f28admin, Author at Digital Marketing Devon

X: Twitter’s Evolution and What It Means for You

The recent rebranding of Twitter to X has generated waves of curiosity and speculation among digital marketers, businesses, and social media users in general. The digital world has been abuzz with the news of this transformation led by Elon Musk. As a digital marketing company, we’re here to try and break down the changes that X is bringing to the table – how they affect both everyday users like you and businesses like ours in the realm of social media. So here’s what we know so far…

The Familiar Bird Takes Flight: A Fresh Look with X

Remember Twitter’s iconic little bird logo? Well, it’s taken a backseat with the arrival of X. This shift isn’t just about appearances; it signifies a broader shift in X’s identity. Elon Musk’s vision extends beyond just rebranding; he’s envisioning a new way for us to connect and interact online. We’ve already seen a shift in the platform with X lifting bans on certain accounts and subscribing to get verified badges – those blue checkmarks. However, we’re being told it’s more than just a fresh new look…

Adapting to Change

As a digital marketing company, we’ve noticed X isn’t showing up in our scheduling tools as before. This suggests a shift in how content spreads. It nudges us to rethink our strategies and embrace a fresh approach, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. For businesses and digital marketers, these adjustments have already begun to reshape advertising strategies and scheduling practices.

Ambitious Goals: X’s Super App Aspiration

Elon Musk’s ambitions for X go beyond being just another social media platform. He envisions a one-stop hub where communication, commerce, and even financial transactions converge seamlessly. Imagine being able to chat with friends and manage your finances, all in one place! His idea is to create a ‘Super App’ an idea he had for PayPal before that went in another direction, inspired by Asia’s WeChat.

Redesigning Ad Tactics

For businesses, X is waving goodbye to the account promotion ads that used to give accounts a spotlight. This change forces businesses to explore alternative ways to stand out and gain followers. A challenge, sure, but also an opportunity for innovation. For businesses and digital marketers, these shifts could recalibrate how we advertise and manage content on X.

Empowering Content Creators

Creators, brace yourselves! X is lowering the bar for joining their Creator Ad Revenue Share Program, making it easier for more people to earn from their posts. X want to focus on video content and bring that more to the forefront of feeds. Plus, your creations will have an extended life on your audience’s feed of 48 hours (rather than 24) for more room to shine. Subscription content and X (tweet) replies are also getting a front-row seat, so brace yourself for a flood of engaging content!

In the transition from Twitter to X, Elon Musk’s influence is reshaping the digital landscape. X isn’t just a social media rebrand; it’s a step towards a more interconnected online world. For businesses, creators, and regular users, navigating these changes might take some adjustment. As X continues to evolve, we’re here to unravel the story of how it’s shaping the way we engage, share, and explore the digital realm.

If you need help with social media management find out more about our services here.
If you found this blog helpful, let us know on social media! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and LinkedIn.

Threads: Everything you need to know about the new Meta app

As your local digital marketing company we thought it only appropriate to give you the low down on the new social media platform that everyone, and we mean EVERYONE is talking about! We all know Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, who also owns Facebook and Instagram? Well, he’s back at it again with a brand-new app called Threads. So, let’s get started on introducing you to the exciting addition to the Meta platform.

What is Threads?

Threads is Meta’s answer to the growing demand for text-based microblogging platforms, similar to the famous blue bird we all know. As Twitter undergoes controversial changes under Elon Musk’s ownership, Threads enters the scene as an alternative for those seeking a fresh experience. It’s like Instagram’s take on Twitter, combining the best of both worlds. And joining Threads couldn’t be simpler (if you’re an Instagram account holder that is!) When you sign up, you can merge your Instagram and Threads accounts, so your information will be carried over to Threads. This also means you’ll be following all your faves with just one click!

Say Hello to Text-Based Posts:

It’s been described as one big group chat by a new user on the platform. If you’re tired of sharing only images and videos, Threads has got you covered. With this app, you can craft engaging text-based posts and express your thoughts, share your opinions, or simply update your followers with witty one-liners. “Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text,” the firm said prior to its launch. The platforms aim is to build communities and start conversations. This will definitely be easier to do with its 500-character limit as opposed to Twitter’s 280 limit. That’s already a tick from us!

Speaking of ticks:

Do you have a coveted blue tick on Instagram? Good news! Your verified status carries over to Threads as well. Meta understands the importance of identity verification, especially for public figures and influencers. So, if you’re a celebrity or a popular influencer, you’ll have that shiny blue tick beside your name, reaffirming your authenticity and adding an extra layer of trust. A feature Musk was keen to update over on Twitter, getting celebrities and such like to pay for the ‘status’.

Celebrities Are Already on Board:

As soon as Threads launched, celebrities flocked to the app, eager to explore its potential. From actors to musicians and even politicians, the app’s popularity soared as the biggest names in the industry embraced this new platform. With their presence, Threads has quickly became a hub for exciting conversations and exclusive updates straight from your favourite stars.

Over 5 Million Sign-Ups in Just 4 Hours:

If you’re wondering whether people are considering making the switch to Threads, the answer is a resounding yes! Within hours of its launch, the app witnessed a staggering 5 million sign-ups. It’s clear that users are intrigued by the new features and the opportunity to connect with their favourite celebrities in a more intimate and conversational setting.

As Meta expands its reach beyond Facebook and Instagram, Threads emerges as a promising addition to their ever-growing family. With text-based posts akin to Twitter, the familiarity of Instagram, and the involvement of celebrities, this app has the potential to create a vibrant and engaging community where you’ll be able to connect with like-minded individuals!

So, will you be giving Threads a try? Let us know your thoughts on our social media channels. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

How to increase your Instagram engagement

Instagram is one of the most vital social channels for your social media marketing. Instagram is considered to be the best platform for engagement and even more so for brand engagement rate. Not only is engagement an important way to ensure you are communicating with your audience but it’s also important you have good engagement on your posts to help boost your reach.

Here at Function28, we have put together a list of tips to use when on Instagram to help increase your engagement:

Share interactive stories

These stories will encourage your audience to interact with your content, for example create polls, this or that (would you rather) etc. This is an effective way to gain engagement as well as helping you to understand your audience better.

Create carousel posts

A carousel post means you can add multiple pictures to one post rather than having a singular picture per post. Carousel posts have been proven to gain more engagement.

Ask for responses on your posts

Encourage your audience to interact with you in the comments on your posts by asking questions. This shows your audience that you care about their opinion and the more engagement you have on your posts, the more likely it is that it will get seen elsewhere.

Be consistent with your posting

It’s not necessary for you to post every day, as your content needs to be meaningful, but it is important that you are consistent with your posting. We recommend posting at least 3 times a week on Instagram. Additionally, it’s good practise to get in the habit of posting to your Instagram stories frequently too. The more stories, the more personal and human your brand feels.

Utilise your DMs

Use your direct messages to engage and answer questions about your business. Consumers are increasingly turning to social media to enquire about businesses so use this as a tool to build a relationship with your audience.

Take time to engage with other accounts

Like, comment and engage with other accounts similar to yours and build up a community. They in turn will help share your brand with their audience, helping you reach more of your target market.

Create engaging content

These can include giveaways, ‘how to’ videos or behind the scenes. Anything that will inspire a share or a comment.

Use hashtags

Hashtags are very important but have to be used correctly in order to be effective. For more information on how to use hashtags effectively we recommend reading a blog we’ve written in the past – #OverIt – is the hashtag dead? – Digital Marketing Devon – Function28

If you would like any assistance with your social media marketing contact daisy@function28.co.uk

Don’t let your bank holiday be a costly one for your business!

We are often asked about email security and what can be done to prevent compromise. You will never be able to get 100% security, simply because the fraudsters pry on individuals to make mistakes by tempting them with emails that appear to be genuine. In many cases, the emails are extremely convincing, and many businesses have lost a great deal of money because of it!

Business email compromise is a type of fraud where either a business email account is hacked or a very similar email address is set up with subtle differences (such as the same company name but with a hyphen or number added), making it difficult to spot.

For example, a fraudster may email your business appearing to be an existing supplier, requesting payment for an invoice to new bank account details. This account will be under the fraudster’s control.

So the do’s and don’ts

Never assume that an email received from a known email address (or with a previous email trail) is genuine. Check the email address carefully for discrepancies.
Always check requests to pay funds to a new payee or different account details for an existing payee by using a known telephone number. Never verify by replying to the email and do not call the number on the email, this could have been edited by the fraudster.
Enable Two Factor Authentication (2FA) – this is where a second verification is required, usually after you have entered your password. It is often in the form of a secure code provided to you by SMS or an authentication app.
Never open unexpected file attachments or click links. Make sure you back up your data regularly and store it separately, either offline or in a different location. Also, scan your data backups for malware, as ransomware can be on a network for a period of time before being executed.

In summary, if in doubt ‘Check it Out’!