that of the competitors.

Content Ideas

There are many types of content. While the consensus is that posts with video or images have a higher engagement rate then those without, I’ve found that not isn’t always the case. Some of my most engaging posts have no images or videos at all. Also, the idea that articles and informational pieces shared on your timelines is a way to increase engagement is also misleading. In other words, each industry is different. Don’t just listen to the ‘experts’. Experiment with what works for you. You’ll often find that your followers want something refreshing and new… they want your thoughts.

Refine Old Content

In recent days, I’ve attempted to refine some of my old content. I’ve taken blog posts and extracted short tweets. I’ve taken longer tweets and simplified them into smaller ones. I’ve retweeted others content with short comments of my own. All three of these ways of refining older content have increased my followers, built upon content that my followers like, and expanded my reach by showing my own views and thoughts on topics my target audience cares about. The result is far more engagement. Try it, it really does work.

Social Media Marketing, whether for your personal brand or business, is an important component of your marketing efforts. It’s also an area where research and experimentation can go a long way to reaching your goals. If you have an idea that you’d like me to try out or address, feel free to comment below. If I like it, I’ll try it and share my experience.

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Tag: automation

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