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Instagram Stories: Facebook Continues to Dominate Social Media

Posted by bert

instagram stories

 

Facebook is the social media behemoth and with the addition of Instagram Stories that doesn’t seem like it’s going to change any time soon.

It seems to happen every time.  As soon as a social media platform arrives on the scene and starts to take some of the spotlight, Facebook swats it away like Godzilla with a fighter jet.  While previous social sites like Myspace and Friendster had a brief moment in the sun before fizzling out as users gravitated to the next big thing, Facebook has remained the number one social media service for years and doesn’t appear to be losing any steam.  In fact, as of the second quarter of 2016 Facebook boasts 1.71 billion monthly users (Statista).  The next two closest are messaging service WhatsApp (1 billion users per month) and Facebook’s own messaging service at 900 million users.  Safe to say that Facebook has a stranglehold on the social landscape, and is looking to continue this with Instagram Stories.

While the numbers that Facebook can boast are staggering, there has been a movement away from the platform: young people.  Maybe it’s the ads, or the fact that their parents are active on Facebook, but Snapchat has been the platform of choice for teens and millennials, who account for 70% of Snapchat users (eMarketer).

Many people were taken aback at the $1 billion price tag Zuckerberg and Co. paid for Instagram.  At the time, Instagram was simple photosharing app with a medium sized user base of 30 million.  However, it was growing fast and starting to capture the younger fan base from Facebook.  After the acquisition, Instagram continued to grow into the brand it is today, boasting 500 million monthly users and surpassing other popular social media platforms such as Twitter and Pinterest.

Looking at the past, it’s no surprise that Facebook has made a move to directly compete with Snapchat. Instagram Stories are fairly transparent in their attempt to ape the functionality of Snapchat.  Users can take photos and videos (or use existing captures), insert custom overlays, and post for all of their followers to see.  Stories get rotated out, so that users have to keep uploading new content.  Anyone who has used Snapchat would be instantly familiar with the way Instagram Stories work.

While Snapchat users may just opt to use Instagram rather than another app, what does any of this mean for advertisers and brands?  Advertising on Snapchat has had mixed results for brands, due to a lack of user data to be used for targeting as well as the limited scope of the Snapchat audience.  It would seem that having the advantage of Facebook’s robust advertising platform, in addition to a larger, more diverse built in audience has Instagram Stories poised to overtake Snapchat in terms of brands on the platform.

Of course, only time will tell whether Instagram Stories are the “Snapchat Killer” some expect it to be. What is clear is that Facebook has once again poised itself to dominate social media for years to come.

3 Things to Look for in a Social Media Manager

Posted by bert
3 Things to Look for In a Social Media Manager
Social media is an inescapable part of our everyday life.  From Facebook to Snapchat, social networks enable people to communicate in a way never before possible.  If you run a business you probably know that you should be running some sort of social media campaign.  But who is your social media manager?
In my line of work I run across a lot of businesses that aren’t leveraging social media as they should be to maximize return.  In fact, all too often I see businesses that leave their social media in the hands of an intern or the twenty-something in the office.  While these people no doubt have the best intentions, and are more than likely highly active on social media, it doesn’t mean they have what it takes to be a social media manager.  I can cook mac n’ cheese and I love to eat, but you definitely wouldn’t want me as the head chef of your Michelin star restaurant.
This blog isn’t meant to be a sales pitch for Capisco Marketing or our service.  It is more meant to educate small businesses about what to look for when selecting someone to run their social media campaign.  There are a lot of social media “guru’s” out there, but what are they really offering?  Here are the five most important aspects of a social media manager for you to look out for:

1.  Communication

Social media is fast paced.  It’s more about the “now” than anything else, and this is one of the main features that sets social media marketing apart from more traditional advertising mediums.  This means that your social media should reflect what is happening with your brand now.
While it is important that you keep your social media manager up to date on the latest happenings, it is also on them to communicate with you on a regular basis to figure out what is going on and what needs to be featured on your social channels.  Setting up weekly or monthly meetings can resolve any communication issues, and shows that your social media manager is in step with your business goals

2.  Creativity

As social media has grown over the years, so have the number of advertisers using the platforms. The competition for views and clicks is insane, and it really takes something special to get noticed.
Your social media manager should be constantly looking for ways to bring your message to your existing fans and get you noticed by new fans.  Posting the same tired memes or cat videos isn’t going to cut it.  A good social media manager will think of interesting and engaging ways to deliver your content across social media platforms.

3.  Flexibility

The gift and the curse of social media is that it happens in real time.  The internet is written in ink, not pencil.  Mistakes or tone deaf posts are remembered and scrutinized.  We’ve all seen the brand that auto-posts a “funny” post on the the day of a mass shooting, or that uses 9/11 imagery to sell you a cell phone.  You don’t want to be that brand.
Your social media manager needs to be plugged in to the world around them.  They need to be able to change their posting strategy at a moments notice.

social media manager vector art

Of course, there are many other factors that you want to look into with someone you work closely with.  No matter what, you want someone that you can trust and who will do what’s best for your brand.  Just remember, whoever runs your social media is responsible for broadcasting your brand message to the entire world. Make sure they represent you appropriately.

Social Media Addiction: 10 Signs you Have a Problem

Posted by bert

social media addiction

 

Social media has become so ingrained in our every day lives that you have to actively go out of your way to avoid it.  From Facebook to Snapchat, most people in the world use some form of social media multiple times a day.  But do they have a social media addiction?  Let’s take a look at 10 signs that you may have a social media addiction.

 

1. You’ve been hit in the head with your phone/tablet because you fell asleep checking social media before bed.

2. You don’t remember anyone’s birthday anymore because Facebook tells you when it’s time to celebrate.

3. You’ve never been in a fight in your life, but you have multiple Twitter beefs going at any given time.

4. You have your entire dream wedding day planned on Pinterest, despite not having a significant other.  This also applies to people who pin recipes but never cook, and pin workouts without ever having stepped foot in a gym.

5. Your Snapchat has gotten you in trouble with friends, family or coworkers (looking at you D’Angelo Russell)

6. You spend more time Tweeting, Instagraming or Facebooking about a sporting event, concert etc. than actually, I don’t know, WATCHING IT!

7. You still use Google +.

8. You use hashtags in everyday conversation (please, stop).

9. You spend way too much time trying different lighting, poses, filters, etc. trying to take that perfect selfie.

10. Any videos longer than a six second Vine clip fail to hold your attention.

 

Of course, just like anything in life, moderation is key.  Social media is a great tool and a fantastic way to be connected to the world.  But if you show these signs of social media addiction it may be time to put down the phone and go through a little social media detox.  We recommend going for a walk, playing some music, reading a book, going out to eat with friends, anything that gets your mind out of the social cavern.  You can always post about your adventures in the real world later!