#MidweekMinute 6/5/19: Pinning more IKEA...

BRB, applying to become Tweeter-in-Chief…

Mozilla’s Firefox browser’s latest update includes a tracking blocker (a move already preceded by Apple’s Safari browser), sending Facebook Pixel devotees into a tizzy.

Facebook has been teasing their Bitmoji-esque Avatars since at least 2017, but they’re finally here (well, in the Australian test market, at least) for use in Messenger and comments.

Facebook has stepped up its Video Ad tools, enabling a whole bunch of creator features (including text and stickers), optimized sizes for different uses, the ability to split a video into multiple shorter ads, and - a blessing amidst all these fun features - the ability to save progress while putting this all together.

Facebook’s been testing integrating subscription options into Instant Articles, and is now officially rolling out the feature to all Instant Article publishers.

Facebook Portal has released a smartphone app to integrate with the device’s functions.

Game developers who advertise on Facebook will now have the ability to run rewarded video and playable ads via Audience Network.

Furthering Instagram’s close relationship with the “influencer” industry, brands can now turn influencer posts into “Branded Content” advertisements.

Instagram may be testing an Order sticker, likely a way to further commerce functionality in Stories, as well as further insights as to new vs. old “likes” on posts and account follower/unfollower info.

Twitter will now let you add guests to live video streams - but, just like this recent addition to sibling Periscope, guests are audio-only for now (think of it like a call-in show). Twitter has also acquired artificial intelligence firm Fabula AI to help combat false accounts, spam, “fake news,” and other pitfalls of the platform.

LinkedIn has acquired digital identity firm Drawbridge in a bid to enhance ad targeting functions.

And, just in case there wasn’t enough IKEA presence on Pinterest, the Swedish furnishings giant is now officially moving a shoppable version of its catalog onto the platform.

More info on all stories:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute 5/9/18: taking care of business

Facebook appoints new head of blockchain development, opening the door for potential cryptocurrency integrations or even creation; Avatars, spotted in Android app code, look a lot like Snapchat's Bitmoji, and could allow for a greater range of emotive reactions; dating service won't have ads; a possible ad-free subscription model is being tested; and image and object recognition AI has been using Instagram photos for training.

Twitter is working on secure, encrypted DMs.

Instagram has introduced powerful new business tools including integrated ecommerce and business messaging tools with direct calls to action; Android app may soon allow Song Stickers within Stories; new dedicated beauty partnership unit.

WhatsApp integrates Facebook & Instagram video viewability within the app, including picture-in-picture functionality.

Pinterest announces Hootsuite integration.

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute 5/2/18: A twist of F8

Facebook’s Hate Speech-reporting function, still in testing, was set live by accident, for every single post (don’t worry, they’re not going to be quite THAT sensitive in the future); Messenger Bot development is back up and running, and both translation & AR functions are being rolled into the platform; Facebook is also adding dating functionality later this year, and bringing 3D photos and a creepy new photo-environment-mimicking VR Memories feature to the feed; VR Oculus Go headset hopes to bring VR mainstream; virtual home assistant "smart speaker" (think Google Home/Alexa) may launch abroad before the U.S.

Instagram has officially launched group video chats, third-party app integrations with GoPro & Spotify (with more to come), and a new Camera Effects platform which will allow development of custom AR filters, stickers, and other items to customize stories. Rumor has it they're also testing story reactions, slow-mo video, muting of specific users, and a calendar to more easily navigate back posts. The Explore section will now more customized to your interests and more easily navigable by topic. AI will police online bullying by targeting language typically used to harrass users.

Twitter will continue its progression into a news source by promoting news higher in feeds and lumping together tweets around the same news stories.

Snapchat has officially launched their new water-resistant Specs, which feature LED lighting and the new Snappable AR game. Snapchat continues to expand their advertising accessibility by brings Story Ads to the self-service ads platform and taking a leaf from YouTube's book by testing non-skippable 6-second ads. And, of course, they're rolling back elements of the controversial app redesign by moving some features around.

Pinterest expands their usefulness to ALL by filtering beauty pins by skin tone and adding features to help the visually impaired navigate the service.

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute 4/25/18: Greater transparency for all

Facebook provides new levels of transparency in how they identify controversial content (as does YouTube), and provides greater transparency into their privacy settings (as does Twitter).  In video news, Facebook introduces "Premieres," which streams pre-recorded video as live, and introduces pre-roll ads to a wider variety of videos from smaller creators than before. In advertising developments, Facebook is testing playable game preview ads, adding "loyalty prediction" settings for advertisers to attract fans who are more inclined to be brand-loyal, and people placing political ads on Facebook will need to register and prove their IRL identities. Instagram now allows batch uploads of up to 10 photos/videos to Stories. Snapchat adds a playable filtered selfie game, enters into additional exclusive programming deals with Viacom, and adds tabs to their redesign (but only for some users). Pinterest continues development of cool features to business profiles, introducing dynamic cover images and monthly page views. Reddit wades a little further into the advertising world, expanding its team and courting brand partnerships.

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute 4/12/18: No advertisers were harmed...

Facebook requires new verification and transparency for those placing political ads; Messenger obtains "un-send" functionality, which corporate apparently already had(!); Facebook is trying tweaks to encourage more people to use Stories; FB & Twitter back the Honest Ads Act, which would bring transparency to ads; Instagram developing Snapcode-esque Nametags; Instagram Story adds background-blurring Focus Mode & stickers for tags; Snapchat debuts ultra-realistic lenses exclusively for iPhoneX, brings the feed algorithm back to semi-chronological order for some users, registers the second edition of Specs with the FCC, & partners with Tegna to broadcast Snaps on the news; Twitter postpones announced tweaks to their API after backlash from third-party apps; LinkedIn confuses some users with a half-baked test of adding hashtags to updates; Pinterest's Propel advertising program & Promote button expand to additional markets.

For more info on all stories:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute 4/4/18: Data squeeze

Facebook further diminishes ad targeting options based on user data, including severing ties with third-party app data and getting tougher on email marketing permissions (used for custom audience targeting), and makes it easier to remove yourself from apps & games you've previously approved. Facebook also adds HD video & 360 photos to Messenger, and improves the VR in its Spaces feature. Instagram also restricts third-party app partnerships, and brings GIFs back to stories (which now have auto full screen ads). Snapchat has beat Instagram to the video-chat-party punch, announcing video chats for up to 16 people. Pinterest splits its feed in two: one for exploration and discovery, and one for people you're following. LinkedIn debuts video on company pages & video ads. YouTube debuts short ads with a reach component.

Flipboard is acting wonky this week (Mercury Retrograde!), so the articles are out of order, but here's more info on all stories above & then some:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

#MidweekMinute: Snap, Pinterest & Google expand interactivity

Facebook tests downvote button, develops animation tools for Quill VR app, adds a $10 million community grants program, and extends intellectual property searches and reporting to Instagram content; Instagram adds ability to share Stories, the first native in-app sharing it's introduced yet; Snapchat opens its marketing API to developers, brings its Maps feature off-app to the web, opens custom filter & lens creator tools to the general public (SpaceX even has an AR lens that takes you to the Tesla that's currently in space!), and lures advertisers from other social media platforms (most notably, Instagram) with free ad offers; Pinterest is FINALLY letting you rearrange pins, and has strengthened its visual search capabilities by allowing them to bolster text searches; Google AMPs up the Gmail experience - as well as Google search results - with new integration of Accelerated Mobile Pages and search "stories".

Facebook Downvote Button

Facebook testing Downvote button, but says it’s not a Dislike (9to5MAC)

Facebook confirms test of a downvote button for flagging comments (TechCrunch)

Facebook Announces Animation Tools for Quill VR App

Facebook brings animation tools to its Quill VR painting app (TechCrunch)

Oculus' Quill tool now lets you animate VR (Engadget)

Facebook Introduces Free Animation Tools For Quill (Cartoon Brew)

Facebook Extends Intellectual Property Protection Tools to Instagram

Instagram Now Lets Content Owners Scan for and Block Copyright-Infringing Video

Facebook Extended Its Rights Manager to Instagram (AdWeek)

Facebook Community Grants

Facebook’s plan to build community with hiring and $10M in grants (TechCrunch)

Facebook Offers Grants To Build 'Communities' (Digital News Daily)

Facebook creates $10 million community leadership program (CNet)

Instagram and Sharing Stories

Instagram Unleashes the Ultimate Weapon for Marketers (AdWeek)

Instagram tests its version of the retweet but thru Stories (Marketing Land)

SNAPCHAT OPENS MARKETING API

Snapchat’s Marketing API is now available to all developers (Venture Beat)

Snapchat Is Opening Up Its Marketing Platform to All Ad-Tech Players and Agencies (Ad Week)

Snapchat Courts Creators With New Audience Analytics (The Hollywood Reporter)

Snapchat Snap Maps

Snapchat's Snap Maps is now available online (Mashable)

Snapchat brings Snap Maps to the web in latest push outside of main app (9to5MAC)

Snapchat brings its Snap Map to the web (BGR)

Snapchat Custom Lenses

You can now create your own custom face lenses on Snapchat (The Verge)

Snapchat launches custom filters and lenses for all users from $10 (9to5MAC)

A New VR And AR Snapchat Filter Exists And You Can Do Some Pretty Cool Stuff (LADBIBLE)

Snapchat Lens Portals Lets Users Travel to Elon Musk’s Space Tesla (PressKS)

Snapchat Luring Advertisers with Free Ads 

Snap is trying to lure Instagram advertisers by offering them free ads on Snapchat(ReCode)

Snap is trying to capitalize on its killer earnings by launching a direct assault on Instagram (Business Insider)

Snap offers free credits to brands running vertical video ads on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, elsewhere (MarketingLand)

PINTEREST BOARD EDITS

You can finally reorder pins on Pinterest boards (Wired)

Pinterest now lets you archive your boards and rearrange pins (Venture Beat)

Pinterest iOS app now allows you to rearrange pins, reorder sections, archive boards (9 to 5 Mac)

Pinterest Lens Adds Visual Search

Pinterest will let people use its image-recognizing Lens feature to augment text searches (MarketingLand)

Refine Pinterest's Lens visual searches with text suggestions (Engadget)

Not happy with Pinterest search results? Refine it with text and photo queries (Digital Trends)

YouTube Announces New Sanctions

YouTube will remove ads and downgrade discoverability of channels posting offensive videos (TechCrunch)

Google Brings AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) to Gmail... 

Bringing the power of AMP to Gmail (Google Keyword Blog)

Gmail will let you browse websites in your email with new AMP support (The Verge)

Google launches AMP for email to bring web-like actionable content to Gmail(Venture Beat)

Google's AMP coming to Gmail to make email more 'interactive' (CNet)

...AND TO SEARCH RESULTS.

AMP stories: Bringing visual storytelling to the open web (Google Developers)

Snapchat-Like Stories Arrive in Google Mobile Search Results (PC Magazine)

Google launches its own version of Snapchat Stories (CNet)

Google plans Snapchat-esque stories for mobile search results (Engadget)

Presenting with Risa Hoag at Keller Williams

On Thursday, I started my day co-presenting to a room full of realtors with my friend & fellow RBWN board member Risa Hoag of GMG PR. Risa spoke about LinkedIn, followed by my presentation on best practices for the other social media platforms.

Risa's intro, in case you're not aware of her:

Risa's first point was that LinkedIn is NOT a social media tool; it is a showcase for you and your brand, an in-depth research tool, and a lead definer and generator.

With a live computer demo, Risa explained how to make yourself valuable and findable on LinkedIn by creating a robust profile, showcasing your business and expertise, and utilizing your profile as a "living" resume; instead of simply stating where you've worked, you can add skills, testimonials, even media. 

Risa then went into how to use this valuable tool to generate business by building engagement, finding leads, and making "warm" contacts - a familiarity that can be created by leveraging information you've uncovered via your prospect's LinkedIn profile. Did you go to the same school, sit on the same board, or share a common hobby? Bam - you've just turned a cold-call into a warm contact. 

Risa wrapped up with a series of best practices for LinkedIn (click to tweet):

Here's my own lovely intro:

I started my segment of the presentation with something clients always ask me about: which social media platforms to bother with. There is a misconception out there that you need to be everywhere, which puts undue pressure on busy professionals who are already daunted by social media. I walked through some pros and cons of different platforms.

Scroll through my tips below (click to tweet):

Next, I discussed the importance of setting up all profiles as completely as possible.

Once you've got your profiles set up, what do you do with them? I went through some of the basics of social media content strategy. This included some basic branding questions, as well as more platform-specific tips.

Next, I discussed what's been on everyone's mind with social media lately: what is "the algorithm," and why does it mean nobody sees my posts? I explained that you need to not just broadcast content for passive consumption, but rather engage and add value to your audience's feed.

Since one of the most important - and misunderstood! - pieces of content strategy lately is video, I provided several ideas for how realtors can effectively use video as part of their social media posting.

Finally, I ended with a brief overview of how to create targeted ads on social media that provide more bang for the buck. A key part of this, and my most important takeaway: use Ads Manager on Facebook & Instagram - don't boost! Boosting damages your organic reach, and doesn't give you nearly enough audience targeting power. Ads Manager is one of the best tools out there; use it!

Thanks so much to Keller Williams Realty and Citizens Bank for having us in to do this presentation. We look forward to presenting to the Westchester office next!

If you're a realtor (or any type of company, really!) and would like us to bring this presentation to you, please do get in touch.

#MidweekMinute: Messenger's where it's at

Facebook creates a new messaging app for younger audiences, adds video ads, clamps down on audience insights. Instagram integrates contacts with Messenger, adds story archives & highlights, and takes a stand against animal abuse. Pinterest creates a two-way relationship with FB Messenger with a pin-finding bot and easy pin sharing.

Facebook Debuts "Messenger Kids"

“Messenger Kids” Gives Children Under 13 Their First Taste Of Facebook (Fast Company)

Facebook's new chat app for kids makes parents approve conversations (Business Insider)

Facebook Messenger Kids Debuts as a Texting App for Children Ages 12 and Under (Fortune)

Facebook Considering "Pre-roll" Video Ads

Facebook could start putting ads at the beginning of some videos, report says (CNBC)

Facebook videos may start with ads, just like on YouTube (Mashable)

Facebook to Test Pre-Roll Video Ads Ahead of Watch Shows (AdAge)

Facebook Dropping "Audience Insight" API

Facebook Is Shutting Down Its API That Marketers Lean on for Research (AdWeek)

Importing Instagram Contacts into Facebook Messenger

You can now import your Instagram contacts into Messenger (TechCrunch)

Instagram contacts can now be imported into Messenger (Social Barrel)

Instagram Stories Can be Archived in Your Profile

Your favorite Instagram stories can now live on in your profile (Fast Company)

Instagram lets you Archive expired Stories and Highlight favorites on your profile (TechCrunch)

Instagram Just Introduced Two Ways to Keep Stories Around for More Than 24 Hours (Adweek)

Instagram now lets brands feature Stories Highlights on their profile pages (Marketing Land)

Instagram Fights Against Potential Abuse of Animals or Nature in Photos

Instagram warns you if posts show harm to animals or nature (Engadget)

Taking a #koalaselfie or #dolphinkiss photo? Instagram has something to say about it.(The Washington Post)

Think before posting #lionselfies, Instagram implores users (USA Today)

Pinterest & FB Messenger

Pinterest rolls out chatbot, native features for Facebook’s Messenger (Marketing Land)

Pinterest integrates deeper with Facebook with a new bot and messenger extension (TechCrunch)

Pinterest makes it easy to share pins on Facebook Messenger (Engadget)

MidweekMinute: now expanding to 2:80 (just kidding)

After a bit of a break, I'm back to a weekly #MidweekMinute! Did you miss me? This week's is coming at you LIVE from the #INBOUND17 conference in Boston! (To catch up with my conference learnings, check out my Twitter feed or stay tuned next week for blog posts of my Storify threads).

This week's top stories that fit into a minute:

Twitter doubles character limit from 140 to 280:

Giving you more characters to express yourself (Twitter blog)
Twitter just doubled the character limit for tweets to 280 (The Verge)

7 Questions About Twitter's Doubled Character Limit (The Atlantic)

Pinterest/Target visual search teamup:

Pinterest's Lens tech powers Target's visual search tool (Engadget)

Target Embedding Pinterest Camera Search Tool in Its App (The Wall Street Journal)

Instagram commenting settings:

Instagram Lets You Limit Comments Just To People You Follow (BuzzFeed News)

Instagram: Here’s How to Stop Users From Commenting On a Post (Adweek)

LinkedIn/Microsoft Office 365 profile integration:

LinkedIn profiles are coming soon to your Microsoft work apps (TheNextWeb)

Microsoft finally starts doing something with LinkedIn by integrating it into Office 365 (TechCrunch)

NEW! #MidweekMinute on Facebook

I'm doing something new on Facebook Live: I'll be doing a one-minute (yes, just one minute!) rundown of the latest social media news on Wednesdays. Here's today's effort, in which I totally blanked my chosen title/hashtag at the beginning:

For further information on these topics:

Instagram reveals radical redesign (Forbes)

LinkedIn's most-maligned feature is about to become your favorite tool (Inc.)

Why Pinterest doesn't want users to spend more time with the brand (Marketing Week)

Introducing Canva Print: a new way to bring your designs to life! (Canva Design School)

Social - with the retail queen of Nyack!

Maria Luisa Whittingham opened her eponymous boutique in Nyack 30 years ago. In that time, Maria Luisa (and now ML by Maria Luisa, right next door) has become a key thread in the fabric of Nyack's business district. Maria herself has also focused on making a difference, not only in our local community via involvements with various non-profit organizations and her own ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund, but also in the world, by sourcing exclusively from suppliers whose business practices are socially/globally responsible. Her hand-selected inventory doesn't just look good - it does good.

Maria's business continues to thrive 30 years on, in part because she's always been an early adapter of growth tools such as online commerce and, of course, social media. I discussed that with Maria, and found that her success in all things truly comes down to one word: relationships.

Some links to Maria's goings-on:

- #MLFaves@MariaLuisa team fundraiser for the Women's Distance Festival, benefiting Center for Safety & Change

- Explanation of brand ethos, kickbacks to local charities, & ML by Maria Luisa Scholarship Fund

- eStore

- Facebook

- Instagram

Getting Started with Pinterest for Business webinar

I'm admittedly not a big Pinterest user, myself - but they've been upping their business and advertising tools to a point where they absolutely cannot be ignored as a serious digital marketing tool. Pinterest for Business recently announced a series of four webinars on how to make the most of your Business profile. I wasn't able to attend the first one (they're sending it); this was the second, and the third and fourth will be on June 13th and 20th.

Social - Cheftini and I "Shazam" our food

My guest for this week's episode of Social, my Facebook Live show, was Tina DiLeo of Cheftini! We played with Pinterest's new Food Lens feature and talked about why Instagram is the very best platform for #foodies (the key word is ENGAGEMENT!).

Download Tina's eBook full of holiday recipes - all proceeds benefit Food Bank for Westchester!