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6 Helpful LinkedIn Video Tips

April 8, 2019



Nicole Frost, writer at Advertisemint, facebook advertising agency



Rawpixel / Pexels

Producing quality video content is one way to connect with your audience. However, to capture people’s attention, you must create videos the right way. Here are a few tips on how to create good LinkedIn videos.

1. Establish Your Target Audience

Make sure to establish your target audience before choosing LinkedIn as your video platform of choice. Who do you want to reach? If you want to reach professionals, like high-level executives, managers, and brand representatives, then LinkedIn is the platform to use. Most of the site’s users are gainfully employed or active job seekers, so using LinkedIn’s video feature is an excellent marketing tool if you want to reach this demographic. If, in contrast, you wanted to reach Gen Zs, LinkedIn wouldn’t be the appropriate platform.

2. Keep It Real

Unlike the polished and almost professional look that’s popular for platforms like Instagram and YouTube, LinkedIn’s users respond well to a more raw and realistic aesthetic. Conversational videos come off as more approachable. If you’re using this platform, your goal is probably to connect with your target audience on a more personal level.

3. Stay Short and Sweet

It’s essential to grab your viewers within a few seconds and get your point across as quickly as possible. Whether your videos are being viewed on someone’s phone during break time or on the company computer, assume that your target users only have a minute or so to watch your video.

Christina Morillo / Pexels



4. Create a Thumbnail

LinkedIn video doesn’t allow you to upload an image to use for the thumbnail, so it can be helpful to edit the video with this in mind. The easiest way is to add the thumbnail you’d like to use at the beginning of the video itself, so that frame will be the first thing users see.

5. Consider the LinkedIn Algorithm

Like many other social media platforms, LinkedIn’s algorithm favors relevance. Users are more likely to watch content that is relevant to them, so creating a video with a click-worthy thumbnail and clear purpose is key to increasing engagement.

6. Use Links Strategically

If you want to include any external links, add them to the comments section rather than on the post itself. This allows you to include valuable information without distracting from the subject matter.

LinkedIn’s video feature is still relatively new, but that gives you a leg up when it comes to market saturation and content production across platforms. If you’re trying to target anyone that fits LinkedIn’s standard user base and demographics, videos are an effective way to appeal to potential customers with quick and easy-to-digest information. If you want to stand out on your followers’ news feeds, this is a great place to start.

Written by Nicole Frost, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best facebook advertising agency

The post 6 Helpful LinkedIn Video Tips appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Scoring the Dream Collaboration: Tips on Writing a Convincing Influencer Pitch

April 5, 2019

Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook marketing agency

Raw Pixel / Pexels

Instagram influencers are like dandelions emerging out of immaculate lawns: they’re rapidly growing, to some people’s dismay. While most of them are real social media cognoscenti that carry the influence brands seek, some are merely wannabes appropriating the title to score free traveling opportunities.

Recently, self-proclaimed influencers have menaced popular luxury hotels, demanding free accommodations in exchange for sponsored content. Many of them are clearly amateurs, sending poorly written pitches and, in some cases, possessing fewer than 2,000 Instagram followers. These pseudo influencers have become such a nuisance that some brands have banned all influencer partnerships.

With wannabes tarnishing the image of real hard-working professionals, landing the dream collaboration becomes more difficult. How can influencers convince brands that they’re worth the investment? How can they distinguish themselves from the fakes? Killian Abuan, a social media specialist who scouts influencers for brands, shares her expertise on how to convince companies they’re the best fit for sponsorship.

According to Abuan, to be considered, influencers must create a convincing pitch.

“A good influencer pitch includes a personal statement, a media kit with transparent pricing, examples of past work, and compiled analytics, including the average following and engagement across all social platforms,” she says.

When drafting a personal statement, Abuan suggests showing genuine interest in working with the brand, as honesty and authenticity are heavily considered. But interest isn’t enough to convince brands to hire an influencer. Influencers must also showcase relevant work.

Killian Abuan is a social media specialist who scouts influencers on behalf of brands.

Influencers’ content reflects the demographics of their target audience. An influencer posting vegan recipes, for example, will attract followers interested in veganism. An influencer posting workout tips will attract fitness buffs. The type of content they post will determine the type of brands that will work with them. A meat restaurant, for example, may not want to work with an influencer promoting veganism.

Abuan suggests pitching to brands that match the influencers’ aesthetics. She also suggests providing brands with photos that have little to no edits so that their content can fit seamlessly into the brand’s established voice.

Still, there are gray areas when hiring influencers based on their content.

“Where this can get tricky,” says Abuan, “is with lifestyle influencers, who tend to have less of a niche and more of a broad following. For example, a mom blogger who shares skincare tips while also promoting children’s toys may still make sense for a beauty brand.”

Although brands heavily consider aesthetic and relevant work when looking for partnerships, Abuan emphasizes the importance of passion.

“They [influencers] should account their aesthetic into the decision of whether or not to pitch the brand, but being passionate about the product and genuinely wanting to try it and share their experience should be their main reason for pitching.”

Anyone can be an influencer, but not everyone can command and sway an audience. In a world brimming with fakes, a rich, diverse portfolio—quality content, good partnerships, a variety of projects—and a convincing pitch will distinguish the amateur from the seasoned professional.

Written by Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising agency

The post Scoring the Dream Collaboration: Tips on Writing a Convincing Influencer Pitch appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

How to Use Instagram Story Highlights as a Branding Tool

April 5, 2019



Nicole Frost, writer at Advertisemint, facebook advertising agency



Pixabay / Pexels

If you aren’t already using Instagram to promote your brand, you’re missing out on a powerful way to reach and connect with your followers. Stories is one of the site’s most popular features, and now you can save your favorite posts to your profile even after they’ve exceeded the 24-hour limit, thanks to the rollout of Story Highlights.

Story Highlights claims a prominent spot on your profile, appearing underneath your bio. Its placement and function gives you an opportunity to summarize your brand—what it is and what is has to offer—to users so they don’t have to spend hours scrolling through your feed to get to know your brand. Here are the ways you can use Story Highlights as a branding tool.

Focus on a Specific Topic

When creating highlights, make sure to focus on a specific topic or theme. This makes it easier for followers to find and view the topic they’re interested in seeing. If you own a clothing line, you might categorize your Highlights by collection. For example, you may publish four different highlights, one for your spring collection, one for your summer collection, one for your winter collection, and another for your fall collection. If you run a consulting business, you can use Highlights to organize testimonials about the array of services you offer. If you offer travel planning services, you can organize your Highlights by locations or events to appeal to potential clients.

Create a Consistent Look for the Thumbnails

AdvertiseMint’s Stories Highlights use a color theme consistent with the brand.

Near the top of your Instagram grid, Story Highlights appear as a single, horizontal line of circular images. These images are small, but they are a powerful tool for anyone who uses a specific aesthetic. To maintain your brand’s aesthetic, you can use your logo or you can use graphics that incorporate fonts and colors that align with your brand. It’s important to choose your own thumbnail because otherwise, Instagram automatically uses the first image.

Feature Your Customers or Followers

If you have an established brand, you can curate content from your followers as long as they add your handle. This allows you to engage and collaborate with your audience and establish clout for and loyalty to your brand. Don’t be apprehensive about featuring followers on your Highlights. If users tags you in a post, it is likely for the purpose of gaining exposure, so they surely won’t mind being featured in your Stories.

Instagram’s Story Highlights is a useful and visually appealing feature that has the potential to enhance your brand presence by giving followers a quick and organized way to get to know your brand. If you use Instagram to market your business, there is no reason you shouldn’t be using Highlights to increase engagement and brand presence.

Written by Nicole Frost, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best facebook advertising agency

The post How to Use Instagram Story Highlights as a Branding Tool appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

More Marketers Worldwide Are Investing in Digital Advertising

April 5, 2019



Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads agency



Adrianna Calvo / Pexels

Ad spending does not appear to be intimidated by anything, not even a possible recession. According to marketing analyst Emarketer, globally, ad spending, primarily driven by digital, will continue to rise in spite of the predictions of a global economic slowdown.

However, compared to 2018, total media and digital ad spending growth rates will be weaker. It won’t be due to tightened budgets. Rather, it will be due to a market transformation, says Emarketer in its Digital Ad Spending 2019 report.

“The advertising market is underperforming the economy, but we don’t think that’s because advertisers have stopped investing,” Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at Zenith, says in the Emarketer report. “Instead, we think they’re investing in other areas like advertising technology, data and e-commerce.”

Worldwide digital ad spending is predicted to rise by 17.6 percent to $333.25 billion this year. It will be the first time half of the global ad market will consist of digital.

Image Courtesy of Emarketer

Digital is already the leading ad medium in countries such as the UK, China, Norway, and Canada. The United States, with digital advertising making up 54.2 percent of total ad spend, and the Netherlands, at 52.6 percent, will join that list in 2019. Additionally, half of Russia’s total ad investments will go digital. In contrast, countries in Latin America and parts of Southeast Asia that are less developed will remain behind in digital ad spend.

Image Courtesy of Emarketer

Google will continue leading in global digital ad sales in 2019, making up 31.1 percent of worldwide ad spending, or $103.73 billion. Facebook will follow at $67.37 billion, then China-based Alibaba at $29.20 billion. Next comes Amazon at $14.03 billion.

Image Courtesy of Emarketer

Although more advertisers are gravitating toward digital advertising, traditional channels still hold. According to Emarketer, globally, advertisers are coming up with strategies that use both traditional and digital advertising. This reflects a larger trend of convergence within the total marketing and advertising landscape.

“Brands are continuing to break down the traditional marketing silos and think about customer experience first and foremost,” Sara Whiteleather, vice president of media at US-based AMP Agency, told Emarketer. “That applies to traditional vs. digital and paid vs. owned. They’re thinking holistically about how to reach consumers across all the different touchpoints in the full marketing ecosystem.”

Brad Simms, president and CEO of global business agency Gale Partners, shares the same sentiment.

“There’s a real opportunity in 2019 for brands to tell sequential stories across different media platforms in a progressive fashion,” Simms said in the Emarketer report. “They’re starting to think about how to build interesting narratives about their brand, instead of just hammering people with the same message over and over again.”

However, marketers won’t fully accomplish an intersection of advertising channels in 2019, reports Emarketer. In a September 2018 Salesforce survey, 28 percent of marketers worldwide said ad channels such as websites, mobile apps, and video were isolated at their organization.

On the other hand, Salesforce also found that the average percentage of marketers who coordinate advertising messages across multiple channels increased from 28 percent in 2017 to 32 percent in 2018. According to Emarketer, this indicates that marketers are aiming for cross-channel engagement and will eventually achieve it.

“Reaching that goal will become even more important—and more difficult—as the number of marketing channels grows and the need to demonstrate return on investment (ROI) rises,” says Emarketer. “In 2019, however, marketers will be better equipped than ever to rise to the challenge. Armed with data that will help them more fully understand the customer journey, they can better target their audiences and personalize messages cohesively across the marketing landscape.”

By Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best Facebook advertising agency

The post More Marketers Worldwide Are Investing in Digital Advertising appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Spark AR Studio Is Now Open to PCs

April 4, 2019

Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook marketing agency

George Dolgikh / Pexels

AR creators from all over the globe will rejoice at this exciting news: Spark AR Studio, a software that helps creators make AR effects for Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram cameras, is now accepting applications to access its software on PCs.

It’s important to note that Spark AR Studio is not yet available to the wider public because it’s still in alpha testing. Creators who apply are requesting access to the test. Because the software is still in the early stages of testing, some features will not yet be available. Currently, it is only widely available to owners of a Mac OS 10.12 or higher.

Because Spark AR is opening the platform to creators over time, responses to applications will not be immediate. (There is no estimate on when creators will receive responses.)

The platform is marketed as a novice-friendly software, courting both creators who are code-savvy and creators who are new to coding. Spark AR has resources for those new to the software, providing  tutorials on its website and a Facebook group where amateurs and professionals alike can open discussions and share ideas

There are already a few brands and celebrities that have used Spark AR to create masks, animations, and filters. Ariana Grande, Kylie Jenner, and Liza Koshy are among the celebrities who own AR effects exclusively available to their followers.

Written by Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising agency

The post Spark AR Studio Is Now Open to PCs appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

3 Ways to Improve Engagement Using Instagram Live’s Split Screen Feature

April 4, 2019



Nicole Frost, writer at Advertisemint, facebook advertising agency



Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Instagram Live is a new feature that allows advertisers to communicate with their audience in real time. Not only is the feature a useful tool in tracking and analytics, but the split screen capability also allows broadcasters to include viewers in their videos without interrupting a live broadcast. This opens opportunities for gaining more engagement for your brand. There are three ways to do that.

Broadcast Q&A Segments

Whether you already have an established brand or you’re just starting out, communicating with your audience is one of the best ways to foster loyalty and interest. By adding viewers to your broadcast, you can easily address comments and questions in front of the rest of your viewers. Instead of simply reading answers from a list of submitted questions, you can show your followers that you truly value their input. You can benefit from talking to members of your audience on a one-on-one basis while also helping other viewers who might have the same questions.

To add people to your broadcast, first start your Live video then click the double smiley icon on the bottom of the screen to choose from the list of active viewers. If the user accepts your invitation, a second screen will pop up. You can close this screen at any time.

Collaborate with Other Advertisers or Influencers

Aligning your brand with the top players in your field isn’t just a way to gain credibility. It’s also a way to extend your audience and grow your influence in your chosen niche. When you feature other marketers, brand representatives, or influencers in your Live Stories, you are also extending your reach to their followers. Make sure to advertise your video ahead of time to build traction.

Freestocks.org / Pexels



Create Candid Content

Instagram Live is perfect for making unstaged content, and adding other users makes this even more personal. By featuring other people in your Live videos, you are showing the real faces behind the logo.

If you want to increase overall engagement, reaching out to your followers can directly foster a connection that is more difficult to build with photos alone. Take advantage of Instagram Live’s split screen feature to increase your influence, establish credibility, and gain clout while also connecting with your current audience in a more personal way.

Written by Nicole Frost, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best facebook advertising agency

The post 3 Ways to Improve Engagement Using Instagram Live’s Split Screen Feature appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Facebook Gives Users More Transparency with Updated “Why Am I Seeing This Post?” Feature

April 4, 2019



Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads agency



Image Courtesy of Facebook

The mission of achieving full transparency on Facebook is ongoing, as evidenced by the network’s recent feature rollout.

Facebook announced a new “Why am I seeing this post?” feature that allows users to have more control over the content they see in their News Feeds and to help them better understand the algorithm. Additionally, the network is expanding the information available in the tool.

“During our research on ‘Why am I seeing this post?’, people told us that transparency into News Feed algorithms wasn’t enough without corresponding controls,” Facebook’s Product Manager Ramya Sethuraman explains in the announcement. “People wanted to be able to take action, so we’ve made it easy to manage what you see in News Feed right from this feature.”

The feature, accessible from the drop-down menu, is located on the right-hand corner of a post in the app. Users can select the feature for more information on why they are seeing certain posts in their feeds and how their previous activity impacts rankings in the algorithm.

According to Facebook, with the new feature, users will have access to the following information:

Why a certain post appears in their News Feeds.What information has the largest influence over post ranking. Shortcuts to controls, such as See First, Unfollow, News Feed Preferences, and Privacy Shortcuts, to help users personalize their News Feeds.

Additionally, Facebook will provide more information under the “Why am I seeing this ad?” tool. Users will now be able to see when an advertiser uploaded existing customer information or if the advertiser worked with another marketing partner to run the ad.

Facebook already has a video explaining how the News Feed algorithm works to help users better understand why they see certain content on their feeds, but the information is tucked away in a post to Facebook Newsroom. Not all Facebook users know of Facebook Newsroom’s existence, and press articles posted there aren’t publicized. This is the first time algorithm information has been incorporated to the Facebook app for easier access.

By Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best Facebook advertising agency

The post Facebook Gives Users More Transparency with Updated “Why Am I Seeing This Post?” Feature appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Branded Content and Ad Breaks May Roll Out to IGTV

April 3, 2019



Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook marketing agency

When a new social media feature rolls out to users, I can’t help but suspect monetization to be the ulterior motive. Before you label me a tin-foil-hat-wearing conspiracy theorist, let’s review both Facebook and Instagram’s history. Instagram Stories rolled out. Now we have Stories ads. Facebook Watch rolled out. Now we have ad breaks in Watch videos. Facebook created standalone app Messenger. Now we have Messenger ads. Need I say more?

When Ad Age revealed that Instagram is strongly considering rolling out ads to IGTV, I was hardly surprised. In fact, given Facebook and Instagram’s penchant for monetization, I thought it was only a reasonable next step.

According to Ad Age, several advertising executives revealed that Instagram has been openly discussing the possibility of ads in IGTV. Instagram confirmed this in an email statement to Ad Age.

Although the company is exploring ways to pay creators on IGTV, it has not revealed any details. Advertisers with knowledge of Instagram’s plans did say, however, that brands can be sponsored in a series. For example, a brand can integrate with a show, and the show’s star will give a shout-out to the brand. The advertisers also said that Instagram is considering ad breaks similar to Facebook Watch.

Although there’s no word on when Instagram will monetize IGTV, the advertisers familiar with Instagram’s plans suspect it will come to the app within the next several months. Of course, this is only speculation, so it would be wise to curb your excitement.

Written by Anne Felicitas, editor at AdvertiseMint, Facebook advertising agency

The post Branded Content and Ad Breaks May Roll Out to IGTV appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Incorporate These Trending Summer Topics to Your Pinterest Pins

April 3, 2019



Nicole Frost, writer at Advertisemint, facebook advertising agency



Tracy Le Blanc / Pexels

The weather is getting warmer, days are becoming longer, and people are gearing up for barbecues and beach trips. You can use this seasonal change, and all of the holidays that come with it, as a guide to create Pinterest content. Yes, capitalize on some of the season’s biggest Pinterest trends to increase exposure for your brand.

Memorial Day:  March through May



Aaron Schwartz / Pexels

Memorial Day is one of the country’s most celebrated weekend holidays, and it’s the best time to highlight anything related to barbecues, camping, or family getaways. Patriotic themes are also a hot search topic, so make the most out of this holiday with anything red, white and blue.

Because Memorial Day kicks off the summer season, use bright colors and punchy phrases to make your pins pop. Remember that your content should be respectful (the holiday exists to honor fallen US army members, after all) yet fun and family-oriented. Honor, unity, and gratitude are central themes you can use.

Graduations: March through May



Godisable Jacob / Pexels

Searches skyrocket for anything soon-to-be graduates would need before starting the next chapter of their lives. This includes everything from portable refrigerators and non-perishable foods to dorm-friendly bedding. Invitation templates, photo-related gifts, and other mementos also gain more traction in the spring.

For your content, pursue the theme of pride, using bold, stately fonts and high-contrast colors. If you’re sharing curated content or a timely blog post, focus on anything related to preparing for the future.

Fourth of July: Now through July



Simon Matzinger / Pexels

March through July are the best months to post patriotic content on Pinterest. Independence Day-themed outfits, decorations, potluck dishes, and even makeup tips receive a considerable amount of attention on the platform.

To make your photos pop, incorporate fireworks, backyard barbecues, and lots of American flag prints. Tie in anything related to outdoor activities or patriotism, and you’ll have the perfect Fourth of July pin to add to your Pinterest boards. Similar to Memorial Day, you can’t go wrong by tying in national colors with sans serif fonts.

Summer: March through July

Whether you’re celebrating a break from school or enjoying the sunshine at the beach, summer is a hot topic that everyone can get on board with. Travel inspiration, warm weather activities, clothing, seasonal hair and makeup trends, and fresh meal ideas all perform well during this time of year.

Grab the attention of your target users by using bright colors, script-like fonts, saturated backgrounds, and summer backdrops in your cover photos. Coastlines, picnic tables, and colorful beach umbrellas are all fun ways to tie your product or post in with the summertime theme.

Summer is known for being the time of year when everyone can cut loose and have some fun. Take advantage of the surges in search activity by tying these themes into your marketing plan.

Written by Nicole Frost, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best facebook advertising agency

The post Incorporate These Trending Summer Topics to Your Pinterest Pins appeared first on AdvertiseMint.

Where Do Most Shoppers Start Their Product Searches? Not on Google

April 3, 2019



Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, Facebook ads agency



Christian Wiediger / Unsplash

Google is the go-to for all search queries in the United States. However, another platform is rising to the top for product-specific searches: Amazon.

According to several surveys reported by marketing analyst Emarketer, a majority of US shoppers start with Amazon when searching for new products. In a March Feedvisor study, two-thirds of the US shoppers who were polled said they began their search for new products on Amazon, compared to one-fifth who started on Google. Respondents consisted of US shoppers who have made purchases on Amazon within the last two years.

Image Courtesy of Emarketer

Similarly, a May 2018 study by Adeptmind reported that nearly half of US Internet users first turn to Amazon for product searches. The same study found that only one-third of users start product searches with Google. Such findings go as far back as September 2016, when a Bloom Reach study learned that 55 percent of its participants ages 13 and older go to Amazon first to search for products, outweighing the 28 percent who used search engines.

Emarketer says brands and retailers should consider using Amazon to leverage product sales because of the platform’s high usage for product searches that ultimately turn into purchases.

“Google was the early leader in product searches by virtue of its dominance in all types of search behavior,” Emarketer principal analyst Andrew Lipsman said in the report. “But with Amazon now deeply ingrained into Internet user habits, it has emerged as the primary destination for product searches when users are looking for specific items.”

Image Courtesy of Emarketer

According to Feedvisor’s findings, 74 percent of US shoppers turn to Amazon once they’re ready to make a purchase. Additionally, 54 percent indicated that they are more likely to buy products on Amazon compared to other sites. As a result, more advertisers are going to be drawn to the e-commerce platform.

“We forecast that US advertisers will spend $11.33 billion on Amazon’s platform this year, a 53 percent increase over 2018,” predicts Emarketer. “That number is expected to reach more than $15 billion by 2020 and account for nearly 10 percent of total US digital ad spending.”

By Anna Hubbel, writer at  AdvertiseMint, best Facebook advertising agency

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