looking aheadIt seems like only yesterday we were ringing in 2015. I can’t speak for all of you, but for me this year has flown by faster than a hummingbird hopped up on a cocktail of Red Bull and Schnapps. #someoneslowmedown!

As we head into the second week of December, I imagine you’ve started looking ahead to 2016. Get a head start on your end of year planning with help from this week’s roundup.

1. Getting Your PR Measurement Program in Shape for 2016

Why: “Unfortunately there is no silver bullet measurement tool. That does not mean we are left without resources to help define PR success and set the agenda for an even more data-driven PR program in the New Year,” writes Derek Lyons for Business 2 Community.

I especially love this line: “Put UTM tracking on everything that moves.” Yea baby!

2. Reclaiming Social: Content Strategy for Social Media

Why: “In most organizations, social content is the messiest content there is, with (even more) distributed ownership and few strategic imperatives besides get more likes,” write Ida Jackson and Ida Aalen, as they cover how you can take control of your social content.

3. 5 Steps to Finding the Best Rating-and-Review Sites for Your Business

Why: “Sales rise and fall for a number of reasons””many times for reasons outside of our control. However, ratings and reviews consistently affect your bottom line in the same way, no matter what’s happening in your market,” says Daniel Lemin as he demonstrates how to manage “the rating-and-review sites that are driving (or not driving) sales for your business.”

4. Facebook Ad Conversion Tracking for Smart Marketers

Why: “Not tracking conversions on your Facebook ads is like giving someone your bank card and not tracking how much money they are taking out of your account,” writes Ian Cleary as he shows you how “you can start tracking the conversions from your ads on Facebook and begin to make more money.”

5. 6 Incredible Pointers For Making a Content Promotion Plan

Why: “You need to be thorough when it comes to content promotion. Leave nothing to chance because the grand scheme of things depends on every word, every punctuation, and every move,” writes Jack Dawson for WUL as he shares the steps that are “crucial to the success of your plan.”

6. Uber-Targeted Social Media Strategies

Why: “To be effective, you need engaged followers, people who are so interested in your content they will read it, comment, and share with their audience,” writes Sherry Gray for Jeff Bullas’ site, as she walks you through identifying and connecting with those people that are “all too happy to help you spread the word.”

7. Top Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2016 {Podcast}

Why: “As digital marketing and social media continues to evolve, marketers must stay on top of the trends in order to get results,” says Laura Click as she introduces us to marketing trends to watch in 2016, on her podcast with Stan Smith.

What are your tried and true end of year planning rituals?  Have you read any recent articles that are helping you look ahead to 2016? Please share in the comments below.

Image: Sergei Zolkin via Unsplash, CC Zero