SOCIAL
Facebook Launches New Video Interview Series to Share More Insight into its Product Development Process
Facebook has today launched the first video in a new series that will provide insights into its video products – how they were built, what they were built for, how the features work and what’s coming next.
The first video in the series, hosted by Jeff Birkeland from the Facebook product team, is an interview with Jen Lee, a product marketing manager working on the Facebook Creator Studio app.
Facebook launched its Creator Studio app back in February, as a companion to the Creator Studio desktop app. Initially, the app was limited because while you could schedule posts and view analytics, you couldn’t actually create posts within the app. Facebook rectified this in May, adding full post creation capability to the app.
Lee first outlines the basics of the app, then highlights some key pointers on why people should consider using it.
The first key note is that it’s not possible to publish as a personal profile through the Creator Studio app, which can help to limit mistakes.
As explained by Lee:
“We routinely got feedback from creators and publishers that when they used the main Facebook mobile app to publish content, they almost always accidentally published as their personal profile, so we wanted to take care of that issue.”
Lee also notes that the Creator Studio app also provides access to a range of ‘video-specific metadata features’ which you can’t access via the main Facebook app.
“So if you want to add pieces like video titles, video description, video thumbnails, then the Creator Studio app is the app for you.”
Birkeland explains that the Creator Studio app is video-focused, and tied to deeper video insights, as opposed to other Facebook publishing apps, which is really the app’s core value proposition.
In addition to this, Lee also says that the top two requests they get to improve the Creator Studio app, which they are working to develop, are Facebook Live integration and Instagram posting integration.
Lee says the Instagram integration “will a little bit of a bigger undertaking”, given most of the functionality is already available within the Instagram mobile app, but Facebook Live integration is already being rolled out to some users.
There are some interesting notes here, and it’s good to get actual insight from the team working on these products as to why they’ve been developed, and where they’re headed in future. I wasn’t, for example, aware of the video-specific focus of Creator Studio, which could make it a bigger consideration for those looking to post video content to their Facebook Pages.
Facebook plans to add more video interviews in future, and we’ll keep an eye on them for any insights worth sharing.
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
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