Category Archives: Blog

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 21 FEBRUARY 2022

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Instagram Adds Stories Likes to Provide Insight on Viewer Engagement

You can ‘like’ any Story in your feed with Stories Likes. You’ll notice a new heart icon at the bottom of your Stories screen in the app, which when tapped will send the creator of that Story alike. Only the creator will be able to see them, and they will not be sent as a direct message.

This might be a new approach for Instagram to rate the Stories in your feed and highlight the ones that are most likely to be of interest. This can also be used to assess engagement.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-stories-likes-to-provide-insight-on-viewer-engagement/618827/

Google Shares Privacy Sandbox Roadmap for Android and the Web

Replacing the FLoC proposal following the FLoC trials is The Privacy Sandbox, alleged to “preserve privacy while showing relevant content and ads”.  The goals of the Privacy Sandbox include:

  • Build new technology to keep your information private
  • Enable publishers and developers to keep online content free
  • Collaborate with the industry to build new internet privacy standards

Privacy Sandbox for the Web will phase out third-party cookies and limit covert tracking, also aligned with Google’s shift to the topics API, the alternative to cookie-based tracking. Key takeaways from the Topics API for marketers include

  • Focus on affinity and intent, rather than demographics
  • Higher focus on search data to determine interest
  • Change in nurture cycle as topics data is deleted every 3 weeks

This roadmap is said to be prepared in alignment with the W3C standards.

(W3C publishes documents that define Web technologies. These documents follow a process designed to promote consensus, fairness, public accountability, and quality. At the end of this process, W3C publishes Recommendations, which are considered Web standards.)

Link: https://privacysandbox.com/proposals/floc 

LinkedIn Adds New Elements to its ‘Services’ Listings to Help Freelancers Generate Business

LinkedIn has added two new aspects to its Services Pages, allowing freelancers and small businesses to list and be found for the services they provide on their LinkedIn profiles.

The additional aspects will provide you with more ways to give your services listings more legitimacy. For starters, LinkedIn will now allow users to link their LinkedIn Company Page to their Services listing. So, if your SMB or consultancy has a business page, you can now create a link between your Services display and that page.

Furthermore, LinkedIn will also allow members to include a media showcase on their services sites. The new options provide you with more methods to entice potential clients, and they could be extremely useful in advertising and presenting your expertise in new ways.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-new-elements-to-its-services-listings-to-help-freelancers-g/619082/

JP Morgan becomes the first bank to join the Metaverse 

JPM set up shop in Metaverse Decentraland in Metajuku mall where their lounge features a live tiger, spiral staircase and an illuminated portrait of CEO Jamie Dimon. They have a blockchain arm which they started only in 2020 and now a virtual office in the metaverse, joining the likes of Walmart, Disney, Nike and Warner Bros. 

They estimate the metaverse economy to be worth USD1 trillion dollars in yearly revenue and predict that there will be gig workers earning income just by providing services in the metaverse alone

Link: https://fortune.com/2022/02/16/jpmorgan-first-bank-join-metaverse/

Will virtual influencers be the next big thing in K-POP?

According to a researcher at Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation (KOBACO), COVID-19 has led people to look for a more entertaining digital experience.

Han Yoo Ah, a virtual influencer, just inked a contract with YG Entertainment, the same company that gave birth to Big Bang and 2NE1. Her first album is expected to be released at the end of February.

Speaking involves “natural acting motions,” which requires more advanced technology, according to the K-entertainment industry. It is also easier to programme virtual influencers to sing than it is to programme them to speak. 

If you’re interested in hearing how effectively these virtual influencers “sing,” Rozy, South Korea’s first virtual influencer, will release her first single “Who Am I” on February 22.

Link: https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/m.koreatimes.co.kr/pages/article.amp.asp%3fnewsIdx=323801

https://instagram.com/rozy.gram?utm_medium=copy_link

Instagram Shares New Overviews of the Key Ranking Factors for Feed Posts, Stories and Reels

As Instagram competes with TikTok, Reels has its own algorithm. The TikTok algorithm is finely tailored to user interests, and as you scroll around the app, it will swiftly adapt to show you more of what you’re interested in, similar to how Instagram’s Reels algorithm is expanding.

The focus elements have been re-ordered for Reels, so that your participation in the Reels stream took priority above information about the post and its author, as it does in the main feed.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-shares-new-overviews-of-the-key-ranking-factors-for-feed-posts-s/619076/ 

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 17 JANUARY 2022

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Instagram Is the Platform of Focus for Marketers in 2022, According to New Research

TikTok is the app of the moment, though it is unlikely to be a good fit for all businesses, while Facebook has lost some of its shine, and Instagram continues to be quite popular.

Taking into account any platform bias, it appears that Instagram is the overall leader in marketing attention coming into the year — which is odd given the rise of TikTok, which seems like it should be a higher priority based on its usage and cultural effect.

However, as previously stated, TikTok promotions aren’t for everyone, and you can now reach a much larger audience on Instagram. You can also reach out to more demographic groupings on Facebook, which is still by far the most popular platform. 

Perhaps Facebook is no longer cool, or perhaps marketers are dissatisfied with the app’s deteriorating performance. In any case, if these predictions are true and Facebook becomes a lower priority, it may open up new opportunities to reach your target demographic in the app, as fewer advertisers focusing on it may mean less competition for attention, which will be something to watch throughout the year.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-the-platform-of-focus-for-marketers-in-2022-according-to-new-r/617161/

Instagram’s Testing a New Option Which Would Enable Users to Re-Arrange the Post Display on their Profile

In your profile settings, you’ll see a new ‘Edit Grid’ option that allows you to rearrange your profile gallery as you choose, regardless of when it was posted. 

This is mind-boggling for the users. If you have a previous post that is still relevant, you can move it to the top of the page to increase its visibility (but, of course, this is only for display view, it will not appear on the news feed).

In a similar manner, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri recently hinted at a potential ‘pinned post’ option for profiles, which would allow users to choose which posts they wish to display at the top of their grid.

Another aspect of this is rearranging your profile display, and with the growing emphasis on video, Instagram appears to be more open to experimenting with new concepts, as it eventually switches to totally new focus displays anyhow.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-testing-a-new-option-which-would-enable-users-to-re-arrange-the/616956/ 

Twitter’s Coming NFT Profile Display Option Moves to Next Stage of Testing

Over the last few months, NFTs have become a major fad, with Twitter serving as a hub for most of the discussion and for exhibiting your acquired art. Despite the hoopla, the sector nevertheless presents obstacles and worries.

Since November, Twitter has been working on an official integration procedure that will make it easier for NFT owners to display their ownership, with a back-end linkage to each NFT’s official information assuring that only the true owner of an image can display it in the new profile image format.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitters-coming-nft-profile-display-option-moves-to-next-stage-of-testing/617087/ 

Outcome-Driven Ad Experiences Model

Meta has announced updates to Ads Manager in order to streamline the ad campaign process. The number of ad objectives you can choose from has been reduced from 11 to 6.

They’re changing the goal selection experience when launching new campaigns in Ads Manager to better steer marketers to the best campaign setups. They’re transitioning to an outcome-driven ad experiences model (ODAX), in which advertisers can choose their desired business outcomes (e.g., Awareness, Traffic, Engagement, Leads, App Promotion, Sales), and the interface will direct them to the best campaign setup/creation paths to achieve those goals.

Link: https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2021/12/21/simplifying-campaign-objectives-outcome-driven-ad-experiences/ 

3 ways on how digital marketing would look like in the Metaverse

  • The use of virtual influencers: Influencers who are not human, but created using AI – https://analyticsindiamag.com/rozy-friends-meet-the-new-crop-of-ai-influencers/
  • Digital campfires to appeal to a younger audience and capture their attention: Digital campfires are “a more intimate oasis where smaller groups of people are delighted to assemble around shared interests,” including private messaging apps like Whatsapp, micro-communities like Facebook groups, and shared experiences like Fortnite or Twitch – https://hbr.org/2020/02/the-era-of-antisocial-social-media
  • Sensory marketing: Including the senses of touch, smell, and taste in addition to sight and hearing. Even now, when sensory marketing technology is expensive, we may begin by considering how we can use our advertisements to appeal to the three senses.

Love, Bonito unveils Tiger Bloom NFT in line with ‘Journeying with Women’ theme

Love, Bonito, jumping on the NFT bandwagon, announced the creation of its first NFT, “Tiger Bloom,” in collaboration with KrisonAutopilot, a visual artist. 

The NFT is a way for the brand to engage with its customers through the story behind the NFT, which embodies the brand’s theme and value of female empowerment. They’ve made the NFT collection unique, with only ten copies available for purchase. 

The earnings will be used to support CSR efforts, such as donating to Playeum, a non-profit that works to provide equal opportunity for children from low-income families, as well as extending the brand through its existing omnichannel markets.

Link: https://www.marketing-interactive.com/love,-bonito-unveils-tiger-bloom-nft-in-line-with-journeying-with-women-theme

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 03 JANUARY 2022

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Instagram’s Chief Outlines the Key Areas of Focus for the App in 2022

Throughout 2021, we saw Instagram copy virtually everything that TikTok has to offer, and according to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, you can anticipate even more of the same in 2022, as the platform focuses on its main areas of growth, including streamlining its video formats to enhance interaction.

1. Reels will remain the key focus – all video formats will be round Reels.

2. Instagram will be looking to make messaging a bigger focus in the app, which is now ‘the primary way that people connect online’, while it will also be looking to add more monetization tools for creators in the app.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-chief-outlines-the-key-areas-of-focus-for-the-app-in-2022/616571/ 

Tiktok Tests a New ‘re-post’ Option to Boost the Distribution of Clips

Tiktok is currently testing this feature with a small group of users, which allows them to re-share clips to their connections’ feeds under the ‘For you’ and ‘Following’ tabs without having to share the clip with each person individually, making it easier to distribute content.

On the other hand, making it easy to distribute messages could have the unintended consequence of spreading disinformation and hoaxes. At the moment, however, it is unclear whether this will become a standard feature.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-tests-new-re-post-option-to-boost-distribution-of-clips/616446/ 

Navigating the Metaverse With PFPs

It remains to be seen whether NFT-based profile pictures (PFPs) and avatars will scale up in the long run. PFPs, on the other hand, is gaining popularity among NFTs at the moment. Read more about PFPs here and on the top PFP artists here. Additionally, read more on the 2021 updates to the Metaverse here. 

Tiktok Now Has Live-stream Intros to Help With Engagement

This is a minor but potentially useful addition to your TikTok live-stream broadcasts. TikTok has added a new ‘LIVE intro’ option, according to user Jonah Manzano, which allows you to write a short written explanation to welcome new viewers as they come across your broadcast.

When this new LIVE Intro option is enabled, viewers will see a brief explainer when they join your stream.  That could be a simple method to greet viewers and explain what your broadcast is all about, as well as what you want them to do as viewers.

TikTok is steadily expanding its boundaries beyond short video snippets, and live-streaming is becoming a bigger part of it.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-adds-live-stream-intros-to-better-facilitate-engagement/616444/ 

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 20 DECEMBER 2021

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Instagram Adds New Option to Embed User Profiles on Third-Party Websites

Instagram launched a new “Profile Embed” feature that allows users to embed a mini-version of their profile on a website. Users will be able to better integrate their Instagram profiles with websites such as blogs and portfolios using the new capability. 

According to Facebook, the feature is presently only available in the United States. In a video shared to Twitter, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announced the launch of the new feature.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-new-option-to-embed-user-profiles-on-third-party-websites/611677/

Instagram Publishes 2022 Predictive Trends Report

Instagram has released a new 2022 predicted trends report that covers a variety of growing movements across many categories in order to help brands and marketers better grasp key shifts. 

The 13-page report covers a variety of topics, including cuisine, wellness, memes, and fashion and beauty.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-publishes-2022-predictive-trends-report/611438/

Twitter Tests New Creative Tweet Options as it Looks to Move In-Line with User Trends

Twitter is testing a new option for adding a reaction to a tweet called “Quote Tweet with Reaction,” which allows users to capture a response to a tweet using the full-screen camera mode.

By attaching the original tweet as a sticker to your taken image or video, you can replace the current Twitter reaction with a direct and visual engagement.

Twitter is also experimenting with an updated text editor option tweets that would allow you to add more colour and make comments more visually appealing.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/twitter-tests-new-creative-tweet-options-as-it-looks-to-move-in-line-with-u/611596/

Changes to Objectives in Ads Manager – Full list shared

You’ll be able to choose from six new objectives when you start a new campaign. Campaigns created prior to the publication of our new objectives will stay active, and there will be no need to make any modifications to them. Until the end of 2021, you’ll be able to edit and duplicate your existing campaigns.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/325793898950394

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 13 DECEMBER 2021

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Instagram’s Latest Update to Reels

When you click into a video in your main feed, it expands to a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you watch the video long enough, you’ll forget you’re scrolling through your main feed looking at posts from people you follow, and Instagram will now give you Reels from anyone who has the content you might be interested in.

This update gives creators more options for organic reach, so they don’t have to rely on ads or get people to follow their accounts to see their content. 

In some ways, it’s comparable to TikTok’s FYP, where you’re presented material based on what you’ve watched and what the app thinks you’ll enjoy.

Instagram Adds Reels Replies, Providing Another Way to Tap Into Short-Form Video

It’s been in testing for a while, but Instagram has now announced that users can now reply to post comments with Reels. Users may now reply to post comments using Reels, which is another method to integrate Reels into the Instagram process. 

It’s yet another opportunity for Instagram to enhance engagement while also capitalising on the short-form video boom. It’s also, unsurprisingly, nearly identical to a function TikTok introduced in June of last year.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-reels-replies-providing-another-way-to-tap-into-short-form/611364/

Instagram rolling out delete image feature for grid carousels

We will soon be able to delete an image from a previously published carousel, thanks to an update that has been rolling out since mid-November (in case of errors or repeats). Additionally, deleting images and restoring them in the order we want them to display in the grid carousel is a solution for re-ordering a carousel.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-adds-option-to-delete-individual-posts-from-carousels-shake-to-r/610244/ 

Facebook Announces New Comment Moderation and Support Features, Including Live Chat for Some Account Issues

Facebook has enhanced its moderation tools as part of its ongoing effort to protect the community against spam and malicious comments. We used to be able to hide or delete comments on posts; this new feature allows us to do so again, but the person whose remark was hidden will still be able to see it. This reduces the likelihood of their posting on the same thread multiple times.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-announces-new-comment-moderation-and-support-features-including-l/611350/

With the Expansion of Horizon Worlds, Meta Takes the Next Step Toward VR Social

What exactly does this imply?

  • Our target audiences will become even more scattered, forcing marketers to compete even harder for their audience’s attention. If brands want to stay relevant, they’ll have to establish their own VR area at any given time.
  • With the launch of Horizon Worlds to the US and Canadian audiences for Christmas this year, Facebook has taken its first steps into the future.

When these new realities are implemented, e-commerce will be severely impacted owing to the introduction of NFT (Non-Fungible Tokens), where purchases are done using these tokens or cryptocurrency rather than our present cash/card payment system.

China also announced this week the formation of a new committee to advance the AR/VR sector, so we can anticipate TikTok to adapt to the new arena as well.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-takes-next-steps-towards-vr-social-with-the-expansion-of-horizon-world/611305/

Pinterest Invests in Creative Tools by Acquiring Vochi, a Video Creation and Editing App

Pinterest is now seeing its users contributing pins in video format rather than photographs in an effort to move away from being solely an imageboard.

Pinterest sees the need to stay relevant in the wake of Tiktok, Instagram, and the rise of video consumption by providing more video creation options, in addition to the recently launched video-first feature Idea Pins and Creator Originals, where creators can make sales by tagging the items they want to sell like brand partnerships.

Link: https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/06/pinterest-invests-in-creator-tools-with-acquisition-of-video-creation-and-editing-app-vochi/

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 30 NOVEMBER 2021

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Google Adds New Trend Prediction Tools, Personalized to Your Business, to Google Ad Insights

Google is introducing new predictive aspects to Google Ads insights, using machine learning and historical data to forecast expected consumer behaviours. Users can view this function on the Insights page in Google Ads while it is still in development.

Google’s testing demand forecasts – Estimations of likely search interest for your products over the next 6 months by combining machine learning and past seasonal search trends

  • You can see trendlines for predicted search interest, actual search interest and clicks you’ve received from the trend
  • While this depends on how accurate the predictions are, it could still help with plan and strategy with the use of historical data to analyse and predict consumers’ search pattern

Consumer interest insight – Shows the number of people searching for each theme, the overall growth of each element and provide performance recommendations

  • Although consumer habits have changed significantly since COVID, it could improve over time with predictions that align with the shift in focus and behaviour

Audience insights – Can provide information on consumers’ interest, even what type of creativity they respond to or more likely would

  • It might provide indicative data with more specific information on what’s working in your Google Ads efforts

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/google-adds-new-trend-prediction-tools-personalized-to-your-business-to-g/610299/

Tik Tok announced the testing of a new business registration option to confirm business information in the app

As part of their e-commerce strategy, the new business registration option will enable businesses to list their company category on their profiles and receive early access to new business features.

By doing so, Tik Tok can collect information on businesses and categorise pages into different groups on the app, allowing it to show relevant businesses to users, explain what brands have to offer, and encourage profile visitors to make purchases.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktoks-testing-a-new-business-registration-option-to-confirm-business-i/610602/

Instagram’s Efforts to Win Back Young Users Will See Video Become the Focus of the Main Feed Display

In order to compete with TikTok, IG has started switching from its traditional content feed to a mobile/vertical first display. This is important because they’ve discovered that younger audiences are less inclined to use their VR/AR function.

One of the key reasons behind this, we believe, is the high cost of AR/VR gadgets for the younger age. (In the next 5 years, this should decrease.) IGS will be automatically shared on Reels as part of this update.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-efforts-to-win-back-young-users-will-see-video-become-the-focus/610599/

Instagram Launches Live Test of Longer Videos in Stories

Instagram has now officially launched a live test of 60-second videos in Stories, which will mean that longer video clips will no longer be split into 15-second segments, and played across various Story frames. Right now it’s being tested with a small group of users.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-launches-live-test-of-longer-videos-in-stories/610535/

MONDAY MORNING LEARNING – 15 NOVEMBER 2021

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TikTok Launches ‘Creative Exchange’ Platform to Connect Brands with Top Creators

With the advent of a new ‘Creative Exchange’ platform, brands may pitch a campaign brief to a selection of the greatest TikTok creative partners in the industry, this new option encourages collaboration between creators and brands. These content tailoring and personalization professionals can increase ad performance and drive results by tailoring and personalising content. Sign up for the Creative Exchange platform if you have a verified profile and want to give an overview of the campaign brief with a variety of pitching alternatives and determine how you want to explain your intended project.

From the initial setup, the platform provides a variety of campaign categories, such as “Story” or “Screen Recording,” to provide producers with a better idea of what they require. After you’ve filled out all of the information, you’ll fill out a form with your contact information and a brand storey or product description for creators to review before they take on the brief. Relevant creators who suit the project’s profile will be contacted, and they will have the option to accept the project and communicate directly with the client. In a word, this platform facilitates collaboration by allowing both parties to communicate and connect with ease.

TikTok’s success is partly due to content creators, and the platform recognises this by providing tools and assistance to advertisers and creators in order to maximise revenue potential and prevent them from switching to other platforms. Instead of sourcing on your own and not knowing if the artists you have in mind are genuinely fit, it may be easier for us to receive a list of creators suitable for the campaign through the Creative Exchange platform. As a result, this platform is currently in beta testing with a select group of advertisers and producers.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-launches-creative-exchange-platform-to-connect-brands-with-top-cre/609922/

Facebook Launches ‘Creative App Platform’ to Expand Stories Functionality

As we’ve seen in the past, Facebook is developing functions that are comparable to those of its competitors. They’ve included a “new” feature this time that allows creative creators to promote their apps in Facebook stories. This feature is comparable to Snapchat Minis, which allows artists to provide people access to a stripped-down version of their creative app. Facebook has taken this route in order to win back the younger audiences from TikTok.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-launches-creative-app-platform-to-expand-stories-functionality/609945/

Shopping on Facebook Groups

Facebook is releasing new features to its apps that will improve shopping and purchasing. The goal of this initiative is to provide consumers with feedback and information from other shoppers, allowing them to make more educated purchasing decisions.

  • Shops in Groups allows you to support the communities you care about by purchasing their goods.
  • When you ask for advice in a group, Product Recommendations in Groups will display the products that members recommend.
  • Top Product Mentions in News Feed is a feature that allows you to find products that have been recommended by peers in groups to which you belong.

Link: https://about.fb.com/news/2021/11/shop-with-groups-creators-and-friends/ 

Removal of Targeting Options for Sensitive Topics

Starting January 19, 2022, we will remove Detailed Targeting options that reference causes, organisations, or public figures that are related to health, race or ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, or sexual orientation, as well as options referencing causes, organisations, or public figures that are related to health, race or ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, or sexual orientation.

You won’t be able to target your advertising based on issues like “World Diabetes Day” or other health concerns, nor will you be able to target people based on their sexual orientation, political beliefs, or other personal characteristics. According to many surveys, young people are more likely to buy from firms that support causes and movements with which they agree. In this regard, the elimination of certain targeted features may have an impact.

Continuing to Reach your Audience

In addition to broad targeting such as gender and age, below are some of our top tips and example use cases for our partners:

Instagram Tests New ‘Take a Break’ Feature to Encourage Users to Limit Time in the App

This break function has been implemented in a number of social networking apps. You can mute push alerts for a set amount of time with Instagram’s Take a Break function. On Facebook, the same option is available. Similarly, on DouYin, children under the age of 14 are limited to 40 minutes of app use every day, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-tests-new-take-a-break-feature-to-encourage-users-to-limit-time/609854/

Monday Morning Learning – 3 August 2021

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Pinterest Loses 24 Million Users as Lockdowns Ease and Physical Stores Re-Open Around the World

Pinterest users grew internationally from Q2 2020 – Q1 2021 but it has dropped in Q2 2021. US had a similar incident of users dropping. (Refer to attached img)

This could have been users genuinely losing interest in Pinterest or Pinterest has started to clear out inactive or bot accounts.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-loses-24-million-users-as-lockdowns-ease-and-physical-stores-re-o/604192/ 

Content Creation Checklist

Checklist to create high performing blogpost but I’ve taken some out that I think is relevant for when we are creating just content in general, not necessarily just a blog post

  1. Is it similar to something you already have?
  2. Is it a provocative topic? If yes, run it through others.
  3. Is anyone looking for this topic & how would they search for it – in this case it is more of, what is the objective of this post and what do you want to achieve with it.
  4. Create an outline – or in this case the post idea
  5. Would a visual support this idea? – if yes, find the visual that would do so.
  6. Or can your idea be supported by a quote, an example or a story? If yes, craft them!
  7. Relook at language and relevance
  8. Done! 

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/content-creation-checklist-17-steps-to-create-high-performing-blog-posts/603874/

Facebook Launches ‘Campaign Ideas Generator’ to Help Businesses with their Promotional Efforts

Facebook has launched a new Campaign Ideas Generator mini-site, which aims to help spark inspiration for promotional approaches through various insights, templates and recommendations, specific to seasonal events and business types.

Choose your business type, the time of year, then click “Get Campaign Ideas”. Facebook will provide you with a range of pointers and notes to guide you in the right direction in 3 sections: “Campaign Ideas”, “Data & Insights”, and “Resources”.

While these might include generic tips and cookie-cutter templates, it might be helpful for smaller brands who do not have enough resources to create their own content, or those who will like additional insights to help facilitate their decisions.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-launches-campaign-ideas-generator-to-help-businesses-with-their/604101/

Instagram Expands Reels to 60 Seconds

Instagram has today announced that the Reels length limit is being extended from 30 seconds to 60 seconds for all users. 

Instagram has been experimenting with longer Reels for some time, after first extending Reels from 15 to 30 seconds last September.

And given that TikTok now enables the upload of longer clips (up to 3 minutes), and YouTube Shorts can also be up to 60 seconds in length, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before Instagram followed the trend.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-expands-reels-to-60-seconds-providing-more-capacity-for-creativi/604006/

Instagram is Testing a TikTok-Like Vertical Feed Presentation for Explore

A big advantage that TikTok holds over Instagram at this stage is in content discovery, and highlighting personally relevant, entertaining public posts to each user based on their engagement behaviors, which are then fed to them via their ‘For You’ page, the default home feed in the app (as opposed to your ‘Following’ feed).

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has even acknowledged TikTok’s lead on this element, noting that, right now, TikTok is better than Instagram at providing ‘reliable entertainment’.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagrams-testing-a-tiktok-like-vertical-feed-presentation-for-explore/603949/

Instagram Implements New Initiatives To Protect Young Users, Including Privacy Defaults and Ad Targeting Restrictions

Previously they have disallowed targeting minors below 18 from being targeted by Ads on IG. They have increased their restrictions by making their accounts private when first created and users would have to manually allow their account to be public.

This is to protect minors from older adults/”pedophiles” where if they are reported of such behavior, the older adult will no longer be shown posts from minors.

The initiative will first be rolled out to the US, France, UK, and Japan.

Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-implements-new-initiatives-to-protect-young-users-including-priv/603950/

Monday Morning Learning – 5 October 2020

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Facebook Announces Integration of Messenger and Instagram Direct, Adds New Messaging Features

Facebook has taken the next big step in its messaging integration plan by announcing new cross-messaging functionality that will link Messenger and Instagram Direct, in various ways. You can cross message from Messenger and Instagram, and you’ll be able to see your Messenger threads in Instagram Direct. But your existing Instagram messages and call details will only be available on Instagram, at least at this point.

Other new elements:

  • Selfie stickers – Animated stickers that are “a unique hybrid of Boomerang, emojis, and selfies”, and provide a new way to react to conversations.
  • Watch together –  Instagram users will also now be able to join Watch Together video co-watching parties via Messenger. The new integration will also enable Watch Together parties focused on IGTV and Reels content
  • Vanish Mode – enable users to send messages that automatically disappear after they’re seen
  • Chat colours, Custom emoji reactions, and Message controls

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-announces-integration-of-messenger-and-instagram-direct-adds-new/586180/

How to Run an Effective Giveaway Campaign on Instagram

A follower ‘loop’ is a process that has been devised to maximize post reach.

90% of the time the followers gained via loop giveaways are not high-quality followers who will stick around for your content and engage with your profile long term. There’s a generally large drop off rate, typically 50% or more, at the conclusion of a loop process. If your only goal is to generate followers, then it might be a good mechanism, but for the far majority of businesses, loops won’t work well as a growth strategy.

Here’s a sample giveaway strategy that you can use:

  1. Pick a niche prize that your audience will love – As noted, targeting your specific target audience will attract a more focused audience subset
  2. Promote your giveaway across your social media following and email list – Getting more people interested will further boost exposure for your campaign
  3. Run Instagram advertisements for your giveaway – Retargeting your own audience will help to boost exposure among those already interested in your products while utilizing Lookalike Audiences will help you gain new, like-minded followers
  4. Leverage micro-influencers with similar audience – Collaborate and do a mini-giveaway with each micro-influencer, so they help promote your larger giveaway, again among targeted, interested groups
  5. Utilize entrant data – After your giveaway ends, you can run a retargeting campaign offering a free gift to followers who sign-up to your email list

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/how-to-run-an-effective-giveaway-campaign-on-instagram/586121/

Laneige Makes Use of IG Filter for Foundation Launch

During a period where it’s difficult for users to purchase foundation (due to no testers allowed at various stores because of COVID19, Laneige has cleverly made use of an IG Filter to allow for users to choose a foundation that may match their skin tone.

https://www.instagram.com/laneigesg/?hl=en

Key Highlights from Facebook’s Annual Communities Summit

  • 1.8 billion people in groups
  • 70 million moderators
  • Admin assist available to make it easier for moderators
  • Topics within groups will be searchable via hashtags
  • Certification for Community Management now available
  • Facebook is also experimenting with an in-group hashtag challenge, similar to TikTok, to boost in-group engagement
  • Chats will be added as a feature to groups to boost real-time interactions. They have several mini-features such as stickers, Q&A prompts, etc
  • Groups will be easier to discover moving forward

We are live! Join us now for the Facebook Communities Summit Keynote and to celebrate 10 years of Facebook Groups.Tune…

Posted by Facebook App on Thursday, 1 October 2020

Facebook’s Removing its 28-Day Attribution Model for Conversions from Ads

Facebook has announced that it’s removing its 28-day attribution window option for Facebook ads, which will mean that advertisers will no longer be able to track direct actions based on their campaigns over a longer period. It will be reduced to 7 days and will take effect on 12 Oct.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebooks-removing-its-28-day-attribution-model-for-conversions-from-ads/586102/

Monday Morning Learning – 28 September 2020

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Facebook Expands Test of New Hashtag Use Metrics Within Post Composer

Facebook appears to be expanding the test of its new listings of hashtag usage stats within the post composer when recommending relevant tags to add to your post. The recommended tag listings show not only the top tags based on predictive text but also a listing of how many posts are already on Facebook using that tag. It’s similar to Instagram’s Explore listings, which display hashtag usage within the search suggestions.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-expands-test-of-new-hashtag-use-metrics-within-post-composer/585629/

Facebook Threatens to Leave Europe Due to Proposed New Data-Sharing Regulations

Earlier this month, the European Union privacy regulator sent a preliminary order to Facebook which called for it to suspend data transfers about its EU users back to the US. According to the order, EU officials are increasingly concerned about potential surveillance practices by the US Government and are now looking to limit such by restricting the flow of user information.

Facebook has issued an official response, saying that, if such rules are implemented, it may be forced to stop operating both Facebook and Instagram in Europe.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-threatens-to-leave-europe-due-to-proposed-new-data-sharing-regulat/585619/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Social%20Media%20Today%2009-26-2020&utm_term=Social%20Media%20Today%20Weekender

IKEA Releases “Tomorrow Starts Today” Campaign

IKEA released their latest Sleep campaign, titled ‘Tomorrow Starts Tonight’, with an interesting execution unique for TVC and digital, and another for print.

In the print version, they toyed with the idea that sleep is a boost that every person needs, and they take it in the form of energy drinks, vitamin pills, and even beauty creams. Using these ideas, they’ve smartly incorporated their range of sleep products to the creatives. Their TVC and digital campaign use the hare and tortoise story that we are all used to, to reinforce how sleep is important to win the race.

Facebook Provides Tips on Utilizing Video Playlists and Series Collections

Aside from helping to guide viewers through your series’ and sets in sequential order, Facebook also notes that grouping your content can increase engagement by keeping people looking through more content that you’ve created. In addition to this, Facebook notes that when you organize your content into themes and topics, you increase your chances of being found in related searches.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-provides-tips-on-utilizing-video-playlists-and-series-collections/585951/

#PRAwards highlight: How Watsons rose to top of minds with micro-influencers

Through its “Watsons Wellness Campaign”, the beauty brand tapped on micro-influencers to position itself as the go-to brand when it comes to adopting a healthier lifestyle choice.

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/prawards-highlight-how-watsons-rose-to-top-of-minds-with-micro-influencers.

Facebook removes the Text Overlay Tool

In line with their announcement regarding deprecating the 20% rule for boosted posts and ads, Facebook has removed the Text Overlay Tool. While the ad text rule removal is slowly being rolled out in the various markets, we still need to be mindful to ensure that content is not penalized for being heavy in text.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebooks-removing-its-restrictions-on-text-content-in-facebook-ad-images/585705/

4 Trends Changing the Marketing Landscape in 2020 & Beyond [Infographic]

Maryville University shares the marketing technology trends they think you should look out for in this infographic (found in the link below).

Here’s what makes their list:

  • Marketing Automation
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Experiential Marketing
  • Executive Branding

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/4-trends-changing-the-marketing-landscape-in-2020-beyond-infographic/585878/

Reddit Launches Ad Inventory Types to Give Advertisers More Control Over Their Campaigns (to not make their ad appear next to questionable content)

  • Expanded Inventory – This category enables advertisers to access Reddit’s maximum inventory pool, and appear next to the broadest range of content.
  • Standard Inventory – This option provides “balanced reach and protection” to fit the needs of most advertisers. In other words, the more controversial subreddits are not included, ensuring brand safety.
  • Limited Inventory – This option provides optimal brand safety via a partnership with Oracle Data Cloud’s contextual intelligence tool, adding an extra stage of verification to ensure your ads don’t appear alongside questionable content.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-launches-ad-inventory-types-to-give-advertisers-more-control-over-th/585855/

Instagram Launches New Reels Updates, Including Longer Clips and Improved Trimming

The updates include: now the videos can be up to 30 seconds and there are new editing tools (trimming, deleting)

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-launches-new-reels-updates-including-longer-clips-and-improved-t/585777/