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TikTok Launches Digital Avatars for Use in TikTok Clips

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TikTok Launches Digital Avatars for Use in TikTok Clips

In the near future, digital avatars will become a critical representation of our real selves, as we interact more and more in wholly virtual spaces – which is why several platforms are now trying to come up with the best 3D avatar tools to better align people with their apps.

And now, TikTok’s throwing its hat in the ring, with the launch of its own avatar creation tools.

As you can see in the above video, TikTok’s Avatars, now available via the ‘Effects’ panel in the camera view, enable users to create their own custom character depictions for use across the app.

As explained by TikTok:

Choose from an array of hairstyles, accessories, piercings and makeup, to create a TikTok Avatar that reflects your personal look and style. After your Avatar is ready, you can start recording videos. As you gesture and move, your Avatar will mimic your motion.”

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The functionality is much like Apple’s ‘Memoji’, which enables you to use your chosen Memoji character as essentially a digital puppet, with the character moving in response to your actions when looking at the camera.

TikTok’s avatars are an almost direct replica of this, down to the cartoonish look – though TikTok’s characters also include a ‘miniature avatar’ functionality, which I suspect will end up being the primary use of the option, at least initially.

TikTok Avatar

As you can see in this example, in ‘Miniature’ mode, you’ll be able to place your custom avatar as an overlay on your TikTok clips. That could provide a range of new creative use cases, with your digital character engaging with TikTok clips and remixes, or providing voice-over directions as a talking head.

Which could be interesting – but as noted, the real impetus here is staying in touch with the next phase of digital connection, and building avatar tools that will increasingly align with habitual usage shifts, while also helping to maintain connection with your presence in each app.

Meta’s 3D avatars are already well-advanced, and available for use, in varying ways, across both Facebook and Instagram, while Snap has its own Bitmoji characters which users are also aligned with.

Both Meta and Snap are already exploring the sale of digital clothing for your virtual characters, while Meta, of course, is also looking to merge your Avatar over to VR, and eventually, its metaverse vision. Within this, users will become increasingly used to engaging via these depictions – which is why TikTok’s also looking to get in now, in the hopes that its users also become more attached to their in-app caricatures.

Though I suspect, eventually, it will come down to the most functional avatar creation tools, the most customizable and best looking, and the most universally available, with the capacity to take your character with you across apps and platforms.

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Which is where dedicated creation tools like ‘Ready Player Me’ come into the frame.

Ready Player Me

Ready Player Me’s characters replicate the style of existing video game creation tools, like the player models available in ‘Fortnite’, and provide a lot more custom elements, which will likely make it a more appealing, engaging platform, if it’s able to align with the upcoming metaverse schema (i.e. its characters are transferable across various platforms).

We don’t know exactly how that’s going to work, because the systems haven’t been made as yet, but the best avatar tools will enable universal compatibility, so that the character you align yourself with on one platform is the same one you use in every other, helping to build that recognition and presence across digital spaces.

Meta is also working on its own photorealistic avatars, which are likely a while away yet.

And even when they are available, it remains to be seen whether users actually want to look like themselves online – or would they prefer a more customized, cartoonish variation that better represents how they choose to look?

I suspect the latter is more likely, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Meta eventually sought to acquire a tool like Ready Player Me to build out its avatar creation options, and increase appeal to younger users.

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And given this, TikTok’s likely starting from well behind. But it has to start somewhere, with these initial avatar tools being the apps first step in its own metaverse shift.

TikTok’s new Avatars are available in the app from today.  

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

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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.

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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

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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.” 

“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.

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“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

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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.

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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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