#MidweekMinute 11/27/19: Keep your friends CLOSE

When Borat’s got more common sense and decency than your CEO, it may be time to look deeper…

Last week, the new social network on the block was the journalism-based WT.Social; this week, it’s Cocoon, a family-based networking app from former Facebook employees. (No networks OR ads, just you and your chosen family.)

On a related note, Facebook’s working on a Close Friends feature for Stories and Messenger, similar to the one Instagram has, continuing the overall trend towards “microsharing,” now that our networks have all gotten so swollen with acquaintances and strangers.

The new Facebook Viewpoints app will pay you for participating in surveys or performing tasks. They’re starting with a “well being” survey.

Facebook has quietly released a new meme-making app called Whale, which is exclusive to Canada at the moment. There was no fanfare or announcement, an uncharacteristic move for the social media giant.

In case you’ve ever been curious how Instagram’s “Explore” feed gets populated, they’ve given us a peek behind the curtain with a new blog post explaining the AI behind it.

Feature-uncoverer Jane Manchun Wong has discovered that Instagram is testing out a new IGTV feed with vertical scroll - ironic, as TikTok, which is laid out that way, was previously testing a grid feed, a la Instagram’s Explore tab.

Twitter’s Hide Replies feature is out of beta and available to all.

Twitter is also FINALLY bringing native scheduling to the platform! It’s in beta, and only some people have it. It’s web-only for now, though, which is frustrating, since we already have TweetDeck… but it’s a step in the right direction.

#MidweekMinute 9/18/19: Creators gonna create

You all know you want #slofies of my dog, don’t even front…

LOTS of news about Facebook Creator Studio announced at the International Broadcasting Convention:

• New tools and metrics for Live, Watch Parties, Creator Studio

• Facebook Live “Rehearsal” mode

• Live video trimming

• Live video duration extended from four hours to eight

• Multistream broadcasting (simulcast to different platforms)

• Pre-scheduling to Instagram and IGTV via Creator Studio

• Expanded language options for auto-captioning

• New video metrics for Distribution, Watch Party viewership, and Loyalty

• Enhanced Watch Party branding, metrics, and sharing

Facebook is testing a new Chat post type to launch private group chats, much like the recently-introduced Chat sticker in Instagram Stories.

Facebook’s new Portal TV set-top box device functions as a broadcast system - like Firestick or Roku - as well as a webcam.

YouTube trolls beware: they’re testing a Profile Card feature that will publicly display your comment history.

LinkedIn has introduced Skill Assessment tests in order to support users’ claimed talents with validation badges for those scoring in the top 70th percentile or above.

more info on all stories:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

FAQ: Video length

There’s a ton of advice out there on best practices for video length on various platforms. Here are some quick stats by platform:

Facebook (pre-recorded): 2 minutes

Facebook Live: at least 10 minutes; 15 minutes is a sweet spot

Instagram: 30 seconds

Twitter: 30-45 seconds

YouTube: 2 minutes

But stats are just that: stats. My advice is ALWAYS to explore what your own audience responds to, what works best to tell your content’s story, and, above all, what you actually want to do.

FAQ: IGTV?

Once Instagram’s 10-second Stories took off, it was time to introduce another video format: IGTV. These longer-form, 10-minute-max videos lend themselves well to episodic content. But should you be using it? And, if so, what are some best practices?

In all honesty, IGTV is still so new that even the most experienced social media video creators are still figuring out best uses for it. But getting in early on a new format isn’t exactly a bad position to put yourself in. Here’s some tips if you’re considering it.