SOCIAL

Twitter Adds New Raised Hand Emoji to Signal Questions in Spaces, Expands Roll Out of Voice Effects

Published

3 years ago

August 11, 2021

twitter adds new raised hand emoji to signal questions in spaces expands roll out of voice effects

As we await the arrival of Twitter’s dedicated Spaces tab, which will increase the presence of the audio meeting room option within the app, Twitter continues to roll out new tweaks and updates to the format to help improve its audio engagement experience.

Today, Twitter has added a new raised hand emoji feature, available to Spaces speakers, hosts and co-hosts, which enables speakers to signal that they have something to add to the discussion, without interrupting the chat.

As you can see in the second image, speakers can now switch on the ‘raised hand’, which will appear at the top right of their profile bubble in the Space. Unlike other reaction emojis, the raised hand will not disappear, and will remain present until either the user chooses to switch it off, or they unmute, ready to speak.

It’s a handy, functional addition to the Spaces process, and while it’s not a huge change, each update adds a little more refinement, and makes it a more inclusive, engaging experience.

In addition to this, Twitter also says that its new voice-changing effects options are now available to 50% of iOS users.

Twitter first announced its Voice Transformer tools for Spaces last month, and the test pool is gradually be expanded over time. The idea is that by providing more options to control how you sound, it could make people feel more comfortable engaging within Spaces, while also providing another fun, engaging option to play within in the tool.

Is audio social a real trend, or a fad driven by the enhanced need for social connection amid the COVID lockdowns around the world?

It does feel a lot like live-streaming, which many lauded as a potential ‘game-changer’ for social media usage, but which faded out pretty quickly once everybody could use it and people realized that most live-streams simply weren’t very high quality.

Audio social has the markers of heading in that same direction, with a lot of early Clubhouse users now ignoring the app as its exclusivity fades and good rooms become harder to find.

That doesn’t mean audio social will disappear completely – plenty of people still live-stream, and generate good results, and new use cases are always arising. But the idea that it will be a more significant element seems less likely over time, even as Twitter looks to double down on Spaces with its own dedicated elements.

We’ll have to wait and see, but either way, there may be opportunities to enhance engagement within your online communities.

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.

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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.