social media

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Stay up to date with the latest trends and insights in the influencer marketing world.

  • Social animals and the future of social media

    Date: July 1, 2022

    Category: Social Media

    I feel very fortunate to be part of the generation that experienced the transition from the analogue to the digital world. I was neither too old nor too young. It allowed me to understand the potential of new technologies and simultaneously experience it as something almost magical: the first email, the first web page, the first search engine… A new world to be discovered, and every day was an adventure.

    But the unforgettable memory that blew my mind was when I was visiting a friend, and he showed me the chat on a page called ole.com. He said, “I’m talking live with other people”. That was witchcraft! To talk to people worldwide in real-time on the computer was completely revolutionary for me. 

    We were living in the early days of the internet with 56k connections, ISDN, and the first ADSL… and we were already using the net to connect with others. Later new sites would call themselves ‘social media”, but these networks were already in place from the beginning of time. We talked to our school friends via messenger, met people with the same interests as us on forums, and shared our first university photos on pages like Fotolog. Social media were always there, although we didn’t call them that. 

    We have empowered our relationships through social media that our physical reality cannot be understood without them. I’m not saying anything new, am I? We all know it, and brands know it. Their perception depends on what they say and do through them, who their digital ambassadors are, and what users talk about. It is well known that a tweet can change your life, and this risk is multiplied infinitely in the case of brands.

    We know the power of Facebook, the revolutions of Twitter, the paradigm shift of TikTok or Twitch… We interact with others, known and unknown, in the same ways. We meet new people, debate, create our own tribes, dogmas, taboos… 

    And now, we are at the forefront of a new community model. Platforms like Discord enable users to create smaller closed spaces only invited people can join. Users enjoy this private space since it is where they can discuss with other like-minded individuals with similar values and knowledge around specific topics. Why should I talk to everybody if I want to interact with particular individuals? This thinking is step-by-step arising, especially after Twitch became the most relevant communication platform of the future.  

    Today, The so-called Internet 3.0 is looming on the horizon, but there is still too much talk about it. We don’t know what’s coming up next, we can only dream about what our following networks will be. 

    Martín Brotons

    Planning and Creative Director at Samy Alliance

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  • In-Stream Ads by topic, the new Facebook feature

    Date: June 20, 2021

    Category: Social Media

    Image credit: Will Francis

    If you’re talking to everyone, you’re talking to no one

    This is the premise of generic ads or content videos that do not have a clear target audience. Now this is going to change.

    Facebook continues to improve its technical features to help retailers and content creators maximise both their impact and their ability to optimise the audience they are targeting with their ads.

    Although still in beta, the platform has launched a new way to filter the type of video ads to be shown by topics, allowing for even more customisation of the user and potential consumer experience.

    Where can I add them?

    These ads can appear before, during or after the video, or even be static images that accompany it. The minimum time an ad can be shown in a video with automation enabled is 30 seconds, if it is a static image, and 45 seconds if it is a video.

    In order for a content creator to be eligible to add this type of ad, they must have a series of minimum requirements: 10,000 followers or more, 600,000 total minutes with views in the last 60 days, with at least 60,000 minutes of their live videos viewed and a minimum of 5 active videos on their page.

    With ad automation and the algorithm, the platform is trying to get closer to optimising the ads it displays. In this case, Facebook’s ad auction system detects the best time to show an ad to the user.

    In order to choose the best type of ad to show on the videos you need to have some things in consideration:

    • Before the video: These ads, showed before the video, are targeted for users actively searching for an specific content. More views equal more payments for the creator of the content where the ads are showed.
    • During the video: This kind of ad is perfect for videos with natural breaks. Most of the videos are discovered in the news feed of the platform, we recommend creators to schedule their content to show ads during the video.
    • Image ads: these ads are static images displayed below the content. They are perfect for videos where it’s difficult to insert publicity.
    • After the video: This kind of ad can be shown to viewers who did not see ads before the video or image advertising.

    What else is new?

    This is not the only new feature the platform is introducing for advertisers, as it is also currently testing sticker ads that creators and advertisers will be able to add to their stories.  This type of advertising will allow creators to monetise their Facebook stories, receiving part of the profits generated by these stickers.

    In addition, Instagram, a platform owned by Facebook, is testing Reel ads. These ads can be a maximum of 30 seconds and will allow users to comment on them, like, view, save, share or skip them.

    There are undoubtedly many new features coming to the different social networks that will help brands and creators to maximise their advantages and optimise their content.

    Want to know more?

    In SamyRoad we are experts in social networks, if you want to know how we can help you do not hesitate to contact us.

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  • Most popular content on Instagram for your brand

    Date: May 26, 2021

    Categories: Influencer Marketing, Lists, Social Media

    Popular content for brands to post on Instagram

     

    Instagram is the king of social networks. There is still no doubt about this statement, as it is currently chosen by more than 1.2 billion users, the one that generates the most engagement and the one preferred by influencers, brands and users.

    On Instagram, 90% of users follow a brand, and shoppable posts can increase brand traffic by more than 2,600%. But, what content is most popular when it comes to brands?

    User Generated Content

    User Generated Content on Instagram

    UGC is very popular on social networks and Instagram is no exception. Brands can and should take advantage of content generated by users and customers. It’s real, honest content and shows the real consumer reception of your product.

    Behind-the-scenes Shots

    Behind-the-scenes shots is a popular content on Instagram

    People are curious by nature, a behind-the-scenes is always a good way to show how work is done and to show things never seen before by the user. Behind-the-scenes videos always generate great impact and interest no matter what you are talking about.

    Teaser Product

    Teaser your products

    Without a doubt, teaser content is a classic. Creating buzz by generating teaser posts to present a product is always a good idea. It increases engagement, people will want and try to find out what it is, especially if the teaser content is well done.

    Real-time Trends

    Keep it up with trends! Generating content following real-time trends is a must in social media. It is essential to have a good social listening strategy to know what is happening and always keep in mind the challenges and types of content that are popular at any given moment.

    Carousel Posts To improve your Information Sharing

    Data, tips or lists of information and curiosities are becoming more and more popular. People like to be informed in a quick way and this kind of information pills generate interest and curiosity. It is a very popular style of branded content.

    Memes are Taking Over

    Memes are popular content on Instagram

    Don’t be afraid of corporate memes! Although Twitter is the main social network for this humorous content, many are already taking up the format on Instagram. Branded content memes are becoming increasingly popular, but it is important to know how to use them correctly.

    Branded AR Filters

    Instagram filters never go out of fashion. They are easy to create and people like them, especially if they are absurd. A brand can create filters to promote items, that are just for fun or that serve to generate a challenge.The options are varied, you just have to be bold.

    Do you need help with your Instagram strategy?

    In SamyRoad we are experts in social media and influencer marketing, if you are curious to know more or want to know how we can help you, do not hesitate to contact us.

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  • Clubhouse, the popular livestreaming platform

    Date: May 10, 2021

    Category: Influencer Marketing

    With a meteoric rise to the top of the most downloaded iOS apps, Clubhouse is currently positioned as one of the social livestreaming platforms with the most potential.

    Launched in April 2020, the platform currently has more than 10 million active users per week and expects to reach even more people in 2021 with its arrival on Android in mid-2021.

    What’s so special about Clubhouse?

    Clubhouse is all about the sound. The platform is born from the podcast concept and adds a twist: live and interactive experience. In addition, the invitation-only access and the fact that it is, for the moment, an iPhone-only product, creates a sense of exclusivity.

    The magic of livestreaming, already discussed in our article about Twitch, is based on several key points. On the one hand, we have the dreaded FOMO, fear of missing out, people want to be part of something that is happening at that moment and will only happen at that moment. On the other hand, we have the possibility of active participation by the audience, who can easily become part of the group of speakers.

    The potential of the livestreaming platform

    The platform is still growing and adding more features in a continuous improvement of the platform, focusing on helping creators, improving technicalities and listening to user requests.

    Clubhouse offers a new way for brands to socialise with audiences. There are several ways to do this, here are some of them:

    • Sponsoring a room: Invite people to talk about a specific topic with public sponsorship of your brand.
    • Round tables: create a space for discussion of a specific topic moderated by the brand.
    • Active participation in different rooms: the brand can be a participant in the rooms created by users.

    Dare to be creative

    The fear of unpredictability in the livestreaming world is real, but the possibilities it offers are even greater.

    A prime example of this is the narrative games that are already being played on the platform. As Marketing Directo points out in this article (in Spanish), they have almost unlimited potential for brands.

    On April 17th, a group of users, led by Goya winner for best original screenplay David Pulido, created an investigation game based on the murder on the Orient Express. In this game, users could walk through its carriages and listen to the conversations of its characters to try to find out, through clues and situations, who was guilty of the murder committed.

    Gathering a total of 188 spectators and participants during the more than three hours of the event, the innovative and immersive narrative created by Pulido became a mass success.

    A brand could create, with the help of skilled hands, an original sponsored narrative game that will engage the audience, generating visibility and desired buzz around it, even including prizes for the winner(s).

    Need help or want to know more about livestreaming platforms?

    At SamyRoad, we are experts in partnership campaigns with profiles and creating original and engaging content for audiences.

    If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities of the platforms and how we can help you, contact us.

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