Are you tired of scrolling through your Facebook feed, watching others cashing in on their online ventures while your bank account remains stagnant? Well, it’s time to put an end to those envy-inducing posts and turn the tables in your favor. Imagine a world where your favorite social media platform isn’t just a source of entertainment and connection but a lucrative avenue for boosting your income. Welcome to the realm of monetizing your Facebook, where every like, comment, and share becomes a stepping stone toward financial success. Here are some ways to elevate your income by monetizing your Facebook:

Produce Videos Integrated with In-Stream Ads

In the bustling digital era, where content is king and attention is the currency, an extraordinary opportunity awaits those with a passion for storytelling and a flair for creativity. Imagine a world where your creativity becomes a currency, and each frame of your carefully crafted video becomes a catalyst for financial success. By seamlessly weaving in-stream ads into your captivating narratives, you unlock the potential to monetize your Facebook presence like never before. 

These videos become more than mere visual journeys; they become gateways to a realm where every view translates into tangible rewards. With each ad placement strategically placed within your content, you not only entertain and inspire but also open doors to endless possibilities of revenue generation. So, ignite your imagination, pick up your camera, and embark on a journey where your videos become not only works of art but powerful vehicles to elevate your income on the mesmerizing stage of Facebook. Let your storytelling prowess shine, and watch as your creativity becomes the driving force behind your financial prosperity.

Utilize the Facebook Marketplace or a Buy and Sell Group to List and Sell Your Items

With a few simple clicks, you can list your treasures, whether they be vintage clothing, rare collectibles, or handmade creations, and expose them to a vast network of eager buyers. The Facebook Marketplace and Buy and Sell Groups offer a dynamic platform where you can showcase your wares, captivate audiences with compelling descriptions, and negotiate deals that fuel your financial aspirations. 

As the virtual storefronts of the modern era, these digital marketplaces empower you to elevate your income, expand your online presence, and venture into the exhilarating world of e-commerce. So, dust off those hidden gems, unveil their hidden beauty and let the power of the Facebook Marketplace and Buy and Sell Groups propel you toward a realm of possibilities, where your entrepreneurial dreams can thrive and your bank account can flourish.

Earn Income Through Affiliate Marketing Partnerships

By aligning with reputable brands and promoting their products or services to your engaged audience, you can tap into a revenue stream that flows seamlessly alongside your passion and expertise. Picture a scenario where your recommendations become not just a gesture of trust but a pathway to earning commissions. With each affiliate partnership forged, you embark on a journey where every sale generated through your recommendations becomes a direct contributor to your bottom line. 

The allure of affiliate marketing lies not only in the potential financial rewards but also in the authentic connections you foster with your audience. By carefully curating and endorsing products that resonate with your followers, you establish yourself as a trusted authority, enhancing your influence and amplifying your earning potential.

Attract and Convert Website Visitors Into Online Shoppers

As you strive to elevate your income by monetizing your Facebook presence, the key lies in captivating those who venture onto your website and transforming them into satisfied customers. With the power of persuasive storytelling, captivating visuals, and seamless user experiences, you have the ability to entice visitors, guide them through the virtual aisles, and ignite a desire to make a purchase. 

Your Facebook platform serves as the gateway, piquing curiosity and driving traffic to your website where the real magic happens. By crafting compelling content, optimizing your product pages, and nurturing customer relationships, you can create an irresistible shopping experience that resonates with your audience’s desires. Each click, scroll, and interaction becomes an opportunity to showcase the value, quality, and uniqueness of your offerings, convincing visitors to make that final leap from browsing to buying

Organize and Host Exclusive Online Events with Paid Admission

Picture a scenario where you become the master of ceremonies, curating immersive experiences that engage, entertain, and empower participants, all while generating a steady stream of revenue. By organizing and hosting exclusive online events with paid admission, you unlock the power of your Facebook platform to gather like-minded individuals eager to be part of something extraordinary. 

Whether it’s a virtual workshop, a live webinar, or a captivating online conference, your expertise, and passion become the foundation for a transformative experience. Participants willingly invest in these exclusive events, knowing they will gain invaluable knowledge, network with peers, and indulge in memorable moments. With each paid admission, your income soars, as you deliver unparalleled value and forge lasting connections within the digital realm. 

Conclusion

As we conclude this transformative exploration of monetizing your Facebook presence, a world of boundless opportunities beckons you. Facebook, a global hub of connectivity and community, holds the key to unlocking your financial aspirations. It’s a realm where passion meets profit, creativity thrives, and dreams are transformed into tangible success. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a content creator, or an established business, the power to elevate your income lies within your ability to harness the vast potential of Facebook. 

It’s not just about building an online presence; it’s about crafting an engaging narrative, fostering meaningful connections, and captivating an audience that resonates with your unique offerings. Your Facebook platform becomes a canvas, where every post, every interaction, and every shared moment has the power to inspire, influence, and propel you toward new heights. So, seize this moment, embrace the digital revolution, and let your entrepreneurial spirit soar. Elevate your income, seize the opportunities that await, and embark on a remarkable journey where success and prosperity become your constant companions.

The post Elevate Your Income by Monetizing Your Facebook appeared first on SiteProNews.

Staggering, right?

With trends changing in a matter of weeks or months, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game.

That’s why I want to introduce you to BeReal, a new photo-sharing app that’s shaking up the social media scene and causing a sensation. In this article, we’ll delve into how BeReal works, analyze its user demographics, and explore the most impactful emotions that come with using the app.

So buckle up, and let’s explore the insights on BeReal together!

What is the BeReal App?

In a world where social media trends encourage people to curate a false online image, BeReal takes the opposite approach. 

The BeReal was aimed to bring authenticity back to friendships and relationships. This innovative photo-sharing app encourages people to capture random moments of their day without any posing or filters. This approach allows users to share genuine and unscripted experiences with their friends and family, fostering more meaningful connections. 

This unique idea has gained a lot of popularity, with a PhotoAiD study indicating that 88% of the app’s 20 million daily active users open it every day, and 77% take a BeReal photo daily. 

The BeReal app is available for free, making it accessible to everyone who wishes to share their genuine, unfiltered moments with their friends and loved ones.

How Does BeReal Work?

The BeReal app is designed to be simple and fun to use.

Once a day, users receive a notification prompting them to take a picture of what they are doing at the moment. Actually, the notification is a strong point of the app, with most users finding it helpful, motivating, and encouraging, according to the PhotoAid study. Back to the topic, users capture the moment by taking two pictures: with front-facing and rear-facing cameras.

Don’t stress if you make a mistake; you can take up countless shots to get it right. On average, 43% of users retake their photo three to four times before posting during the two-minute countdown.

If users are not able to take the picture within this time frame, it gets the ‘late’ status. Posting ‘lates’ still makes sense because only after publishing your own images do you gain unlocked access to your friends’ photos and can leave comments and reactions (including emojis made from your selfies). Also, it gives you access to view public photos from users worldwide.

Your post is live until the next BeReal notification – but you don’t lose it afterward. The app keeps all photos saved in a calendar, making it a private album of past random moments in life.

At What Time will BeReal be Today?

Many users try to solve the puzzle of the BeReal algorithm – but the app’s notification time is shrouded in mystery.

The app’s server is divided into four time zones: the US, Europe, West Asia, and East Asia, and notifications are released at different times within each zone. Despite many users’ attempts to find a pattern, the notification time remains unpredictable and random. Some have even claimed that the app’s creator launches notifications whenever he’s doing something fun during his day!

The only certainty is that notifications are sent during the user’s awake hours, from 9 am to 11 pm in their time zone. 

The app’s unpredictability is its main disadvantage, as it can make people prone to FOMO (fear of missing out). In fact, 68% of PhotoAiD’s survey takers experience FOMO on BeReal, and 35% say it’s more intense than on other social media.

What is BeReal Age Limit?

By the app’s terms of service, BeReal is only for people 13 and older. 

At first glance, it appears to be a relatively safe app for children, as it does not put pressure on them to become influencers or shape their image, and its limited content prevents endless scrolling. However, the app is still time-consuming, with people spending between 20 and 40 minutes daily on it. Moreover, as previously mentioned, the FOMO effect is powerful on BeReal.  

Privacy is also a concern, and children may not be fully aware of the impact their online activity can have on their reputation. Also, it’s recommended to use BeReal in private mode and avoid sharing personal information and location data to ensure safety and privacy.

Overall, parents should carefully consider the pros and cons of allowing their children to use BeReal.

Is BeReal Good for Advertising Brands?

If you’re thinking about advertising your brand on BeReal, there are a few things you need to know. 

First off, the app’s guidelines currently prevent any overtly branded content from being featured. However, BeReal may be an excellent platform for brands to tap into their customers’ experiences more subtly and effectively. With its emphasis on real-life moments, this new photo-sharing app could be the perfect platform to showcase how your brand fits into people’s lives in a natural and authentic way. 

Just be sure to keep it subtle and aligned with BeReal’s values. Otherwise, you risk turning off the very users you’re trying to reach.

Final Thoughts: Are Users Real on BeReal?

As BeReal continues to grow in popularity, the question is whether users are *really* keeping it authentic as the app intends.

The PhotoAiD study revealed that 82% of Americans admitted waiting for an exciting moment to take a photo for BeReal. Also, an average of 43% of users retook their photos multiple times. So, it’s clear that some users are more focused on crafting the perfect image rather than capturing their real-life experiences. 

Authenticity is not always the top priority. But is that a bad thing? 

I believe that it’s simply human nature to want to present our best selves to the world. BeReal provides an outlet for users to showcase the exciting moments of their lives and connect with others. It’s a reminder that social media doesn’t have to be about perfection – it can be a way to share the highs and lows of everyday life. 

So, while not every BeReal post may be entirely authentic, the platform still serves a valuable purpose. It helps users stay connected and share the moments that matter most,  whether they’re exciting or mundane.

The post BeReal App Explained: Everything You Should Know About the New Photo-sharing Trend appeared first on SiteProNews.

They let you demonstrate your brand’s credibility and trustworthiness, enabling your future customers to make informed decisions about their purchases.

But how do you leverage testimonials in a way that will drive real business results?

The answer lies in creating content with your customer testimonials that engage and convert customers.

In this blog post, I’ll share seven creative types of content you can use to create compelling stories and boost sales and conversions for your brand. Let’s get started!

Here are the top ways you can use your audience testimonials to support and grow your business activities.

1. Videos for Branding

It’s clear from how much we scroll through social media stories and video posts that video content is one of the most impactful and visually engaging types of content out there. Here is a good example of a video customer testimonial.

You’ll find several interesting statistics about the power of video content. For example:

• Video ads on Twitter generate 2x the engagement rate for 50% lower cost
• Video content platform YouTube is the second most visited website ever
• LinkedIn posts with videos get 5x as many comments as posts without video content
• Organic traffic improves by 157% when you add video (Video marketing statistics)

There’s no question that video is powerful. That’s why incorporating customer testimonials into video content is a powerful strategy for amplifying your brand’s credibility and influence.

To create a compelling video using customer testimonials, start by identifying loyal customers who are willing to share their positive experiences with your brand on camera.

Send them a list of questions to answer that highlight the key benefits and value of your product or service. You could also invite them to share their personal anecdotes or real-life stories to add emotional depth to the video. These stories could showcase how your product or service has helped them overcome a particular challenge in their lives.

Keep it simple and authentic. Ask your customers to use their phone camera to record the footage. Also, use alternatives like Loom or Soapbox that will let you record your screen and camera and share videos instantaneously.

When using a video testimonial, keep it concise and highlight the most compelling parts of the testimonial. Also, add written testimonials to your video content if necessary.

Once you have created a video, share it on various social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

You could also embed the video on your website’s homepage or landing pages to showcase your brand’s key features and benefits.

2. Dedicated Case Study Page

A dedicated case study page is an excellent tool for showcasing the positive impact your product or service has had on your customers.

The page, like this one, should highlight the unique challenges your customers faced and how your brand addressed those challenges to achieve positive outcomes.

Here are some tips to help you create a compelling case study page:

• Choose a customer who has had significant success with your product or service. It helps if they’re also someone willing to share their story and is a strong advocate for your brand.
• Assemble all relevant information about the customer’s experience, including their needs, goals, and challenges. You can ask your customer to help with this by filling a questionnaire or doing an interview.
• Showcase how your brand addressed the customer’s needs and tackled their challenges. Use data and specific examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of your product or service.
• Highlight the positive results the customer achieved with your product or service. Use data and metrics whenever possible, as this adds credibility and enables potential customers to understand better how your brand can help them.
• Use visuals to make the case study page more engaging. Incorporate images, charts, and infographics to help break up the text and present the information in a more easily digestible format.
• Make the case study page easily accessible on your website. Include it in your website’s navigation menu and link to it from other relevant pages throughout your site.
• And don’t forget SEO. Use keywords that potential customers might use when searching for products or services in your industry.

Case studies are a great way to use customer testimonials. They showcase real-life success stories and highlight the positive results your product or service can achieve. They also solidify your reputation and authority in your area of expertise.

3. Social Media Quotes

Another way to leverage a testimonial is to turn them into eye-catching and visual quotes.

You can share these on social media and your site too.

I suggest using a quote that shares a very specific experience your customer had which highlights your brand or product. For example, if a customer quotes a specific figure or metric related to their success with your product, include that information in the visual quote.

This is a great way to add content to your social media and celebrate your customers too. Social media quotes can also help to build brand awareness and increase audience engagement. Make sure to use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and encourage sharing with calls to action.

This simple but effective technique will help you repurpose your testimonials indefinitely on social media.

4. Website Landing Page Testimonials

Your website’s landing page is the first impression potential customers will have of your brand. It’s where people land when they click on an ad campaign link or email newsletter link.

That’s why it’s crucial to showcase testimonials to build trust and credibility with visitors.

Make sure to feature two or three glowing testimonials front-and-center on your landing page.

You can demonstrate the effectiveness of your product or service and highlight the tangible benefits it has provided for real people.

If possible, add images of your customers. It helps to have a face that represents a real customer. Also, include a title, a quote, and a specific outcome that your product or service helped with.

Testimonials on landing pages will help you boost your conversion rate. You can even add them to your checkout page to keep people feeling confident as they buy your product.

5. Newsletter Campaigns

Customer testimonials can be a great way to engage existing customers and subscribers, and one of the best ways to do this is through newsletter campaigns.

By including snippets of customer testimonials in your company’s email newsletters, you can keep your subscribers inspired.

Real life success stories often serve as ideas on ways to use your products in creative ways. They also help customers to stay subscribed and loyal to your brand when they see that others are having good results.

Make sure to add quotes, short snippets, and even images in your newsletters. But also, add links to the complete testimonial or case study so that your reader can explore them in depth to learn how to meet their own goals.

6. Presentations

If your sales team has to do presentations, then testimonials can help with this too.

In fact, customer testimonials, reviews, and ratings are great for any situation where you have to present information. Such content can help you convince investors to contribute funds to your business. They’re great for sharing slides or presentations on social media. And you can use them in industry conferences and networking events!

You can also add some punch to your webinars and online courses by showcasing customer success stories.

Presentations are visual, so they’re the perfect format to add infographics, flow charts, statistics, and even interactive elements. Adding information from your customer testimonials will help add context and better explain the impact your brand can have.

Finally, testimonials in presentations can also be used internally within your company for training purposes or as part of your marketing assets. There’s virtually no end to the ways you can leverage testimonials and grow your business.

7. Blog Posts

Informational blog posts work best when you add examples and context. And this is the perfect place to incorporate customer testimonials to make your blog posts useful.

This is great for your customers to understand how to achieve their goals by looking at success stories. And it’s good from an SEO perspective too.

There’s a better chance of your blog posts getting higher SEO rankings if Google perceives that your post has more useful information.

So, don’t hesitate to add testimonials to your blog posts – but make sure that they’re formatted to suit the purpose of the post. You don’t have to add the entire testimonial into your content, just the relevant bits. And you can also link to the testimonials so that customers can read them later.

Conclusion

There you have it. These are all the ways you can use testimonials throughout your content marketing.

So make sure that you have a plan to collect these useful pieces of information from your customers when you’re aware that they’re happy.

The different content types mentioned here are designed to do one thing: drive conversions by creating more engaging content.

By leveraging the right mix of these tactics, you can start to craft compelling stories that will build trust with potential customers, establish credibility with existing ones, and ultimately drive more sales for your business.

So, start working with the testimonials you have to see your marketing efforts lead to better results.

The post Here are 7 Content Types to Create with Your Customer Testimonials appeared first on SiteProNews.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook and now Meta, made the announcement during the company’s annual Connect conference, where he spoke about the metaverse as the next frontier for technology. He described it as a place where people could be present with each other in a way that isn’t currently possible with the internet we have today.

Since the announcement, there has been significant attention on Zuckerberg and the company’s move towards the metaverse. Many have questioned the practicality and feasibility of the idea, while others have raised concerns about the privacy and security implications of virtual reality technology.

One of the most significant challenges facing Meta is how to make the metaverse accessible to everyone. Currently, virtual reality technology is expensive, and the hardware required to run it is often out of reach for the average consumer. Zuckerberg has acknowledged this, saying that the company will work to make the technology more affordable and accessible to people around the world.

Another significant challenge facing Meta is how to ensure the privacy and security of users in the metaverse. Virtual reality technology raises concerns about data collection and surveillance, as users’ actions and interactions within the metaverse could be recorded and analyzed by companies and governments.

To address these concerns, Meta has stated that it will prioritize privacy and security in the development of the metaverse. The company has said that it will give users control over their data and provide transparency into how it is being used. Additionally, the company has pledged to work with regulators and policymakers to ensure that the technology is developed in a responsible and ethical manner.

The move towards the metaverse has also raised questions about the future of Facebook as a social media platform. With the company’s new focus on virtual reality, some have speculated that Facebook could become less important as a social network and more important as a provider of virtual reality technology.

However, Zuckerberg has stated that Facebook will continue to be an essential part of the company’s strategy, and that the metaverse will build on the existing social network. He has said that the metaverse will provide new ways for people to connect and share experiences, but that it will also incorporate existing social media features, such as news feeds and messaging.

The move towards the metaverse has also raised concerns about the impact on physical reality. Some have argued that the metaverse could lead to further disconnection from the physical world, as people spend more time in virtual reality environments. Others have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the technology, as the energy required to power virtual reality hardware could be significant.

To address these concerns, Meta has stated that it will work to minimize the environmental impact of the technology and promote responsible use of the metaverse. The company has also said that it will explore ways to integrate the metaverse with physical reality, such as through augmented reality technology.

The move towards the metaverse is a significant shift for Facebook and the broader technology industry. It represents a move away from the current model of the internet, where people interact with each other and digital objects through a two-dimensional screen, towards a more immersive and interactive experience.

However, the success of the metaverse remains uncertain. Many challenges must be overcome before it becomes a mainstream technology, and it is unclear how people will react to the concept of spending significant amounts of time in virtual reality environments.

Despite the challenges, Meta’s move towards the metaverse is an important development in the technology industry, and it will be interesting to see how the company’s plans for the future unfold. If successful, the metaverse could represent a significant leap forward.

The post How Meta will Change Social Media appeared first on SiteProNews.

Just a mere presence on social media stopped working to boost sales a long time ago. 

Around 80% of business executives think it’s essential to invest additional resources in social media marketing. 

It shows that we’ve moved long past the ‘just post and hope’ strategy. 

Now you need a solid presence in which you operate your accounts thoughtfully and measuredly. 

Below are some of the top ways to leverage social media to boost your Direct To Consumer (DTC) sales and revenue. 

Let’s check them out. 

1. Identify the Best Platform for Your Audience 

“Be where your customers are” isn’t a novel marketing strategy. Brands are practising that ever since the possibilities of personalisation. 

Social media is a big word. There are so many platforms, some popular while others not so much. But popularity has very little to do with selecting your presence. Understand that all social media platforms aren’t equal. You already know your target demographic so try to find out on which social media platforms they’re most active. 

For example, LinkedIn works best if you’re targeting a B2B audience while TikTok and Instagram work best if you’re targeting younger professionals in the B2C domain. 

Once you know where you can find your target audience, you’ll be able to interact with them better and create content specifically for their needs and interests. And once you get the awareness right, you can expect an eventual impact on sales. 

2. Work with Social Media Influencers

Influencer marketing isn’t the ‘next big thing’ in social media marketing. It already is the next big thing. The industry reached $16.4B in 2022 from just $1.7 billion in 2016. Through various influencer marketing strategies like account takeovers, paid sponsorships, giveaways, etc, you can witness a spark in your sales. This is simply because the amount of trust people place in influencers is as good as the trust they place in their friends and family. 

Studies show that influencer marketing is known to deliver an ROI as high as 600% in some cases. Some of the top examples of influencer marketing are Charli D’Amelio and Dunkin Donuts, Julie Sariñana, Ela Velden with H&M, Nick Offerman with My tales of Whiskey, etc. 

3. Simply Purchase Process on Social Media

Your social media sales need to be as smooth as your online store sales. A lot of brands even sell directly to consumers on social media through Instagram shops, Facebook shops, and Rich Pins and Buyable Pins on Pinterest. However, if you don’t have a direct shop on Instagram, ensure that you navigate the user to a checkout page or product page which has listed all the shipping and delivery instructions. 

For example, if an international customer is visiting your page from social media, provide them with the information they can really use before making their purchase. These include the shipping charges, the number of days, the tracking number, etc. Choose an air service freight provider that first delivers top-notch shipping services and only then commits to the customers on your social media. 

4. Share User-Generated Content 

Customers need a sense of assurance before making a purchase from a brand they barely know. Since they’re apprehensive, you give them authentic reviews in the form of user-generated content. This strategy brings online buyers closer to the brand by building trust and credibility. 

Encourage your customers to share their photos or videos with your products and go a step further by sharing that content on your profiles too. It is a genuine way to increase loyalty with your existing customers and encourage your other social media followers to try out your products. 

For example, every holiday season, Starbucks launches the #RedCupContest to promote its holiday-themed seasonal beverages. But the catch? Coffee drinkers need to submit shots of coffee for the chance to win a Starbucks gift card. 

5. Create Valuable Content for Users

Social media provides a great opportunity for brands to get a little personal. Considering the essence of the platforms, you also need to be ‘social.’ Develop content that is reflective of that. Publish compelling content but in a manner that is conversational and engaging enough to urge users to make a purchase. 

Be it your captions or your videos, reels or posts, you need to be original, creative, and informational. Leveraging informational content gives context to your product and gives ideas to customers about how to use the same. You can also promote your blog posts, guides, and any other kind of information that has the potential to convert interest into sales. 

6. Create Brand Specific Hashtags

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are a game of hashtags. They bring attention to your brand and let you get discovered more easily. 

But it can do more than just spread awareness. With unique and sales-oriented hashtags, you can drive engagement, increase your sales, and bring together a community that is interested in a particular product. 

For example, a London-based womenswear brand named Rixo encouraged their followers to tag them and use the hashtag #humansofRixo. They also clubbed user-generated content with hashtags that extended the collaboration of the users with the brand. 

7. Invest in Social Media Advertising 

Apart from your organic efforts, you need to leverage paid marketing when necessary. Merely finding your target audience on social media platforms is not enough. Social media platforms have paid advertising options in terms of ads or content promotion. Utilise them to ensure high visibility among a relevant target audience. 

However, before you do so, have your KPIs and tracking metrics in place. On Instagram, you can advertise through stories and sponsored posts and videos. You can do the same on Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Finishing Thoughts

Building trust is at the heart of social media selling. Right from using user-generated content to even publishing informative posts, it’s all about going the extra mile to engage and entice customers. If you’re doing that while following the above-mentioned strategies, you’re on the right path to enhancing your DTC sales from social platforms and staying ahead of the curve. 

The post How to Leverage Social Media to Boost DTC Sales appeared first on SiteProNews.

Zero-click content is the norm: most social media platforms will take away precious organic reach if you dare to add a link in your post. So most users try that awful gimmick called “link in comments”. It makes things harder for everyone, the person who posts and those who read but we’re willing to o to extreme lengths for better reach, aren’t we?

Zero-click content is prevalent in the SEO world, as well. Featured snippets were introduced by Google in 2014, almost a decade ago. Much like social media platforms, Google too tries to limit the number of clicks.

You can now see the weather without clicking on a weather website or even convert feet to meters directly in Google. SparkToro has an excellent analysis on zero-click content and they are responsible for coining the term.

But their piece appeared before ChatGPT took the world by storm. Things are even murkier now.

The Rise of AI and the Fall of the Once-Mighty Click

More than two-thirds of Google searches end without a single click. But do you know which searches always end up with no clicks? AI searches.

As AI assistants help us browse through oceans of data, we no longer need to click. We’re all fundamentally lazy and when AI promises to cut our working time in half, we jump on board, accuracy and originality be damned.

For marketers, though, AI’s promise to simplify our work doesn’t really hold water.

Yes, it may take less time to produce content. You can use ChatGPT for as a cognitive labour assistant or as a helper in the ideation process. I wouldn’t recommend anything else because AI content is essentially plagiarism and it does not sit well with search engines.

In other words, AI commoditized content. When (mediocre) content is easy to churn out, marketers need to work extra hard on other things, like distribution and making sure that their content (which is ideally not mediocre) gets seen and read.

How to Thrive in a Zero-Click World

If you’ve been reading my column here for a while, you know I’ve always recommended building your house on your own digital land. Social media is borrowed land.

While you can still use links in your social media posts, use them to draw users to your own website – the asset you have full control over. Remember that you’ll never get a heads-up before a social media algorithm turns against you.

Next, use less gated content and offer more upfront value. If you create a whitepaper or an eBook, make sure it’s worth downloading. It has to be 100% original work, a research report, or something similar.

Lastly, go back to the classics: email is still the best marketing channel in terms of ROI. Better yet, you have complete control over who sees what you send. You own your audience even when you decide to change platforms. I use ConvertKit to send emails to my subscribers because I think they have the sturdiest, easiest to use platform, but you can choose any other one – there are tons of them out there!

You can always change your email services provider without losing your audience but you can’t switch from Instagram to LinkedIn and still keep your followers.

Final Thoughts

While a zero-click world may sound like the end of an era (and it might be!), for savvy marketers it’s just a re-adjustment. The principles stay the same, only the channels we use and the way we approach them change.

It is, however, important to mind the context. You can’t rely on a social media platform for the bulk of your leads, for instance.

If you need more insights into what the future holds in store and which marketing and business trends you should prepare for, subscribe to my newsletter, Ideas to Power Your Future. My subscribers say my analyses are “worth paying for”. I send them for free, though, every Thursday. See you in your inbox!

The post A Zero-Click Digital World May Be Closer than We Think appeared first on SiteProNews.

We’re still getting used to the new Facebook layout and all of the changes it’s bringing. But have you changed your content marketing strategies to match? If not, we’ve got three shifts you should be aware of when marketing on Facebook.  

Why is Facebook Marketing Important? 

The vast majority of businesses are already active on Facebook; a whopping 200 million businesses around the world take advantage of the site’s free marketing tools. If your company isn’t one of them, it should be! 

If you’re looking to reach your audience on social media, it’s very likely you can find them on Facebook, no matter their age, gender, location, or any other demographic factor. Facebook boasts nearly 3 billion active users every month (that’s about a third of the world’s population). 

Facebook makes it easy to engage with your audience, which can boost your company’s reputation and turn casual viewers into dedicated customers. The platform is also a helpful avenue for promoting sales, specials, events, new product launches, or any other information your audience should know about.  

What are the Changes? 

Before the changes made to the home page, Facebook users had all of their content displayed on the same Home feed. Posts from friends, business pages, sponsored ads, and more were all lumped onto the same page, making it difficult to navigate to specific content.

But now, Facebook offers two distinct Feeds to allow users to better personalize their experience. The change also lets businesses separate their content marketing campaigns based on which Feed they want to appear on (we’ll come back to that point!). 

Here’s how Facebook summarizes the shift: “While Home is where you’ll increasingly find community through your passions and interests, you can continue to stay up-to-date on the people and communities you care about most in Feeds.”

The Home page is the first thing a user sees after logging into Facebook. Users can create Posts and Reels or see friends’ Posts and Stories. The Home page also takes advantage of cutting-edge machine learning technology to rank content based on how relevant and valuable it is to the individual, providing customized recommendations with every scrolling session. 

The Feeds page lets users keep up with the content they’re already interested in. Here, you won’t find any “Suggested for You” posts, though you will find ads. Users can mark pages as Favorites to scroll through their content at a glance, or they can explore other Feeds categories like Friends, Groups, Pages, and more.

How These Changes Impact You

Now that you know how Facebook has changed, you can determine how your content marketing strategy should change with it. 

1. Increased Reach Garners a Bigger Audience

The Home tab’s new design naturally encourages discovery, so your company’s ads and profile will automatically be recommended to your most promising users. You’ll find that your audience increases (or perhaps has already increased) without any concrete action on your part. 

A few years ago, a Facebook post would only have an organic reach of around 6% of that Page’s total likes. But now, with a dedicated place to explore the platform and learn about new companies and content, Facebook has made it much easier to gain that precious organic traffic. 

With that being said, it’s important to ensure you’re creating content specifically for the new viewers you’ll be reaching, which leads us to our next point! 

2. Two Feeds = Customized Content for New and Returning Viewers

Now that Facebook has two feeds for users to explore, you’ll need to make sure your content is tailored for each of them. Viewers who see your content on their Home page are likely seeing your company’s work for the first time, while those who see you on their Feeds tab have probably already interacted with your brand in some way. 

While the changes don’t have to be major, it’s not a bad idea to create unique content for new users (Home tab) and returning users (Feeds tab). Ads also appear on the Feeds tab, so you should consider a specific remarketing campaign here as well.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can take advantage of the various sections of the Feeds tab beyond simply running ads. For example, the Feeds tab lets users keep up with their Groups. You might consider starting a Group that’s relevant to your audience as well as your company. 

For instance, if you sell cookware, you could start a Group for recipe ideas. If you run a bookstore, you could launch a Facebook Group to run a virtual book club or to encourage users to recommend their favorite reads. In this way, users can engage with your business and build a unique community at the same time. 

3. The Algorithm Emphasizes Valuable, Relevant Content 

The internet at large is beginning to value the user experience above all else. Google’s recent “helpful content update” is just one example. Facebook is following suit by prioritizing content that is most valuable and relevant to the individual user.

While you’re creating your content strategy, remember to make content based on what your audience wants to see, not what you think the algorithm will prefer. Not only will you come across as more authentic and human to your audience, but you’ll see a boost in your organic traffic at the same time. 

There’s a good chance that you’ll want to create more social media content than you had previously been handling. To keep up with your ideas, posting schedule, and metrics, create a content calendar and share it with your colleagues. Everyone will be on the same page for every project so nothing slips through the cracks. 

Need Help with Your Facebook Content?

Facebook’s new Home tabs are causing many companies to re-evaluate their current content marketing strategies. If you’re seeking guidance in updating your strategy or creating relevant and lucrative content, consider working with a content vendor like WriterArmy. With a decade of experience in the industry, their team and dedication to customer service make them one of the most trusted content agencies in the country.

The post 3 Ways Facebook’s New Home Feed Will Impact Your Content Marketing Campaigns appeared first on SiteProNews.

What is a Hashtag?

Hashtags are used in microblogging and photo-sharing services such as Twitter, it is a metadata tag that is prefaced by a hash symbol. Some of the examples are #fashion, and #beautiful, you just have to use this symbol (#) before a word.

Why Should You Monitor the Hashtag?

Monitoring hashtag performance is essential for businesses because it helps in keeping up with everything that is being mentioned about you and your brand, or your marketing campaign online.

A hashtag strategy is important because using the correct hashtag will help to become more visible to your target audience. Hashtag in social media has significantly grown, they are very common and are used on most social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Benefits of Tracking Hashtags on Twitter

1. Determining your primary audience is crucial when using a hashtag. Geographic, Demographic, Psychographic, and Behavioral are the four levels of segmentation that will help in finding the audience. Research yourself which hashtag has the most retweets and views on your post or any other influencer post, track them, and follow their activity, from them you will know which hashtags are in trend and also find your target audience.

2. Identifying your brand influencers and measuring the most popular accounts that have used a certain hashtag is a great way to flag potential ambassadors that would deliver the best ROI. like if you are going to a baseball match and you know nothing about it, then you will first look for the best players of baseball who regularly post on #baseball and try to imply their strategy. In the same way, you should look for influencers who have the same brand as yours and try to look at what has worked for them.

3. Competitors and content research are the most important research. They provide us with the image of our brand by knowing and tracking our competitors, we can analyze what can work for our brand and what does not. To educate your content strategy you have to track your hashtag in your industry, for that you can use some hashtag tracking tools.

4. Sentiment analysis is used to help in finding out, how a user is feeling about your product or your post and what thoughts they are having while reading your stuff, creating a positive environment around you and your users is a must because then only they will able to trust you, if there is more negativity than people don’t want to read that again, there will be distrust among your users.

How to Monitor Hashtag Performance on Twitter?

Choose Your Hashtag Wisely

Choosing a hashtag is one of the difficult tasks, it will only be easy if you know your brand upside down, and for that, you have to research a lot on your brand or product, proper knowledge is a must. Make sure you have your own unique hashtag, through which people can relate your brand, and use clear, easy-to-read, and relevant.

Consider Your Timeline

You should be clear about your timeline, and which data will help you the most. Most of the tracking hashtag tools do not provide historical data, and some give only after the subscription. So it becomes more important to use the tools. Make sure you set up hashtag tracking before you start a campaign, to ensure that you have access to the entire campaign history.

Identify Your Key Metrics

The most important metrics that business track are called key metrics or KPIs, which shows the overall health and performance of your hashtag.

Customer engagement– This is the means through which you can create a relationship with your customers, it will show the number of likes, shares, clicks, and comments a hashtag received and help you to improve.

Customer impression– It is an advertisement or any other form of digital media rendered on a users screen, you may hear of “ first impression is the last impression”, it should be authentic, how many times this hashtag is seen depends on the quality and sentiment of that post, number of tweets multiply it by number of followers is equal to the number of impressions.

Customer reach– Discover which tweets you should be resharing multiple times in order to hit more of your audience, Twitter reach means how many feeds this hashtag shows up on.

Choose a Hashtag Tracking Tool

Amazing hashtag monitoring tools will help you see which hashtag is performing well, and what your audience is most interested in. Some of the best hashtag tracking tools are TrackMyHashtag, keyhole, and Brand24.

1. Trackmyhashtag

TrackMyHashtag is a Twitter hashtag analytics tool that allows tracking Twitter hashtags, keywords, accounts, or events. It can help you access real-time as well as historical Twitter data, only by typing (hashtag, keyword, @mention, or any topic). It provides data for any time period since 2006 in Excel or CSV format which you can use when needed.

Following are some of the features and metrics provided by TrackMyHashtag.

1. Real-time hashtag tracking- Track any hashtag, Twitter account, or keyword mentioned in real-time and see the results on the dashboard.
2. Historical hashtag data- Fetch the data from 2006 to the present time, write any keyword or hashtag it will show you all the historical data.
3. Competition hashtag analytics- Plan a social media marketing strategy and analyze the activities of your competitors.
4. Measure and analyze- With the help of an AI analytical platform, you can measure the reach of your Twitter hashtag campaign.
5. Find social media influencers-Find all the most influencer users who are trustable or responsible to promote any Twitter hashtag campaign.

2. Keyhole

Keyhole is a social media analytics platform that helps you effortlessly track hashtags, keywords, @accounts, and URLs on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook. It helps to create customizable reports and intuitive layouts which helps to create actionable insights.

Some of the features are:

• Influencer tracking- Identify top creators of your industry, and ensure that they only work with genuine influencers.
• Hashtag analytics- Generate and share reports for all your social media campaign and social channels, and find and analyze any conversation with hashtags to improve your social media presence
• Keyword tracking- It can find any online conversation that mentions your keyword
• Twitter historical data- keyhole historical data include total posts users, impressions, and influencers, they deliver reports in 1 business day.

3. Brand 24

Brand24 is a social media analytics tool that offers the ability to alert when the conversation on your brand hashtag reaches a certain volume. Some of the features are:

• Data exporting- Turn your data into automated PDF reports and infographics
•  Filtering- Focus on what is important for you by narrowing the results.
• Alters- Customize your alters the way you need them.
• Influencer score- Find out your industry influencers to make correct decisions about who you should be working with.

Conclusion

I have mentioned every possible detail that one needs for monitoring hashtags, and have written an abundance of content about which tool you should use, so you don’t have to waste any more time exploring the various alternatives, initiate TrackMyHashtag free trial and test the tool yourself.

The post How to Monitor Hashtag Performance and Engagement on Twitter appeared first on SiteProNews.

However, not every platform is the right fit for your business. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular social media sites and explain why each one may or may not be the one that can grow your brand.

Choosing the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business

Content marketing on the right social media platform is one of the most effective and affordable means of growing your business. Conversely, if you choose the wrong social media platform, you stand to waste valuable time or even damage your brand. First, consider your target audience. Think about the people you want to reach with your content and where they spend their time online — are they spending most of their time on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn?

Next, consider how much time and money you have available. Each social media site offers different levels of access, from Facebook’s free accounts, allowing basic posting privileges, all the way up to LinkedIn’s premium plans providing additional features and benefits. If budget constraints are an issue, consider getting started with one free account. You can always invest resources into a more expensive site later.

Some of the Best Social Media Platforms for Growing a Business in 2023

Facebook

Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform, boasting 2.96 billion monthly active users at the end of 2022’s third quarter. If you want to reach a massive audience and capitalize on the benefits of social media advertising, Facebook is an excellent choice. In fact, anytime a business owner comes to me and wants more leads and sales, I almost always start them on Facebook. It provides a wide range of features that make it easy for you to engage with customers and build your brand. You have access to a variety of targeting options for reaching different audiences, a newsfeed to alert followers to what you’re doing, and the ability to host live video events or create custom ads leading to your website.

Instagram

Instagram is another tool that can grow your business. It is primarily a visual platform, allowing you to share photos and videos of the products, services, or events that you offer, and boasts an audience of over 2 billion active monthly users who will see that content if you post it in an appealing way.

Given these numbers, Instagram is ideal for building brand awareness and generating leads since it allows businesses to showcase their products in an artistic way and generate attention with catchy hashtags. Because users engage with each other through comments or likes on posts, it’s also a great place to build a community around your business, generate customer reviews, and sell products.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an excellent platform for B2B businesses that want to find leads, boost sales, increase brand awareness, and network professionally. This social platform has 875 million users worldwide and 310 million monthly active users. The platform allows users to create profiles and connections based on their specific industry role or level of expertise. To get started on LinkedIn, ensure your company page is filled with relevant information about what you do and why people should hire your services or buy from you. The more complete your profile, the better your chance to grow your business.

YouTube

YouTube ranks as the world’s largest video-sharing platform and second-largest social media platform. It has over2.6 billion users and over 122 million active users each day as of 2022’s third quarter. YouTube also makes up a huge part of Google’s revenue, making it an important platform for any business that wants to reach people globally.

The key to growing your business on YouTube is generating creative content that engages viewers. The more engaging your content is, the more likely people will watch it and share it with their friends.

Some of the worst social media platforms for growing a business in 2023

Twitter

Twitter is a popular social media platform that provides an opportunity for businesses to connect with customers on a non-business level. This can be useful in strengthening relationships, although Twitter doesn’t offer the same level of personalization that social media platforms like Facebook do. 

Twitter may help you get your business’s name out there, but it’s not a good platform for growing your business. The platform has so many users that it can be hard to get noticed if you aren’t already well-known. It’s essential to understand how Twitter can be used in combination with other platforms rather than trying to use it alone.

Snapchat

Snapchat is not an ideal platform for business growth. Each month, the platform’s Spotlight feature sees125 million active users, and its Snap Map feature sees 250 million. In terms of social media reach, that is a small user base. In addition, Snapchat primarily appeals to younger users. As of July 2022, users aged 13 to 17 made up 20.5% of Snapchat’s total audience, and users18 to 24 accounted for 39.1%. Given these demographics, Snapchat may not be the best place to advertise if you’re trying to reach older audiences.

TikTok

TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows users to create short videos for followers. The platform boasts 1 billion active monthly users, making it less popular than Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In addition, the majority of people viewing a post on TikTok will only watch the first 15 seconds before scrolling away. Before your business puts a lot of time and resources into video creation for this platform, be sure it is worth your investment. 

Each social media platform comes with its own audience and its own set of pros and cons. The goal of using any medium is to reach new customers and grow your audience through content marketing. No one social media platform is best or worst for everyone, but some will be better suited for your business needs than others. It all depends on your audience, the time you can invest in social media management, and your business goals for the marketing content. Investigate each platform and make an informed decision about which ones work best for you.

The post Best and Worst Social Media Platforms for Growing a Business appeared first on SiteProNews.

However, by the end of 2022, we realized that this was not enough. Examples from last year reveal that organizations must participate fully in the conversation or risk being blindsided by negative news stories. 

In this new year, we embrace a new reality — 2022’s lessons have changed the way we approach crisis communications forever. Here is what we learned about approaching crisis communication quickly, calmly, and honestly.    

When Addressing a Crisis, Communicate Quickly

During 2022, we learned the value of planning for a crisis. If an organization prepares ahead of time, almost any problem can be handled before it gets out of hand. Looking back, Southwest Airlines revealed the pitfalls of failing to create a thorough crisis plan. Wintry weather grounded hundreds of flights, and disgruntled customers spiralled into a public meltdown. During the first nine months of the year, this carrier led the pack in profits, but cancelling over 60% of flights over two days and failing to communicate in a timely manner devastated the company’s financial standing and reputation. 

Thanks to growing awareness of how people use technology to share stories, information, and opinions, we have a better understanding of the need for timely communication. Social media transformed how people and organizations communicate and is a game-changer in crisis communications. Before social media, companies controlled their messages by talking only to select news outlets or providing information on their websites. Today, social media gives everyone a platform and moves at breakneck speed. 

As social media became a tool for public communication, organizations faced both challenges and opportunities in their crisis management strategies. Perhaps, more than anything else, 2022 showed us the value of staying ahead of a crisis with timely communication.

Approach Crisis Communication with Composure

For a clear demonstration of the value of approaching a crisis calmly, look no further than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This once-TV actor and comedian was thrown into the spotlight as the world watched him and his nation defend themselves against a global powerhouse. This young leader managed the situation with remarkable composure, despite only entering the presidency and political scene in 2019. He unified his nation and gave them the courage they needed in a crisis. 

To approach a crisis with a cool head, organizations must realize they cannot control the message: they can only influence it. When organizations step back and relinquish the need to control, they are far better at participating calmly in the conversation. To analyze the conversation and know how best to participate, organizations need to understand their audience and what that audience wants. In 2022, we learned that the audience is the focus during crisis communications, not the organization.

In a Crisis, Take Accountability

Organizations prefer to portray themselves as perfect; however, just like people, they are prone to make mistakes. Coverups are never the answer. When organizations lie — even about something minimal — a lack of trust builds up amongst employees, consumers, and investors alike. 

Slack, in 2022 didn’t even try to test their loyal fans. It stood authentic throughout its outage, even making fun of itself during its crisis response, and this transparency kept loyal users committed to the organization. Looking back, many only remember the crisis if their organization was affected because it was resolved quickly and without any headaches from the Slack organization.

In 2022, we learned that people are not passive recipients of information but active participants in a conversation. Organizations must remember that they are not selling to markets — they’re selling to people, and people deserve respect. Because organizations are dealing with human beings with feelings and personalities, they cannot avoid or control conversations. Although, they can influence them, and that is where the opportunity lies for organizations looking to win. We must participate in discussions honestly and openly to be considered trustworthy.

Sweeping a Crisis Under the Rug is Never the Right Answer

Prior to 2022, many organizations operated with the strategy that ignoring an issue was the best way to get people to forget it. However, FIFA’s hosting of the World Cup in Qatar last year brings to light a nearly decade-long employee crisis that isn’t going anywhere. Since FIFA fans and sports lovers learned of bribes, all the organization’s past grievances — women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights, for instance — came to the forefront as well. If organizations refuse to admit they are wrong, the situation only snowballs, as we saw in Qatar. 

It is time to embrace the conversation. Organizations cannot expect people to just stop talking. On social media platforms, the discussion is happening on a level playing field where everyone has an equal voice, and organizations must participate if they want to influence their message or reputation. Not participating in this conversation is equivalent to ignoring reality. If you choose not to participate in the conversation, then someone else will fill that void with their own narrative — often one that casts your organization in a negative light. 

Gone are the days of hiding behind the catchphrase of “no comment.” In today’s world, organizations must be transparent and honest at all times, even if it means admitting mistakes or flaws in the business model that led to a crisis situation. If an organization cannot be authentic or admit shortcomings, there is no point in communicating — the company will never earn trust or respect. When faced with a crisis situation, the best thing to do is to be part of the conversation rather than trying to shut it down.

Conversations in a time of crisis reveal more about organizations than they realize. The lessons of 2022 make it clear that organizations need to listen as well as talk. 

In order to effectively communicate in a crisis situation, organizations must recognize they’re no longer in control of what people are hearing or saying about them. In light of this, they must respond quickly and with composure. Ignoring the problem never makes it go away. Instead, they must be open and honest with the public about their actions (good or bad) and be transparent about how they handle the nitty-gritty details such as product recalls, customer complaints, and employee misconduct allegations.

The post Crisis Communications Lessons of 2022 appeared first on SiteProNews.

With the current cost-of-living crisis, interest rates increasing, and inflation, home buyers will be even more reluctant to make such a substantiation purchase or rent a new property next year.

With this in mind, and following a 70% increase in interest in ‘benefits of social media marketing’ in the last 12 months according to Google Trends, digital marketing specialist Wild PR provides insight into why a social media strategy should be a top priority for estate agents in 2023.

1. Target First-time Buyers with TikTok

TikTok has gained huge popularity over the last few years with a highly-targeted For You Page which shows videos up to 10 minutes long and matches a user’s individual likes and dislikes based on previous engagement on the app. 

With a predominantly young audience, Tiktok is a great place to market to first-time buyers. By researching popular trends and audio, estate agents can share advice and insight on how to get onto the property ladder, what to look out for and more. The platform can also be used to highlight key properties, provide an online viewing, or for any fun behind-the-scenes content.

Tiktok is also becoming a powerful search engine, with users turning to the app to answer their questions. Recently, a Google exec disclosed that their research shows almost 40% of young users used TikTok or Instagram to look for a place for lunch instead of Google Maps. With this in mind, estate agents should implement TikTok as a tool in their social strategy, sharing informational content surrounding commonly asked questions by those looking to get on the property ladder. 

2. Use Instagram Reels to Improve Reach and Engagement

As nine in 10 Instagram users watch Instagram reels, estate agents not using the tool are missing out on a trick.  Reels are currently favoured by the Instagram algorithm, which is more likely to recommend them to people who don’t follow you than feed posts. They even have their dedicated feed and are heavily featured in the Explore tab.

Allowing videos to be up to 90 seconds long, estate agents can showcase the various stand-out elements of a home and provide a walk-through of an entire property. Reels can also display user-generated content, such as customers receiving the keys, a couple’s first night in their new home, and much more!

3. Create Enticing Instagram Highlights

Instagram highlights, a cluster of archived stories that appear at the very top of your profile, are a handy tool to make a better first impression, organise your content and have a more professional look. These appear right after your Bio and can quickly explain what your page is about.

Estate agents can use Instagram as an extension of their website, and highlights can be used to segment the different types of services and properties on offer, for example, detached and semi-detached homes, to make it easier for users to navigate through your profile. Each highlight can include a unique link to a property or service page, increasing the potential click-through rate. 

4. Host Live House Viewings on Facebook Live

Estate agents can use Facebook Live videos, which average 64 billion views per day, to run virtual property viewings alongside their in-person viewings to maximise their audience.

Your Facebook audience can join in the house viewing from a phone or laptop, making it easier for estate agents to reach their target audience. Facebook Live videos also have a real-time chat function, allowing you to answer any questions about the property as you move through it, increasing the chances of people moving through the sales funnel. 

Estate agents with offices across the UK should consider creating different accounts for each region to target their Facebook Live videos better. Multiple accounts offer a significant advantage compared to mass marketing content from one singular Facebook page, increasing engagement and clicks to the website. 

5. Use Your LinkedIn Profile to Build Credibility

LinkedIn shouldn’t be left behind in estate agents’ social media strategy; with 830 million members from over 58 million registered companies, LinkedIn is the home of professional social media users.

LinkedIn has a wide variety of business details that can be added to your page or your employee’s page, such as accreditations, years of experience and the price range of homes you specialise in. Your LinkedIn profile can also form part of your social media marketing strategy. Potential customers may be more likely to reach out for your expertise after discovering more professional details about the company. 

If your agency also offers commercial properties, you can use the platform to target business owners with commercial listings. As Linkedin allows you to set up Showcase Pages, you can set up a commercial Showcase page as well as regional pages to target new regions. Showcase Pages have built-in analytics, just like Linkedin company profiles, to help evaluate the success of posts and engagement and to monitor audiences.

Kayleigh Morgan, Account Manager at Wild PR, comments, “Social media is an effective way to reach new audiences, build trust and authority and also to show your brand personality, which is crucial when high-stake purchases and consumer confidence is involved.

“Technology, customer needs, consumer perceptions and competition are constantly changing. This means social platforms are constantly evolving, as are how people use them. As we move into 2023, estate agents must adopt a social media strategy and keep up to date with the latest changes so they can adapt accordingly.” 

The post Five Key Ways That Estate Agents Should Be Using Social Media in 2023 appeared first on SiteProNews.

I recently sent out a newsletter to my subscribers advising them to look into this as one of the two major trends that will dominate marketing and business in 2023. You can subscribe to my newsletter and get analyses and strategy advice in your inbox every week here.

Until then, let’s take a closer look at decentralized platforms.

With the recent changes at Twitter, the world seems to want to move away from billionaire-owned social networks. And now, there are alternatives.

Mastodon is the most popular Twitter alternative at the time of writing. Jack Dorsey (Twitter co-founder and ex-owner) is building a blockchain-based social network, Bluesky (currently in beta). Thus far, it has been well-received.

What does this mean for “traditional” social media platforms? Will decentralized platform take over and leave the oldies user-less? Let’s explore!

First, a quick primer:

What Are Decentralized Social Networks?

Decentralized social networks are platforms that operate on independently-run servers. Traditional social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter operate on centrally-run servers that the company controls.

Mastodon, for instance, is a “federated” network, which means that the servers are run by a diverse range of users instead of a mega-corporation. As a Mastodon user, you have two options:

1. Choose a server operated by someone else and trust that they won’t use or manipulate your data.
2. Run your own server.

As expected, this federated model comes with a new host of benefits and downfalls.

Decentralized Social Media: The Good

The first obvious benefit of decentralization is the fact that costs are spread out among users, so the “mother lode” doesn’t feel such a stringent need to monetize their data.

Plus, with blockchain in the game, everything becomes more transparent.

Users also have the option to join the server that fits their communication needs best. From free speech for all to carefully curated and watched servers, there’s something for everyone.

Decentralized Social Media: The Bad

Let’s start with the tech issues: a lot of Mastodon users complain that the server they are on doesn’t run the latest version of the platform. This makes interaction slow, buggy, and unpleasant. While some are willing to put up with a lacking, stripped-down version of Twitter for freedom’s sake, others prefer to sacrifice some of that freedom for comfort.

More importantly, running a social media platform costs money. Traditional platforms sustain these costs with your data.

Decentralized social networks spread these costs among users. If you’re not a media corporation or someone who uses a decentralized network assiduously, you may get by with joining someone else’s server – this means social media is still free for you (at least theoretically, we’ll get to that in a moment).

However, it also means that the server owner can boot you whenever they want, with no explanations, just like it often happens on Facebook or Instagram. Moderation policies can change on independently-owner servers as well, so you’re not exactly safe forever.

Now think about media giants, like The New York Times or the BBC. Their costs for running a Mastodon server are huge – the more media, the more expensive.

Solutions? There are some.

The most obvious: pay and try to monetize.

Or: pool resources with other giants and share the costs – but also the benefits. Of course, this comes with a plethora of other problems, like who has the final say in moderation decisions.

Decentralized Social Media: The Ugly

For now, decentralized media looks like a happy place for everyone. That’s because it lives in a legislative void.

Unlike traditional social media, where regulatory bodies can intervene – and they have done it –, it’s hard to regulate…well, everyone and their mother. Sure, laws and regulations evolve, but they often merely play catch-up with technology.

Complete freedom at all cost fans may have a tough pill to swallow when they realize that decentralized social media isn’t free – in the monetary sense or in the free speech sense. No, not even if there’s no governing law or set of regulations to impede on your free speech.

Similarly, strict law devotees won’t find their safe haven on decentralized social media either. It’s mayhem – by design. Which means that abuse in all of its forms is possible and very likely.

Last but not least, the federated model doesn’t ensure zero data exploit. If you join someone else’s server, there’s very little guarantee that they won’t be using your data for…pretty much anything they want.

Final Thoughts

We don’t know what the future holds in store for the budding new social media trend. Will users flock to it?

Bloomberg’s Vlad Savov has makes an interesting analogy: “[T]he world prefers running Windows and macOS over the much more flexible and customizable Linux operating systems. We choose convenience even when it comes at the cost of capability. We want things done for us. And, most importantly, we take a lot for granted with free services like Twitter.”

He’s partially right: some users don’t have the tech chops for running their own social media infrastructure. Others, don’t have the time, and some others don’t care enough about it.

Yet, we mustn’t forget that the newer generations are authority challengers. They are digital natives, which means that acquiring new digital skills is a walk in the park for them.

The evolution of decentralized social media depends a lot on the traditional platforms – if they play their cards right, very few will have the incentive to leave them. Lawmakers play a big part here too: they need to carefully tread the fine line between protecting users and allowing social networks to monetize user data.

It’s too early to call it. But it’s definitely not too early to start experimenting with it.

Read more about recent trends to keep an eye on and get strategy advice on my blog.

The post Decentralized Social Media: Mega-Trend or Fad? appeared first on SiteProNews.

With the cost of healthcare rising even faster than inflation, people are turning to Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok to help manage their health. For doctors looking to capitalize on this, there are several factors to keep in mind as to how they manage their social media presence and reputation online.

Being Present

Decades ago, it was unheard of for a hospital or medical practice to advertise. Last year, however, the healthcare advertising market exceeded $21 billion, and it is forecasted to climb even higher over the next five years. 

Many of these dollars will go towards advertising on social media for two major reasons: one, it is highly targeted; and two, social media offers an interactivity that mirrors the doctor-patient relationship. Any medical practice without an active social media presence will be at a serious competitive disadvantage in the coming years.

What to Say (and What Not to)

While doctors can (and should) be thought leaders, they are somewhat limited by the ethical parameters of their profession. Top among these is their patients’ right to privacy. Doctors are prohibited from discussing a patient’s treatment or history with others, even in generalities. Confidentiality is a right so fundamental that the Hippocratic Oath refers to patient data as “holy secrets,” and this rings true on social media as well.  

When it comes to physicians sharing content from their personal lives, the strategy becomes more complicated.  For example, Instagram’s most popular physician, Dr. Mike Varshavski, boasts 4.4 million followers who are more likely to see photos of his physique or his dog than an endorsement of any single drug or wellness trend. He gives off the persona of an influencer who also just happens to be a medical doctor. Others have focused on overall wellness rather than medicine, such as Dr. Mark Hyman who often shares general advice on diet, exercise, and longevity with his 2.2 million followers, but also steers clear of anything patient or procedure-specific. 

Doctors on social media should not mix business with pleasure. If your account is solely for personal use, don’t mix in medical content. Likewise, if your account is for your practice or to establish yourself as a leader in your medical field, keep the content professional and focused on your niche.

Business Casual for MDs

As with other disciplines, practicing medicine on social media implies a balancing act between professionalism and celebrity. One of the first choices is whether to present oneself as a virtual friend or as an authority. Even if a doctor succeeds in striking the right balance between promoting themselves and their craft — or simply promoting a healthy dialogue — they must  immediately consider the flood of comments and direct messages that will follow a popular post. They must also consider the possibility of disgruntled former patients becoming online “trolls,” a fact of virtual life that has already resulted in litigation.

Just as Twitter and Facebook strive to take down harmful content, a medical influencer must grapple with, for example, comments not attributed to them, but ones still posted by others on their account’s content which might contain misleading or harmful information. They must also make it clear if a product they recommend, such as a pharmaceutical or workout regimen, has paid them for the shout-out.

Damage Control

As the saying goes, it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and less than a minute to destroy it. When a Michigan family physician named Jeffrey VanWingen decided to post some grocery cleaning tips on YouTube during the early days of the pandemic, he had no idea that his homemade D-I-Y video would be viewed more than 25 million times — or that it would create a firestorm. Some viewers immediately pointed out that tips, like washing vegetables with soap, were questionable, while others accused him of scare-mongering. What VanWingen quickly learned is that while there is an “edit” button available for posts on some social media, this isn’t the case with peoples’ memories or screenshots; you can either take down the offending video and apologize for your mistake, or double-down and stand by it. 

Damage control is a critical piece of a social media strategy, yet most influencers don’t tend to consider this when posting. Doctors may consider themselves to be the experts, but a single misguided or misconstrued post can irreparably harm an entire practice in moments. Always carefully review any content that goes out on behalf of your account, regardless of who is physically creating and sharing it. Any consequences will fall on your shoulders.

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Social media is where many of us get our news, find the latest trends, shop, and — of course — consume much of our entertainment. And over the past decade, we’ve rapidly seen celebrities on social media go from being influencers to influencers now being considered celebrities. 

The global influencer/thought leader marketing industry has more than doubled since just two years ago. By the end of 2021, just under $14 billion was being thrown at influencers who, in return for payment, would sponsor and promote a particular product or service. Influencers have become so influential, in fact, that they now have their own dedicated talent agency: Orland-based Izea. Last year, Izea’s revenues grew by two-thirds, and, even with other segments of the economy slowing down, the company is on track to post healthy growth in 2022.

Izea’s founders realized early on that brands would need influencers more than influencers would need brands. Now, the big debate is not if you market on socials, but who you market with — specifically, whether to go macro or micro. Macro-influencers are defined as accounts which have over 100,000 followers (or over 1 million for celebrities); micro-influencers, on the other hand, are most likely to have accumulated roughly 1,000-5,000 followers.

There is one major caveat, however. Influencer marketing isn’t just about the numbers. In fact, successfully marketing your brand with influencers is much more about their engagement rates with followers than sheer audience size.

Find Your Niche

According to ratings giant Nielsen, more than 9 in 10 consumers trust earned media or influencer/thought leader marketing more than traditional, paid advertising. But not all influencers are created equal, and brand managers will need to do some homework in order to find the right influencer match and score the best results.

While getting a shout-out from a major account or celebrity can make the kind of splash that creates ripples for days, using micro-influencers is actually a more effective way to target a specific audience. Like niche brands, micro-influencers have cultivated a loyal core of fans. Their followers are already interested in a specific industry, skill set or even a cause. 

For example, fitness is one of the most popular niches on social media. When gyms were closed during Covid, thousands of personal trainers took their regimens online, attracting millions of virtual clients as a result. Though some have gained followings in the tens of thousands (or more), most are micro. Still, those followers are likely to engage with a personal trainer’s routines on a regular basis. They are also much more likely to use sponsored products — protein bars or powders, for example — in order to get the results they see on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.

Authenticity Matters

For decades, big corporations paid television networks large sums to create a veneer of authenticity, often to no avail. That big box store is just never going to feel as personal as the boutique on Main Street, nor will a restaurant chain with thousands of location feel as authentic as the family-run, hole-in-the-wall diner. 

The same principle applies on social media. Micro-influencers are more engaged and connected with their followers because they have more time to foster and maintain relationships with them. They don’t have to mimic intimacy, they create it simply by being responsive to comments and direct messages. In addition, people are far more likely to believe that a non-celebrity actually uses the product or service promoted rather than assume it’s just about a big paycheck. In essence, authenticity has become the great leveler among micro-influencers.

Stretch Your Budget

As a further benefit for brand managers seeking to create partnerships, micro-influencers cost far less than their macro counterparts because rates are typically calculated by number of followers; the higher the number, the higher the rates. But savvy marketers and brand managers will pay more attention to user engagement to get an even better deal. 

An important question to ask is: “How responsive is the influencers’ audience?” Thankfully, it’s easily answered by scrolling posts for metrics, such as the number of likes and comments per post a micro-influencer receives. 

Better yet, by eschewing high macro-influencer rates, brand managers will free up their budget to work with these influencers in greater quantities. This is extremely important because it allows them to shop around until they find the right influencer whose followers are especially responsive to their brand’s value offering.

Despite all of the algorithms and formulas, trial and error is still the lifeblood of marketing. By going micro, you’ll leave money on the table for making your ad campaign as effective as possible.

The post Working with Micro-Influencers to Go Viral appeared first on SiteProNews.

Considering Facebook has an average of 1.62 billion daily visitors, paired with a worldwide advertising audience of 2.168 billion, there is a huge opportunity to reach a large audience through the use of Facebook ads as a business.

That said, with such a saturated market, how can you make sure that you’re making the most out of your business’ Facebook ads?

4 of the best facebook ad tips for businesses include:

1. Include a clear call to action.
2. Select visuals that are relevant to your ad copy.
3. Use Facebook ad targeting to your advantage.
4. Avoid overwhelming your target audience with lots of information.

1. Include a Clear Call to Action

The first tip that you should remember when creating your Facebook ad is to include a clear call to action (CTA).

This is important because an effective call to action can help to increase conversions and sales. In fact, when applied to emails for instance, CTAs can result in a 15% increase in conversion rates, emphasising how important they can be to bolster your Facebook ads.

Luckily on Facebook ads this is super easy to achieve by adding a call to action button in Ads manager. By adding a ‘Shop Now’ or ‘Learn More’ call to action, you will help to reinforce your ads. 

Regardless of what your call to action is, you need to ensure that it’s clear and personal to the consumer.

This is because you can miss out on valuable opportunities to generate traffic and increase sales, therefore missing out on revenue, if the call to action isn’t clear and accessible.

2. Select Visuals that are Relevant to Your Ad Copy

Another tip to remember when creating your Facebook ads is to select visuals that are relevant to your ad copy.

Visuals shouldn’t only be ‘appealing and engaging’, though this is important. It’s also crucial to ensure that they are relevant to your ad copy.

This comes down to the fact that your ad campaigns should fit seamlessly into the rest of your content, and if they’re not relevant, then you’re failing to support the message that your marketing copy is supposed to convey.

Think of your ad visuals as an extension of your ad. As such, they should reflect the copy that has been written for the ad in question.

3. Use Facebook Ad Targeting to Your Advantage

To make the most out of your Facebook ads, a big tip is to use Facebook targeting to your advantage.

So, what is Facebook ad targeting? As the name suggests, Facebook ad targeting is a feature that you can utilise on your ads to ensure that your ad reaches the right target audience. 

Despite the fact that Facebook will ‘automatically show your ads to people who are most likely to find your ads relevant’, targeting your ads is an additional guarantee that your ad is going to appeal to a specific audience that is already interested in your product.

As such, these people are therefore more likely to convert, meaning that you’re getting the most out of investing in Facebook ads.

Ad targeting as a process, then, helps you to write ads that are likely to be a hit with your target audience, thus helping to generate more interest and sales for your business.

4. Avoid Overwhelming Your Target Audience with Lots of Information

Last, but not least, to make the most of your Facebook ad, you should avoid overwhelming your target audience with lots of information.

Not everyone has time to consume large chunks of information. Think about it. How many times have you scrolled past an ad that had a large block of text?

Considering you need to grab your audience’s attention within 8 seconds, you don’t want to flood your ad with so much information that your target audience scrolls past it.

As such, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your ads, you should keep the copy on your ads concise and relevant. 

Convey the message you’re trying to get across quickly and do so through using simple language, as you want to maximise your chances of grabbing the attention of consumers and maintaining their interest.

In addition to this, you should also use engaging and eye-catching visuals that support the message of your ad, as this is much more effective and will remain in your consumer’s minds for a longer period of time.

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