This is a guest post by Iva Grigorova.

The role of influencers has become key in brand communication.

Social media opened the world of communication because it connects people. Digital media giants like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube have been transforming the communication industry for years.

People spend most of their time online where they consume content.

Zenith’s Global Intelligence report for Q3 2018 says Facebook has 15.5 billion users per day with global reach 53.6%; Google and YouTube mobile search has 75.6% global reach; and, Twitter has 335 million monthly users and +11% grow of daily users, meaning existing users have become more active.

In addition to the growth of social media, let's take a look at the six key reasons why you need influencers to help you grow your business: 

Happy New Year my readers!

I hope 2019 is going to be successful, happy, fruitful, filled with emotions and achievements and the most enriching experiences for all of you! 

As I said last week, I tend to reflect a lot when the year ends. Last week we reviewed the top posts on this blog based on views, this week I want to show you the 12 posts that defined 2018 for me. 

They explore Inbound PR and the book I published about it this year, internal communication, marketing, leadership and social media. 

Below is the selection of my favourite posts per month out of the 51 pieces that I wrote in 2018. 

On to a fabulous 2019 and more PR, inbound PR, marketing and business posts!

The 12 Blog Posts of 2018 that Defined Iliyana's Blog

Running a PR agency isn't easy. 

Clients press for results and often ask for free work just because they had a great idea; talent is hard to find, train and retain; the pace of change in communications and consumer behaviour is difficult to keep up with, and not to mention how little understood the term PR is. 

The World PR Report 2018-2019 looks at the state of PR agencies around the world, the type of growth and challenges they are facing and suggests areas of future-looking trends. 

I went through the report and wanted to share with you 7 areas that stood out to me the most. 

Here we go. 

7 Learnings about the State of PR Agencies 

Successful PR is no longer about writing press releases and pitching them to a bunch of journalists and counting coverage as the measure of success. 

Successful PR in the 21st century is about using the entire PESO (Paid, Earned, Owned & Shared media) model with an inbound approach that is strategically planned with the numbers in mind, allowing you to use analytics and real data to measure success. 

Why the need for change? Because the world has gone digital. 

We are addicted to our phones where we can get information 24/7 at our own pace depending on our own needs.

We don't need anyone else to inform us or educate us.

I don't read the news. The news finds me on my Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn feeds. 

As a consumer and as a professional, I find the content that I want or need to consume completely on my own without the need for someone to give it to me.