Social Media Posting Is Evolving Before Our Eyes
Social media posting is changing rapidly with each of the social networks. The days of just posting content may no longer cut it as stories, videos and more evolve. Not to mention, the old post it once and leave it are almost gone.
Now, you must promote and boost your social media posts along the way. It doesn't matter which social network you use either. From Twitter to Facebook to LinkedIn and even Pinterest, the methods of social media posting are all evolving quickly!
The days of just posting content may no longer cut it as stories, videos and more evolve. #socialmediamarketing Click To TweetWhat is a Social Media Manager To do?
Keeping up with these changes is of utmost important today. Not only keeping up with the news but trying out the newer posting methods on one's own social networks first is key to learning as you are doing. Therefore, I've called my own social networks "the playground". (Now a new Facebook group with the same name to help others with social media).
The playground is where I learn, test, analyze and re-do all over again. Then, what works well, I use for my clients. What doesn't work, I don't use.
Of course, you must keep in mind what niche you are in. What may work in one niche may not work in another. It's best to learn about the niches you work in along the way. Oftentimes I do a lot of research in a niche that I'm working in as well.
Finally, one thing that what DOES work well is something to make others laugh. Posts that are funny often seem to generate more engagement than those that don't. 🙂
Posts that are funny often seem to generate more engagement. #socialmediatips Click To Tweet Facebook Algorithm Changes and More
Last week it was announced that Facebook was making major changes. This came at their F8 conference. The Facebook feed will get a whole new look on its app and on the desktop.
Did you know for the first time in the last 5 years, Facebook lost share as the most important platform for marketers dropping from 67% in 2018 to 61% in 2019?
One in ten marketers indicated they'll be decreasing their organic marketing on Facebook. Only 51% of marketers plan on increasing their Facebook organic activities, down from 62% in 2018. This was released today in a report from the Social Media Examiner. At the same time, the 2 social networks that are seeing an increase are Instagram and LinkedIn.
What's Happening With Facebook Posts?
It wasn't long ago that Agorapulse wrote about sharing links in their Facebook posts. They recommend you now do NOT use links in all your posts and put the links in the comments instead. (I've tried one with not so great results, more to come!)
Now, Facebook is putting greater emphasis on groups, videos and more. Mark Zuckerberg at the conference emphasized the need for intimacy and privacy, turning from the idea of "social media town square" to a "social media living room".
Futhermore, the new Facebook interface places the focus on Groups, the much more private aspect of Facebook than, for example, public Pages. The Events will have a more prominent place in the new version as well, with a new Events tab sitting right next to the Groups tab.
Facebook Video and Social Media Posting
Now, Facebook is putting greater emphasis on groups, videos and more. #Facebooktips Click To TweetFacebook's updates to the video ranking algorithm will affect video distribution across the News Feed, Watch and the "More Videos" recommendations. Facebook wants to ensure engagement with their videos in the newsfeed.
"We will add more weight in ranking to videos that keep people engaged, especially on videos that are at least three minutes long," wrote Facebook.
Videos are now being emphasized on Facebook if they are 3 minutes long and have original content. Sharing from YouTube will get you nowhere on Facebook fast! But hang on, Ryan Biddulph makes a great point on why you should still use YouTube.
I find Facebook videos perform better Lisa but that is where my tribe is. YouTube works well for SEO purposes. Think of your blog direction; do you want to go for SEO on videos, or to tap into your Facebook tribe?
- Ryan Biddulph (@RyanBiddulph) May 8, 2019
Facebook Messenger App
Videos are now being emphasized on Facebook if they are 3 minutes long and have original content. #Facebookvideo Click To TweetThe other area of Facebook that will be changing is their messenger app. You will soon be able to book appointments via the new app. This newly redesigned app will also be able to highlight your closest friends and choose your current status. Fun or scary?
These upcoming changes will also make Facebook more of a personalized social media service.
Instagram Updates Coming
Instagram has been testing a new feature where people will not be able to like your posts. Imagine, Instagram doing away with likes???
Do you wonder why? I believe it has to do with all the apps created to have bots like this and that. Gaming the system is not what Instagram had in mind when they began their image social network!
IGTV is another area that has grown on Instagram. Likewise, it is a longer video feature for brands to compete with TV. Instagram claims "Longer vertical video on Instagram makes it even easier to get closer to your audience and be discovered by new people."
Morover, IGTV videos can be 15 seconds up to 10 minutes. If you want to do longer videos with IGTV, you can via desktop. The videos from desktop can be up to 1 hour long! A normal video on Instagram can only be up to 1 minute.
Last, don't forget about the Instagram stories video option - you have only up to 15 seconds to publish a video story! Stories are still a great way to generate some visibility on both Facebook and Instagram today.
Twitter Roll Outs Updates
Furthermore, Twitter has not stopped with their recent updates. The most recent being the ability to add video or photo in a retweet or reply on Twitter.
Not to mention the recent Twitter camera that makes this network more like Facebook and Instagram. The Twitter camera apps gives your tweet a "story feel".
Pinterest Updates to Make Shopping Easy
Let's not forget the Pinterest social media posting. Back in March they made their pins more shoppable. The updates there include personalized item recommendations for shoppers within style, home, beauty and DIY boards based on what they've saved. In-stock product pins now appear at the top of search results; and a new "Shop a brand" section that appears beneath product pins that enables a merchant like Levi's to highlight other items within its own catalog.
Now, retailers can now upload their entire catalog to Pinterest to create Product Pins on Pinterest. Product pins enable consumers to see dynamic information about an item within a pin, including its price, availability and where it can be purchased.
Consumers can click through a product pin to buy the item on the retailer's website! This makes Pinterest better able to compete with Instagram's shopping feature.
What Should You Do With YOUR Social Media Posts Now?
My advice at this point would be to use more video. If you are extremely uncomfortable with video, then create images into videos with Canva or another service available out there.
At the same time I would consider using some humor with some of your social media posts. You may have to be careful depending on what niche you are in. And of course, always keep humor in clean taste!
Next, I would get more involved in Facebook groups and think about starting your own. Be sure to engage with others so they will in return engage with you. Keep your engagements on socia media genuine. Of course, don't spam in groups or you will quickly get banned 🙁
If you are on Instagram spend a few more minutes a day engaging there. Not only will engaging give you more visiblility but it will help you if the likes do disappear as Instagram is testing a no likes instagram feed.
Finally, use stories in your social media posting and marketing. People love looking at stories, they don't want to miss out on anything. These stories disappear in 24 hours.
Your Take on Social Media Posting Today
I'd love to know in the comments below what you are doing to improve your social media posts with all the recent changes.
Have you tried posting without links in your Facebook page's feed? Do you find humor increases your engagement as well?
