Best of SHIFT: Top 3 Posts From Q3 2014

As each year comes to a close, we like to sneak a peek into the SHIFT archives to see our content hits and misses. When devising a content strategy for a new year, it’s important to take note of what worked (and why) to plan what’s to come next year. Want to see how to do this for your blog? Here’s how.

Our top posts from the third quarter of 2014 focused on a big hire, a tough test and several key Google Analytics updates. Let’s take a look:

1. Big News: Scott Monty Joins SHIFT

SHIFT was named the 10th-fastest growing PR agency in the nation this year. With this tremendous growth came a need for fresh, strategic minds to continue guiding the Agency on its current trajectory. Enter Scott Monty, who joined SHIFT as Executive Vice President of Strategy in July after a hugely successful six-year stint at Ford Motor Company.

In his short time with SHIFT, Scott has hit the ground running. Hard. He has worked closely with the Agency’s executive team to deepen relationships with current clients and bolster their campaigns while playing an equally pivotal role in securing new business like T-Mobile. Scott is also involved in exploring partnership opportunities with outside allies and helping develop and integrate new agency offerings across SHIFT’s account services, marketing technology and creative teams.

Oh, and he also writes one heck of a blog. If you aren’t reading his “This Week in Digital” posts, you’re missing out!

2. So You’re a Social Media Guru, Right?

It seems like everyone’s a social media “guru” these days. In fact, there were nearly 200,000 of them as of last year. It’s hard to go on Twitter or LinkedIn anymore without seeing someone profile himself or herself as a social guru, ninja or rock star.

Here at SHIFT, we looked to end the debate by creating a quiz that measures one’s social media proficiency and determines, once and for all, if folks are true gurus. Needless to say, it was a hit.

We not only created the quiz, but also provided the answers and handy explanations for each. This included all of our easy, intermediate and hard answers (which may actually teach you something new!).

If you haven’t taken the quiz, why not give it a try? Then take some time to review the answers. Doing so can help you reach guru status… and validate that social profile of yours.

3. Google Analytics 101: 5 Updated Metrics for Public Relations

Google Analytics has become an essential tool for PR and marketing pros alike. One challenge of using it, however, is the frequency with which Google updates the platform. This summer, we clarified confusion around a series of April updates by bringing readers five big name changes and what they mean for industry pros.

In addition to defining this terminology, we also outlined the new, highly logical structure of Google Analytics. The application’s revamped layout is as easy as ABC: audience, acquisition, behavior and conversions.

These changes will be among many to come with Google Analytics. When updates arise, spend some time playing around with the platform. If you have questions, be sure to check back on the blog or go ahead and shoot us a tweet @SHIFTcomm. Chances are you’re not the only one with that question…

Still itching for more from 2014? Be sure to check out our top posts from both the first and second quarters this year!

Zach Burrus
Marketing Analyst

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