Andrew Macarthy's Blog, page 29

How to Edit Facebook Profile Photo Thumbnail 2014

Facebook has tweaked the way that users can adjust the thumbnail version of their profile photo - the tiny square image that represents them next to comments on the site. 

Source: metalogicdesigns

When hovering over your profile photo and clicking the pencil icon, then Edit Thumbnail, a 'Scale to fit' option (above) used to appear.\

Now, however, Facebook allows you to upload a profile image and (as long as it is over 180 x 180 pixels big), drag it around to pick the thumbnail view you like the best.

The previous 'Scale to fit' option was causing a few issues with images being cropped all weird in certain cases, so hopefully this tweak will have straightened everything out. All this said, though, I would always recommend uploading a big, square profile photo to bypass the need for any of this editing in the first place.

Andrew Macarthy is the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips, available for Kindle and in paperback.

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"Hack" Instagram's Photo Map to Label your Instagram Content

Whilst researching some stuff about Instagram recently, I came across this clever little way to utilise the Photo Map feature, even if your brand does not have a physical location.

 

The above images show how the Photo Map is traditionally used by brands. When a photo has been geo-tagged, the user taps on the name of the location, which takes them to a map showing them where it is, as well as a gallery of other photos geo-tagged to the same location. A further tap opens the map in full, where users can get directions and reviews.

Here's the "hack", demonstrated by the Puma image above. When you choose to geo-tag a photo, you are given the option to "create" a location anywhere in the world and give it a name. Since Puma doesn't have one single physical location, it uses the space normally given to the "location" of the geo-tag to label its photos.

 

Of course, when you click on the geo-tagged "location" in the above example,  all you get is a random place chosen by Puma - Frankfurt in Germany, in this case.

So, if your brand has no fixed physical location (perhaps just office space that you don't want customers visiting, or a web-only presence), why not use the Photo Map feature of Instagram to label your content? Best of all, the label is positioned at the top of the screen, so it is the first thing that a user sees, where otherwise they might have to scroll down to read the description for more information.

Andrew Macarthy is the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips, available for Kindle and in paperback.

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Sacco and Gogo's Real-time Twitter Marketing Fail

 

When Justine Sacco, a PR executive of all people, posted the above tweet before boarding a flight, little did she know of the reaction while she was in the air. Amongst the thousands of replies and retweets condemning her comment, Gogo, a provider of in-flight wi-fi, decided to use the buzz as a way to market itself with the following tweet:

Next time you plan to tweet something stupid before you take off, make sure you are getting on a @Gogo flight! CC: @JustineSacco

— Gogo (@Gogo) December 21, 2013

Not only was the tweet not very funny, nor did it make a lot of sense in the context, but it is one of the most recent  examples of how some brands try to use social media to position themselves as "current" and "edgy" by piggybacking on trending stories - and fail.

While Gogo's tweet is not offensive in itself, its timing is pretty poor, and the company later admitted so in an apology. Opportunistic tweets like that from Gogo can be extremely powerful in the right circumstances, but all-too-often, we see marketing departments posting before thinking thoroughly about what the consequences might be given the speed and ferocity at which one tiny piece of social media content can turn into a backlash they never saw coming.

 

The 5 Elements of a Successful YouTube Video

 

Now more than ever, people are turning to video content to be informed and entertained on the web. And for brands who want to take advantage of this massive opportunity for exposure, an established YouTube presence is crucial.

1. Grab Attention (3-6 seconds)
Show a teaser of what’s to come or say why a viewer should keep watching.2. Title Screen (3-6 seconds)
Brand your video with
a slick intro - an animated logo, music and effects.3. Main Content (1-5 minutes) 
Deliver the bulk of your video. Depending on the content, keep it fun, easy-to-follow, but always engaging. Edit well and use music if pertinent – hundreds of free tracks are available from the YouTube Audio Library.

Title  and categorize your video effectively, add relevant tags, and design an impactful custom thumbnail image to drive clickthroughs.

4. End Screen (3-6 seconds)
 Branded end screen with annotations to one or a selection of your other videos, and call to actions, e.g. visit website, subscribe, etc.5. Out takes  (5-10 seconds)
Keep viewers
regularly watching to the end with use of out takes or funny moment from your
filming session. 

While there are no hard and fast rules to guarantee success for every YouTube video that gets published, the framework above will add the professionalism, structure, and consistency that resonates with audiences.

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5 Awesome Snapchat Marketing Examples (Dec 15, 2013)

Snapchat is gearing up for a huge 2014, and while many of the world's biggest brands have yet to jump on board, I reckon it'll only be a matter of time. Until then, check out these recent examples from some large (and some smaller) brands who are already using Snapchat to market to their audience in new and interesting ways.

1, Grubhub uses humour and ties in with Snapchat's reputation for racy messaging:














2. Domino's Pizza Australia uses Snapchat to push out self-destructing promotional posters...














3. Box of OMG sends multiple snaps to new friends as a staggered welcome message...














4. Karmaloop teases a joint competition with Mishka...














5. American Eagle's Aerie Brand has some Christmas fun...

Which other brands do you know that are making use of Snapchat for marketing? Let me know in the comments below!

Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6

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5 Awesome Instagram Marketing Examples (Dec 15, 2013)

As Christmas is nearly upon us, many of the big brands have had the holiday season on their minds when it comes to social media marketing. Check out some of these awesome examples of Instagram marketing that have been posted recently:

1. New Balance has fun with the Thanksgiving holiday...2. Skullcandy's sleek ad campaign for its latest headphones...3. San Diego zoo posts a collage of its departing panda bear...4. Oreo begins its 12 Days of Christmas countdown...5. Nickelodeon challenges its followers to find its Spongebob Squarepants mailboxes...

Seen any awesome examples of Instagram marketing yourself? Let me know in the comments below! 

5 Awesome Snapchat Marketing Examples (Dec 12, 2013)

Snapchat is gearing up for a huge 2014, and while many of the world's biggest brands have yet to jump on board, I reckon it'll only be a matter of time. Until then, check out these recent examples from some large (and some smaller) brands who are already using Snapchat to market to their audience in new and interesting ways.

1, Grubhub uses humour and ties in with Snapchat's reputation for racy messaging:














2. Domino's Pizza Australia uses Snapchat to push out self-destructing promotional posters...














3. Box of OMG sends multiple snaps to new friends as a staggered welcome message...














4. Karmaloop teases a joint competition with Mishka...














5. American Eagle's Aerie Brand has some Christmas fun...

Which other brands do you know that are making use of Snapchat for marketing? Let me know in the comments below!

Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6

Follow Me:
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3 Ways Brands Can Use Instagram Direct For Business

 

The roll out of Instagram Direct allows users to share photos and videos with a specific person or a group of up to 15 people, opening up a way for brands to communicate with their customers and fans that has sorely been missing from the app.

After sending, you’ll be able to find out who’s seen your photo or video, see who’s liked it and watch your recipients commenting in real time. Photos and videos that you receive from people you follow will appear immediately. If someone you’re not following sends you a photo or video on Instagram, it will be held in your requests until you decide if you want to view it.

Here are 3 ways that brands can utilise Instagram Direct...

1. Sharing exclusive coupons

Instagram Direct allows you to send exclusive coupons to your customers. Who you choose to send them to can be selected randomly, by new followers (identified via the Notifications feed), or those who post a photo or video with a specific hashtag.

2. Handling customer service issues

Up until now, brands were forced to handle customer service issues within the comments section on Instagram, but they can now be dealt with more privately using instagram Direct.

3. Holding contests

With fans now able to contact you directly, all sorts of fun and games can be had. Contest ideas include first to reply wins, first to take a certain photo wins, or a scavenger hunt where clues are sent out to followers who choose to take part.

What other ways can you see Instagram Direct being used by businesses?

Andrew Macarthy is a social media consultant and the author of the #1 Amazon Web Marketing Bestseller, 500 Social Media Marketing Tips.

 

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips

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5 Ways ASOS Is Rocking Christmas Social Media Marketing

If there's one brand who has completely embraced social media marketing as part of its overall business strategy, it's the online fashion retailer, ASOS. And if proof were needed, check out the folllowing examples to see how they're using Christmas and the holiday season in general to influence the content they post to engage with their audience and drive views and sales on their website.

1. Festive fun on Instagram...2. Christmas memes on Facebook...
Post by ASOS.

Post by ASOS.
3. Expert advice and special offers on Twitter...

Need party dressing pointers? Ask our personal stylists right now #TonightIs http://t.co/JHxLGQ8Rp5

— ASOS (@ASOS) December 10, 2013

Everything Christmas is totally sorted with up to 30% off gifting and party. Sweet. http://t.co/5ozmTQoeX5

— ASOS (@ASOS) December 9, 2013

4. Messages from Santa and free gifts for customers on Vine...5. Christmas Tutorials on YouTube...

Obviously ASOS has the resources to pump out content consistently across many different social networks, and this might not be the case for you. Hopefully, however, the types and variety of posts here will give you some inspiration to carry over into your own marketing on whichever social sites work best for you.

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A Subtle Way to Make Your Facebook Images Pop on the News Feed

 

Every good marketer knows that the way Facebook users scan their News Feeds doesn't leave a lot of time to catch the eye - and further interest - of a potential customer. Posting compelling images is an essential part of the strategy, but here's one subtle tip to help your images stand out even more. 

As you can see above, the technique involves using a large block of contrasting colour in the background of one of your Facebook posts, but, crucially, leaving a portion white at the top. This creates the illusion of your image popping "out" of the screen against the blank Facebook background. 

In this second example, I have added an arrow to enhance the effect further, and draw people's eyes to my message in the status update.  

Although the effect is very subtle, in the context of all the other "flat" images on a busy News Feed, it really does catch the eye. Try experimenting with this method using different images and colours to see what works best for you. 

Have you given this tip a go? Let me know in the comments below as I'd love to see! 

 

Buy 500 Social Media Marketing Tips

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007L50HE6
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007L50HE6

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