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11 Effective Ways to Use Facebook Ads http://ift.tt/2rQiOnc
Have you considered narrowing the goal for each of your ads? In this article, you’ll discover 11 examples of results-oriented Facebook ads you can use as models for your own business. #1: Remarket to Potential Customers Who Abandon CartsThis Bluehost ad gets Facebook advertising right on so many levels. Bluehost uses this ad in the middle of the sales funnel to reduce cart abandonment. The ad appears to people who have added a Bluehost service to their cart and prompts them to return to the website and complete their purchase. The ad features compelling copy, beginning with the question to remind someone they’re in the middle of a decision about building their website. The second line hits the low-cost barrier to entry to using the Bluehost service, only $2.95. Next, the ad uses text to provide extremely heavy social proof: trusted by millions of customers. Video makes this ad even more effective. Video is currently the best-performing type of content; people watch more than 100 million hours of video on Facebook every day. Also, by featuring different business owners, the video reinforces the social proof mentioned in the ad copy. Below the video, the clear link title, description, and call to action (CTA) also make this a strong ad. The link title, “Launch Your Website Today,” is clear and direct, design to compel users to take the final action to launch their website. After the link title, the link description reinforces social proof that appeared earlier in the ad copy and video. The description also highlights another benefit of joining: getting a free domain. The CTA, Shop Now, reflects what the ad would like customers to do: prompt them to finalize their buying decision and launch their site. #2: Increase Product TrialsIn this ad, UK mattress company Simba uses the carousel ad format with short, feature-rich videos and a single image to market its hybrid mattress. The single-sentence copy is used to grab the target audience’s attention by piquing their curiosity. Also, the brevity pushes the target audience to consume the carousel cards that highlight the product features. Attention-grabbing video, particularly in the first carousel card, is another excellent feature of this ad. The short, looping videos make the ad more immersive and engaging than regular images. Finally, the use of a single image in the second-to-last carousel card breaks the expectation of another video and effectively draws attention to the 100-day trial offer. As people look through the carousel, each carousel card title is used to highlight either a consumer benefit or a product feature. The card text is concise so it isn’t cut off in a mobile news feed. The Shop Now CTA reinforces the desired trial mindset. #3: Deliver Top of the Marketing Funnel ContentIn this ad, Moz features a video from its Whiteboard Friday series. The topic, choosing a domain name, is a great example of top-of-funnel content that delivers value to the target audience. This valuable information also builds recognition and authority for the Moz brand and Rand Fishkin, the CEO. Begin your ad with a question related to the video, the ad copy makes the topic top-of-mind for the target audience. The question should also build curiosity about the answers to the question. The second line of copy features a CTA, Learn More. As the video autoplays, this CTA gets the target audience to stay and watch the rest of the video. The CTA also references the video series title, helping build further brand awareness. This ad is another excellent example of video. Instead of the usual floating head, the video includes a whiteboard, which makes it feel like you’re being taught at school. The in-depth video helps deliver on the expectation by educating the target audience about eight rules for choosing a domain name. #4: Remarket to Potential First-Time BuyersEco-baby brand Kit & Kin uses a retargeting ad that features a carousel of images and promotes a 25% discount on their eco nappies to encourage a first purchase. The ad copy is used to emphasize the benefit to the target audience. The first line is written to clarify that this ad offers a promotion, specifically a 25% discount deal. The first line also clearly states the discount code that someone needs to use to take advantage of the offer. The rest of the copy is included to keep the focus on benefits. After stating a product feature, the copy describes how the feature benefits the buyer: “drier babies for happier mums and dads.” The final line of copy highlights another product feature, the print on the nappies and the aesthetic benefit to the buyer. The carousel images don’t show the product on its own because that would be boring. Instead, the product images show the target audience what the nappies look like when babies wear them. Notice how the first carousel title reminds the target audience that they can get 25% off. The cards that follow highlight the animals printed on the product and relevant emojis make the text stand out even more. The Shop Now CTA reminds the user that they’re in a buying mindset and will receive a discount. #5: Reinforce Brand AuthorityThis Shopify ad checks all the right boxes. Used at the top of the marketing funnel, this content ad helps build brand awareness while delivering value to the target audience. The short, punchy copy triggers curiosity with three one-word questions that the promoted content answers. Users are sucked in, knowing that they already use one of the loyalty ideas mentioned (discounts, contests, or VIP status). But are they doing it right? Are there more effective ways? This article provides the answers, which gets people to click. At first glance, the image seems random. But on further analysis, the image has a nostalgic feel, prompting the user to remember that as a kid, ice cream was a treat or reward. Similarly, this ad links to an article about reward programs. This ad uses visual nostalgia stand out to someone scrolling through their Facebook news feed. Last but not least, the ad has a solid title and CTA. The listicle-style article grabs attention by starting with a specific number. The ad also features a “Learn More” CTA, which is the exact thing someone will do when they read all about the creative ideas around customer loyalty programs. #6: Prompt Purchases With a DiscountGousto is a meal delivery company, and its eye-catching ad mixes value-based video content with a direct response discount promotion. The ad copy emphasizes the ad’s value to potential customers. In the first line, you learn about the percentage discount and that it applies not only to your first box, but also your second. The three bullets also focus on benefits by highlighting the wide range of choices, the free and flexible delivery option, and the product’s ease of use. The copy can also use emojis to make the ad copy stand out. The checkmark emojis at the start of each line and the image emoji at the end of each line grab the target audience’s attention. The video and CTA flow directly from the ad copy. The video demonstrates how the recipes in the meal boxes are easy to prepare, demonstrating the idea in the last bullet. Also, the Order Now CTA is consistent with the tone of the ad, in that it’s a direct response ad first and a content ad second. #7: Reveal a Flash SaleThis ad from beauty brand feelunique.com promotes a flash sale on Kérastase. For maximum impact in the Facebook news feed, the ad features an image that’s larger than images in most other link ads. Each segment of the image highlights something important about the sale. The top segment features the sale offer. The full-width lifestyle image features the product, and the focus on the model’s hair illustrates the product’s benefit. The third and fourth images feature other sale products in the same hair-care line. The ad copy creates a sense of urgency. The first line of copy builds scarcity by implying that the product will be selling fast and it’s a race to take advantage of the sale. The second line tells you the percentage discount and the specific product line. The final line of copy features the CTA with a Google tracking link to the product page. #8: Share Customer TestimonialsThis retargeting ad from Two Become One Jewellery mixes direct response messaging in the video and a testimonial in the ad copy. The video introduces the business owner and the testimonial adds social proof to the ad. In your ad copy, testimonials are among the most effective ways to build trust and encourage potential customers to take action. The testimonial hits four specific customer insights:
In the second half of the copy, the CTA gives users specific instructions on how to get in contact with the business. The video also plays an important role in this ad. By introducing the business owner, the video adds a face to the business. After all, people do business with other people. The video takes place in the company’s showroom, states the specific service the company offers, and ends with a CTA. #9: Promote Scarcity and ExclusivityThis ad from watch brand Larsson & Jennings takes an interesting approach to a discount promotion. Elements of exclusivity and scarcity encourage the target audience to take action. To create exclusivity, the ad copy specifies that you need to create an account to take advantage of the offer. To convey scarcity, the sale takes place during a short period of time, between the September 1 and 5. This scarcity demands that the target audience takes immediate action. Because the promotion is tied to a particular product, the image shows the product. Again, as in the Kit & Kin example, the product image displays the product in use instead of a boring image of the product on its own. Below the image, the first section of the link title stresses the exclusive element of the offer, “Private Sale.” The link title reiterates the discount percentage and the specific product on offer. For the CTA, instead of Shop Now, which you see in most product promotions, the audience is prompted to Sign Up. This CTA reinforces that people need to create an account before they can take advantage of the offer. #10: Advertise a Lead MagnetThis Leadpages ad is a perfect example of how to advertise a lead magnet. This Facebook ad is used at the top of the marketing funnel to generate email subscribers, who can later be upsold to the Leadpages software. Once again, the ad copy emphasizes benefits. The ad opens strong with the main benefit of the guide, generating more leads and sales. After this bold claim, the ad copy stresses the guide’s in-depth nature. The second paragraph explains the guide’s length, its relevance (being up to date for 2017), and that the guide is free. The image grabs your attention right away thanks to the blue background color, the same blue from the logo to reinforce the brand. The landing page examples in the image immediately reinforce that this ad is all about landing pages. In other words, the image is consistent with the ad text and link title. The first half of the link title features the same CTA as the button to provide continuity. The second part of the link mentions the title of the lead magnet. #11: Present Use CasesThis great ad from Philips uses both video content and the carousel ad format. Each video demonstrates a use case of their new OneBlade razor. The ad copy is short and sweet. The two-sentence copy precisely hits the benefits of using the product. The copy is quick to read, just as the razor makes shaving quick and easy. The ad copy piques the readers’ interest so they watch the videos in the carousel. Below the ad copy, in each use case video, the audience sees a different demonstration that illustrates the product’s flexibility. Also, in each video, the carousel title and description use a clever approach. Each title talks about a product action, such as “Go against the grain.” The carousel description follows with a benefit, such as “No doubts.” The carousel descriptions also reinforce the benefits in the main ad copy. After the ad copy and carousel make a strong case for buying the product, the Shop Now CTA takes people to the product page to make a purchase. Final Thoughts In an effective Facebook ad, the copy, visuals, and CTA need to present a compelling message. In your ad copy, don’t just list features; identify how your product benefits customers. For visuals, take advantage of video’s popularity and higher rates of engagement to minimize your ad spend. And make sure the ad copy and visuals build to your CTA. When your three ad elements work together to present a consistent and compelling message, your Facebook ad has a good chance of having the desired impact on your target audience. What do you think? What examples model a technique you’d like to try? Do you plan to adjust your ad copy, visuals, or CTA based on these examples? Please share your thoughts in the comments. Social Media via http://ift.tt/eZnnjC June 20, 2017 at 05:05AM
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Want to become a social media celeb? There's a college degree for that http://ift.tt/2sRMcOJ Wanna become an Instagram star? Now, you can get a formal education for that. A university in China is offering courses that are meant to equip students with the skills they need for online fame. From make-up classes, catwalk practice to dance performances, the Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College (YWICC) near Shanghai says it knows what you need to become a social media celeb. In a country with over 700 million phone users, it can be tough standing out. But top-earning internet celebrities, known as Wang Hong in China, can earn up to $46 million a year. It's no wonder everyone's jostling to become the Next Big Thing. The skills you need for viral fameAt the YWICC, students are practicing in dance studios and being taught how to dress fashionably. 21-year-old Mengna Jiang is one of 33 students — mostly women — majoring in the school's Modelling and Etiquette course. Students who complete three years of the course will be awarded with an associate degree. These are just some of the many modules offered at the University under this major. Some of the courses available at YWICC Image: YWICC/screenshot/google translate To cut it as an influencer, you'll need to know, for a start: "aesthetic cultivation" and "fashion sensitivity"; "public relations etiquette" and photo processing skills. "I like dressing myself up really pretty and take [sic] pictures, I feel like this major really suits me," Ms Jiang told news wire AFP. Mengna Jiang is one of many hoping to make it big If you make it in a country with over a billion people, your reach could be astronomical. Papi Jiang, one of China's most popular online celebrities, has a following of 44 million across multiple platforms. Papi Jiang has 23 million subscribers on Weibo, China's twitter-like platform In comparison, Ryan Higa of YouTube fame has 19 million subscribers. Making money and virtual giftsTurning your popularity into actual moolah in China is a little different from how Western influencers do it. The majority of China's online celebrities host live-streaming events, where they film everything from their latest shopping haul to just a regular Q&A session. Their fans who tune in to watch can buy them virtual gifts that can be redeemed for cash. For example, a virtual car bought by a fan could be cashed in for $20 — with a share of the profits going to the live-streaming platform. Influencers can also monetise their video channels the conventional way — through advertising. A series of icons at the bottom right of the screen show the different virtual gifts you can purchase For Mengna Jiang, 30 minutes spent live-streaming to her online audience recently earned her $12 in gifts. According to Analysys International, an internet consultancy firm, China's Wang Hong industry was worth $10 billion in 2016, and could double by 2018. Looks like the popularity of these courses aren't going to go away anytime soon. Social Media via Social Media http://ift.tt/1N1mMj1 June 20, 2017 at 04:27AM
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How “Hamilton” Launched a Bank – and a Brand http://ift.tt/2sLnoYT The best brands are timeless. Those that endure for decades—or the few that survive for centuries—have to continually find relevant ways to reinvent themselves. And sometimes that relevance presents itself in the form of an opportune moment in popular culture, like in the case of 232 year-old financial institution, BNY Mellon. BNY Mellon saw and seized the chance to engage with an insanely popular Broadway musical whose starring character just happened to be its founder – Alexander Hamilton. As Aniko DeLaney, Global Head of Corporate Marketing for BNY Melon tells it, “Hamilton” opened a stage door that allowed her company to share its story in a more engaging way than ever before. (Hear Anika’s story in her own words in the Renegade Thinkers Unite podcast, below – or read on for a summarized account). The Opening SceneWhen Aniko DeLaney became the Head of Corporate Marketing, she was well versed in the BNY Mellon brand, having been the head of marketing for six of its businesses. In addition to further building a reputation as a respected and trusted organization, says Ms. DeLaney, BNY Mellon’s executives also hoped to modernize its message. Fortunately, when Ron Chernow’s book, Hamilton, became Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway sensation, the real Mr. Hamilton had already been playing a starring role at BNY Mellon for over two centuries. “As long as I’ve been at the company,” says Ms. DeLaney, “we’ve always celebrated our founder Alexander Hamilton and his pioneering and innovative spirit.” As the show garnered acclaim, Ms. Delaney and her team understood that popular culture was celebrating a hero they knew well. They seized the opportunity, launching a year-long campaign to complement the moment. “We affectionately call it the Hamilton campaign,” she says, “but we officially call it our ‘Invested In Our Legacy’ campaign.” Throughout, BNY Mellon’s message can evolve into something relatable and relevant, with a story well-suited for digital and social media. Act I: The ContentMs. DeLaney and her team worked with creative agencies like Chiat/Day to bring the BNY Mellon story to life, launching on the organization’s 232nd anniversary. The company rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, deployed shareable fun facts about Hamilton’s bank on Facebook and LinkedIn, presented GIFs during the “Hamilton”-swept Tony Awards and a dose of humor from the voice of Alexander himself. For example, this tweet:
Says Ms. DeLaney, “Hamilton was such a prolific writer, so can you imagine him trying to tweet?” With a blessing from the C-suite, the social component of the campaign allowed BNY Mellon to enter conversations where it may not have been welcome before, Ms. DeLaney says, ultimately boosting brand visibility. “Gerald Hassell, our Chairman and CEO, is an Influencer on LinkedIn, so he really has set the bar very high for our company,” she says. “It’s very important to reach out to our diverse constituents in channels that they use.” The campaign also featured a series of videos for web and social, as well as TV spots bookending PBS/WNET’s documentary, “Hamilton’s America,” of which BNY Mellon is a sponsor. “It really brings to life not only the story of the show but also the story of Alexander Hamilton,” says Ms. DeLaney. The Continuing StoryAs Ms. DeLaney and her team moved forward with the campaign, she floated the idea of using new media, even VR, to tell the brand’s story. But to remain effective, the message had to resonate with the target audience. “More and more, especially with social media channels, we had to be really careful to make sure the content was educational and meaningful, but then have some fun with the creative,” she says. “Again, this was a theme we’d been using as long as I’d been with the company. Now, we were able to tell the story in a much more engaging way.” So far, the collective effort to modernize BNY Melon has put up impressive numbers, with triple-digit increases in engagement and awareness on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, according to Ms. DeLaney. Maybe more impressive, however, is the intangible impact on not just BNY Mellon’s public audience but also the company—the true measure of a good story. Call it the “Hamilton Effect.” “The content resonated, and I think it’s more than just how cool Hamilton has become, but it’s the person he was. He was truly insightful and innovative, but he also got things done. He was an implementer,” says Ms. DeLaney. “Having that special connection has inspired our employees, clients, and other constituents to be really proud of the company that Hamilton founded.” The post How “Hamilton” Launched a Bank – and a Brand appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer http://ift.tt/xMddWR June 19, 2017 at 01:33PM
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I can't be basic on Instagram anymore and it's all because of Stories http://ift.tt/2rIJPhm I can't be basic on Instagram anymore and it's all because of StoriesImage: vicky leta / mashable
By Rachel Thompson2017-06-19 17:15:07 UTC
Our Instagram Stories are awash with snapshots of our everyday lives. But, now that there's a hidden trove reserved for our most private — and dare-I-say basic — snaps. Instagram's already-very-high bar for posts has crept to a scary new height. Recently, somewhere between posting photos of chilled glasses of rosé and intricate latte art on my Story, I noticed a drastic shift in the way I was using the app. So drastic that I'm frozen by self-doubt when I go to post anything on my main grid. A few weeks ago, I did something I've been doing for years: I uploaded a photo to Instagram. That sunny evening, I casually posted a snap of my garden on my Story complete with a "lit" sticker. But, when I went to share a similar photo on my main feed, I hesitated for a moment. "Is this really Insta-worthy?" I asked myself. My finger hovered nervously over the "Share" button. I hit the button and instantly regretted it. I worried that the photo wasn't good enough, that it was too basic. I opened and closed the app five times before eventually opting to delete the photo entirely. Way back when Stories didn't exist, I had no qualms about posting shots of my food, cocktails or photos of me and my friends on a night out. But, fast forward to the present day, those photos wouldn't be allowed anywhere near my Instagram grid. In that moment, it dawned on me just how much Stories has changed the way I use the app. I now feel an added pressure to post only unusual, entertaining and *importantly* high quality photos and video. There's definitely no room for basic selfies or latte art. I am not the only one who feels this way. Blogger Vicky Charles says that before Stories first came out she "wasn't really bothered" about what she posted on her Instagram. But now she's "paying more attention" to her Instagram after realising she'd been posting too much, and at the wrong times. "I started putting the general "this is my day" stuff on Stories, and started using my profile for the better shots, which I started posting at a more specific time of day," says Charles. "I think the bar is definitely higher," she continued, as people now post "much more staged shots". Travel blogger Fabio Virgi says he's now a lot more selective these days as the standard for quality on Insta is significantly higher. "Stories definitely made a big impact because as a travel blogger, people want to see a lot of your behind the scenes stuff. If you're sharing that live via your Story, then there's less need for a dedicated post," he says. Virgi says Stories are a useful alternative when the lighting on a photo isn't quite right, or you haven't managed to get that "ideal" shot. He says posting it on your Story means you can avoid the "worry of quality and judgement". Fitness trainer Julia Buckley says that she's also felt a noticeable shift on Instagram, but she's found it "quite liberating". "Because stories will only be around for 24 hours, I'm more relaxed about what I post there," says Buckley. "But, yeah, I probably have started to feel like the images on my main Instagram need to be higher quality now." "In the photos and videos I post in Stories I'm not usually wearing any make-up, if it's first thing in the morning I probably won't have even brushed my hair," says Buckley. She says she likes showing her authentic self on Stories so people can see the difference between the kind of images fitness Instagrammers post and how they look in real life. Basic story vs Insta quality Image: rachel thompson / instagram / mashable composite But, by only sharing our authentic selves on Instagram Stories and not on our grids, are we widening the divide between the authentic and fake on Instagram? Since noticing the shift in my Insta-habits, I'm making a more conscious effort to ease off the pressure on posts. I don't want to censor my posts for fear of being too basic or mundane. After all, what's wrong with being basic? Social Media via Social Media http://ift.tt/1N1mMj1 June 19, 2017 at 12:38PM
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How to Build an Unbreakable YouTube Brand http://ift.tt/2sKtc4M One billion hours of video. That’s how much content is viewed each and every day on YouTube! That translates to 46,000 years of content annually. Another amazing thing about YouTube is the amount of time users spend on it. Believe it or not, the average YouTube session is 40 minutes. That dwarfs the amount of time people spend on Instagram and Twitter. Talk about engagement! Here are a few other ridiculous stats that demonstrate YouTube’s potency: But here’s what I find really interesting. Only 9% of US small businesses have a YouTube channel. That’s kind of crazy if you think about it. I mean YouTube is second only to Facebook in terms of users. You would think more brands would be taking advantage of it. But this is a good thing and means that YouTube offers plenty of opportunity. You just have to seize that opportunity. But how do you go about building a YouTube brand? Furthermore, what are some of the similarities among top YouTube channels? I’d like to share with you some key strategies that have worked for some of the biggest YouTube brands. I’ve developed some sort of a template, and following it will help you build a successful, unbreakable YouTube brand that’s distinctly your own. Come up with a unique angleOne of the most popular channels of all time is Epic Rap Battles of History (ERB). They’ve featured rap battles that range all the way from Steve Jobs vs. Bill Gates: to Mr. T vs. Mr. Rogers: It’s pretty hilarious. ERB has completely killed it and has a massive following. They had well over 14 million subscribers as of mid-2017. I’m not saying you have to be as original as ERB, but you definitely need a unique angle. To decide on an angle, you have to first identify your core audience. What kind of content would appeal to them? Would they go for humor and sarcasm? A lot of the top channels implement humor to some extent. YouTube is also a place where people openly embrace their weirdness, so it’s generally okay to be a little out there. Or should you be professional and go for an educational angle? It depends on your demographic and its collective taste. I recommend doing some brainstorming to decide on a basic direction to take. Of course, this will evolve organically over time, but you’ll need to establish a core identity and preferably one that stands out. Also keep in mind that most people use YouTube for one of two reasons. They either want to be entertained or informed, and in some cases both. Make sure you have a mission and a clear idea of the direction you’re going to take right from the start. Create a killer “home video”There’s a path that most YouTube users take when learning about a brand or channel. They’ll first land on an individual video. They’ll watch it, and if they like it enough to want to learn more about you, they’ll click on the link to your home profile. Your home video will automatically play there. This will basically make you or break you in terms of gaining subscribers. Either they’ll be compelled to subscribe to your channel, or they’ll head elsewhere. So, you need to completely crush it with your home video. More specifically, it needs to encapsulate what your brand and channel are all about. There are a few ways to approach this. You could:
Whatever approach you take, just be sure you connect the dots for first-time viewers so they know what to expect if they subscribe. Make full use of the About sectionEvery YouTube channel has an About section that explains the concept of the channel. Many first-time viewers will check this out to learn more about you. The information you include in this section will influence whether or not they choose to subscribe. Don’t haphazardly or carelessly fill out this section. You want to explain the details and highlight any points potential subscribers should know. Here’s a good example of a rock solid About section from Fine Brothers Entertainment: Notice that it gives a clear, succinct description and also mentions the posting schedule. Here’s another good example from The Needle Drop, one of the most popular music review channels: This is yet another opportunity to build a homogeneous brand identity and pique the interest of those unfamiliar with you. Don’t overlook the About section. Create consistency“It takes five to seven impressions for someone to remember a brand.” In order to make your brand both recognizable and memorable, it’s super important to have consistency on your channel. There are two main ways to accomplish this. First, your channel should feature recurring characters and themes. You want to become familiar to your audience to build connections with them over time. Second, you should strive to stick with a consistent posting schedule. In order to keep your audience interested and dialed in, you should give them a rough idea of when they can expect new content. I know I get a little irked and lose interest in channels that go MIA all of a sudden. It’s generally considered best practice to upload at least one new video a week. However, two or three videos is even better. I find the one to three video mark tends to be ideal. It’s the sweet spot that keeps subscribers interested without fatiguing them with excessive content. In terms of the best time to post, there’s an article from Tube Filter that offers some good advice on this. According to their research, these are the best hours to post a video each day: There’s also evidence suggesting viewership begins rising on Thursday and spikes on Saturday. And this makes sense if you think about it. Unlike most other social networks, like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where you can casually scroll through your feed with minimal time investment, YouTube requires a larger commitment, where users often view content in larger blocks. This makes the weekend the ideal time for viewing. Plus, people can be stealth about checking most of their social sites at work, but YouTube is trickier. Usually, they’ll need to wait until they’re off work to indulge. Keep this in mind when establishing a posting schedule for your videos. Make live video part of your repertoireLive streaming is a fairly new concept on YouTube. But it’s starting to spread like wildfire. According to Mediakix, “YouTube Live video views have grown by 80% and livestreams increased by 130% between 2015 and 2016.” And here’s the thing about live video. It’s absolutely perfect for brand building. There’s a certain closeness viewers experience with brands through live streaming. There’s an intimate vibe to it. You can even answer questions and respond to comments in real time and interact with your audience in a way that’s not possible with any other medium. Research from Livestream also found that
This is definitely something to experiment with if you haven’t done so already. However, there is one caveat. You must have at least 1,000 subscribers to be eligible for live video. But this number has actually dropped dramatically, considering the minimum number was 10,000 earlier in 2017. Collaborate with relevant YouTubersWhat’s one of the quickest ways to crank up the exposure of your blog/website and bring in an influx of traffic? One word: guest-posting. Collaborating with other awesome YouTubers is basically the equivalent of guest-posting via video, which can boost your brand dramatically. I’ve had success with this strategy. Take for instance the time I appeared on Tai Lopez’s channel. That one video generated over 275,000 views: If you really want to expedite the growth of your YouTube brand, I highly recommend reaching out to relevant YouTubers in your niche. It’s really easy. Find a person’s contact information on their About page, and click on “Send message:” Introduce yourself, tell them how much you like their channel and explain your idea for a collaboration video. You don’t even need to do the video face to face—you can record footage, interacting remotely through FaceTime, Skype, etc. This way, you can leverage someone else’s subscriber base to quickly grow your own following. ConclusionIt’s really hard to beat YouTube as a brand-building platform. The massive built-in audience (1.3 billion users as of March 2017) combined with the intimacy that comes with video is the perfect recipe for building your brand from the ground up. And like I mentioned earlier, fewer than 10% of US businesses have a YouTube channel. So, competition is still low. If you can consistently deliver epic content that informs, entertains or both, you’re way ahead of the game. Not only can you build an audience, you can build a unique, successful brand your competitors won’t be able to replicate. What methods have you used to establish your YouTube brand? Social Media via Quick Sprout http://ift.tt/UU7LJr June 19, 2017 at 10:02AM
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Social Media Beats Native Advertising for E-Commerce Websites http://ift.tt/2rMVjf2 According to some estimates, more than 56% of Americans prefer to shop online while 96% say they’ve made at least one online purchase in their lives. What’s more, e-commerce is growing by 23% each year, yet 46% of small businesses don’t even have a website! Since e-commerce is steadily growing, it’s no wonder that many businesses are focusing on setting up or improving their websites. The competition is getting stronger, which is why you need a strong marketing strategy to survive. Native advertising or social media, which one should you choose? Well, it turns out social media is more beneficial. Keep reading to find out why. E-commerce Trends in 2017Demand for e-commerce is growing with a vast majority of people preferring to shop online and an increasing number of customers who’ve made at least one purchase. It is estimated that by 2020, the market will grow to $523 billion in sales. Thanks to artificial technology now available to almost everyone, retailers will be able to gain knowledge on the most searched items and predict customer behavior. In 2017 and beyond, we will witness the era of 99% matched recommendations on e-commerce websites. In fact, the e-commerce market is now focused primarily on big data collection and personal experience, with retailers knowing how crucial customer experience is to generating repeat purchases. Native Advertising Doesn’t Suit E-commerce WebsitesAlthough e-commerce is experiencing enormous growth, there are still major differences between big and small retailers. Small e-commerce websites can’t really compete with eBay and Amazon and other big names with massive budgets. In order to promote the business and get more customers, smaller e-commerce businesses have to employ the most effective marketing strategies, while not spending too much money at the same time. A lot of e-commerce companies, primarily the big ones, are focusing on newer marketing strategies with an emphasis on native advertising, which usually relies on sponsored blog posts. Even though new strategies get a lot of attention and may prove to be beneficial for some companies, it doesn’t mean they are an ideal option for e-commerce websites, particularly when it comes to smaller businesses. Social Media Marketing Is a Foolproof StrategyFor e-commerce websites with smaller budgets, cost-effectiveness is vital. Spending too much money on expensive strategies is a wrong move while starting a social media campaign can be completely free. The only costs here account for instances when people opt for paid ads, which are still cheaper than native advertising. Native advertising can be quite expensive and requires tens of thousands of dollars to ensure success. That’s a substantial amount of money, which isn’t a viable solution for some businesses. Thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of social media websites, e-commerce businesses can experience great benefits from using these platforms for marketing purposes. Native Advertising Is Not Great for BrandingNative advertising is a marketing strategy whose focus is on generating leads, but it is not overly effective when it comes to branding. On the other hand, a strong social media presence is a great way to build a reputation, reach more people, and build a brand. Before you even start driving sales, you have to build a brand that will attract customers. These websites also allow you to work with social media influencers who can promote your business, increase your follower count, generate more leads and turn them into customers. For example, Facebook influenced 52% consumers’ online (and offline) purchases in 2015. The most popular social media platform features 40 million active small business pages and 4 million of them pay for advertising on Facebook. This is just one of many examples that social media platforms are effective ways to promote e-commerce businesses. Native Advertising Is ComplicatedIf you’re just starting out your e-commerce company, you may feel overwhelmed with complicated strategies. Native advertising is complicated and difficult to understand. It requires a lot of time to analyze everything and to determine what you are supposed to do. However, most of us don’t have that much time. On the other hand, social media marketing is easy, you can start today and easily understand every part of the process. That takes away the uncertainty and frustration, it’s easier to breathe and you’re more confident that the strategy will work. With Social Media, Targeting Is EasierThe success of your marketing strategy comes down to the audience you target. You will experience more success if you easily target a specific group of people, rather than reaching individuals who are not interested in that particular product or service. The truth is, the native advertising allows marketers to target an audience that visits some specific website or those from a specific region. But social media has a far better effect when it comes to targeting, which is yet another reason why this marketing strategy beats native advertising. Social media websites allow you to create an extremely specific campaign and target only a certain group of people if that’s what you wish. There are numerous parameters to choose from when posting content to ensure it will reach specific demographic. This is particularly useful for e-commerce websites that focus on a specific audience. Social Media Vs. Native AdvertisingNative advertising is a new strategy that brings significant benefits but it is expensive, focused on big companies, and difficult to understand. All these factors make it less beneficial for e-commerce websites. Social media marketing is a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness, generate more leads, and convert them into customers. Above all, social media websites are easy to understand and use. If you have an e-commerce website that needs more traffic and sales, social media can be a huge help. The post Social Media Beats Native Advertising for E-Commerce Websites appeared first on Social Media Explorer. Social Media via Social Media Explorer http://ift.tt/xMddWR June 19, 2017 at 09:23AM
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How to Add a Link to Your Instagram Stories http://ift.tt/2srkSEl Do you want to drive more Instagram traffic to your website? Wondering how to create swipeable Instagram Stories links? In this article, you’ll discover how to add links to your Instagram stories and find ways to incorporate story links into your Instagram marketing. Who Has Access to Adding Links in Instagram Stories?Like many marketing features on Instagram, clickable links in stories were rolled out first to verified accounts. In May 2017, however, Instagram began quietly expanding this feature to more marketers on the platform. Clickable stories links are now also available to business profiles (not personal profiles) that have over 10,000 followers on Instagram. There doesn’t appear to be any geographic restrictions to clickable stories links, and as the feature gains in popularity and usage, we can hope Instagram will continue to roll this feature out to even more users. Adding a link to your Instagram story is easy to do in just a few quick steps! #1: Start Your Instagram StoryYou can take an image or video directly within the Instagram Stories app or swipe up on the Story screen to import any image taken within the last 24 hours. #2: Add the Link URLTo add your link, click on the chain link icon at the top of your story. A new window will appear on your screen, allowing you to input the link destination of your choice. Type in the complete URL address and tap on the green check mark (on Android) or “Done” (on iOS) to save the link. Instagram Story analytics do not currently track URL clicks, so to measure your traffic and conversions, you’ll want to use a link that you can track separately. I recommend you use a link shortener such as Bit.ly or Rebrand.ly to create a shortened URL you can track metrics with. Once you’ve successfully linked a URL to your story, the chain link icon will appear highlighted to indicate your story has a link. #3: Continue Editing Your StoryAdd any other content including text, stickers, and filters to your story, then upload it to your profile as you would any other story. I highly recommend you include a call to action (CTA) in your story text to direct your viewers to access the link. Common CTAs include “Swipe up to see more” or “Tap ‘See More’ to visit our website.” How Your Followers Can View Your Story With a Link When people on Instagram view one of your story posts that includes a link, they’ll see the See More option at the bottom of the screen. While the See More prompt is clearly visible, some viewers may not notice it if they aren’t looking for it. Less-frequent users of Instagram may not even know to look for it, which is why it’s prudent to include a CTA as shown in the figure above. Effective Ways to Use Links In Your Instagram StoriesGiven that adding links to stories is currently the only way to add a specific link to any single post on Instagram, marketers may get over-zealous and add too many links too frequently. Depending on the number of posts in your full story, you may want to include one or two posts with clickable links to the entire story collection. For example, if your story is a series of three or four posts, only one should have the link. If your story has six to eight posts, you can include the link in two of those posts. And remember, not every story collection needs to include a link. As a marketer, you must ensure that the link you provide adds value and context to your story in a way that benefits the viewer. Here are a few creative ways to add links to your stories and benefit your viewers: Drive Traffic to Your Blog Posts If you incorporate a blog into your marketing strategy, you know the value of sharing that new blog post in as many places as possible. With links in Instagram Stories, not only can you alert people to the fact that you have a new blog post up, but you can include a link directly to that blog post. Complete Your Tutorial or DIY Stories If you’re using Instagram Stories to share tutorials or DIY tips with your audience, you may want to include a link to your website, with the complete instructions, at the end of the story. For example, if you share a recipe with your audience, the first post may be the finished dish, the next couple of posts would show scenes from the preparation process, and the final post in the story could show the plated dish with a call to action to Swipe Up to get the complete recipe from your website. Unveil Exclusive Content A creative way to use story URLs is to tease your audience with something they want to see more of. Zach King shared an Instagram story to announce the winners of a recent contest, but viewers had to swipe up to see the list of winners on a page on his website. This tactic also works well to reveal exclusive information, sneak peeks at new products or projects, or bloopers from a recent video shoot. Get creative in your approach to teasing your audience! Promote Your Products or Services Of course, if you have a product or service to promote, you’ll want to share that to your Instagram stories. Like most social media tactics, this is perfectly acceptable when used in moderation. Not every story should be used to promote a product or service. If you do choose to use clickable links in stories to promote your products, you should also use links for some of the other tactics listed here. This ensures that your audience won’t assume you’re selling to them every time they see a link in your story. If you’re going to promote a product or service or do a promotional campaign, keep it fun and styled similarly to how your stories typically appear. Conclusion This clickable link feature has been highly anticipated by many marketers who’ve been looking for more ways to drive traffic from Instagram. When used effectively and creatively, marketers who have access to this feature will definitely be able to increase website traffic. What do you think? Are you excited to use clickable links in your Instagram stories? Or have you already? Please share your thoughts or lessons learned in the comments below. Social Media via http://ift.tt/eZnnjC June 19, 2017 at 05:12AM
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Boomer Phelps' Instagram is the best thing about social media these days http://ift.tt/2tBDH6W If social media usage ever becomes an Olympic sport — which is truly not that unthinkable at the rate we’re moving — there will be but one participant worthy of a gold medal: Boomer Phelps. The one-year-old son of Olympic legend Michael Phelps and his wife, Nicole, first captured the hearts of America while cheering on his dad from the stands of the 2016 Rio Olympics in a massive pair of patriotic protective earmuffs. Since then he’s learned to walk, mastered the art of eating solid foods, and amassed an impressive 785K followers on Instagram, bringing pure, undeniable joy to timelines across the world. In a troubling time where social platforms should come with “open at your own risk” warnings, Mashable needed to know more about Boomer Phelps — the sole beacon of light shining through the darkness of 2017 social media — so we did the only logical thing: called his mom. Nicole Phelps, 2010’s Miss California USA and mother of the best baby on Instagram, gave us an inside look at all things Boomer, sharing the story behind his account and revealing who runs it, along with her son's 2032 Olympic plans. But most importantly, she confirmed what we already knew to be true: the kid is freaking adorable. Here are a few of the many things we love about Boomer. He’s a mini Michael PhelpsYou know that saying, “Like 23-time Olympic gold medalist father, like son?” Welp, it’s true. Boomer is just as obsessed with water as his dad.
Nicole says that for Boomer, it was love at first bath. "We learned at a very early age that was the best way to make Boomer relax, just to get him in the water,” she said. “It must run in the family. He loves the pool, he loves the bath, he loves taking showers — any way he can get into the water he’s happy.” Sure, Michael's retired but lucky for us Boomer is just beginning. He’s a star in the makingThink about it — how often do we get to see a potential future Olympian grow up right before our eyes? And though we don't know whether Boomer will follow in his father's footsteps yet, his mom isn't ruling out anything. "Honestly, you never know. Boomer definitely seems to have a passion for the water," she said. The couple claim they aren't pushing Olympic fame (really?), but Boomer seems pretty content splashing around. Are they really just going to let this talent go to waste? "The most important thing that I think Debbie [Michael's mom] did for Michael was just allow him to do what he wanted to do, so if Boomer does decide that 2032 is his year and he’s gonna go for it then we’ll back him 100 percent," she said. Still, Michael's coach Bob Bowman —who posts some precious pics of baby Phelps himself — says Boomer definitely "has the kick." And much like the rest of America, in Nicole's eyes, the only thing cooler than Boomer in the Olympics would be if Ryan Lochte's new baby boy, Caiden Zane, made the team, too. "Oh my gosh, that would be so cute," she said, laughing about the dream 2032 teammates. "It would be awesome." But if Boomer decides the athlete life isn't for him, that's fine. He already has another cool fallback ... drumming. "We actually have a drum for him and he’ll sit there just drumming away with the wrist movements and everything," Nicole said. A drummer? Named Boomer? Does this get any better? His appreciation of food could not be more relatableLike all great Instagram personalities, Boomer isn't shy about sharing food pics. He adores cheese (same) and gets extremely psyched for meal time, according to mom. "He’ll sit in his high chair and he gets really excited and throws an arm up like he’s riding a bull," she said. "He rocks back and forth and just makes his entire high chair scoot across the floor." He cherishes the weekend as much as the rest of usSure, Boomer’s account is a hub of positivity, but this baby is not immune to longing for the weekend. Being the very relatable baby he is, Boomer loves to lounge around and get down on Friday. You can tell by this very attractive photo of him waiting for the week to be over. Boomer Phelps is all of us. He even makes sponsored #content ok ... ishBoomer is already using his platform to endorse products, and surprisingly, we don't totally hate it. He's partnering with Huggies Little Swimmers to teach water safety to everyone who doesn't have the luxury of having a professional swimmer for a parent. So that basically means we're in for a whole bunch of adorable Instagram videos of him and his dad in the pool. He keeps things light and breezyBoomer clearly loves life and that's what makes his account so perfect. It's literally just a happy, innocent little baby having a blast — and with today's online political brawls and insult-slinging troll armies, that's pretty darn refreshing.
Nicole explained that we see a lot of negativity on social media these days, so she and Michael are doing their best to teach Boomer to find beauty in everyday life. "I think that our biggest thing is that we want people to smile when they see Boomer, and if that is where they find their light on a daily basis then so be it," she said. So who’s the voice of Boomer's Instagram?It turns out Michael Phelps is running Instagram's best account. "I’ll take all the pictures, send them to Michael, and then he talks for Boomer and posts," Nicole explained. "He asked me if I wanted the password once and I’m like, 'Nope. I want nothing to do with it, this is all you." Started from the bottom now Boomer's here"It took on a life of its own that I don’t think either of us really expected," Nicole said about the account. When Michael decided to do the first post as a way for family, friends, and fans to follow Boomer, he had nearly 2,000 followers. After the 2016 Olympic trials he surpassed 100,000 followers and kept going, leaving his own mother and Olympic athletes in his wake. "We always joke that we’re going to take this account away from him when he's older and make him get his own followers." But doesn't Nicole worry about thrusting her child into the spotlight? Apparently not. Nicole said she and Michael knew they wanted to secure a handle for Boomer before he was born, simply because they didn't want somebody else to have the power to post under his name.
"We’ve gone back and forth whether or not it’s good or bad," she explained, but ultimately the couple likes knowing they're the ones posting shots of their son and can show fans that they're a normal family living a normal life. So how does Boomer's following compare to his Instababy competition? Well, he's sadly not in the lead, but we know the kid's got potential. While other famous Instababies like Dream Kardashian (son of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna) have already hit one million followers before age one, everyone knows deep down that quality of posts is more important than follower quantity. So there you have it folks, definitive proof that Boomer is everything you need in an Instagram idol. Social Media via Social Media http://ift.tt/1N1mMj1 June 18, 2017 at 07:55AM
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Snapchat Marketing Features, Facebook Video Covers, and Twitter Changes http://ift.tt/2rGw8e0 Welcome to this week’s edition of the Social Media Marketing Talk Show, a news show for marketers who want to stay on the leading edge of social media. On this week’s Social Media Marketing Talk Show with Michael Stelzner, we explore new Snapchat marketing features, Facebook page video covers, Twitter changes, and other breaking social media marketing news of the week! Watch the Social Media Morning Talk ShowIf you’re new to the show, click on the green “Watch replay” button below and sign in or register to watch our latest episode from Friday, June 16, 2017.
For this week’s top stories, you’ll find timestamps below that allow you to fast-forward in the replay above. Snapchat Introduces New Self-Serve Ad Manager Tool and Certified Partners Program: Snapchat rolled out the Snap Publisher tool for building vertical video creative. Snapchat also announced that its self-serve Ad Manager tool is now officially available and it’s launching a Snapchat Certified Partners program “to connect advertisers to trained third-party ad tech tool providers.” (6:26)
Facebook Expands Video Cover Images to More Pages: Facebook began testing the ability to upload videos as cover images on pages in April and is now expanding this feature to more pages. According to a pop-up notification, admins may use a 20- to 90-second video that’s at least 820 x 312 pixels in place of a standard cover image. Adweek notes that “cover videos auto-play and auto-loop” and are automatically muted. An option to view the videos with sound can be found on the bottom right-hand corner of the video. (23:07) Twitter Rolls Out a New Look Across the Mobile and Desktop Interfaces: Twitter introduced a new series of updates across its mobile apps and web interface that features a new, streamlined look; the ability to open links and other websites from within the platform; intuitive icons; and more. These changes are rolling out across twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, TweetDeck, and Twitter Lite “over the coming days and weeks.” (36:50)
Twitter Powers Direct Messages With Smart New Action Buttons: Businesses can now attach smart new action buttons to Twitter messages that “make it easy for people to take actions outside of the Direct Message conversation – like composing a Tweet, following an account, or opening a website within the Twitter app.” These new buttons are rolling out this week to Twitter iOS and Android apps and Twitter’s desktop web clients. (41:12)
Twitter Tests Dedicated Module for What’s “Happening Now”: Twitter is testing a new way to showcase what other users on the service are talking about at the top of select users’ timelines. The new feature includes a label that reads “happening now” and features a carousel of small Twitter cards, “each representing a different current event or conversation happening on Twitter.” (43:22)
Facebook Rolls Out Two New Ad Campaign Tools for Marketers: Facebook introduced two new solutions “that can help grow your business.” The first tool is called Valued Optimization, which “enables advertisers to optimize their ad campaigns based on purchase value data passed through the Facebook pixel.” The second is value-based Lookalike Audiences, which allows marketers to reach new people who look like their highest-spending customers. Facebook Rolls Out New GIF Icon to All Users Worldwide: Facebook rolled out a new button that makes it simple and easy to search and attach GIFs directly in the comments box to all Facebook profiles. TechCrunch notes that the GIF button also displays the top “trending GIFs” just as it does in Messenger. Facebook began testing the new GIF comment button with content from services such as Giphy and Tenor in March 2017. This new feature is now available to “all people on Facebook globally.” (47:14) Facebook Adds Page Star Ratings to Business Ads: Facebook is running a test that allows certain business pages to include their four- and five-star rating results within their ads. Adweek reports that “only ratings of four stars and above will be shown in ads and pages that are part of the test group can easily opt out via their page settings.”
Facebook Expands Monetization Opportunities on Instant Articles: Facebook started testing ad units in the related articles section at the bottom of Instant Articles in late March. This week, Facebook announced that it’s “opening the test to all publishers on Instant Articles.” Facebook Shares “Highlights” for Personal Profiles: Facebook now provides select users with “Highlights From This Week” on their personal profiles. This new feature is found in Notifications and includes photos of the user’s top commenters and the number of reactions, likes, and comments generated by their posts in the past week. This new alert also encourages users to “continue sharing with friends” by creating more posts on Facebook. There hasn’t been an official announcement yet about this new feature from Facebook. (54:05) Facebook Allows Multiple Dates and Times for Recurring Events: Facebook makes it easier to schedule multiple dates and times within an event with a new Add More Dates and Times option. This was recently discovered in the event-creation process. This feature doesn’t appear to be widely available to all page admins and event creators at this time. Facebook Tests Related Live Video Recommendations: Facebook is experimenting with a new feature that suggests related Live videos after a broadcast has ended. Like with mid-roll ads, the broadcaster doesn’t appear to have any control over which videos are suggested nor the source from which they originate. (56:43) Instagram Releases Archive Feature to All Users: Instagram widely released Archive, a new feature that allows users to move posts that have been shared previously on the platform into a private folder visible only to them. Instagram Archive is available to all users as part of the latest version of the Instagram app on both iOS and Android. Instagram Makes Sponsored Content More Transparent: Instagram will start rolling out a new “Paid partnership with” tag that’s intended to clearly identify sponsored posts and stories on the platform. This new feature is expected to be available to Instagram marketers in the “coming weeks.” Instagram also plans to release an official policy and guidelines around paid partnerships on the site that are expected to be similar to Facebook’s current practices. Apple Rolls Out Analytics to Podcast App: A new version of Apple’s podcast app will provide creators and advertisers with basic analytics such as when listeners played an individual episode, what part they listened to, and what parts they skipped or stopped listening to altogether. Recode notes that prior to this update, Apple had provided “almost no data about podcast listening behavior” and “almost no feedback” on podcast advertising.
. Facebook Messenger’s M Now Offers Suggestions in Both English and Spanish: Facebook announced that “M Suggestions will be available in both English and Spanish, to all Messenger users in the United States.” New Google Technology Enables Any App to Have the Power of Object Recognition: Google now enables any app to have the power of object recognition with the release of MobileNets, “a set of machine vision neural networks designed to run directly on mobile devices.” Facebook Allows Verified Pages to Promote a Facebook Live Video During a Broadcast: Facebook rolled out the ability for verified pages to promote a Facebook Live video during the broadcast. Previously, it was only possible to promote a live video with ads after the broadcast ended. (1:02:46) Facebook Gives Advertisers More Control Over Ad Placements: In addition to giving advertisers the ability to opt out of having their ad appear in certain placements and against specific types of content, Facebook announced that it will launch more ad controls and make existing ones even easier to use “over the next few months.” These new tools will include Pre-Campaign Transparency, which entails “upfront, publisher-level transparency across the Audience Network, Instant Articles and in-stream ads on Facebook.” Facebook also plans to make the block process even easier and “allow advertisers to specify the types of placements (e.g., in-stream or native and interstitial) they want their video campaigns to run in through a simple opt-out. Apple Shares More Details About Business Chat: Last week, Apple introduced Business Chat, “a powerful new way for businesses to connect with customers directly from within iMessage.” Marketing Land offers insights into the number of “innovative features” and advantages Apple Business Chat has over Facebook and Microsoft, which boast established chat services. Snap Inc. Reportedly Develops Second-Generation, AR-Enabled Spectacles: Snap Inc. is developing a second generation of Spectacles. TechCrunch reports that “it seems increasingly likely that Spectacles II will ship with augmented reality features built in.
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How to Use a Facebook Personal Profile for Business: A Guide for Marketers http://ift.tt/2szmwWs Wondering how you can use your Facebook profile to support your business? Looking for tips to help you successfully blend your personal and business identities on Facebook? While Facebook prohibits people from using personal profiles primarily for commercial gain, you can use your Facebook profile to indirectly promote awareness of your business. In this article, you’ll discover how to prep your Facebook profile for a professional audience and find tips to help you post from your Facebook profile to support your business presence.
What’s the Difference Between a Personal Profile and a Business Page?When you initially sign up with Facebook, you do so as an individual. You create personal login details and share personal highlights about yourself for people you know in real life. You’ll also have the option to become friends with friends of your friends and even people you meet inside Facebook groups. Conversely, with a Facebook business page, you’re setting up a presence that’s all about your brand, business, or cause. You have the freedom to advertise and promote your products and services on a daily basis. While you can use a personal profile to promote your business in creative ways, Facebook expressly states that personal profiles are not to be used solely for business purposes. Before you begin promoting your business on your personal profile, make sure to read Facebook’s Terms of Service to make sure you don’t violate them. If you do, you run the risk of having your account shut down. #1: Adjust Your Personal Profile Settings for Professional ExposureIt can be tricky to blend your personal life with your business in a public setting like Facebook. It’s important to take precautions so you don’t share something overly personal, like a night out with friends or a family member’s private wedding. To check and adjust your profile settings, go to your home page and click the drop-down arrow on the top left-hand side of the navigation bar. At the top of the Settings page, you’ll see the general settings area where you can change how your name appears on your profile, add a primary email address, a mobile phone number, and even update your password. Many women enter their maiden name as their middle name on a Facebook profile so high school friends can find them. While it makes sense for personal use, you may not want business contacts to have that bit of personal information about you. Now’s the time to remove that from your profile. Next, focus on security settings. Among the options here, it’s a good idea to enable two-factor authentication and to identify trusted contacts who can help you get back into your account if you forget login details. As you move into the public arena with your Facebook profile, you’ll want to control who can see your posts, who can send you friend requests, and how people can look you up. Use the Privacy Settings and Tools section to make any necessary changes. For example, you’ll likely want everyone to see your future posts, so set that to public. If you’re thinking about allowing people to contact you through your profile for business purposes, consider changing the settings so you can receive friend requests from everyone. Choose Who Sees Individual Posts Just because you’ve set your global Facebook settings so your posts are public doesn’t mean you’re stuck sharing everything with everyone. Thankfully, Facebook allows you to choose specific audiences for individual posts before you actually hit Post. Once you craft your post, hit the down arrow on the Public button next to the Post button to reveal a menu of audience segments. Choose the proper audience and then click Post. If you’re blending your personal and business activities, this is a useful feature. The timeline and tagging settings area is where you protect yourself from having too much of your personal life shared on a profile you’re gearing toward business. For personal use, you’ll definitely want to let your friends post to your timeline and tag you in photos. That’s the fun of Facebook, after all. But your friends and family aren’t always going to be in a business state of mind when they’re out with you having fun or sharing an experience with you. To make sure you can control what shows up on your timeline, enable the features that will let you review any timeline posts or tags before they show up on your timeline. Pro Tip: Take care to revisit theses settings every few months to keep your personal activity safe and separate from people who may be viewing your personal profile for business. #2: Put a Professional Spin on Your Profile Picture and Cover ImageYour profile picture isn’t just something your Facebook friends see. It’s always public and is also seen in any Facebook groups you manage or join, so choose a photo you’d be happy to share with customers and prospects. To change your profile picture, hover over the current photo and click on Update Profile Picture. From here, you can upload an image file from your computer, take a new photo, or select a photo you’ve uploaded to Facebook in the past. Currently, profile pictures must be at least 180 pixels wide and are cropped square. While your personal profile photo is used in places like Facebook groups, your cover photo stays on your personal profile page and is seen only by people who visit your personal timeline. Depending on the type of business you have, you can use the cover photo to convey something about your business. If you have a family-owned business, a photo of the business with family members is completely appropriate for your cover photo. You can also show an image of an event you hosted or attended, or the interior of your business. #3: Update Your Profile With Professional DetailsIf you’re using your profile to generate brand awareness and leads for your business, people will be viewing your personal timeline so it’s a good idea to fill out all the boxed details completely. Think carefully about what you’ll include. To get started, click on the Edit Profile button found near the bottom-right corner of your cover photo. A window will pop up with a bio field and a featured photos section. You’ll have 101 characters to create a bio that shows at the top of the Intro section of your profile, directly under your profile picture. Then, you can choose up to five photos to feature under the Intro section. Think about including one or two photos that show you attending industry events or spending time with co-workers. Scroll down further in this popup and you’ll be able to customize what shows up in your Intro by checking and unchecking the boxes next to each entry. For example, you can choose whether to feature where you live, your work history, and so forth. Finally, scroll to the bottom of the popup and click on Edit Your About Info. Make sure to thoroughly fill out the Work and Education areas with information that supports your business presence. As you fill in the rest of the fields (Places You’ve Lived, Contact and Basic Info, Family and Relationships, Details About You, Life Events), remember that potential customers may see this information when visiting your profile so keep a close rein on it. #4: Preview the Public Version of Your Personal ProfileWhen you think you have your profile ready, it’s a good idea to double-check what your profile looks like when viewed by the public or by a specific person. To access the View As feature, you can either click on the three-dot button in the lower-right corner of your cover photo or click on View As in the Review What Other People See on Your Timeline row of Who Can See Things on My Timeline. Either route will reveal a new view of your profile you can use to compare how friends see it versus how someone who isn’t your friend sees it. After adjusting your settings, compare how friends versus the public see your profile. Use what you see to keep adjusting your settings and dial your profile in for a professional presentation. Best Practices for Business-Oriented Posts on Your Facebook ProfileIf you make the mistake of continuously posting about your business every day, you run the risk of annoying the most treasured people in your life or having people ignore (or hide) your posts. Instead, use a few of the following ideas to sprinkle things about your business into the news feed in a way that doesn’t violate Facebook’s Terms or irritate your friends and family. Share Real-Life, Behind-the-Scenes Moments It’s human nature to want to see something we haven’t had the privilege of seeing before. This is why reality television is such an important part of pop culture. People love to see unvarnished, behind-the-scenes activity. Here’s how you can give your friends and followers that same experience:
Highlight Customer Satisfaction Happy customers love to help promote your business. If someone gives you a great testimonial, share it on your profile. You can highlight some of your regular clients or introduce new customers by taking pictures with them and then tagging them when you post the photo to Facebook. Broadcast Facebook Live Video People with Facebook business pages are well versed in using Live video for their businesses, but it’s not a feature being used as often with personal profiles. Use your personal profile to stream video when you’re at a special event, a community celebration, or changing things up at your place of business. Link to Your Own Content Off Facebook Are you blogging for your business? While your friends and family may not be your ideal customers, they may still want to read about things happening within your industry or share something if it’s helpful to their own friends. Be careful, though, not to link too often. Utilize Facebook Groups A lot of business happens inside Facebook groups, and they’re an asset when it comes to creating brand awareness and promoting your business. You can join someone else’s group or create your own. Either way, groups make it easy to help, support, and encourage others every day, while offering a solution to their problems with your products and services. Conclusion What do you think? Which of these tips do you find most helpful? Do you have other questions about using a Facebook profile to support your business? Let us know in the comments below. Social Media via http://ift.tt/eZnnjC June 16, 2017 at 08:21PM |
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