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facebook marketing
Posted by Patrick

What Does Facebook’s News Feed Change Mean for Your Business? 

Advertising, B2B Social Media, Business Tips, Content Marketing, Facebook, Marketing Campaigns, ROI in Social Media, Social Good, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media Marketing, Technology, Trends

What Does Facebook’s News Feed Change Mean for Your Business? 

The change in Facebook’s news feeds revolves around the social media giant’s intention to supply less news from the world of business, entertainment, and publishers, while focusing more on the kind of meaningful exchanges which users might have with family and friends. The motivation behind this paradigm shift is apparently CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s change of heart about how Facebook may have been negatively impacting its legions of followers.

The kind of malicious or abusive content supplied by other contentious nations and groups will be targeted in particular, with greater attention to be paid to those who misuse the tools and benefits provided by the social medium. Facing a storm of recent backlash over this kind of meddling and interference, Facebook is apparently choosing to proactively make these changes, rather than having them enforced through regulatory means. 

facebook marketing services

Impact on businesses

Facebook executives fully expect this shift toward more friendly user engagement and less business-sponsored involvement to result in reduced user involvement, at least temporarily. The hope is that after the initial shift impact is over, Facebook users will be happier with the new format, and will return to spending more time online. In the short term however, it will impact publishers and businesses because there is likely to be a diminished audience receiving their notifications and ads, at no cost and via the easiest delivery approach imaginable.

Those businesses and publishers which count on Facebook as their primary delivery method are likely to be the ones who feel the greatest impact, along with those which have made huge investments on developing Facebook videos for mass consumption. With far fewer of these being displayed, the audience for all those messages simply won’t be there anymore, at least not in the numbers that companies have grown accustomed to.

The Facebook Goal

The goal of these coming changes is to make Facebook users happier, according to Mr. Zuckerberg, and not as argumentative about all the material which has been allowed through in the past. Assuming that users will be ‘happier’ because they are exposed to fewer opposing views (from ‘meddlers’ and interfering parties), the expectation is that Facebook users will make more real friends, and interact benignly with them.

Since the company’s research has shown that Facebook users have been exposed to far more diverse opinions within the medium than they otherwise would have been, it is thought that reducing this divergence of opinion will make for more contented users. Interestingly, the company’s own research has also shown that the format changes are likely to result in reduced participation of users. Part of that has to do with the fact that the number of video productions will be decreased, and everyone knows how effective video has been at retaining user interest and engagement.

A Happier Facebook

Will users really be happier on Facebook when there are less business ads and videos, and more happy posts from friends and relatives? While no one can really know for sure, Facebook execs are confident that even if there is a short-term lapse in user involvement and engagement, that the new-look happy medium will eventually win over former users as well as newcomers, and that the entire community will continue to grow again. Business executives and publishing companies however, would be well advised to begin pursuing other alternatives in their marketing campaigns.

Contact Us to learn more!

Posted by Patrick

Outdated Trends to Avoid on Social Media

Social Media 0

Since social media has become a popular past time over the last two decades, we’ve seen many trends come and go. A whole new genre of trends has emerged over the varying social media sites, and there are some trends that, really, should not be trends at all. That’s right. As social media gurus, we’re here to let small business owners and avid social media users know that there are some things that just should be left off social media, as well as some trends that are simply on their way out. If you want to maximize upon your social media posting power, please read the following, and stray from the following list of things we beleive should no longer be posted on social media.

Oversharing and Mood Updates

It appears it’s been common practice for some social media posters to use the platform as their own personal diary, or therapeutic outlet for times of intense emotional stress. While it may feel good to vent over social media, and share your moods, it shouldn’t be broadcast on the Internet for all to see. Have you ever found an old diary, which you thought at the time seemed perfectly acceptable, only to feel completely ashamed and embarrassed about the things you wrote years later? Oversharing on social media is just like that old diary, except you’re not the only person able to read it—and you really want everyone you (and their moms) talking about it? A good rule of practice for social media is to be yourself without sharing each and every detail about your life.

Typical Food from Typical Restaurants

If you’re a foodie and you’re visiting new and exciting hidden gems you want to share with other foodies, that may seem perfectly acceptable to post over social media. That’s also why there are several Facebook groups dedicated to eating and drinking. No one wants to see photos of each and every meal you have had in a day, especially if it isn’t newsworthy or unique. Our best advice for food lovers on social media is to keep the foodie pics designated for your foodie groups, and only post a food picture once in a blue moon, when you have something that is truly mind blowing, and you know that your audience will really swoon over it.

Your Personal Photo Album

This is a tough one, because everyone has a soft spot in their hearts for their significant other, pet, friends, and the infamous selfie. And sure, we all want to share photos of our loved ones over social media, but no one wants to see 50 photos of you and your significant other smooching, or 50 baby pictures that only you cannot get enough of. That’s what photo albums are for, and while we’ve entered into a digital age, social media shouldn’t be your digital family photo album. If you want your audience to see all of your content without filtering it out, keep the cat pictures to a minimum, and only post when something really mind-blowing happens. Some great examples are your baby’s first steps, graduation photos, wedding photos (in moderation) or a video of your pet doing something absolutely hilarious and amazing. And for those who are obsessed with selfies–keep them to a minimum as well, and keep your clothing on. Skimpy selfies can be an unsavory way to market yourself.

Well, that’ all that we have for today. Sure, there are other trends that are annoying to some and on their way out, but these are the most mainstream. This advice goes for all individuals and small businesses who use social media. If you’d like more advice from San Diego digital marketing experts, or a detailed quote call (619) 291-8181 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by Patrick

Hottest Social Media Trends for Summer 2016

Business Tips, Marketing Campaigns, Mobile, Social Good, Social Media, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media for Hospitality, Social Media for Party Planners, Social Media for Restaurants, Social Media For Retail Businesses, Social Media predictions, Socially Connected, Strategic Planning, Strategy 0

Summer has arrived, and warm temps don’t mean that it’s time to take a break from your marketing campaign. Quite the opposite. As more and more folks take some much-needed time off from work, you can bet that they’ll be sharing their joy on social media. This is where you want to be as well. Here are the latest trends in the social media universe that you can leverage for your business marketing efforts this summer.

Not Your Grandma’s Video

We’ve been told for years that video is essential for marketing. Now with over a billion users worldwide, Live StreamYouTube has revolutionized video marketing to the masses. Yet, a new phenomenon is sweeping the planet and is pushing internet surfers and marketers alike to up their video game, so to speak: live video streaming. We’re no longer satisfied with simply watching recorded videos but crave the authentic live experience that is broadcast through Apps like Periscope and Meerkat – one of the hottest social media trends today. Periscope, owned by Twitter, is now broadcasting over 40 years worth of video daily. Before you start ambushing customers and live streaming, you may wish to strategize with some social media experts.

Snapchat for Business

Snapchat Snapchat, as much as you want it to be, is no longer just for teenagers. However, if your customer base is on the younger side, this is a marketing channel to example closely. According to Snapchat stats, 71% of users are under the age of 34, and there are over 100 million active users of the App. This is an App that can be leveraged for video marketing and short messages to reach untapped markets, particularly if your target market fits these demographics.

Social Commerce

Consumers are becoming less and less patient, and would prefer not to click through three separate screens to buy your product if it’s appealing. Fortunately, many of the social media platforms have heard the call, and various commerce-focused features have been implemented to allow the consumer to hit that “Buy” button sooner, rather than later. Facebook and Pinterest introduced these features in 2015, Twitter has been testing a “buy” button, and Instagram is expected to follow suit shortly.

Influencer Marketing

What used to be called word-of-mouth marketing is now termed “influencer marketing.” Same thing. Not only has the name changed, but its importance has gone through the roof. In fact, Nielson estimates that Social Media Trendsover 90% of consumers trust recommendations of friends and family over an advertising message. So, not only do those Yelp reviews and social media comments about your company matter, but your immediate response to them and prompt resolution of issues matters just as much.

Mobile Rules

It’s no longer “a plus” that your website, blog, and social media buttons are mobile friendly. Today, this is a must if you wish to survive in business. In 2016, it’s estimated that 2 billion consumers worldwide own smartphones, and mobile traffic overtook desktop traffic over a year ago. As content on a website is generally linked to social media, be sure that all of your web properties are mobile-friendly.

Social media platforms and their popularity change frequently and often those changes don’t make sense on the surface. Yet, social media marketing and staying on top of social media trends, is an essential element of connecting with customers and reaching untapped markets. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about social media trends and how My Social Marketing Network’s specialized marketing services can help your business get noticed.

Posted by Patrick

What’s All the Buzz about Tsu?

Advertising, B2B Social Media, Blogging, Content Marketing, Social Media, Social Media for Consumer Products, Social Media predictions, Socially Connected, Strategic Planning, Strategy 0

Social Media Social Networking Connection Global ConceptThere’s been a whole lot of talk about Tsu in the digital marketing world lately, the newest social media site to hit the web. In just a little more than a month, Tsu has leveraged more than one million users. This is quite a feat, especially when you consider that Facebook took 10 months to reach one million users, and it only took Tsu five weeks. So what is it that’s attracted so many people to this new site? Revenue.

To become a member of Tsu, you must receive an invitation from someone who is currently a part of the network. From there, you’re able to enter a code provided in the invitation and create your own profile. The key factor that sets Tsu apart from the other social media sites is money. That’s right, each and every person who creates and shares content is gaining the opportunity to earn revenues from the site. Where social media sites like Facebook keep the revenues they earn through advertisements on the site and selling information to data miners, Tsu gives 90% of their ad revenues to its users, creating value for each and every individual who creates and shares content.

What’s even better is that users are encouraged to donate their ad revenue earnings to charities right on the site. There’s an easy access tab built into the site that allows users to donate to a variety of charities. They can simply choose to “transfer funds” to the charity of their choice. Charities are also able to log into Tsu and create their own charity page for users to donate directly from the site.

Sebastian Sobczak, the founder and CEO of Tsu, said the site is the “first socially responsible social network… paying content royalties for the commercial use of content creators’ likeness, image and work.” He also went on to say that he wants to “collaboratively change the lives of people for the better with these new found royalty streams.”

The site’s early success has people wondering if Tsu will be the next Facebook in a year or so. Can you imagine how different life would be if content creators earned revenues from their posts? It could bring whole new meaning to content creation and social media marketing. It will definitely be interesting to watch how this site changes and grows within the next year.

Are you thinking about revamping your social media content strategy? We’d love to give you a hand. Social media is our specialty.

Posted by Patrick

2013 Social Media Trends

Pinterest, Social Media, Social Media predictions 0

Every year there are new trends for pretty much everything, but today we are going to touch on the 2013 social media trends. There are several 2013 social media trends, but these are the ones we found to be the “top” trends for this year. In this day in age, our cell phones are our lifelines; and even if we are hurting for cash, we find a way to pay our cell phone bills. Going “mobile” is the number one trend this year for businesses and companies with websites. Studies show that there were more smartphones purchased last year than PC’s. The convenience of a smartphone has made our day-to-day lives easier. While every company feels like they have to be on every social media platform, it is not entirely true. What you need to do for this year’s 2013 social media trends is make yourself, and your business, available for mobile users. Only 20% of mobile sites and apps are fully capable of being reached by a smartphone. While nearly all websites can be accessed on a smartphone, only 20% of them are fully integrated and made it possible to view, browse, and purchase items directly from the consumers’ smartphone. Tip #1 for 2013 social media trends– Go mobile, and make it user friendly and efficient.

2013 social media trends by MySMN

Pinterest really swept the nation and became a huge trend in 2012, and it is not going to stop there. This is in the top for 2013 social media trends and research shows that items pinned by a user are purchased 1 out of 5 times. If you don’t have Pinterest, I don’t know what you are waiting for! It is fairly easy to use, like Facebook, so get an account and start pinning to reach the market you have yet to tap into. This is a great way to target and reach other consumers you may not be able to reach via Facebook, or marketing ads, simply because everyone is using it, all age ranges, men, women, and children. If you pin something that I absolutely love, I will repin it, creating more visibility and traffic to your site and items you are selling. Not only is the site free, but you also get strangers to do the leg work of marketing, for free.

2013 social media trends by MySMN

The last of the 2013 social media trends we are going to talk about today is Instagram. Instagram is the easiest way for you to snap a photo, edit it, and reach not only your followers, but the photo is made public. Anyone looking for your business (or you) can locate you and feel the connection through your photos. Having a connection with a customer or consumer is half the battle. You can take pictures of yourself, your business, your co-workers, and when the customer is able to see all of that, it keeps you in the front of their mind, and more loyal to you. For other 2013 social media trends, visit our website and our blog at MySMN.com.

Posted by Patrick

What is Graph Search on Facebook?

Facebook 0

Where was I a few weeks ago when Mark Zuckerburg, CEO of Facebook, announced Graph Search? As with most new online trends, I always feel like the last to know.  For those of you, who are similar to me, you may ask, “so what is Graph Search on Facebook?”

Touted by Mark Zuckerburg as the “third pillar” of the social networking site along with Timeline and New Feed, Graph Search is a way to find people, restaurants, movies, music, places, photos that are most important to you on Facebook. Users type in key phrases to find out information about their friends, friends of friends, businesses or users with public settings. Users can find out what restaurants their friends have recommended, places friends of friends have traveled to and music people have been listening to plus much more.

So how does Graph Search work? Facebook users can type in any phrase into the Graph Search. By using phrases to find certain criteria, users have the option of narrowing or widening their search. Users can specifically tailor their search to their friends, friends of friends, businesses or information made public.  Here’s an example: Let’s say that you are looking for great Greek restaurants around San Diego. Let’s also say that most of your friends dislike Greek food.  With that in mind, you may not find out any information about Greek restaurants by limiting your search to your friends. So when typing a phrase into Graph Search, you could search for “Greek restaurants in San Diego that people like.” Graph Search will come up with all people who have liked a Greek Restaurant in San Diego as long as they have made that information public. If this wasn’t crazy enough, Graph Search allows users to search for practically anything that they think of such as “Single people who work for Facebook” or  “People who like prostitutes.” Graph Search will come up with a list of people who meet this criteria. A great but creepy stalker tool.

What is Graph Search on Facebook. MySMN is here for all of your social media questions.

At this point, Graph Search is not available to everyone. Only a limited number of users have access to this search tool. As time goes on, Facebook will allow more and more users to try Graph Search. If you are in a rush to try the “third pillar” of Facebook, you can get on a waitlist by going to the Facebook website.

Although this feature seems a little invasive, I’m sure when the time comes, I’ll be spending more than my fair share on Graph Search.  At least, I know it’s out there and that someone could be searching me.  I will also be able to give someone an answer, if they, like me, are always the last to know as to what is Graph Search on Facebook?

For more information on Graph Search or Facebook as a marketing tool visit mySMN at simwebsitelaunch.com/mysmn.

 

Posted by Patrick

2013 Facebook Trends

Facebook, Social Media predictions, Uncategorized 0

2012 was a big year full of ups and downs for the country, and of course, the glorious Facebook reflected all of those ups and downs. MySMN is going to take a look back at the biggest Facebook trends of 2012 to try and predict 2013 Facebook trends.

2013 Facebook Trends are always a popular topic.
US presidential election
The number one trend on Facebook last year was the presidential election. You know, the one where you told off your friends who didn’t agree with your politics. Those friends who are no longer friends after that fateful election night? Thank goodness we do not have to deal with another election for a while. In place of the Facebook trend of debating presidential nominees, we will have debating Nicky Minaj and Mariah Carey on American Idol. Oh joy.

Superbowl XLVI
Last year the Superbowl was the number two most popular trend on Facebook. Americans love their football, so we’re predicting that Superbowl 2013 will be a huge hit. We’re psychic like that.

Death of Whitney Houston
Sadly, the musical legend Whitney Houston passed away last year and people flooded social media honoring her legacy. We’re not going to predict another musical force to pass away, but rather hope for a new trend that encourages people to help others fight addiction.

Superstorm Sandy
Superstorm Sandy was the fourth biggest Facebook trend last year and we hope the weather can keep itself together in 2013. Maybe the Charlie Sheen media superstorm will come back and he will give us more phrases that make us cringe. Winning? Really? Yeah—winning the award for batshit crazy.

London 2012 Olympics
Between the London Olympics, Queen’s Jubilee and a pregnant Kate Middleton, 2012 was a huge year for the UK. We predict that 2013 will see a growing trend of pregnancy. Kate Middleton’s trend-setting power will not be denied.

2013 Facebook Trends are always a popular topic.
OK—enough of the run around. Clearly, we don’t really know what the 2013 Facebook trends will be because the biggest trends are based on events that are yet to happen. The overarching trend from last year is that people are sharing and relating about things that they feel passionate about. Gun control is a huge topic starting off 2013, and we will see what other events influence the nation’s dialogue in the coming year. How about world peace? We can dream!

Posted by Patrick

Social Media and Natural Disasters: Hurricane Sandy

Blogging, Instagram, Socially Connected 0

Hurricane Sandy is causing a heck of a stir, both literally and figuratively. People all over the country are watching and waiting to see what this storm is capable of. So far, this storm has displaced thousands from their homes, flooded towns, and scared the bejesus out of all of us onlookers. Thanks to the Internet and social media, both the people in the thick of it, and us spectators, can track the storm and stay up to date on its every movement. Pretty cool.

The first, and probably best way for you to see what is going on with Hurricane Sandy is the Google Crisis Map. This map allows you to see where it is going, along with many other handy filters so you see exactly what you want. For example, if the map shows the storm coming your way, there is a filter showing you where you can go to find shelter. For all of us who are not in the thick of it, we can watch live webcams of the storm and the havoc it’s causing.

Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy

Another website, Quartz, lists all of the live webcams, so that you are able watch the storm as it’s happening wherever you might be. There is a super awesome webcam direct from the Statue of Liberty. This cam, however, takes so freakin’ long to load because of the high traffic.

Quartz Hurricane Sandy Watch

Social Media is also playing a HUGE part in tracking Hurricane Sandy. I mean, just looking at my Facebook News Feed is keeping me updated. But for all of you that want a more reliable source than your dramatic friend in New York, you can check out the following Twitter Feeds and social media channels:

1. Accuweather.com’s Twitter Feed is a constant stream of updates on the hurricane. It is actually a bit overwhelming. It will tell you who doesn’t have power, how fast the winds are blowing, and much more.

2. The National Hurricane Center’s Twitter Feed is another place to stay tuned. It is not as detailed and intense, but will keep you updated on the big events going on.

3. The Weather Channel has their YouTube channel up and running with a constant coverage of Sandy.

The Story of Hurricane Sandy Through Instagram

4. Instacane is by far my favorite Hurricane Sandy wrap up website. This site tells the story of the storm through Instagram pictures. VERY, VERY badass. These pictures are INSANE. You will definitely want to check this site out.

Well, there you have it. There is NO excuse for you to not know what is going on. Social media and the Internet have made it possible for people all over the world to experience the hurricane and support those going through it.

Thanks social media, let’s expose that girl!