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Facebook Outlines a Range of New Video Tools, Including Messenger Rooms for Group Video Hangouts

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facebook outlines a range of new video tools including messenger rooms for group video hangouts

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced a range of new video tools across Facebook’s family of apps, in order to meet demand and evolving use-cases during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Zuckerberg made the announcements via Facebook Live stream, noting that with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic set to carry on for some time, live video is likely how we’re going to see a lot more announcements and events. 

Here’s what’s coming to Facebook’s various video tools.

First off, on video calling – which Zuckerberg says is the most used type of video interaction in its apps around the world. Catering to this, Facebook will soon double the capacity of group video calls on WhatsApp from 4 to 8 participants.

WhatsApp video group calls

That exceeds the on-screen video chat limit in Messenger, which displays up to six participants at a time, but you can add up to 50 people to a Messenger video chat, with the remainder in audio-only mode.

Zuckerberg praised the security measures of video calling on WhatsApp, and said that group video calls have been a highly requested feature among users.

Over on Messenger, Facebook is adding new effects tools to improve or alter your video chat presentation. Facebook’s adding 360 virtual backgrounds to change the look of where you are in video calls.

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Facebook Messenger virtual background

While it’s also adding ‘Mood Lighting’ effects, again to alter your video chat presentation.

Facebook Messenger mood lighting

Zuckerberg also discussed the recent expansion of Messenger Kids into more regions, noting that its messaging app for younger audiences now has over 7 million active users, and has seen 3.5x growth during COVID-19.

Facebook’s also looking to assist singles during the COVID-19 lockdowns with a new tool that will enable Facebook Dating users to invite potential matches into video chats.

Facebook Dating video

But the biggest addition announced by Zuckerberg is likely a new Messenger Rooms option that will be hosted in Facebook Messenger, but will be made available across all of Facebook’s apps, providing a new option for people that want to set up virtual, unplanned hangouts to catch up.

Facebook Messenger Rooms

As you can see here, Messenger Rooms looks a lot like Zoom – and that’s likely a key inspiration.

Zuckerberg noted that Rooms taps into the rising popularity of virtual meeting spaces, but will be different to other offerings because people won’t need to schedule their Rooms up front – “like you do with more typical enterprise services”. Instead, you can start a Room at any time, and an active listing of all Rooms that you can join will be displayed at the top of your Facebook News Feed – even above Facebook Stories.

Messenger Rooms

Zuckerberg says that this will be great for ‘neat, serendipitous, spontaneous interaction’ – and definitely, you can see the value here. With your friends and connections able to set up Rooms, and list a topic of discussion, you’ll be able to join whenever you want, and catch up via Messenger video.

Up to 50 people will be able to join a Room at a time, and there will be no time limits on how long a Room can run for. At this stage, however, Rooms will not be available to Facebook Pages, so you won’t be able to create a separate Room meet-up under your Page/company name, you’ll need to do so via a personal account.

Zuckerberg also notes that there will be very specific privacy controls and invite options for Messenger Rooms, while you’ll also be able to schedule your Room meet-ups, if you’d prefer a more structured process. 

You’ll also be able to send Rooms invites across Facebook’s apps – while Zuckerberg also says that even people without a Facebook account will be able to join via URL.

Messenger Rooms

Rooms is now being tested with a selected group of users, with a broader rollout planned “in the coming weeks”.

In addition to this, Zuckerberg also announced that Facebook is bringing its Live guests option back to Facebook Live.

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Facebook Live guests

Facebook removed the option to go live with a guest on Facebook last December, which, in retrospect, was unfortunate timing, given the current shift to video tools to connect amid COVID-19. Now Facebook will bring the option back once again – so for all those readers who’ve been asking where it went, it’ll be restored very soon.

Zuckerberg also noted that the Facebook Events team has been redeployed to work on how live video can be utilized for events, and they’re focused on creating new experiences, including the ability to charge fees for viewers to join live video functions on Facebook.

Facebook Live events

Zuckerberg says the capacity to charge video event fees will help artists and SMBs, and businesses that rely on in-person services to support them. More info to come soon.

And lastly, Zuckerberg officially announced that Instagram Live is coming to desktop PCs.

Instagram Live desktop

We reported on this earlier this month after several people noted that they were able to view Instagram Live broadcasts on the web. But now, it’s official – you can view Instagram Live streams via the web by logging in on the desktop site.

In addition to these announcements, Zuckerberg also shared some new video usage stats, and provided an overview of Facebook’s ongoing efforts to assist in the COVID-19 relief efforts.

On video usage, Zuckerberg says that:

  • More than 700 million people are conducting video calls on Facebook’s apps daily. The number of video calls has doubled during COVID-19, and some categories, like group video chat, have gone up 10x or more in the period.
  • Sales of Facebook’s Portal video connection device have grown by more than 10x during COVID-19. Zuckerberg says they’re working hard to make more Portals to meet the demand.
  • Every day, more than 800 million that engage with live video across Facebook’s apps. Zuckerberg notes that, of all its video options, the fewest people are producing live content, but it attracts the most viewers. Worth noting in your approach.

There’s a heap to take in, and we won’t know the full detail of each new addition till they get fully released. But soon, you’ll have a lot more Facebook video options to consider.

Some great opportunities to connect.

Socialmediatoday.com

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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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