SOCIAL

TikTok Adds New ‘Business Creative Hub’ to Highlight Relevant Trends and Tips in Brand Use

Published

3 years ago

April 16, 2021

TikTok’s looking to help brands tap into the latest trends – both on the platform generally and among business in their local region – with the addition of a new ‘Business Creative Hub‘ content showcase, which is now available to business accounts within the app.

As explained by TikTok:

“From listening to our business users, we found that a common challenge faced by many was a lack of inspiration for new content to post. It could be that a winning strategy used on other platforms isn’t having the same success here, or that you don’t know what’s trending and how your brand can jump on board.”

The new hub aims to address this need, with a showcase of trending content in three different categories, which aims to highlight creative, engaging use of TikTok clips by brands.

As you can see here, the hub, which is available via the ‘Business Suite’ section of the ‘Settings and privacy’ menu on the app (for business profiles only), is separated into two elements.

The first is a video showcase, which highlights trending content in three categories:

The first feed, Trending: Business, shows videos from other Business Accounts in the same country, ranked by the total number of likes they’ve received.
The second feed, Engaging: Business, shows a similar selection of popular Business Account content, but ranked by the level of engagement, measured by the ratio of comments to video views.
The third feed, Trending: Community, shows videos from all account types, ranked by the total number of likes received.

That could help guide brands on what’s working, in order to help them gain traction with their TikTok creative efforts.

It’s similar to TikTok’s ‘Top Ads’ library, which provides users with examples of ads that have seen strong response on the platform.

In combination, TikTok now provides you with a broad range of examples for your promoted content efforts, and along with its @TikTokforBusiness profile, which also highlights examples and tips, there’s a heap of ways to get inspiration for your on-platform approach.

The second element of the new hub is a Business Content Guide, which TikTok says is ‘a cheat sheet for any business to easily get the hang of using TikTok to promote your brand’.

“It aims to inspire, with tips on content strategy, storyline ideation, and video shooting; but there are also practical tips for getting the most out of your business account, from setting up your profile, to the best times to post, to content moderation and traffic. The Content Guide also showcases Success Stories – best practice examples from brands with successful Business Accounts.”

The Content Guide element is mostly static text, though there are video examples in between, and it includes a range of guidance notes and advice, which could be beneficial in your approach.

These are some handy resources for TikTok marketers, with the examples provided giving you clear guidance on what’s trending in your region to help guide your approach.

Of course, the best way to get a true feel for what works, on any platform, is to spend time in the app yourself, but these tools provide more specific guidance on how brands are using the platform, which could help to spark your thinking for on-platform campaigns.

You can find out more about TikTok’s new Business Creative Hub here.

SOCIAL

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.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Save

SOCIAL

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.

SOCIAL

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.