How Your Social Strategy Needs To Change This Month
The social media platforms we’ve come to know and love keep flip-flopping and imitating one another. With new players shaking up the game, the established channels are changing so quickly it’s giving us whiplash. This week, TikTok is looking at boost-like advertising while Facebook commits to vertical video. Meanwhile, Instagram is finally ready to be linkable – in Stories, that is. We’ll give you all the details on how these new social media features should impact your digital strategy.
Photo by TikTok
Advertising on TikTok Just Got A Whole Lot Easier
After building a huge user base, TikTok is ready to cash in. The platform has focused on revenue by appealing to small businesses, adding new business tools, and making advertising easier and easier. Now, they’re taking a page out of Facebook’s book by incorporating promotions for existing organic posts. Their new ‘Promote’ option feels a lot like Facebook’s ‘Boost’ – with just a few taps, you can turn content into digital advertising.
So what do you need to Promote a post? Most importantly, an existing TikTok video. In fact, you should make sure your profile doesn’t look too bare before sending viewers to your page. Then, just select your goal, set a budget, and choose a time frame. And that’s it! You’ll get to watch the analytics roll in for your new Promoted post.
What does this mean for Florida Businesses?
TikTok isn’t going away. The platform has proven that it has the original thinking and strategy to turn its audience into revenue. With the platform already favoring content that feels real, the Promote option might be the way to go when you’re ready to start advertising. Start out with your best-performing post – it’s doing well for a reason – and run a promotion to see what results you get!
Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash
Links, Searches, and Trends on Instagram
Instagram is giving businesses a little insight into how to use their platform while continuing to tweak their product. First off, social media consultant Matt Navara reports that swipe-up story links are out and link stickers are in. We’re guessing this change might help links stand out and encourage clicks, so be sure to experiment with the new format if you can! These new story stickers are only available to those business accounts that could already use swipe-up links in stories – those with over 10,000 followers – but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that Instagram continues rethinking links.
In other Instagram news, the platform is letting us in on how their search function works. Results that appear during a search are based on (1) the text entered, (2) the user’s activity, and (3) popularity of search results. This means that post and profile engagement boosts your visibility in searches, so be sure to make quality posts that promote clicks, likes, and shares. Instagram also recommends making your profile search-ready with a relevant username, using keywords and locations in your bio, and hashtagging your posts appropriately.
And finally, the latest Instagram Insider shares a few tips on using Reels. Start with content that will inspire or educate your audience, such as tutorials or product videos. Film and design using a vertical 9:16 space. For mobile editing apps to create Reels, check out InShot, Unfold,
or VideoShop. Use relevant hashtags to appear among similar posts. With a little research, you can find emerging hashtags that are less saturated to boost your content. Finally, make sure your content doesn’t carry a TikTok watermark, post it, and share it to Stories and your Feed!
What does this mean for Florida Businesses?
Instagram has admitted that it isn’t a photo-sharing app anymore. With new features being successful, it’s worth trying new strategies to increase your discoverability online. Even if it’s as simple as posting more Stories and strategizing how you can use link stickers, take some time to experiment with your Instagram strategy!
Photo by Facebook
Facebook Gets Reeled Into Vertical Video
The reigning king of social media is hoping to keep its crown by adapting to the latest trends. The trend started back when Instagram introduced Reels, a vertical video that felt very similar to up-and-coming social media star, TikTok. Now, Facebook’s latest earning call confirms that they’re doubling down on video within its portfolio of platforms. According to TechCrunch, that begins with Facebook launching a test of Reels on its Facebook app in the U.S.
So you might see a Reels icon pop up in your News Feed sometime soon. The format has been very successful on Instagram already, so much so that Instagram declared it’s no longer focusing on photos. Combined with Facebook Watch increasing screen time and revenue for the company, it sounds like Facebook is ready to throw its weight behind Reels.
What does this mean for Florida Businesses?
While this is just a test at the moment, it seems likely that this is the next step for Facebook. Vertical video is becoming a must-have for businesses that want to capture attention online. Even if you’re new to shooting videos, this style is meant to be beginner-friendly. Make yourself some Reels and get ready to be discoverable all across Facebook and Instagram!
Ok, now what?
Now that you’re up to date with the latest industry news, it’s time to invest in a team that specializes in all things social media and digital marketing. We can help! Liquid Creative is a full-service marketing agency ready to help your business operate to its fullest potential without missing a beat.
