SOCIAL
Meta Launches New Video Series to Explore the Coming Opportunities of the Metaverse
Meta’s looking to provide more perspective on the coming metaverse shift via a new video series, hosted by Keke Palmer, in which Palmer explores Meta’s evolving VR worlds and opportunities.
The new series, entitled ‘Are We There Yet?’, will look at how Meta is planning for the future, and how the metaverse will change the way that we connect, engage, create and more.
As explained by Meta:
“Part Bill Nye The Science Guy, Part Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, ‘Are We There Yet?’ will be a metaverse 101, with each episode showcasing conversations between Palmer and various creators, artists, experts and more, as they travel through a future vision of the metaverse in a car and highlight the ways the metaverse will help us feel closer, be more collaborative, and be built by not just a few, but by all of us.”
The first episode, which you can watch in the embedded post above, sees Palmer talking with Meta’s VP of the metaverse Vishal Shah, in which they discuss some of the new potential opportunities of the space, including Horizon Worlds, virtual comedy clubs, movies, gaming and more.
It’s an interesting approach to mainstreaming some of the more technical aspects of the next stage, and demystifying the possibilities and potential for regular users.
It’s also interesting in the context of minority representation, and better aligning the metaverse with Black creators specifically.
Black creators are often the originators of web trends, but over time, they’ve gone unappreciated or unrecognized for such by social apps. Last year, Black creators on TikTok held a weeks-long strike action in protest over lack of credit and cultural appropriation. TikTok has since been working to build better networks for Black artists, through improved recognition and funding, but many still have concerns about how their work can be stolen to fuel viral trends.
Instagram has also added a new acknowledgment process to ‘address complaints that Black users are not credited for starting trends or are shut out from profiting from them’, while Facebook too has been working to provide more opportunities for Black artists.
Given this, Meta is well aware of the importance of Black creators in fueling cultural movements, which it will need as part of its evolving metaverse push.
As such, partnering with Keke Palmer could also help to ensure more Black artists are aware of the opportunities in the space, which may help to open up more doors for their work.
With this in mind, it’s more than just an entertaining overview and interview series, which could expand its value beyond the up front promotion of the metaverse shift.
You can check out the first episode of ‘Are We There Yet?’ via the link above.
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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