Brian Meert's Blog, page 133
December 27, 2017
Creators Worldwide Can Now Use Facebook’s AR Studio
December 28, 2017Anna Hubbel
Photo Courtesy of Facebook for DevelopersFacebook has been dabbling into augmented reality as of late, producing AR filters similar to those of Snapchat. AR Studio, a creative tool for making AR experiences through the Camera Effects Platform, was previously released in closed beta for a limited number of creators. Now it is accessible to creators worldwide, Facebook recently announced.
Creators worldwide can now access @Facebook 's #ARStudio. #tech #design #apps #ar
Click To Tweet
“Since launching in closed beta at F8, we’ve seen a strong response from the 2,000+ [sic] creators using AR Studio, building fun, animated frames, masks, and interactive AR experiences,” the announcement states. “We’ve been working hard to give them even more powerful tools and open them up to more people.”
The Competition Thickens
For advertisers, this is major news, especially if there’s been conflict regarding whether to invest more time into Snapchat AR reality marketing. Facebook’s AR Studio makes the decision easy for loyal Facebook creators, as it allows them to create unique, fun, and interactive AR experiences without having to switch to a completely different platform.
That being said, Snapchat’s recent rollout of Lens Studio, a desktop app that allows creators to develop their own interactive AR Lenses, could be prompting Facebook to open up AR Studio to more creators. In Facebook’s announcement, it’s even mentioned that the platform will enable world effect technology within AR Studio in the immediate future. This technology would open up 3D object creation capabilities, a feature identical to that of Snapchat’s Lens Studio.
AR usage for 2017 has been high, and it’s likely to continue getting higher. It will be exciting to see what other AR capabilities will roll out across social media advertising in 2018.
The post Creators Worldwide Can Now Use Facebook’s AR Studio appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
How to Access Facebook’s Data About You
December 28, 2017Anne Felicitas
Learn how to unlock @facebook 's secret data about you. #socialmedia #facebook #hacks
Click To Tweet
Facebook has hyper-targeting tools that allow advertisers to target individuals of any demographic with any interests and behaviors at any time, anywhere. This almost omnipotent ability was made possible by two sources of information, third-party data and internal data. The former data comes from “third-party brokers,” companies such as Acxiom, Epsilon, and Experian, that sell offline data about consumers to Facebook. This data includes people who own store loyalty cards; mailing lists, public records information, and browser cookies. The latter data comes from the information users willingly provide when filling out their profiles and the information Facebook collects on users’ activities, whether that’s liking a page, clicking on an ad, or commenting on a post.
Although you can’t access the third-party data Facebook has on you, you can access its internal data. In fact, you can download this data to keep with you forever. This downloadable data includes your timeline information, posts you shared, messages you sent, photos you uploaded, ads you clicked on, and more. Additionally, it includes information you can’t access anywhere else, such IP addresses, active sessions, and vanity URLs.
A glimpse of Facebook’s internal data on users. The entire chart can be found on facebook.com.If you want to download the internal data Facebook has on you, simply go to your general settings and click “Download a copy.”
Step 1: Go to Settings
Step 2: Click “Download a copy”
Step 3: Click “Start My Archive”
Many Facebook users demand more transparency. That’s why Facebook will allow you to view competitors’ ad history and allows you to know why you’re seeing a particular Facebook ad. Allowing you to download data about you is another way Facebook is listening to users’ demands.
The post How to Access Facebook’s Data About You appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
7 Ways to Network on Instagram
December 27, 2017Anna Hubbel
One way to succeed on Instagram is to network with others who have accounts similar to yours. Instagram is a supportive online community, one that inspires business and brand growth through professional connections if you show your desire to support other accounts. It’s a give and take. Here are five ways you can network and create beneficial Instagram relationships.
5 ways to network and create @Instagram relationships. #digitalnetworking
Click To Tweet
1. Start an Instagram Chat
Reply to another account’s Instagram Story. Specifically, send a direct message to accounts that share similar interests with your brand. But don’t send a message that uses heavy marketing lingo or connotations. Be genuine and weave in comments about the Story or other details you’ve noticed about the brand to show real interest and a desire to network with it.
2. Connect Through Instagram Groups
Join a group chat or Instagram group consisting of accounts with similar goals that allows users to share content they want to boost in Instagram’s feed. You can find many of these groups, also known as Instagram pods, on Facebook. In these groups, you can ask for likes or comments to your content. Consequently, your content will appear higher up in Instagram’s feed thanks to its algorithm, which prioritizes content with strong engagement. Instagram groups give accounts the opportunity to work together to boost engagement.
3. Find Similar Accounts Using Hashtags
Hashtags make it easier to find other Instagram accounts that share similar posts. You can find other accounts by searching for the hashtags. If you want other accounts to find you, add relevant hashtags to your own posts. To make sure you are including the right hashtags in your posts, do a search and see what hashtags other accounts are using.
4. Tag Friends
Tag a new friend or Instagram contact in the comments section of an inspirational quote or silly meme to establish rapport. It’s a fun and relaxed way to network with similar accounts.
5. Use Explore
Instagram’s Explore uses an algorithm that highlights accounts you should be following. It’s a great starting point for all Instagram networking. Take advantage of the resource and network away.
6. Comment on Posts
To attract the attention of accounts that you want to network with, make your presence known by commenting on their posts. If you do this frequently, the brand will notice your interest and loyalty to its account. After you establish your presence, you can then send the brand a private message. Brands will be more receptive to hearing out other users who have already interacted with them in the past.
7. Follow the Account
Sometimes, if you follow an account, that account will follow you back. This is especially true for accounts with a small following.
Happy Insta-Networking!
The post 7 Ways to Network on Instagram appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
December 26, 2017
4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Snapchat’s Context Cards
December 27, 2017Anna Hubbel
Photo Courtesy of AdweekSnapchat’s Context Cards, which give users basic information about local businesses when Snaps are taken in or near the place of business, open the door to a world of deliberate spontaneity. More specifically, businesses should prepare for what information may pop up about their business at any given moment.
Context Cards are like little captions for Snaps, containing information such as customer reviews, address, and a map to the business’s location. Although businesses can’t control when users are going to Snap and see a Context Card, they can certainly take measures to make themselves look good. Here are four ways businesses can get the most out of Snapchat’s Context Cards.
4 ways to get the most out of @Snapchat's #ContextCards. #digitaladvertising
Click To Tweet
1. Use Influencers
Influencers are a business’ best friend. A user with a strong Snapchat following that shares a positive Snap (with a Context Card) about a business can make a huge impact on customer interest.
2. Be Attentive to Reviews
Since Context Cards give users a quick insight into a business, bad reviews can quickly influence negative perceptions. Businesses should address negative reviews quickly with stellar customer service, whether it be by making amends or by countering unfair comments with proof through photos.
3. Offer Discounts
Businesses can use Context Cards to their advantage by offering discounts for customers who mention a Context Card or leave a positive review about the business. Promoting these kinds of discounts can encourage customers to take Snaps at businesses and subsequently boost marketing exposure.
4. Make a Brand Experience
From something as simple as a car wash to something as creative as a festive family shopping day, businesses can influence customers to have a positive experience to Snap about. When considering marketing strategies, businesses should think about how they can make their brand an experience for customers so that there are more opportunities for Context Card exposure.
If businesses can prepare for the spontaneity of Context Cards, there is a great opportunity for major customer reach and positive business exposure.
The post 4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Snapchat’s Context Cards appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
December 23, 2017
Snapchat’s Lens Studio Allows Developers to Create AR Lenses on Desktop
December 23, 2017Anna Hubbel
Snapchat released a dancing hotdog front-facing filter that went viral. Photo Courtesy of TechCrunchSnapchat has blurred the lines that otherwise have distinguished it as a solely mobile experience with the rollout of Lens Studio, a desktop AR developer tool. Officially launched on December 14, Lens Studio gives developers the ability to make 3D World Lens objects in photos and videos.
Lens Studio allows developers to create Lenses without necessarily having to go through Snapchat’s in-house AR design team and agency partnerships, according to TechCrunch. It takes AR creativity to a whole new level.
Snapchat doesn’t promote the Lenses. Brands, news publishers, and developers will have to promote their own QR Snapcodes, through which users can access the special Lens for 24 hours. Businesses will need to pay for Sponsored Lens ads for Snapchat to include the created Lenses in its camera. At this time, developers can only use Lens Studio for World Lenses (not selfie masks).
@Snapchat's #LensStudio allows #developers to trial-and-error original #Lenses. #snapchatadvertising
Click To Tweet
Good News for Snapchat
With heightened competition from Instagram as well as Facebook’s recent rollout of World Effects for its AR Camera Effects platform, Lens Studio keeps Snapchat in the game.
TechCrunch says Lens Studio will make augmented reality more developer friendly and accessible to creatives outside of Snap, making it less of a challenge the company has to accomplish on its own.
How It Works
Photo Courtesy of TechCrunchIn addition to the characteristic Lenses accessible in the Snapchat camera, users can access Community Lenses (i.e., Lenses made through Lens Studio) by tapping a Snapcode in camera mode. A thumbnail preview will show how the Lens works, at which point they can also choose to unlock it.
Once unlocked, the Lens is accessible in the carousel of Lenses at the bottom of the screen in the Snapchat camera mode.
According to TechCrunch, Lens Studio fits any experience level. You don’t have to be an advanced animator to learn how to use it. Upon Lens creation, developers retain ownership but also give Snapchat permission to use it.
Lens Studio, as listed by TechCrunch, allows developers to make:
static or animated objects
2D cutouts
windows into other worlds
floating picture frames
3D objects that react when tapped, looked at, or approached
The Lens Studio desktop app is available now for both Mac and Windows users. Go to the Lens Studio website to download the app as well as for guides, templates, and additional information.
Additionally, developers can test their Lenses with a temporary Snapcode. After all necessary modifications and processes are completed, developers get a Snapcode that’s good for one full year. Developers or brands can then market or promote their Snapcodes by any means desired.
Developers should keep in mind while creating Lenses that Snapchat moderators will turn down creations that violate the company’s standards, such as Lenses that depict violence or illegal activity. On top of that, there will allegedly be a report button users can press to target offensive Lenses.
Outsource Partnerships
Snapchat partnered with the following firms to outsource the creation of its AR experiences.
Avatar Labs
Fisherman Labs
Haus
Media Monks
North Kingdom
Trigger Global
Vidmob
These partnerships will generate quicker AR Lenses, as well as allow brands to purchase CPM distribution at a much lower cost.
Lens Studio is yet another way Snapchat AR lenses encourage user creativity and increase advertising exposure.
The post Snapchat’s Lens Studio Allows Developers to Create AR Lenses on Desktop appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
5 Tips for Increasing Your Facebook Video Watch Time
December 23, 2017Karen Dikson
Try these 5 tips for increasing your @facebook video watch time. #socialmedia #marketing #business
Click To Tweet
Facebook videos are huge at the moment. Seriously, scroll through your news feed, and you’ll probably see more videos than images or plain status updates. In fact, a video was the first thing that appeared in my news feed this morning.
This video from George Takei appeared on the top of Karen’ Facebook news feed.It’s no wonder Facebook videos were a priority in all online marketing strategies for 2017. We were preparing for their expansion, but their popularity still left us surprised.
The only problem is people are simply scrolling through their feeds. They don’t stop to watch the videos. To get them to watch, you have to offer something really special. The quality and creativity of your video won’t be enough, though. Of course they are important, but there are many other things to do if you want to improve your video watch time. Let’s focus on that aspect, shall we?
Here are five tips that will help you improve your Facebook video watch time.
1. Upload the Video to Your Video Library
Many social media marketers are making a similar mistake: they upload their videos through the Facebook ad system but forget to feature the videos in their page’s library. So users will remember seeing this awesome video, visit the page the video was posted by, and fail to find it through the busy feed. They try the video library, but see no sign of it.
In the menu, you’ll see the option Videos, which allows you to manage all videos in one place. There, you’ll find the Video Library button. That’s what you should use.
Click on it, and Facebook will take you to the Upload page, which will feature your videos directly in the library.
2. Encourage Shares
Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool in the world of social media. When you promote a video ad, many users will scroll past it. However, if they see your video as a recommendation from a Facebook friend, they will most likely watch it. The stats support this theory: 48 percent of video watch time comes from shares. This means you’ll improve the view time if you encourage your Facebook followers to share your video. If you don’t like the share call to action on every single video, you can ask your followers to comment. When people engage with likes and comments, the video will still appear in their friends’ feeds.
3. Accompany Your Video with a Searchable and Detailed Description
Text still matters, people. Jennifer Norman, a marketing manager for BestEssays, agrees. “It’s interesting to see how marketers are getting so focused on videos that they forget all about the power of a written message,” she says. “First of all, the title of your video should be searchable and descriptive. The description should provide more info [sic] about the video and prompt the users to action.”
The video description leaves you space to be creative. It’s okay to be brief and direct. Humor is certainly acceptable. On serious topics, it’s okay to write a long-form description. The most important thing is make it good.
4. Add Text in the Video
The fact that Facebook videos are on autoplay goes to your advantage. However, you should keep in mind that people see them without sound. That’s good, too. People respond negatively to autoplay, especially on ads. That’s why it’s important to engage them with text so they will put the sound on and see the entire video.
Consider adding overlay text or captions to the video. Keep in mind that many Facebook users like to see entire videos without playing sound. Many do this at work. The captions will allow them to get the point, so they will keep watching.
5. Choose a Compelling Thumbnail
The thumbnail is important because people will see it in your list of videos. When they get to your page, and they want to see what you’ve uploaded so far, the videos section won’t be on autoplay.
There are several things you need to keep in mind when choosing the thumbnail of your video. One, it must get the interest of Facebook users who opted to turn off the autoplay feature. Optimizing the first image they see will certainly make a difference in their decision to watch the video or to continue scrolling. Second, it must not be boring. Don’t go with stock photos. Pick a unique image of the finest quality. It may be a moment of your video, but it’s okay to use an actual image as a thumbnail, too.
Tasty, a popular Facebook page that we all love because of its videos, is a good example of how thumbnails can make a difference. They set moments of the video as thumbnails, but they sure pick the best ones.
There you go. Five simple tips that will help you boost your Facebook video watch time. This is a big deal. Since you’re investing so much time and resources in the production of Facebook videos, you better make it right…right?
Karen Dikson is an entrepreneur and digital marketing expert from New Jersey. She is an intuitive and creative thinker who is able to connect various thoughts into a single theme. Karen loves to stay up to date on the latest digital marketing trends. Her works have been published on HuffPost and other business resources. Connect with Karen on Twitter.
The post 5 Tips for Increasing Your Facebook Video Watch Time appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
December 21, 2017
Intent and Repeat Viewership Now Boost Distribution of Facebook Videos
December 22, 2017Anna Hubbel
So you’ve put in all the creative effort to make a stellar video. But as great as it may be, if it doesn’t appear in Facebook’s news feed, what good is a video that no one is going to see? That’s what Facebook’s two recent news feed updates aim to resolve. The two updates take user intent and repeat viewership into account when deciding which videos to increase distribution for in News Feed.
Intent & repeat viewership now boost distribution for #videos in @Facebook 's #NewsFeed.…
Click To Tweet
Facebook will now look at users’ active visits to your page to determine if videos should have higher distribution in news feed. Active visits include visiting the page directly or typing it in the search bar. For instance, if users frequently search for your page, Facebook will increase news feed distribution of videos that your page posts. If users return to watch your videos week after week, showing particular interest in videos that your page produces, Facebook will show those videos in news feed more than average.
This new prioritization of videos may help Facebook overcome its crowded news feed problem. The platform has already taken multiple steps towards alleviating this issue, including the rollout of Watch, Facebook’s new TV app for original shows.
When it comes to seeing success for your videos, however, Facebook can only help you with part of the battle. You can better your chances by following these four tips for creating great Facebook video ads.
The post Intent and Repeat Viewership Now Boost Distribution of Facebook Videos appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
Facebook Will Push Down Posts That Ask for Engagement
December 22, 2017Anna Hubbel
Posts that ask for engagement—likes, comments, and shares—are called engagement bait. Photo Courtesy of recode.Facebook has noticed the misleading clickbait posts that try to get users to like or share strictly for the purpose of boosting engagement numbers. And the network doesn’t like it.
Pages that use this kind of clickbait, referred to as engagement bait, typically use it in posts that reel users in with something like “Share this post if you love your mom.” Instead of being transparent, pages that use this practice are trying to increase their reach and engagement to get Facebook’s algorithm to place their posts higher up in news feed. According to recode, Facebook will now push engagement bait down in news feed, decreasing post reach and, subsequently, discouraging clickbait.
@Facebook now discourages engagement bait by pushing it down in #NewsFeed. #fakenews #clickbait
Click To Tweet
A More Transparent News Feed
This isn’t the first instance in which Facebook has taken action against misleading posts. In October, we learned the network was testing a button that gives contextual information to publishers’ articles that appear in news feed. Additionally, Facebook recently tested an “About the ad” button, which provides users with a list of ads purchased by an ad’s page owner.
With over two billion monthly users, Facebook’s platform may seem impossible to maintain when it comes to regulating transparency and eliminating fake news and posts with spam. But Facebook’s active pursuit of transparency and its installment of preventative measures seems to be helping.
The post Facebook Will Push Down Posts That Ask for Engagement appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
December 20, 2017
How FCC’s Net Neutrality Repeal Will Negatively Affect Your Business
December 21, 2017Anne Felicitas
The #FCC 's #netneutrality repeal will negatively affect your #business. #entrepreneurs #politics
Click To Tweet
On Thursday, December 15, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), repealed its net neutrality regulations, which prevented Internet service and wireless providers, such as Comcast, and AT&T, respectively, from discriminating against online content.
When the rules were intact, companies could not block or slow access to lawful content and could not charge websites and apps more to access fast lanes. For example, AT&T could not force customers to keep their cable plan by slowing Netflix or force them to use their cell minutes by slowing Skype. Additionally, they could not charge website owners more to reach Internet users faster.
Although Ajit Pai, the FCC’s chairman who argued for the repeal of net neutrality, claimed Internet and wireless providers would not slow access to content, with no rules protecting the net, those companies will likely do so. If fact, in 2005, AT&T CEO Ed Whiteacre said that “for a Google or a Yahoo or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes [ability to reach users] for free is nuts.” And in 2013, Verizon told a federal court that it should charge websites any extra fees to reach its customers.
Ajit Pai, chairman at the FCC, voted for the repeal of net neutrality. Photo courtesy of Daniel Acker/Bloomberg/Getty Images.With the repeal of net neutrality, startups will struggle to grow. If Internet companies slow access to startups’ websites that are not paying extra for fast lanes, those startups will struggle to increase revenue and users when those users bounce to competitors’ faster websites. Although startups can pay extra for fast lanes, paying Internet providers extra fees each month could be too expensive for them to afford.
If a startup can’t grow fast enough because it can’t reach new customers, it will struggle to find investors, who only fund companies with growing users and revenue. In his newsletter, Jason Calacanis, an angel investor, defines the type of startup he invests in.
“We focus on investing in startups that have product or market fit and some traction. This could be $10,000 to $150,000 a month in revenue, or tens of thousands of daily free users,” said Calacanis.
It will be difficult for startups to gain thousands of revenue and users if they have to pay Internet providers extra fees or if they can’t reach customers because of slow lanes. With no money to pay extra fees and no revenue and customers to entice investors, startups won’t be able to compete against big competitors.
Although the FCC repealed net neutrality, public interest groups, politicians, and attorneys are fighting against it. While Public Knowledge, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and the Internet Association promised to take legal action, Democrats on Capitol Hill are working on a bill that would reestablish the rules. Now, the fate of startups rests on those fighting the repeal.
The post How FCC’s Net Neutrality Repeal Will Negatively Affect Your Business appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
Why Trademarking Is the Best Thing to Do for Your Business
December 21, 2017Deborah Sweeney
If you haven't already, trademark your unique assets. #business #USPTO #entreprenuers
Click To Tweet
Your business has intellectual property that it uses. Your unique assets may include logos, designs, or phrases. In the early stages of running your business, you will use your assets with your offerings to build your brand and establish awareness with consumers.
However, if you use your intellectual property on your offerings, but you have not trademarked any of your assets, you risk plagiarism by an outside source. If a third party used your same mark or created a similar one, your investment dollars could be used to benefit the competitor. You could also potentially infringe on someone else’s mark without even realizing it. Having a trademark on your logo or slogan avoids all of these issues, especially once your company begins to expand. It may cost a little extra, and the paperwork might take a bit of time to complete, but here’s why registering for a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the best way to legally protect your brand.
1. Trademarks Have a Long Lifespan
Are there expiration dates for trademarks? The answer is no. Once you filed and registered your trademark with the USPTO, you can use a designation with the mark.
A trademark logo appears as an R within a circle. Photo courtesy of khuranaandkhurana.comAs long as you file the required documents and pay any necessary fees, a trademark can protect your intellectual property for hundreds of years, which is good news for the original and distinct logos, slogans, and symbols you have associated with your business.
2. Used Marks Can Still Be Protected
Typically, new businesses that plan to publicize their services in the near future are encouraged to do research, ensuring the ideas are original and not infringing on other registrations, and file for a trademark early on. However, your mark can still be protected even if you already started using it. To do so, file under use-in-commerce basis if the mark is used in connection with your goods and services listed in your trademark application. Make sure to include an example of how the mark is used in connection with said goods and services, such as having the trademark visible on product packagings, labels, tags, or your displays in store.
3. Only You Can Use the Mark
Having a registered trademark is proof that the ideas you have are unique, keeping competitors from stealing or copying your original work. It also ensures that consumers do not confuse your assets with that of another business’, something that might be harder to distinguish if there is no trademark on the intellectual property. Once consumers know that you have the exclusive rights to that mark, your business builds its credibility while keeping the intellectual property safe and sound.
Deborah Sweeney is the CEO of MyCorporation, a leader in online legal filing services for entrepreneurs and business owners, providing startup bundles that include corporation and LLC formation, registered agent, DBA, and trademark and copyright filing services. You can follow Deborah Sweeney on Google+ and Twitter.
The post Why Trademarking Is the Best Thing to Do for Your Business appeared first on AdvertiseMint.
