The Latest Social Media News You Can Use In February
Happy February! Happy Black History Month! And a happy birthday week to me! This week, we’re looking at Universal Music Group pulled their music library from TikTok, Instagram tests a new group conversation feature in notes, and Meta attempts to address Finsta (Fake Instagram) accounts.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Universal Pulls Music from TikTok, Citing AI & Artist Pay Concerns
TikTok and Universal Music Group have called off negotiations. Universal, which owns the music rights to well-known musicians such as Taylor Swift, Adele, Drake, Billie Eilish, and many others, will remove all its content from the social networking app on February 1.
In an open letter to its artist and songwriting community, Universal claims to have pressured TikTok to provide "appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok's users."
Music has been a key component of TikTok's popularity. As a matter of fact, "TikTok users are significantly more likely to both discover and share new music content in the app, while 75% of its users also find new artists via TikTok clips," according to Social Media Today.
Instagram Tests New Conversation Starters in Notes
We are back with another Instagram Notes update! IG Notes are short messages (maximum of 60 characters) that appear at the top of the Instagram direct message inbox. Notes disappear after 24 hours of publication and can include music snippets and tiny five-second movies.
A fresh test of Notes prompts started earlier this week, incorporating typical conversation starters to help people create group discussions via Instagram direct messaging. As mentioned a few weeks back, Notes are prevalent among youthful users.
According to Instagram, teens are ten times more likely to create a note within the app. Instagram is observing and making a concerted effort to keep these younger users on the platform, and they will continue to prioritize upgrading Notes to keep these users interested.
Catch You on the Flipside!
Instagram has added another opportunity to engage with a smaller group. "Flipside," a new private sharing option, has recently debuted, as noted by Social Media Today. Similar to a Finsta account, this feature provides an alternative profile area accessible only to you and your selected connections.
This shift underscores Instagram's dedication to encouraging more private sharing, consistent with the recent trend in social apps. As mentioned in the article, fewer users are choosing to post on their public feeds in favor of smaller, more intimate engagement circles, a trend that Instagram has identified as noteworthy.
Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, stated on Threads, "We're not even sure we'll launch it on Instagram." On the one hand, it feels fantastic to create a clear and private place. On the other hand, it's another approach to reach a smaller audience, in addition to secondary accounts and close friends. We'll see how people react in the test and iterate accordingly."
Have a great start to the week!
More Social Media & Influencer Marketing News You Need In January
Chicago has finally made it through the big freeze and that means we’re one step closer to my birthday! This week, we’re looking at how more social media trends are worth knowing in 2024, the rise of long-form video content, and a recent study shows that global media ad spend is going up.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
16 Most Important Social Media Trends for 2024
It's the start of the year, and that means trends are still top of mind. Hootsuite has now shared 16 trends that will be important for advertisers. Here are a couple worth knowing:
Social Media Is Turning Into a Search Engine: If consumers want to learn more about a product or service, Google search results don't always provide genuine results insights from actual consumers. But do you know where you may find a wealth of guidance from real people? That's right: social media.
In 2024 and beyond, social media platforms pose the greatest threat to traditional search engines. TikTok has integrated Google search results into its in-app results, and the platform's Creative Center now includes powerful search capabilities such as Keyword Insights.
Longer Form Content: We've discussed this in the past, but expect longer videos (2-5 minutes) to reappear. First, the major platforms continue to increase their maximum video lengths. Instagram Reels can now last up to 15 minutes, while TikTok is reportedly attempting the same duration (more soon). X (Twitter) also launched its premium service, which allows paid users to upload videos up to two hours long.
TikTok Experiments with 30 Minute Uploads
The app, once known for its 15-second videos reminiscent of the now-defunct Vine, has evolved, increasing the maximum post limit. TikTok is currently experimenting with 30-minute uploads on the beta version of the app, which is similar to the span of a sitcom.
TikTok's ultra-short-form videos initially appealed to viewers with short attention spans and an insatiable demand for material. The post-restriction gradually increased from 60 seconds to 3 minutes, eventually reaching 15 minutes.
So, what does this mean for the content creators? Increased possibilities for monetization. Longer videos provide more options for pre and mid-roll advertising, allowing creators to generate greater cash. This move is especially helpful for creators who previously earned most of their income from longer-form channels such as YouTube.
Global Mobile Ad Spend to Reach $402B in 2024 Fueled by Social & Creators
According to Data.ai's new State of Mobile 2024 report, global mobile ad expenditure will reach $362 billion in 2023, up 8% from the previous year, fueled by revenue from short-form video and video-sharing apps. According to the estimate, mobile ad expenditure will reach $402 billion in 2024, an 11% rise over the previous year.
Which app is leading the charge? None other than TikTok: "In 2024, TikTok stands poised to surpass gaming giants and secure its position as the highest-grossing app in history," said data.ai CEO Theodore Krantz in a statement.
Social apps and the creator economy are also receiving attention for new monetization alternatives outside adverts, with further growth projected in 2024. It is predicted to reach $1.3 billion, a 150% year-over-year rise.
Until next time!
Social Media News For You In January
This week, we’re diving deeper on all things YouTube and how utilizing hashtags on LinkedIn may not have the impact you’re expecting like it does on other platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
Short-form Video Moves Beyond Mobile Devices
Speaking of short-form video content, this type of video has always been associated with watching on one's mobile device. However, consumers are now utilizing their connected TVs (CTVs) to view it. According to internal data, views of YouTube Shorts on CTVs have increased by more than 75% in the United States and 100% globally, demonstrating that vertical video content is popular even in horizontal formats.
It's a new chapter in the streaming experience, and we anticipate that other video platforms will heavily rely on non-traditional, multi-format commercials to help advertisers find new ways to connect with viewers. Like social media content, more engaging ad experiences capture and hold viewers' attention. Platforms have already begun to explore more immersive tactics, with short-form ads on CTV, shoppable TV ads, stop ads, and even 'zen ads.'
Do You Need to Use Hashtags on LinkedIn?
As the algorithms of the most popular social media platforms continue to evolve, the necessity for hashtags to enable one's content to be found has decreased. Social media platforms are now far better at capturing the full context of a post's text, including pictures, user history, and all keywords. But is that true on a platform like LinkedIn, where content is more for professional content and B2B organizations typically thrive?
According to SocialMediaToday, LinkedIn says "Using hashtags can be a useful tool for visitors to quickly understand what a post is about and find other similar topics. To be most successful, hashtags should be directly related to the post's theme. In addition to hashtags, we use conversation topics and keywords to find relevant material."
We can infer from this that LinkedIn relies less on hashtags for users to discover new posts, but your content can still utilize hashtags to increase the impact and reach of your postings. You want to ensure that your hashtags are relevant to your content.
YouTube Adds Simplified Tools to Edit Long-Form Clips into Shorts
YouTube is making it easier for content creators to start publishing YouTube Shorts by enabling them to create short-form video content with their Shorts editing UI and the "remix" feature. Creators can now repurpose existing long-form content and resize it for YouTube Shorts, avoiding the need to reshoot any additional footage.
At the Motion Agency, we've seen the rise of YouTube Shorts, which is YouTube's fastest-growing content type, now driving more than 50 billion daily views in the app. Want to learn more, just watch this Short from YouTube?
Want more social media and influencer marketing news? Be sure to check out the latest podcasts I’ve been on sharing my learnings and insights. If you’ve only got time for an article, then uncover the keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and other deep dives on other social media topics.
The Latest Social Media News You Need to Know in January
Happy New Year! This week, we’re looking at how brands can craft strong hooks on social media, the controversial social media law in Ohio has been paused by a federal judge, and a cool campaign by Burger King Brazil has hungover adults submitting selfies.
Are you looking for more like covering my favorite social media tools to use, like GoCharlie.ai. Or keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and more deep dives on other social media or influencer marketing topics.
How to Master Scroll-Stopping Social Media Hooks
Like most forms of advertising, a hook is an eye-catching, scroll-stopping line of copy that serves as the first point of interaction between marketers and their audiences. And on social media, brands, and content creators want their hooks to pique the interest of their target audience and entice them to interact with their content. A compelling social media hook can relate to your target audience by prompting them to take action with your content.
If your content isn't driving the types of engagements you're used to seeing, tweaking your copy may be worthwhile. Here are some elements that effective social media hooks have in common:
Be short, sweet, and to the point
Authenticity wins.
Relevance is queen (or king)
Speak your audience's language
Match the mood
Want to get inspired? Check out this list of 100+ social media hooks!
Ohio's Child Social Media Law is Paused
The state of Ohio recently enacted legislation that would have gone into effect on January 15th, requiring social media platforms to obtain parental consent before creating accounts for minors under 16. However, a federal judge decided that the law "violates the First Amendment in breathtakingly blunt ways" and halted the legislation from being implemented.
The regulation was inspired by widespread public concern about the harmful effects of social media on mental health. NetChoice, a tech sector organization comprised of Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snap, is challenging the law. The group claimed the measure violates the First Amendment rights of minors in Ohio and those of social media corporations.
Burger King In Brazil Uses Facial Recognition to Give Discounts to Hungover Adults
Burger King launched a new campaign called "Hangover Whopper" that used facial recognition technology to determine a customer's hangover level and offer a discount on a Whopper sandwich. The campaign was accessible through the Burger King app until January 2nd.
The campaign used facial recognition technology to determine a person's "hangover level" on a scale of one to three. It would then provide a coupon for the Whopper Jr. Double, Whopper, or Whopper Double, depending on their hangover level. The selfies could then be shared on social media, expanding the campaign's reach.
This is just another of Burger King's latest in a series of playful marketing campaigns to drive user engagement when it comes to the Burger King app.
If you’re new to my website, be sure to check out the latest podcasts I’ve been on sharing my learnings and insights. If you’ve only got time for an article, then uncover the keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and other deep dives on other social media topics.
Social Media Highlights from 2023 and Trends to Watch in 2024 - The Motion Agency
Note: This blog was originally published on The Motion Agency’s blog on December 27, 2023.
The holidays are in full swing, and if you’re someone like me who works in marketing or advertising, that can only mean one thing: the resurgence of trend articles making predictions for next year.
At The Motion Agency, we pride ourselves on always having a POV. So, before we all step away for some well-deserved rest and time with loved ones, we wanted to look back at some of the most popular social media trends of 2023 and what we can expect in 2024.
Here we go.
Social Highlights from 2023 and How They Will Shift in 2024
1. Brands put more money behind video production.
At the beginning of the year, brands recognized the need to create video content. The most popular social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, prioritize short-form videos shot vertically, so forward-thinking brands committed to investing more in video content creation to ensure that their brand stands out in an ever-evolving social media ecosystem.
In 2024: Video will still reign. If the conversation around short-form video needs at your organization has yet to begin, it’s time to start petitioning for more resources in the new year. Help your leadership team understand the risks of neglecting social media video assets and how they will help your organization stand out against its competitors.
2. Brands experimented with emerging (and re-emerging) networks.
There were plenty of social media changes in 2023, and as marketers, staying up to date on the latest platform changes can feel like a full-time job on its own. Thankfully, teamwork makes the dream work, and at Motion, we collectively kept an eye on the new social media platforms that launched this year.
Some platforms saw success in 2023, such as Meta’s new app, Threads. Since launching in July, Threads has become the fastest-growing app of all time, receiving more than 100 million downloads (and 70 million less than two days after launch, no less).
Other apps, like Lemon8, have struggled to grow their user base at similar speeds. Lemon8 focuses on lifestyle content, allowing artists to post photos or short videos categorized by niche. Lemon8 also enables creators to tag posts with product details, links and prices, bridging the gap between audience and influencer. Think of a combination of Pinterest and TikTok.
In 2024: Expect brands to lean more into existing platforms like TikTok, where the typical American spends 80 minutes in-app daily, while also taking the leap and expanding their social media marketing efforts on new platforms like Threads.
3. The creator economy continued to blossom.
At Motion, we view influencers as an effective marketing strategy for organizations looking to reach new audiences at scale. (Miss our crash-course on developing a successful influencer campaign? Check it out here.
And in 2023, we saw brands continue to leverage influencers to help achieve their marketing goals. In fact, one report shows that content creator and influencer viewership will surpass 10 trillion monthly views across all social platforms by the end of the year.
What does that mean? Influencer content will be watched 13.2 times more than traditional media and brand content by the start of the new year.
In 2024: Commit to exploring how content creators and influencers can help your brand. Need to know the type of influencers your brand should partner with? Start with your community. Look through your followers, superfans, customers and business partners. You’ll likely identify a few individuals who would love to collaborate with your brand to create sponsored content.
4. Employee advocacy steps in as the to-beat social media strategy for brand awareness.
Employee advocacy has long been a hidden social media marketing gem that can help organizations in nearly any industry, and it took center stage this year due to increased costs regarding paid social media advertising and dwindling organic reach.
Companies that have already launched employee advocacy programs reported increased brand recognition, qualified job seekers and greater control over brand messaging and thought leadership.
In 2024: As more success stories emerge, employee advocacy will become the preferred approach to establishing a brand presence in many industries, including B2B brands.
One platform we expect to see continued success in cultivating employee advocacy is LinkedIn. This platform gives brand a dedicated channel to best connect with their employees but also share ideas and forge relationships with potential customers and other industry stakeholders.
Social Media Trends to Expect in 2024
Now that we’ve looked at some of the most talked-about social media trends in 2023 and how they will continue to evolve next year, here are the 2024 trends every social media marketer should have on their radar in the new year.
1. Brands will turn influencer content into paid ads.
Brands’ top priority in 2024? Making the most of their influencer marketing collaborations and limited budgets. This entails prioritizing high-quality content that can be repurposed for web or paid ads to boost conversions and overall engagement.
More brands will routinely include paid ad content in their partnership agreements, especially when trying to reach a niche audience with authentic content. For one of our clients at Motion, we recently launched a multi-market influencer campaign where each influencer granted our client permission to run their sponsored content as ads across Meta and TikTok.
Brands: Be prepared to allocate more resources to your influencer campaigns to account for this additional marketing tactic.
2. Long-form video is here to stay.
We discussed how short-form video content was a priority for brands in 2023, but that doesn’t mean consumers don’t want to watch content that lasts longer than 90 seconds.
Platforms like TikTok increased its video duration for uploaded videos to 10 minutes in 2022. They recently claimed that number will go up to 15 minutes, indicating that long-form video content is here to stay. From vlogs to product reviews to educational content, well-known niches such as the beauty or tech communities are producing longer videos for users on TikTok and Instagram.
Short-form content like TikToks and Reels has relied heavily on trending audio tracks or sounds for creative inspiration. However, in 2024, depending exclusively on popular music is no longer a long-term approach for your brand’s channel. Instead, focus on a creative approach that’s authentic to your brand and grounded in strategic insights that will lead to educational, entertaining or informative content for your target audience.
3. Artificial intelligence (AI) will take on an increased role in content marketing.
When generative AI entered the mainstream in 2023, it caused a seismic upheaval, eliciting a wide range of emotions from almost everyone with an opinion. And yet, organizations report wanting to increase their use of artificial intelligence across multiple activities—sometimes doubling or quadrupling it.
Companies like Later embraced AI by adding features like Caption Writer, which can generate a social media caption in seconds. And this helps confirm social media marketers who have jumped on this trend. According to Hootsuite’s 2024 Social Trends Survey, marketers reported a 318% increase in how much organizations plan to use AI for customer support activities in 2024 and a 260% increase in how much organizations plan to use AI for editing images in 2024.
Although AI can be a helpful tool, but “human guidance and judgment is still required throughout the creative development process,” wrote Motion’s Vice President, Group Creative Director, Terry Mertens. “We may begin looking to AI to expedite ideation, perhaps, or to come up with creative concepts we might otherwise not, but we still need to direct its thinking, evaluate and refine its product and ultimately determine the viability of an idea based on strategic realities that an AI-engine can’t access without human direction.”
4. Brands will evaluate what the platforms they want to be active on.
With potentially less marketing dollars to work with, some brands will take a step back to decide what social channels are bringing value and which, frankly, aren’t.
Quality over quantity is the name of the game here. For brands trying to evaluate which marketing channels have the biggest impact on their overall business goals, conduct a social media audit. This will assist you in identifying your hero platforms so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed with your social media strategy in 2024.
Even if a platform delivers a positive ROI now, it may not be worth the investment later, especially if your other social media channels have better long-term potential. For example, if your brand on X is currently driving more impressions compared to Instagram, we wouldn’t recommend giving up on Instagram and doubling down on X. We’ve all seen the highlights (or lowlights) of Elon Musk and his changes to the platform formally known as Twitter, and who knows what changes will come in 2024 that could hinder brands on the platform even more.
As we look to 2024, brands must be more careful about where they devote their marketing resources and time. It’s critical to focus on what will most impact your company rather than hopping on a trend or a new platform just because it’s mentioned in the news.
If you need help figuring out where to start in 2024, let’s connect to create a results-driven social media marketing strategy that gives your brand the boost needed to accelerate growth.
Social Media Best Practices For Small Business Owners
Social media has become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes. It offers an incredible platform to connect with customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales. However, with so many businesses vying for attention on social media, it's crucial to have a well-thought-out strategy to stand out from the crowd. When you’re a small business owner who has limited resources compared to larger businesses, it’s important to maximize your efforts on social media.
In this blog, we will explore the best practices that small business owners need to know to optimize their social media profiles and maximize engagement. So, whether you're just starting your small business or looking to enhance your existing social media presence, let's dive in and discover how to make the most of this powerful marketing tool.
Creating a Social Media Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses
Creating a social media marketing strategy is essential for small businesses in today's competitive landscape. Social media provides a platform for small businesses to establish their brand identity and build a sense of community in the communities you serve. Over time this will help you stand out from your competitors both locally and online. Small businesses can see positive results by implementing a goal-driven social media strategy, including attracting new customers and driving sales.
One of the key benefits of social media for small businesses is the ability to build awareness and reach potential customers. Social media serves as an authentic reflection of a company's values and offerings, allowing customers to get a glimpse of what the business is all about. Positive comments and shout-outs from satisfied customers on your social media channels can also impact a small business's reputation and credibility.
In addition to building awareness, social media allows small businesses to engage with their target audience, help nurture leads, and eventually drive sales. Consumers often turn to platforms like Facebook and Instagram to learn more about a business before purchasing, making it essential for small businesses to have a well-rounded social media presence.
To create a successful social media marketing strategy, small businesses should plan their content, ensuring consistency and diversity in their content formats. Quality should always be prioritized over quantity, and small businesses should stay relevant to current trends. It's also important to set a budget and goals for social media marketing efforts, identify target audiences, and research their preferences and interests.
Small businesses should extend their social marketing efforts to networks that add value to their target audience. Proper setup and optimization of social media profiles and bios are crucial for attracting and engaging followers. It's also important for small businesses to respond to customer inquiries and feedback promptly, and not just focus on self-promotion. Encouraging engagement and providing valuable content will help small businesses build a loyal following.
Ultimately, social media is a powerful tool for marketing, and small businesses should leverage its potential to grow their brand and reach their target audience. By posting regularly, optimizing their profiles, and providing content that resonates with their audience, small businesses can establish a solid social media presence and see significant benefits for their business.
Maximizing Engagement: Tips for Encouraging Customer Interaction on Social Media
Now that we understand what social media engagement is and how to measure it, let's dive into some tips for increasing engagement on your business’ social media channels.
The first tip is to post compelling content. This means understanding your target audience's needs and wants and creating content that captures their attention. Research different types of posts and consider the topics that interest your followers. Informative and entertaining content can develop strong relationships with your followers and generate likes, shares, and comments.
In addition to compelling content, visuals are crucial in social media engagement. Posts that include images or videos are more likely to attract engagement. High-quality photos, funny memes, infographics, and GIFs can all help increase brand awareness and boost engagement. Use relevant imagery and captions that evoke emotion to impact social media engagement.
Engaging with your audience is another effective way to encourage customer interaction. Responding to comments, asking questions, and starting conversations can spark further engagement and make your audience feel valued. It's essential to be proactive in fostering interactions with your followers.
Using hashtags strategically can also increase the visibility of your posts and attract a wider audience. Research popular hashtags in your industry and incorporate them into your posts to reach a larger pool of potential customers.
Consider collaborating with influencers or partnering with other brands to expand your reach and attract new followers. This can increase your social media engagement by leveraging the existing audience of influencers or complementary brands.
Regularly analyzing your social media metrics and adjusting your strategies based on the data is crucial for optimizing your social media engagement efforts. Pay attention to which types of content perform well and which don't, and make adjustments to ensure you consistently improve your engagement rates.
By implementing these tips, you can maximize customer interaction on social media and grow your online following, ultimately boosting your brand's visibility and success.
Optimize Your Social Media Profiles: Best Practices for Small Business Owners
Optimizing your social media content is crucial for small business owners looking to maximize their online presence. A strategy that involves tweaking your posts and overall strategy to gain more traction, followers, engagement, clicks, and conversions.
Studies have shown businesses can acquire up to 62% of new customers through LinkedIn and 52% through Facebook using social media. This makes social media a powerful tool for small businesses, whether they are looking to increase brand visibility or foster customer loyalty.
One key aspect of Social Media Optimization is optimizing for engagements based on previous performance. This involves attracting consistent interaction from your audience on social platforms. To optimize engagement, it is important to reply promptly to comments, engage with your audience through likes and shares, and create attractive and relatable posts.
In addition to engagement optimization, small business owners should consider other areas for improvement.
To Sum Things Up
By implementing these social media best practices, small business owners can effectively leverage the power of social media to grow their businesses. Maximizing engagement through customer interaction, optimizing social media profiles, and developing a well-thought-out strategy are all key components to success in the digital age. Remember, social media is not just a platform for self-promotion, but also a space for building meaningful connections with customers and creating a strong brand presence. So, take the time to develop a comprehensive social media marketing strategy and watch as your small business thrives in the online world.
Be sure to check out the latest podcasts I’ve been on sharing my learnings and insights. If you’ve only got time for an article, then uncover the keys to gaining success with influencer marketing, and other deep dives on other social media topics.
