There is no denying that the advent of social media has greatly changed the way companies do business 

With online social networking, business blogging and other various aspects of social media, businesses have a new way to connect with customers, promote their brand and grow their company.

It seems these changes in marketing are coming faster than many can keep up with. It is times like these, when we look to the experts for little nuggets of inspiration. In a recent webinar entitled The Future of Marketing Microconference, 60 experts each had one minute to present their fact, opinion, or insight on what they think will bring marketing success both now, and in the near future.

Here are three key elements that, according to the experts, will have the most impact and the most success on social media marketing.

Who Is Sending Christmas Cards This Year? Fewer than Last Year 

Marketers can expect a tough year in sales of cards as demand for greeting cards in general, and Christmas cards in particular, continues to dwindle.

Marketers need to find future direction and opportunity as cultural trends push consumers away from greeting cards -- Unity Marketing plans a new study of the greeting card, stationery and paper products market.

Stevens, PA December 7, 2011 - With less than three weeks before Christmas, how many holiday cards have you received in the mail this year?  Fewer than last year, Unity Marketing predicts.

The market for greeting cards is a tough one in today's environment with consumers having so many faster, easier and in many cases cheaper ways to send a greeting. Times have gotten even tougher as a result of the recession, with many consumers looking to cut spending anywhere they can. 

And now with the U.S.P.S. slowing the pace of first class mail and making 'snail mail' even less convenient, consumers are being encouraged - even driven - to alternatives to the traditional greeting card.

What is behind this declining demand for greeting cards?  "Many cultural trends are afoot that are changing consumers' demand for greeting cards, but one thing is for certain. The business of selling traditional greeting cards is only going to get harder as consumers turn to newer, faster and better communications alternatives," says Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury.