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Facebook Launches New Fundraising and Community Assistance Tools as Part of ‘Season of Giving’

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2020

facebook launches new fundraising and community assistance tools as part of season of giving

Facebook has announced a range of new fundraising and charity options as part of its ‘Season of Giving’ initiative, which will kick off next week, with Facebook pledging to match donations up to $7 million on Giving Tuesday, “a day when people all over the world come together to support great causes”.

As explained by Facebook:

“This year has been difficult for everyone – but one silver lining has been the immense compassion and generosity that so many people have shown. On Facebook and Instagram, people have raised more than $100 million for COVID-19 causes and $65 million for those supporting racial justice this year, and more than 3.9 million people have visited our Community Help page to find ways to give and receive help.”

Indeed, amid all the discussion around the negative impacts of social media, and Facebook specifically, the platform has provided assistance for many people in need, and an avenue for promotion for struggling small businesses.

Whether that outweighs the broader concerns around misinformation and the like is difficult to say, but Facebook has provided a lifeline for many SMBs struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic.

Facebook’s also adding some new fundraising tools on both Facebook and Instagram, including an option for users to create and share nonprofit fundraisers directly within their feed.

This is in addition to the various existing fundraising and awareness options on its platforms, including fundraising and awareness stickers, fundraisers in Instagram Live, personal fundraisers on Facebook and more.

Facebook says that 100% of what’s raised for nonprofits on Facebook and Instagram will go directly to the organizations, with all donations securely processed by Facebook Pay, “making it seamless to donate in just a few taps”. That could also facilitate more assurance in Facebook Pay and its capacity to handle payments, a key element in the company’s broader steps into eCommerce and on-platform shopping.

That’s obviously an aside from its charity tools, but potentially another benefit of its broader donations push.

Facebook’s also looking to facilitate more community assistance, with a new tool called ‘Drives’, which will make it easier to collect food, clothes and other necessities for people in need.

Drives is rolling out from today, and it will be available in more regions shortly.

These are some helpful tools, which, as noted, help to underline the community benefits that Facebook facilitates, countering at least some of the concerns around the app. The massive reach and engagement of the platform can provide significant means for community connection and assistance, and definitely Facebook does connect more people, and help to keep us all aware of our local happenings and ways that we can help.

It’s important for Facebook to maintain the focus on this, amid the various negative stories about its facilitation of fake news, conspiracy theories, dangerous movements, etc.

Facebook does facilitate community good. Does it provide more value than it does negativity?

This will continue to be a topic of debate for some time to come.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2024

Max

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.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

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.